By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
SALINE COUNTY - After the ownership of the water services at Sundowner West Mobile Home Park has been taken away from the previous owner, residents gathered for a meeting to understand the next steps moving forward.
Last week, Pleasant Hill Water met with residents in Hedville to discuss the plan on how the water services will be conducted.
Pleasant Hill consists of Don Teeters, Jenelle Summerow, Scott Walton and Curt Bigge who are experts in water services. Teeters (Redi Clean Water Well Rehab), Walton (Walton Plumbing & Heating) and Summerow (WaterWise Enterprises) all have been servicing Sundowner well before the fiasco took place.
Misty Livingston-Holmes, the spokesperson and head advocator for the residents of Sundowner is part of the Pleasant Hill Water board. Her role is to continue advocating, helping to keep communication open and available to the residents.
She stated she feels strong with where everything is moving forward.
"I feel strong about the current situation we are in moving forward!" she said enthusiastically. "It has been a work in progress and it has not been easy for all parties involved. When Don, Scott, Jenelle became involved, they were business owners that could help us. While I was skeptical and frustrated at first, I had to take a step back and trust in God, that these three businessmen/women were leading us with integrity."
In the meeting, residents were given helpful information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). That information included 8 steps on "how to reduce exposure to lead in water" and other information on health effects of lead and possible sources of lead in drinking water.
A questionnaire was given as well for residents to jot down any problems with their water quality, as Bigge, Teeters, Summerow and Walton conduct the services.
The goal is for the full ownership to be handed over to the residents of Sundowner, but the experts want to train them up on how handle the water services and to ensure the quality is in good shape, before that happens.
Senator Scott Hill (R-Saline) and Representative Dawn Wolf (R-Saline) are in communication with Saline County Commissioner, Joe Hay on ways how they can support.
Stay connected with the Salina Post on this story, as we will continue to provide updates.