The Freedom Forums!!!

by ***!*** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:36 pm

DEVELOPING: A large, long-term sewer leak is said to have existed north of the new Howard County jail. I write "existed" because the leak may have been repaired in the last few days. A city councilperson is reported to have alerted the city manager. One person is said to have commented that it might cost a million dollars to clean up the mess. Can anyone confirm the leak and share more information on this?

by **new yorks finest** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:22 pm

Yes the leak is confirmed,I was there and took pictures and documented this horrific bio hazardous raw sewage leak.which extended north from W.Hwy 80 almost to I 20 .The big problem here is this spill which looks to have been going on for a very long time crosses numerous water ways and lakes which in turn could have been contaminating a large adjourning area.I have notified the TCEQ and other agencies with the location and facts and will post their findings when they are done with their investigation.
My question is why did the CITY OF BIG SPRING NOT NOTIFY THE PROPER AUTHORITYS AND DO THE LAWFULL THING
INSTEAD they blocked off the flow of "s**t" to the leak in turn causing back ups of sewage into some homes in that area.
This was the first the TCEQ herd of this was from me.If the city did the right thing they should have reported it immediately fixed it and cleaned the hazardist site by the proper state guidelines that were established that apply to this condition.
Anybody who has had their toilets back up and overflow with sewage in the area of the new Jail please post it on this site or drop a line to the concerned citizens at PO .box 2155 Big Spring TX.79721
The location of this leak is between Wright St. and Mobile St. and North of W.Hwy 80 about 300 ft. and running North almost up to I-20 Pictures of this will be coming soon.

by **sneakycitizen** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:01 pm

lakes?!?!?!?!? WHERE!?!?!? lol

by ***!*** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:45 am

With the permission of new yorks finest, I deleted his earlier post with GPS coordinates which did not correspond with the location of the reported leak.
Here is a link to a Google map of the area http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 8&t=h&z=18

I found this http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html website which allows one to drag a marker to a location and generate latitude-longitude coordinates.

I shared itouchmap.com with new yorks finest, and he indicated the leak is near lattitude: 32.235931854098005 longitude: -101.51467502117157

These numbers can be plugged into itouchmap.com to generate a map with a coordinates marker if anyone is interested.

The coordinates for the dam at One Mile Lake in Big Spring are 32.25043267543117 -101.49206399917603

by **westexan** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:08 am

This problem is quite upsetting. Property taxes are paid for just this type of incident. I suppose our local leaders will have to purpose another Bond Election to remedy the situation.

by **2020** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:06 am

Since we now have “Go-Texan Retirement Community” status, perhaps we can market ourselves as the Anal Leakage Capital of the United States and recruit affluent seniors who are otherwise embarrassed by this food and medication side effect. Heck we got it bubbling out of the ground here. We could be the town that embraces anal leakage. We can build parks and monuments around the bubbling crude and reel retirees in hook line and stinker. Or we can just stick with being known as the s#!t hole of West Texas.

by **ELT** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:01 pm

With all these problems around this city they put through the famous waterpark, i guess they think maybe we will forget what is really going on because such a good thing was done. Sure!! :roll:

by **2020** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:33 pm

and guess what they will be filling the water park with. It won't be rain water... And those will not be Snicker Bars or Hershey Kisses that the kids will be throwing in the pool.

by ***!*** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:01 pm

As of today, there are two W Hwy 80 area sewer leak complaints on the TCEQ website http://www5.tceq.state.tx.us/oce/waci/i ... cid=135861 http://www5.tceq.state.tx.us/oce/waci/i ... cid=135862
I saw the ABC Big 2 News story on the sewer leak last night. It was reported the City claims it will only take three hours to clean up the spill, but I've heard from other sources that acres of land are involved and it could cost a million dollars to remediate. You can search for TCEQ complaints by county here or to make an environmental complaint use this online form or call the 24 hour toll-free hotline at 1-888-777-3186.

by **GDSB** » Thu Feb 18, 2010 3:20 pm

While not exactly a lie, what you heard was the City misrepresenting the facts once again. For a group who are constantly proclaiming themselves “good christians” they have a peculiar and unsavory way of twisting the truth. Clearly they all skipped ethics classes and or had a friend or relative sit in for them. Todd.

by ***!*** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:38 pm

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive!"

