SALEM, Miss. (WTVA) - After years of disputes and resignations local residents can only hope for the best when it comes to representation and solving the dilemma of having sufficient water.
So who will represent the Northeast Itawamaba Water Association board of directors?
There are five candidtaes vying for three open spots.
For people who live inside the boundaries of the Northeast Itawamba Water Association, the election is an opportunity for them to elect who they want to see represent their views when it comes to having water.
"Well we've had a lot of problems in years past with the water system," adds Wayne Cleveland, Fairview resident. "It's very important people come out and elect the proper people in there and get this thing straightened out once and for all."
Once the election is finalized and new board members are confirmed, local residents would like to see nothing better than the new board come to an agreement on how to solve the issues of water quality and water quanity to this area.
"[The] most pressing need is to get good water," adds Cleveland. "I have had dingy water for years and it's because some things are beyond their control, but I think they all got to get their heads together and quit fighting."
"We've got to figure out which direction is the better direction to get our water source for the future on this system," added Doug Thomas, systems operator. "This will not be for the next four or five years this will be for more than likely the life of the system."
With the main issues being the quantity of water source available in one location and bad quality of water in a second location due to a heavy concentration of iron, other options need to be looked at with a joint decision to be made as soon as possible.
"[Two have been] looked at," adds Steve Holcomb, Itawamba County resident. "One from Franklin County, Ala., has been one source that has been looked at. Currently we are looking at a source from the city of Fulton as an option. We're wanting to weigh the options out and choose the one which will be best for the system for the future."
