In response to the City of Seminole’s social media post 6-19-20, which appears below: Residents at Hidden Hills Mobile Home Park have had a rough time the past few weeks since a private water line ruptured and left the entire park without water.

“Our hearts go out to those good people,” said City Manager Steve Saxon.

They have been without water service for some time. Seminole city officials, whose hands are tied in this matter, have been working with Bowlegs- Lima Water District, who is attempting to run a line closer to the park.

Hidden Hills is a mobile home park south of Seminole, outside of Seminole city limits. “It is illegal for us to use city resources on private property,” said Saxon, “and in addition, it is outside of our jurisdiction.”

“The city takes care of the water and sewer lines to the meter,” said Public Works Director Bryant Baker. “Once beyond that water meter, it is a private line and not something we can work on.”

The owners of the park are aware that it is their private line that has ruptured and left the residents without water to their homes.

“In this case, the city’s meter was placed on the north side of Wewoka Creek about 50 years ago, and the private line was run from the meter to the mobile home park,” Baker continued.

“This would be no different than an apartment building,” said Saxon. “The tenants pay rent to the owner/manager, who maintains the facility.”

“It is this business owner/manager’s responsibility to maintain the water lines from the meter to the individual tenants.”

My response: When Curtis Looney (sic) showed me “our” main leak, he said “it’s on your side of the main, good luck”. I called Bryant Baker and he said, “I’m not touching those lines”.

One was sarcastic and the other was extremely matter of fact. The truth of the matter is it is understood who is responsible.

“If their hearts go out to those good people who’s paid city taxes for water/ sewer for 50 years”, per Bryant Baker, one would think they would have more humility and see the emergency. And the City of Seminole turned their backs. I also question “it is illegal for us to use city resources on private property”; because the property is owned by the state, maintained by the City, and this is a STATE OF EMERGENCY, legally documented.

Hidden Hills reached out to Danny Williams and Mr. Williams reached out to Bowlegs/Lima. Misty and I attended their board meeting, and they welcomed us with open arms. For the City to take any credit for the water being delivered to the park is false. All the City did was relinquish jurisdiction by signing papers created by Bowlegs/Lima, who took on the responsibility.

At the end of the day, this park has paid city taxes for 50 years. In a STATE OF EMERGENCY, the City clearly turned their back on infants, pregnant people, elderly who require home health care, and 70+ people who have complied with their city taxes.

I am not looking for hand outs and never will. I’m a straight shooter who won’t steal, cheat, or lie to anyone; and expect the same, however, this did not happen with the City.

A simple coordination meeting with the City to discuss temporary fixture over Wewoka Creek would gladly have been paid for and appreciated.

This is a very unfortunate situation.