UPDATED COMMENT FROM TCEQ COMPLAINT # 135861:

"The following information was obtained through an on-site visit to the City of Big Spring on 02/18/2010: the city has a collection main which gathers from the the city and the east side of the City Airport, it includes several prisons and the newly opened Howard County Jail. The collection main runs along the east side of the airport and heads north across West Highway 80 along the west side of a closed business called Carpet Warehouse (closed) located at 3808 W Hwy 80, before proceding northeast to the railroad for a pipe crossing and the back side of CO-EX Pipe. There are several man-holes along this main: at the front southwest edge of the 3808 W Hwy 80 lot just off of the paved street, at the back corner IE the northwest corner of the lot about 125 to 150 feet but not visible until you walk along the building to specifically view it, then about 1000 to 1200 feet north east to where the pipeline crosses under the railroad spur from the main line to the airport (former USAF airbase). It was the hidden from view man-hole which was discharging. The city cleared the blockage, spread HTH powder chlorine then used water to activate and further spread the chlorine. There is no vehicle access to this man-hole. The city is in contact with the landowners to gain a vehicle access to their sewer main. The city believes that the prisons and the recently opened county jail have been the main contributors to this overflow/bypass."

by ***!*** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:50 pm

by ***!*** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:54 pm

by **westexan** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:08 am

Good work *!* & new yorks finest. One would think KBST & The Herald would have their interest piqued by now on this issue. Since The Herald has not mentioned this I was reminded of another prominent issue.
With the upcoming money grab by the BISD, this link should be helpful and informative to fellow posters. This is what journalism is supposed to be all about. I keep a printed copy handy to look at occasionally; it’s a nice reminder.
The Herald will probably tow the local leaders line; although , it would be nice to have an article about TAX RATES, LACK OF MANTENANCE, ETC.. There are the occasional Letters To The Editor though.

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

by ***!*** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 2:38 pm

Thanks westexan. It would be very interesting to learn which local media players believe they subscribe to and follow the SPJ Code of Ethics. I received some additional photos which show what looks like a large reservoir--some are affectionately calling it "Poo-poo Pond,"others "Turd Lake"-- in which the sewer overflow could have collected over the years. I'm guessing when it rains water runs through this pond and into One Mile Lake then Beals Creek. I want to be clear in saying I have not visited the site. I have only driven by on Hwy 87 and I-20. It is my understanding the photos below follow where the sewer leak flowed, south to north. I don't think the City of Big Spring could have possibly corrected the health hazard with a topical application to sewage saturated ground.

http://tinypic.com/r/zyf1ix/6

http://tinypic.com/r/skw5ki/6

http://tinypic.com/r/2djo1ea/6

http://tinypic.com/r/16adssl/6

http://tinypic.com/r/2i7tyt1/6

by **sneakycitizen** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 8:32 pm

it just means it'll be a little greener around there. Then if they allocate money to "properly" clean it up their going to have to have some cut backs which in turn might affect everyone, then its back to all your bitchin and moanin. The city this, the city that! Working for the city I've come to learn many things and the lack of respect from customers is one thing. They want this or that or always think it's the city's problem or fault when in most cases the customer just needs to take the time to pull their head out of their ass and treat others with respect. Some people just need to get their facts straight

by ***!*** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:03 pm

sneakycitizen wrote:it just means it'll be a little greener around there. Then if they allocate money to "properly" clean it up their going to have to have some cut backs which in turn might affect everyone, then its back to all your bitchin and moanin. The city this, the city that! Working for the city I've come to learn many things and the lack of respect from customers is one thing. They want this or that or always think it's the city's problem or fault when in most cases the customer just needs to take the time to pull their head out of their ass and treat others with respect. Some people just need to get their facts straight

I don't believe the state and federal regulatory agencies have arrived at their raw sewage release rules to make it tough on little towns like Big Spring. Ditto for drinking water quality. Whatever the reasons, the City of Big Spring can not opt out of following the law. I doubt most citizens in Big Spring would look at an open stream of raw sewage running into the water way as being a green opportunity. I think there are strict control measures on raw sewage releases because of the threat to public health. Can cows exposed to untreated human waste become infected with dangerous E coli? This link indicates even inhalation of raw sewage contaminated dust can cause disease.

