City still ignoring flood problem in Chimneystone
Dear Editor,
Let me say it out loud “Happy anniversary Harvey (whoopie)”! At the risk of sounding redundant and/or confused, I’ll try just once more to get some clarity about the flooding problems in my Sugar Land neighborhood (please remember: I’ve had water up to my door even before Harvey).
So, here goes: I’ve gotten most of my information from LID2 (Levee Improvement District #2) but it seems like I hear relatively little from the City of Sugar Land about drainage problems here in Chimneystone (flood central). I would ask the City of Sugar Land: “Is LID2 your mouthpiece in these matters?” I’ve learned that the city and LID2 have separate duties when it comes to draining storm water. Or maybe you (City of Sugar Land) just lack the ability to “give us the confidence” that you are working on this problem. Could this be a lack of basic PR skills on the part of Sugar Land?
Basically the only thing I know about our drainage problem in Chimneystone (this was told to me by LID2) is: someone was hired to do “a study” for this neighborhood. That’s it? Is “the study” something the city ordered? I’m confused. The LID2 manager told me that the Chimneystone drainage problem was the responsibility of the city. Therefore, the city should be transparent and explain this Chimneystone “study” in detail to all of us dummies.
Actually, saying “we’re doing a study” sounds like what folks would say if they don’t know what to do. Who’s doing this “study” and who authorized it? Is it rinky-dink? Or is it full bodied. When will “the study” yield data? Will anything actually happen after “the study”?
Some of us feel that years ago instead of fixing dysfunctional infrastructure in lower income neighborhoods, Sugar Land opted to build a showboat city hall building. The city might say to me “Sir, these are different matters.” I would ask “why is that?” But then we’re just simple folks out here, sometimes we get confused (who wouldn’t). In my neighborhood we know that the city was supposed to re-furb our storm drainage system many years ago. I never saw any work done. What happened? What will happen now? Oh wait, I forgot, there’s “a study”. Anyway, how about a news release (a mail-out, town crier, letter to the editor, regular info, etc.)? Keep us filled in (I’m talking to the city).
For the past year now, I’ve been working by myself to repair my flooded home. I feel it deep down in my knees and my back. I’m a reluctant sheetrock worker (learned it on YouTube), a flooring guy (learned it on YouTube), a floor and door trim worker (yep, YouTube). I’m about 45 percent done with reviving my small home to the best of my ability. Why so slow? It’s because I’m not a pro, I’m just doing what I can at my age, with my limited skills and money. I’m a crew of one.
Why don’t you hotshot Sugar Land fellows crank up the press and let us know what’s really happening (beyond “a study”). I’m talking to you City of Sugar Land, this is your matter, is it not? There’s no need to hear from Mike Stone (LID2 manager) any further, isn’t that correct? Why does he keep popping up? If you (the city) can’t communicate, maybe you can “learn how on Youtube”.
Waiting for more water,
Linden Hudson
Sugar Land