By Jason C. Mattox

After a decade of complaining and asking three mayors to find the answer to their drainage problem, the members of Sardis’ New Rock Hill Church learned Tuesday night they were responsible for the upkeep on the property.

Ethel McKinney, a minister with the church, met with the Sardis Mayor and Board of Aldermen Tuesday night to once again ask for a resolution to the decade-long debacle.

McKinney said the church had been told constantly that the city was looking into the issue to see what could be done.

“You are going to see us every month until we get an answer, because 10 years of waiting is really long enough,” she said.

Mayor Alvis “Rusty” Dye told her the city was concerned over paying the expense of the new larger pipe that is needed to allow a better water flow.

“See, when that church was built, they didn’t put in a big enough pipe to handle the flow of water that comes down through there,” he said.

McKinney said the church would be willing to help the city offset the cost of the pipe or to purchase the pipe outright if it would relieve the water flow that keeps a portion of the church’s parking lot inaccessible.

“We just want to know what the city can do to help us, because we know, being in the city we have to get permission before we could do anything ourselves,” she said.

Alderman-at-Large Roy Scallorn said he had reviewed an attorney general’s opinion that said the city could not assist the church.

“The property was deeded to the church and it is considered private property,” he said. “Everything I have researched says the city cannot do work on private property.”

Scallorn then explained that the church could perform any upgrades or maintenance on the parking lot, adding they would be allowed to tie into the city’s street.

“After 10 years, I am not upset at all, we are just happy to finally have a solid answer,” McKinney said as she left the meeting.