Zack Plair wrote a good article printed August 21 saying the county (may) get $13 million. Is “Manna from Heaven” really coming?
Further studies reveal: On February 18 the county receives a letter authored by Mr. Ballweber (MSEG) to be signed by Monday BOS meeting, requesting funding from NRCS for the county dam. Board President Miller recognized a number of untrue statements so she forwarded letter to MDEQ Dam Safety. On Saturday the BOS received MDEQ’s email informing them the lake was constructed for the sole purpose of recreation and was not built under the authority of PL-566.
The main omission may be the fact that the county no longer controls the lake. It is leased to Wet N Wild, LLC. Lease is a little complicated, but a brief summary. The sixteen-section part is basically for 24 years with an option of 24 more years. Schools get $31,290 a year, and county gets $2,500 a year.
The request letter discusses slides as an issue, but in reality MSEG contracted a geotechnical study finding these were superficial and just maintenance issues. Letter also blames MDEQ for the lowered water level, but BOS has a MDEQ letter where MDEQ, concurred with the county engineer’s recommendation to lower the level by five feet.
Remember the county attorney read the request letter. He never questioned wording? Well! The letter contained a “Statement of Commitment” which committed the county to nine requirements, the most expensive being: To “assure adequate land treatment measures have been installed and maintained on at least 50 percent of the watershed area above the dam.” So, Mr. Roberson, that’s about 5,500 acres. Who pays this huge financial commitment? County must also match 35 percent cost and agree to operate and maintain a dam they never have before. Who is doing this and where is that money?
Where is this miracle money coming from? (Listen to the YouTube video of the last BOS meeting, minutes 38 to 48.) You will hear how Mr. Furr said he used personal connections to gain access to national NRCS officials. His statement, “I got it approved.” He also said his friend Homer Wilkes, the current Under Secretary of Agriculture, helped get him in.
Ms. Miller refused to sign such an unfactual letter, Mr. Trainer signed it knowing the untruths.
Listen to meeting, when Ms. Miller wanted the people to vote she met heavy resistance. Mr. Trainer said, “the 5 board members should make the final decision.” Both Mr. Williams and fence-sitting Mr. Montgomery have said they want the people to see what the two options will cost. Get both costs and be transparent.
George Sills, Starkville
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