Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Meeting Announcement
On Monday February 25 at 7:00 the Bessemer Neighborhood Association will hold a meeting for city residents who are interested in the Bessemer Water Service, GUSC and the future of our water supply. The meeting is at Food World on 9th Avenue in their community room and all are encouraged to come. Care about your water rates?
Monday, January 28, 2008
GUSC and Bessemer's Water
The Bessemer City Council has proposed giving more authority to the Governmental Services Utilities Corporation, which runs our water plant. An example of a water system that has been given too much authority and no oversight is The Birmingham Water Works. Is this the model that we want to pattern our water authority after?
Come to the Bessemer Nighborhood Association meeting tonight (Monday, January 28, 2008) to hear what the ramifications of such an agreement could be. 7:00, at Broken Vessel Church on Dartmouth Avenue.
Come to the Bessemer Nighborhood Association meeting tonight (Monday, January 28, 2008) to hear what the ramifications of such an agreement could be. 7:00, at Broken Vessel Church on Dartmouth Avenue.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Minutes from November 5, 2007
The Bessemer Neighborhood Association met on Monday November 5, 2007 at the home of Elvira Kidd.
Elvira spoke briefly about the situation involving pastor Donald Moulton at Broken Vessel Full Gospel Church. She let us now that there may be a new direction for the church, more to come.
She reinforced that the BNA is separate from Broken Vessel, and that even though we have previously met there, we are not affiliated with the Church in any way.
Elvira discussed the possibility of holding meetings with the city, where the BNA would meet and the mayor or a representative would be there to inform the citizens of their plans and agenda. A twice monthly meeting schedule and an assurance that the meetings would be held in each district at least once a year were considered but it was agreed that probably one BNA meeting a month with just us, and the other with the city officials would be best.
Sam reported a meeting with Forrest Davis who said there was not grant money left. He spoke with Regions and with Buffalo Rock and got a positive response, but both entities want prices and proposed statistics for reducing crime before making a commitment.
Sam sent letter to State Senator E. B. McClain and Attorney General Troy King regarding dog laws. He also found that there is a vicious dog law and that Bessemer is not enforcing the law.
31 Center Street is an area of crime, next to Cynthia’s Barber Shop. Some increase in police presence was reported, but not decrease in crime has been noticed.
Elvira reported that at the upcoming council meeting, noise, smoke and water bond were on the agenda. Also she reported the $72,000 fee requested by Atty. Harris in relation to the water bond. This is an increase from $20,000, but no one knows why. In fact, no one even knows why the original $20,000 is being charged. Also, the proposed water bond is requesting $1.5 million more than they need. What is that money for?
Lodging tax increase. Elvira wants it to be used for retiree’s increase in benefits.
The school system is suffering. Elvira questioned whether our organization should be focused on education as well as our usual business. Elvira proposed we get with the PTSO and city council and all work together to improve the school system.
Our next meeting will be November 26, 2007 at Food World Community Room at 7:00.
Elvira spoke briefly about the situation involving pastor Donald Moulton at Broken Vessel Full Gospel Church. She let us now that there may be a new direction for the church, more to come.
She reinforced that the BNA is separate from Broken Vessel, and that even though we have previously met there, we are not affiliated with the Church in any way.
Elvira discussed the possibility of holding meetings with the city, where the BNA would meet and the mayor or a representative would be there to inform the citizens of their plans and agenda. A twice monthly meeting schedule and an assurance that the meetings would be held in each district at least once a year were considered but it was agreed that probably one BNA meeting a month with just us, and the other with the city officials would be best.
Sam reported a meeting with Forrest Davis who said there was not grant money left. He spoke with Regions and with Buffalo Rock and got a positive response, but both entities want prices and proposed statistics for reducing crime before making a commitment.
Sam sent letter to State Senator E. B. McClain and Attorney General Troy King regarding dog laws. He also found that there is a vicious dog law and that Bessemer is not enforcing the law.
31 Center Street is an area of crime, next to Cynthia’s Barber Shop. Some increase in police presence was reported, but not decrease in crime has been noticed.
Elvira reported that at the upcoming council meeting, noise, smoke and water bond were on the agenda. Also she reported the $72,000 fee requested by Atty. Harris in relation to the water bond. This is an increase from $20,000, but no one knows why. In fact, no one even knows why the original $20,000 is being charged. Also, the proposed water bond is requesting $1.5 million more than they need. What is that money for?
Lodging tax increase. Elvira wants it to be used for retiree’s increase in benefits.
The school system is suffering. Elvira questioned whether our organization should be focused on education as well as our usual business. Elvira proposed we get with the PTSO and city council and all work together to improve the school system.
