During the past year, my neighbors and I have been trying to resolve an issue with mud and muck runoff on our properties with representatives from the [Fayetteville] stormwater program.
This nasty problem began when a retaining pond was constructed for the new neighborhood, Sparrow Cove, on Grady Avenue. The retaining pond has been discharging mud and silt every time it rains.
This muck is depositing on my property and not only is an eyesore, I feel it devalues my home and my neighbors’ homes.
We’ve been told, by the “experts,” this is a normal runoff. There is standing water behind my neighbor’s home and summer is right around the corner. We are very concerned about the mosquito problem. It was awful last summer.
We have always had water runoff, but it never has been like this. The water was clean and clear. It now looks like a mini Mississippi River flowing when it rains.
Grass is unable to grow because it gets smothered by the muck. The water stays longer because it cannot be absorbed by the ground.
The city of Fayetteville has told us they plan to “fix” this problem with some grading and sod. I’m no rocket scientist, but I cannot see where grading and sodding will solve the issue of mud coming out of the retaining pond. I can see this becoming an even bigger mess.
The neighbors across the street received an underground pipe and we have asked for a similar solution. The response we received from Mr. Don Easterbrook (via telephone conversation) was there isn’t any more money, nor is this being a considered as a viable option. It’s too expensive.
The length of pipe we are requesting is not much more than what our neighbors received across the street.
I called Mr. Easterbrook about three weeks ago and received his voice mail and asked for a solution to the mud situation, again. We played phone tag and he told me, on my voice mail, about the construction that was to begin the week of March 20 (nothing has been done).
I wrote a letter to Mr. Easterbrook the same day stating it wasn’t the construction I was concerned about, it was the mud, and had asked for a reply by March 24. I have not received a response from him yet.
While I realize Mr. Easterbrook is extremely busy, this issue has been going on for over a year now. My neighbors and I are ready for this issue to be finished with.
I’m writing this letter to appeal to the citizens of Fayetteville who are having problems with flooding on their properties and feel they are receiving the same lack of interest attitude from the city. Please e-mail me at leigh612 (at) comcast.net, to discuss this issue.
Leigh Ann Preston
Fayetteville, Ga.