by Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.
Several months ago Joseph Bryant of the Birmingham News wrote an article that started out positively as it relates to the Water Works Board. He then added at the end several paragraphs that he had previously written from another article about the Water Works Board that were negative. The Birmingham News contends that it is important to rehash old stories with new ones which gives readers a better picture. In my opinion, journalism should not be approached in this manner.
I wrote a response to the article to the individual at the Birmingham News who handles editorial matters. I requested a time to appear before the editorial board and I was informed that whenever they convened a meeting they would get back to me and let me know. Apparently they never had the meeting because I was never notified.
After several weeks, they finally printed my letter where the headline was that I had written a letter, and they mentioned that I was a paid consultant several times in the article which had nothing to do with what the letter was about. In other words, they wanted to make sure that my statements had no credibility. Here’s what it was it said, in part:
Dear Editor:
The video that was produced by the Birmingham Water Works Board for social media was not done to get brownie points from members of the Alabama House and Senate nor to keep them from passing a bill that would increase the number of individuals who presently sit on the Water Works Board.
It was done because the majority of the Board wanted to educate their customers on its processes in order to convey their story in a positive way. BWWB previously met with the City Council and the Jefferson County Mayor’s Association. With a desire to reach customers, BWWB chose to do a video that spotlighted those who do a great job for the system every day. Employees of BWWB can explain the detailed processes of their work to customers and other interested parties.
Last week the media was notified that the Water Works Board was having a public hearing on the upcoming budget. The first 2-4 paragraphs written by Joseph Bryant, stated this, but in the last two paragraphs they did the same thing they usually do by including previously written statements from other articles.
Holding mandatory public hearings before water rate increases has been a demand from state legislators who proposed major changes to the utility in bills last session.
Bills from State Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, and Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, proposed putting a $500 monthly cap on board members pay, mandated term limited for board service, and required public hearings before water rate increases.
Water Works officials fought the legislation, calling state intervention unnecessary.
Officials have said board pay has already been reduced and all meetings are public. Utility officials have stressed the system’s strong bond rating and water quality ranking.
The headline of this story should have been ‘Water Works Board Holds Hearings;’ instead here’s what the headline said: Got Questions about your water bill? Want to know where the money’s going? Come to the Birmingham Water Works next week.’
It’s my understanding it is the policy of the Birmingham News that headlines are not written by the author of the article.
Within the next three or four weeks, the Water Works Board will publish all the awards won by them in the last several years. This tells us why the Birmingham Water Works Board is one of the Top 5 Boards in America. It will be interesting to see what the Birmingham News will write regarding this information.
The individuals who presently sit on the Water Works Board are hardworking, committed individuals serving all of their constituents. Every meeting they have is necessary. Every penny they are paid is earned. I can truthfully state they have made very effort to follow through with their commitment to be transparent in all ti’s operations.
