Mayor Calls For Water Board Shakeup

PRICHARD, Ala. (AP) - Prichard Mayor Ron Davis is calling for
the ouster of three members of the Water Works and Sewer Board,
which has come under fire from residents who say they can't afford
their ever-increasing bills.
The mayor cited a resolution that allowed the city council to
serve on the water board, but Willie Huntley Jr., who serves as
attorney for the water board and the city, said the 1972 resolution
was created when the board was established. He said the bylaws have
since been amended to allow only one council member to
simultaneously serve on the five-member board.
In November the board raised its rates 15 percent for the second
time in as many years. Customers now pay about $67 a month for
water and sewer.
Councilwoman Earline Martin-Harris told the mayor he could not
legally remove three water board members, and said she provided him
with the updated bylaws. Davis said he had not spoken with any of
the board members.