Letter to the Editor

Citizen unhappy with Gosnell Water Association

Monday, June 22, 2015

To the Editor:

I am writing this to bring to your attention the unfair and deceptive practices of the Gosnell Water Association. The complaints for extremely high water bills are continuously on the rise. Amidst these complaints, the Gosnell Water Association has recently installed video surveillance, that too without any warning. There has been no public notice, to tell the people that they are being recorded. Basically, it's a setup by the company to file harassment charges and to cover up complaints.

I have been a resident of Gosnell for the past 5+ years. I have complained not once, but numerous times about extremely high water bills. Below, is a detailed account of the complaints I made and the ambiguous and unacceptable replies that I got in return.

I made my first complaint to the Attorney General on Dec 13, 2013 for a whopping $106 water bill. Again, in May 2015, I received another bill for $92.44 with water consumption of 13320 units.

Honestly, I'm tired of the poor customer service, humiliation and disrespect. I'm sure all of Gosnell Arkansas, can vouch for the rude antics of the office manager and would label her behavior as unethical and unacceptable.

The continuous influx in water bills with no logical explanation is hurting the consumers and is taking away their hard earned money. There is so much anger, that complaints are now titled as "harassment". The police are being called. The Gosnell Water Association has become the consumer's worst enemy.

I would like to ask only one question: Where were the cameras when consumers would complain to the office manager, and the response would be "Call your landlord, your toilet is leaking", "You have a pool" and "My husband is the manager, owns the water company and has worked for the water company for 13 years?"

I would like to correct her here. You do not own the company. Your husband is the general manager and you're the office manager. They both are employed by The Gosnell Water Association - A Public Service for Consumers!

Most importantly, I'm also a consumer who pays her bill in a timely fashion and has questions and concerns, which should be answered.

If I don't pay my bill, I will a receive shut off notice and my water is shut off.

Fortunately, I pay my bill therefore (I would like to request a billing audit, books, records and completed work orders for 2010 through 2015. Not, just my account all residents of Gosnell. How many other meters were read wrong or unnecessary repairs made?

Also, I would like to invite you, investigative news, and any resident/consumers to the next water board meeting. July 13th. 2015 Gosnell Arkansas 72315

Latina Reddick

Gosnell