City again OKs ward line plans

Published 8:18 pm Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Brookhaven aldermen have reaffirmed their approval of a redistricting plan they voted to support a month ago, clearing the way for the new map’s submission to the U.S. Department of Justice.

     Mayor Les Bumgarner broached the subject at Tuesday night’s board meeting, discussing an alternate redistricting map submitted to the city by the Lincoln County NAACP at a public hearing held on redistricting.

     “Some people came and presented the board with another opinion,” Bumgarner said. “I’d like to know what the board’s pleasure is.”

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     Bumgarner said he’d prefer to see the board go on record as decisively rejecting all alternative maps in favor of they one they originally voted to support Sept. 4.

     In a repeat performance of the original vote, the board voted 6-1 to again approve the plan, with only Ward Two Alderman Terry Bates dissenting. Bates has voiced support for an alternative plan that would increase the black voting percentage of Ward Six.

     However, Ward One Alderman Dorsey Cameron and Ward Three Alderman Mary Wilson both objected Tuesday night that all plans submitted thus far that increase the black voting percentage of Ward Six simultaneously lower Ward Three’s black voting population to nearly 65 percent or less.

     “I won’t support a map that lowers Ward Three’s percentage,” Wilson said. “That map put Ward Three in jeopardy.”

     City Attorney Joe Fernald said an ordinance detailing the new ward lines is being drafted. Once it’s complete, the redistricting plan can be submitted to the Department of Justice for pre-clearance.

     Board members also discussed the future of recycling in Brookhaven now that a new waste disposal contract with Waste Pro will bring curbside recycling to the city Nov. 1.

     Ward Six Alderman David Phillips told the board dropoff recycling bins located at Central Fire Station and Fire Station No. 2 will remain in place at least until the end of October, and possibly through the end of December when a pilot program Waste Management offered the city expires.

     “We were 20 years behind the times, but we caught up quick,” Bumgarner said, speaking of the city’s rapid transition from dropoff recycling to a curbside program.

     Though curbside recycling doesn’t begin until November, the city’s new waste disposal provider Waste Pro began garbage pickup Monday.

     Bumgarner said there’ve only been a few isolated complaints of missed garbage.

     “All in all, they’re doing a good job,” Bumgarner said.

     In other news, the city’s long-delayed effort to bring tornado sirens to town has hit another snag.

     In June, the city received a grant to pay for most of the expense to place five weather sirens in the city. However, Civil Defense Director Clifford Galey told board members Tuesday night the siren bids that have been received must be rejected and new bids taken for the sirens.

     Galey cited unspecified problems with the bids that were submitted. Aldermen approved Galey’s request.

     Aldermen also approved Brookhaven Fire Department Chief Tony Weeks’ proposal to purchase a new Pierce fire truck at a state contract price of $479,979, with various discounts bringing the truck’s price down by about $14,000.

     The truck will be financed for eight years at about 2.24 percent interest. Money the city receives from the state for fire equipment purchases will cover the truck’s payments.

     The truck comes with a life expectancy of more than 20 years.

     The truck will be custom built to Weeks’ specification and should arrive about seven months after it’s ordered.

     “It will be something to be proud of,” Weeks said.