Arnold, MO—
Spring flooding concerns is stirring up controversy in Arnold. For the last two years the city has covered the cost of sandbags for homeowners living in a flood plain. Now, homeowners worry if the Meramec River threatens their homes this year, they'll have to fend for themselves.For the last two years, the Meramec River has almost put Bob Turner's home under water. A wall of sandbags saved his homes but this year if the river rises some city officials don't think taxpayers should have to cover the costs. In both 2008 and 2009 the City of Arnold says it spent about $12,000 on sandbagging efforts to protect Turner's and his neighbors home. Both years volunteers constructed a six foot high sandbag wall around the two properties. On March 18th the city council opened discussions about what to do if the Meramec once again threatens Turner's neighborhood.
City councilman Randy Crisler says Mayor Ron Counts doesn't think taxpayers should be responsible like in years past. Turner says city officials have suggested he cut off a portion of his deck so that if the city needs to sandbag a smaller wall could be built to protect just his home instead of his pool and yard.
Councilman Crisler is fighting for Turner and says the proposal is just in the discussion phase.
He says the city should protect its homeowners no matter the cost.
Randy Crisler said, " Our job as a community is to come together to make sure that those of us on higher ground come together for those that are on lower ground."
Bob Turner said," I am sort of tired of it and I shouldn't have to be. Arnold should be there to help protect the residents."
City officials say Turner was offered a buyout. But Turner says that was in 1997 and he had just bought the house. Turner would consider a buyout now but the city says there isn't any money in available to do that at this time.