I posted this June 18, 2008 in the Big Spring Downtown Concept Thread:

*!* wrote:
sneakycitizen wrote:maybe the odor is coming from the railroad
Tell us more, sneakycitizen. I did notice a bad odor north and west of downtown Wednesday afternoon. I don't think the wind was blowing from the southeast, and the odor wasn't as bad as the odor I smelled downtown. Could the sewer be leaking into Beal's Creek? Is the railroad shipping sewer sludge somewhere?

by JE » Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:51 pm

C. jejuni
L. interrorgans
V. cholorae
S. enteritidis

Just some of the diseases that could be spread from this

by **RightWriter** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:22 pm

Sneaky Citizen wote:

Working for the city I've come to learn many things and the lack of respect from customers is one thing. They want this or that or always think it's the city's problem or fault when in most cases the customer just needs to take the time to pull their head out of their ass and treat others with respect.

WOW! WHAT A MORON. They are called citizens, not customers. A customer has the choice as to the allocation of their money. As citizen is taxed and has the right to expect the utmost. If your 'customers' are so horrible, get a different job. You would not last a week in my business with you attitude.

by **2020** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:15 pm

It appears we have (literally) a turd of a problem on are hands and in our back yard. What is called for is some leadership and unfortunately what we have in Big Spring is a lot more turds than leaders. Although the Mayor and City Council bear some responsibility and should be held accountable, they are in reality only part time volunteers. Turds elected by turds. The true responsibility for this s&!t of a mess lies exclusively with the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager who constantly prove themselves to be complete failures in their duties, unqualified to lead and inspire and guilty of holding position beyond their personal capabilities. They should be removed at once and replaced with competent administrators and preferably administrators from outside of Big Spring who are not products of small town nepotism and corruption. We should not forget that Big Spring is a City Manager Government and when the City does not work, it is a City Manager problem.

by **sneakycitizen** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:05 pm

I'd prolly last 2 unless your a dickhead for boss a but then again I could handle it. I just smile and wave. When a citizen "pays" for water from the city I beleive you would call them a "customer". I just love to get on here and see yall get your panties in a bunch.

by JE » Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:20 am

sneakycitizen wrote:I'd prolly last 2 unless your a dickhead for boss a but then again I could handle it. I just smile and wave. When a citizen "pays" for water from the city I beleive you would call them a "customer". I just love to get on here and see yall get your panties in a bunch.

No, citizens are not customers in regards to paying for the water here. That is just as ignorant as saying we are customers of the roads here, or customers of the traffic lights. In these regards you are a citizen that has no choice but to partake in these types of things. Customer implies you have a choice.

by **mam** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:50 am

We pay property taxes to take care of clean water and sewer leaks. Is it too much to expect problems to be taken care of in a timely manner instead of the months some of these have taken?
And our taxes also pay city employee salaries and wages.

You get no respect? Maybe your attitude warrants this.

When I do business in most any store, I see employees always busy, and always smiling and helpful.

When I deal with any government agency, I see a lot just sitting around.

Retail pay is lower and has very little job security.

It takes an act of congress almost to fire a bad government employee.

And if you worked for me, you would be fired.

Of course the city would rather spend the money on a water park than take care of long, ongoing problems in maintainence.

by **mam** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 12:02 pm

Are you wasting company time on here or are you off work today?

by **RightWriter** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 1:07 pm

by sneakycitizen » Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:05 pm

I'd prolly last 2 unless your a dickhead for boss a but then again I could handle it. I just smile and wave. When a citizen "pays" for water from the city I beleive you would call them a "customer". I just love to get on here and see yall get your panties in a bunch.

