Pastor requests refund

    GRANTS - Central Baptist Pastor and Outreach Center representative Garland Moore approached the Grants City Council on Oct. 21 about low water pressure at the center.

    “We've been having problems for over a year,” said Moore to the council. “We can't use the bathroom and we still get a bill.” The minister said he tried to cancel the water service a year ago but was not able to because he needed the trash service from the city. The water service and trash service are combined on the city utility bill. Grants residents cannot have trash service without minimal water service.

    “We are a not for profit organization . . . we feed 25 to 45 people six days a week, and we have to pay for water service that we haven't had for over a year,” said the minister. “We are requesting a refund, how do we go about it? I don't mind paying if we can flush the toilet but we can't even do that.”

City Manager Bob Horacek told the mayor, council and Moore that his staff would have to review policy and see what they can and can't do as to Moore's request. “I'm sure we can do something.”

According to Anthony Martinez the water line in front of the Outreach Center tests okay, however, Moore is correct, there is no water pressure. Martinez added that the engineers the city has contracted with are working on getting it fixed. “Right now, we are waiting on the environmental study,” Martinez said. “Because of the nearby environmental project and because it is on Old Route 66, it takes a little longer to get approval to move forward.”

Martinez added, “It is a strange situation because neighbors to the Outreach center have good pressure.”

    A public hearing has been set for Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m. for the low-pressure water issue on Santa Fe Avenue, in particular from Falcomata Motors to the Cibola Beacon. Moore has been invited to the hearing.

    Councilman Martin Hicks said, “These guys help people, we need to help them. We need to get them water,” Hicks said as he looked at Martinez.

Other businesses or residents that may have low water pressure along this area of Santa Fe Avenue     are encouraged to attend the meeting on Friday and voice their concerns.

    For more information about the meeting call Special Projects Manager Roberta Martinez at 287-7927.