Friday, July 15, 2005

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Heavy rains bring on stormwater concerns

Residents report sinkhole, other problems

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The Ceci family in Peachtree City is dumbstruck after recent rainstorms led to their yard being flooded again with water coming off Hip Pocket Road.

For the third time, heavy rains sent water cascading through their backyard at 124 Pebblestump Point, creating a large sink hole, said Nick Ceci. Although the city filled in the hole the last two times, Ceci wants them to do a better job of fixing it this time, and there is a question when the city will do the repair work.

Ceci said City Engineer David Borkowski came by and said the project would be put on the list, but it could be a year before the work could be done.

Jackie and Bobby Davis, who live on Creekside Way, are also weary of a stormwater issue affecting their property. Jackie Davis said water runoff from Robinson Road goes through the greenbelt and cascades into a “river” that goes through a formerly landscaped area of her backyard.

The flowing water doesn’t come close to the house, but the Davises have grown frustrated with waiting for the city to take action to stem the tide, so to speak.

“We’ve tried to be patient,” Davis said about waiting for the city to make repairs. She blames what she calls “fake culverts” along Ebenezer Road which don’t do the job they’re supposed to.

“It’s just destroying our property,” Davis said.

Shondra Ceci said she was unaware the city was creating a stormwater utility to handle just situations. While the utility likely will result in a as-yet-undetermined charge to each home and business, that money will be used for stormwater improvements.

Fayetteville, for example, instituted a $2.95 monthly fee to build up cash to conduct various stormwater improvements, first focusing on areas of town that chronically have flooded.

In the meantime, the Cecis are stuck without being able to play in their backyard, a hinderance for their three children, who range in age from 2 to 10. A city crew put up caution tape in an effort to keep people away from the sinkhole, Nick Ceci said.