I can normally look the other way on typo's and such (I make enough of them myself), but based on your post, I doubt you could make it through lunch.

by **sneakycitizen** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:20 pm

You do have a choice. You can do without! I dind't know I was being graded on how well i typed, dang. I don't waste "company" time. I like my job, like I said just enjoy seeing all you crybabies on here

by **2020** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:14 pm

At the risk of offending anyone, I believe the subject at hand is sewage leaks on the West Side of town and not the pros and cons of municipal workers verses privately employed workers. It is ignorant at best to demean anyone based upon his or her employment. It seems to me that it would be much better to stay on topic then to risk coming off as some loose air hose or Crazy Aunt Mary. So are there any new turd outbreaks? And does anyone recall the incident in 2007 when a prisoner escaped from the courthouse and headed toward the rail road tracks? When the prisoner entered Beal Creek, Sheriff Walker ordered his Deputies not to follow because Beal Creek is filled with toxins and poisons. Perhaps former Sheriff Walker knew then that human waste was being pumped into Beal Creek. Now that he does not hold political office, perhaps he might be up for an honest conversation.

by **sneakycitizen** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:47 am

that's true. That's the bad thing about manholes that are out of sight. They should be checked periodically to insure their not overflowing.

by JE » Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:55 am

sneakycitizen wrote:You do have a choice. You can do without! I dind't know I was being graded on how well i typed, dang. I don't waste "company" time. I like my job, like I said just enjoy seeing all you crybabies on here

No, you can't "do without" water, sanitation, sewer, etc.....read up on the history of the fall of the roman empire.

by **sneakycitizen** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:11 pm

I'd rather not, thanks though

by **Rita2** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:54 am

Besides, we PAY for these services you suggested we do without....AND, I don't think the Health Department would look too kindly on our doing without. Not sure, but I would think there are laws about that, especially in the city.

2020, I appreciate your wanting to stay on topic, but it was the city worker who chose to go off topic and criticize the citizens who pay for these services and his salary.

by **sneakycitizen** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:49 pm

Oh my bad. Well thank you for my merit raise I received last year

by **Rita2** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:02 pm

I wouldn't be so "proud" of that merit raise as most are given just for showing up, and hopefully not drunk or high, when you work in a "government" position.

by **2020** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 6:15 pm

I perused the board from the top down and for the life of me could not find anything written by anyone using the screen name “the city worker” or “city worker”. Perhaps they deleted their post or perhaps this is just more of your anti-government rhetoric veiled in insult. Whatever it is, you should stop drinking the local water. It is full of bad stuff that’ll make you crazy.

by **mam** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 7:00 pm

check the first posting after the second group of pictures and read the whole posting.
and I worked several years for the federal gov. don't suppose local operates any different.
especially after watching 4 men refill a repair hole. excuse me. 1 man filled the hole and 3 stood around smoking
just wondered if that is why repairs take so long to get done.

by **mam** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:02 pm

I am not saying that all gov employees are not working for their pay. There are good and bad in every work place.
however there are enough to give a bad impression. My post originally was in response to his attitude toward the general public. And it was in response to the slowness of repairs, or the nonexistance of some repairs.
I for one do not expect anything to be done the same day as reported, but I do expect repairs done the dame week.

by **Bittercreek** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 10:49 pm

Sneaky -Who Ever, Stated he was an Employee of Big Spring; along with his above
remarks.
Clearly; Sneaky is a very good example and reflection of "Lower Goverment-
-I.Q.. Same old Rotten Attitude with a 3 Grade Education to back it up.
Keep on posting Sneaky, or Snakey. Big Spring is Proud of you!!!!!!!
Ignort AZ@.

by **sneakycitizen** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:47 pm

Aw, I gradumated the 4th grawde, lol. So I guess ya'll pay my salary to do practically nothing right? I beleive a thanks are in order then. Thanks

by JE » Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:03 am

Yes, you are just certainly wearing us all down by acting like an idiot. Bravo. You're just too dominant an internet force for us all to comprehend.

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