Our next meeting will be November 26, 2007 at Food World Community Room at 7:00.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Meeting Scheduled
The Bessemer Neighborhood Association will meet Monday October 8, 2007 at 7:00 at Broken Vessel Full Gospel Church. Topics will include Water Bond, Downtown, Violence.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Special Meeting
Monday Night, September 17, at Broken Vessel Full Gospel Church, 1829 Dartmouth Avenue, Bessemer. 7:00 PM. More information, and we need more support.
Action Planned over Water Bond Issue
In order to bring attention to more residents about the possible rate increase for water if the Bessemer City Council does not pass the 4.8% bond issue, the BNA is supporting the following actions.
Meet at Snitz-Snider stadium between 6:15 and 6:30 tonight to pass out flyers.
Pass out flyers in the neighborhoods of Albert Soles, Jesse Matthews, Dorothy Davidson and Sarah Belcher.
Protest with us in the neighborhoods and at City Hall.
Here are the two most important things to do:
1. Call the council members and have others call to tell them it is not right to favor one individual over 30,000 citizens, and they should vote putting the interests of the citizens of Bessemer first. Tell them you understand the water rates may double (or more) and many people can not afford it.
These cell phones were issued by the city, and this is an issue of great importance to the city, so feel free to call. These are the council members who voted against the bond.
Albert Soles 369-0784
Dorothy Davidson 229-3475
Sarah Belcher 229-3474
Jesse Matthews 229-4314
2. Be at City Hall for the Council meeting on Tuesday. The planning meeting is at 9:00, and the Council meeting is at 10:00. It's good to get there for the planning meeting, so they can see that a bunch of irate citizens are there trying to cram into that little room. They don't like a crowd, and they get nervous. Then stay for the council meeting. They are supposed to allow citizen participation, but they do not always allow it. Whether they allow citizen participation or not, they will know why you are there. The water bond issue may or may not be brought up again.
Check back here over the weekend to see if events are scheduled.
Meet at Snitz-Snider stadium between 6:15 and 6:30 tonight to pass out flyers.
Pass out flyers in the neighborhoods of Albert Soles, Jesse Matthews, Dorothy Davidson and Sarah Belcher.
Protest with us in the neighborhoods and at City Hall.
Here are the two most important things to do:
1. Call the council members and have others call to tell them it is not right to favor one individual over 30,000 citizens, and they should vote putting the interests of the citizens of Bessemer first. Tell them you understand the water rates may double (or more) and many people can not afford it.
These cell phones were issued by the city, and this is an issue of great importance to the city, so feel free to call. These are the council members who voted against the bond.
Albert Soles 369-0784
Dorothy Davidson 229-3475
Sarah Belcher 229-3474
Jesse Matthews 229-4314
2. Be at City Hall for the Council meeting on Tuesday. The planning meeting is at 9:00, and the Council meeting is at 10:00. It's good to get there for the planning meeting, so they can see that a bunch of irate citizens are there trying to cram into that little room. They don't like a crowd, and they get nervous. Then stay for the council meeting. They are supposed to allow citizen participation, but they do not always allow it. Whether they allow citizen participation or not, they will know why you are there. The water bond issue may or may not be brought up again.
Check back here over the weekend to see if events are scheduled.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Press Release
Bessemer Neighborhood Association
Mission: to improve the quality of life throughout Bessemer and its surrounding communities.
September 12, 2007
To: (Sent to all the TV stations and Bham News and Bessemer Newspapers)
From: Elvira Kidd, President of BNA
205-731-5623
Joe Openshaw, Secretary of BNA
205-428-0332
The Bessemer Neighborhood Association will be addressing the urgent issue of the Water Line bond at a special meeting on Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 7:00
Our concern is that city officials are looking to do what is best for themselves, rather than the water customers, in choosing a company to fund the water line to the city of Alabaster. Choosing the wrong company will result in increased water rates. Estimated rate increases range from 108% to 300%. The City Council had a chance Tuesday to remedy this by re-addressing the issue, but chose to adjourn the session instead.
Our meeting is:
Thursday, September 13, 2007 @ 7:00 P.M.
Broken Vessel Full Gospel Church
1829 Dartmouth Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35020
Mission: to improve the quality of life throughout Bessemer and its surrounding communities.
September 12, 2007
To: (Sent to all the TV stations and Bham News and Bessemer Newspapers)
From: Elvira Kidd, President of BNA
205-731-5623
Joe Openshaw, Secretary of BNA
205-428-0332
The Bessemer Neighborhood Association will be addressing the urgent issue of the Water Line bond at a special meeting on Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 7:00
Our concern is that city officials are looking to do what is best for themselves, rather than the water customers, in choosing a company to fund the water line to the city of Alabaster. Choosing the wrong company will result in increased water rates. Estimated rate increases range from 108% to 300%. The City Council had a chance Tuesday to remedy this by re-addressing the issue, but chose to adjourn the session instead.
Our meeting is:
Thursday, September 13, 2007 @ 7:00 P.M.
Broken Vessel Full Gospel Church
1829 Dartmouth Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35020
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