City offers help to those affected by winter storm

City of Jefferson

Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker is offering up a plan to help residents pay their water bills, if they were affected by the winter storm.

“If you had increased water usage due to leaks related to the storm, we want to help you get past this tough time to the best of our ability” said Baker.

The proposed plan requires residents who suffered leaks and have a problem paying their latest water bill in full to contact Baker at rbaker@cityhallofjefferson.com and work out a payment plan.

“This is only for large increases related to leaks,” said Baker. “Hopefully most people can pay for their increased bill, but we can look at the accounts and tell if you had a substantial water leak thus driving your bill up well above normal.”

The plan also includes no planned water cutoffs for those who contact Baker, as long as payments are made and kept up to date.

“You’ve got to pay your normal water bill, plus a little extra,” said Baker. “We want to help people get back to a normal water bill level and get these wrapped up as soon as possible, but understand the situation people may be in as a result of the storms.”

“Normal water cut offs for non-payment will occur as usual,” Baker said, “so please continue to make your payments on time.”

County strives to recieve FEMA help

Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur wants your help in getting Marion County recognized as a FEMA disaster area so residents can get individual assistance in recovering from last month’s winter storm.

To do so, he’s going to start taking appointments to help residents fill out a survey from Texas Department of Emergency Management. The survey is used to help TDEM and FEMA understand the need in the county.

Registration began at 9 a.m. Thursday. 

LaFleur asks residents to call the office at 903-665-3261 to schedule an appointment.

“If you have damage or know someone who did, even if it’s already repaired, please come in and report it,” LaFleur said. “Your friends and neighbors may not have the means to do so. Reporting damage could result in a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government and provide much needed help to residents.

LaFleur also said there have been a number of major damage and a larger number of large damage areas.

“We need to keep reporting the damage until they get us declared,” he said. “We need the help just like the bigger cities do, and this is the way to get it.”

Residents will need to supply the name, address of residence or business which suffered damage, pictures of damage or repairs, invoice of repaired damage, and/or any other proof that damage occurred.