This Saturday the rain came down and flooded several sections of the city. It was reported up to 7 or 8 inches of rain fell in just a few hours time. People were stranded, cars had to be parked on the neutral ground or any high land. Those who flooded wanted answers and rumors were rampant that the pumps were not working. But with all that took place, nothing was really new, it was an event all too familiar because it was a repeat of the past.
When things go wrong, the blame game starts and the real problem and solution gives way to the politics of the moment. The city council will meet in an emergency meeting and the S&WB will review all that happened. Those candidates now running for Mayor will chip in with their comments and of course those who suffered damage are already out of patience. And because the event was not new, tempers will deny a level headed approach to the problem.
The real problem is the water bowl the city sits in and a sewage and drainage infrastructure that has been neglected for over 30 plus years. And until the funds are found and allocated to take care of that situation, Saturday's event will take place again. A good start was FEMA's agreement and approval with the city to fund $2 billion to fund repairs for roads, sewer, water and drainage infrastructure cause by damage due to Hurricane's Katrina and Rita. Those funds are now in danger because of the Trump administration.
The other problem of neglect is our political system that is so divisive that state and city budgets no longer put priorities first and as a result the service people rely on are under funded and neglect sets in. All forms of taxes, which government needs and uses are unfair because taxes in general are not fair to all. This writer has made several commentaries here in PolitiDose concerning every one should pay his or her fair share of taxes, even the poor and the reasons why.
Saturday's event will not be a wake up call if the status quo does not change. If there is no real priority and commitment to fund the sewer, drainage and street neglect that has taken place, the city's future will repeat the past. And keep in mind, if a commitment is made to take care of the problem, reversing 30 years of neglect will not be accomplished quickly. But it must begin.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
