In theory, the mayor of Rose City should not have to fly to New York City to appear on a nationally televised program like "Megyn Kelly TODAY" to appeal for relief aid for Tropical Storm Harvey.
But that’s exactly what Mayor Bonnie Stephenson is scheduled to do today – not because she wants to but because she’s desperate.
Only $1.3 billion has been spent so far on Harvey recovery, with most of that coming from Washington.
The story is much the same in Bevil Oaks, which had to issue a similar notice this week after a leak at its storm-damaged water plant lowered pressure.
Three months after Harvey, 13 boil-water notices remain in effect across Texas after Harvey.
Then one by one, the problems in the other 12 communities hamstrung by boil-water notices should be assessed and resolved.
Clean water should be a priority among the many needs of Harvey victims, and that basic fact should have been grasped sooner.
The words of Janice Ratcliff, Rose City’s water operator, illustrate the problem: "It’s crazy what they put us through.
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