Jackson business owners are reaching a breaking point as the state of Mississippi announces a state of emergency in a beleaguered Jackson water system.
Many are wondering if this is the beginning of the end for Jackson.There have been no hints from local and state leaders about how long residents and businesses will be under boiling water notices.
“This is nothing new. It’s been going on for me for like 20 years. Everyone is acting as if this is a new situation. It’s not. It’s an idiot that should have been dealt with 20 years ago.” It’s a tough situation,” said Derek Emerson, who owns Walkers Drive-In in Jackson.
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“Everybody’s got their heads around it and it’s gotten to the point where people don’t want to do business in Jackson. They make it so hard. “The town is too close to move. If something isn’t done, there’s no business in Jackson,” he said.
Arden Barnett, who owns an entertainment facility in Jackson’s Fondren neighborhood, said the ongoing water problem is an eyesore for the city and has irreparably harmed Jackson’s businesses and the lifestyles of its residents. , repeated many complaints.
“It affects everyone’s attitude to going out and doing something. It’s all very disappointing,” Burnett said. I think to “We are angry.” The bottom line is that we are fed up. …
“There is no excuse for no drinking water in your community. We have been let down by the city government…for years,” he said. “Finally come to the fore, there’s nothing more to fix this problem. [expletive].”
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Sarah Friedler, general manager of Brent’s Drugs in Jackson, said the business impact is nearly overwhelming.
“People are exhausted,” she said. “People are choosing not to eat at Jackson.
“I think the biggest problem is that there is no end in sight,” Friedler said. “Usually you try to hold on to some kind of hope, but I don’t know what it is now, nor does anyone else. We cannot continue to live and work like this.”
The Nissan Cafe at the Two Museums complex is closed, as is Jackson’s Broad Street Bakery, and several other restaurants are also closed and may not be open for the rest of the week.
“I’m taking a few days off,” said Nissan Cafe chef Nick Wallace.
Jackson deals with the water crisis:Jackson-area schools, businesses temporarily closed due to boiling water notice
Millsaps College, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, and public high school and state officials worked virtually. Three college and state officials are expected to be virtual all week.
Hotels in Jackson are open Tuesday, have good water pressure, and have not been forced to close like many feared.
However, a CNN crew coming to the capital to cover the event chose not to stay in Jackson, risking no water and staying in a hotel in Ridgeland instead.
Emerson said he appreciates the governor for stepping into the situation, but admits that Jackson’s water problem goes back 40 to 50 years.
Before:Water supply failure: Governor declares state of emergency
“This didn’t all happen overnight, but I’m not against the governor looking into it,” Emerson said. They spent $100,000 to pitch a tent over the damn water factory, is that a really necessary fix?
“But the problem is that no one has done anything for years. I later found out that there were 15 boiling water notifications in a year, and we had no idea about it. Now everyone knows every time, I hate to say it, but people have been drinking that water for ages.”
Emerson worries that the situation has gone too far, at least from a business perspective.
“Honestly, it’s going to be really difficult for people to do business here until they sort this out and sort out the criminal situation,” Emerson said. Will the company get sick of paying claims for lost business and start suing the city? We should stop and see what happens.”
