Broken Promises

By Kesshia Peyton Anchor/Reporter

A Mobile couple says the city broke its promise when it came to keeping a drainage ditch clean. Broken Promises

Published: Thu, September 06, 2007 - 4:29 pm Last Updated: Sun, September 09, 2007 - 12:41 pm

Kesshia Peyton

Frankie and Billie Hall said about 20 years ago, the city asked them to put a concrete drainage ditch in the middle of their backyard. They didn't have a problem with that only if the city kept it clean. The Halls said over the years crews came out twice. The last time was after Hurricane Ivan. Suzan Hall who lives next door said the ditch is a health hazard. "We've actually got here manually pulling the stalks out of the bottom of the ditch. But it's a constant battle and with snakes, mosquitoes, rats and what have you, it's not right the homeowner, property owner doesn't really control their property and has to get out here and do the city's job." said Suzan Hall of Mobile. News Five contacted the city of Mobile about who should be responsible for cleaning the ditch. A spokesperson for the public works department says crews try to clean the ditch once a year, but admits, they haven't like they should. The ditch is scheduled to be cleaned next week. The city of Mobile says another reason the ditch went unnoticed is because it didn't have any record of it being a problem. The best way to get something checked out is to call 311. Whether it's filling pot holes or drainage ditch backups, anyone with concerns should call that number. For more information, check the link at the right of this page.