By Billy Davis

A Courtland resident who complained that a Solid Waste truck damaged her child’s basketball goal admitted she has not paid her monthly garbage bill for 14 years.

County supervisors listened to Barbara Todd complain about the damage, and ask the county to pay for a new basketball goal, then reminded her she owes approximately $1,900 to Panola County Solid Waste.

“I’ll agree I have not paid a garbage bill,” said Todd, who explained she had moved from Fogg Road to Eureka Road before moving to Barker Road.

County Administrator Kelley Magee told Todd the Barker Road bill started in 1999.

At the home on Barker Road, the mechanical arm of a Solid Waste truck apparently damaged the basketball goal, which sits on the county right-of-way just inches from the public road.

Todd said a Solid Waste employee spoke rudely to her and informed her Panola County government would not pay for a new basketball goal because the goal is in the road.

“I agree it might be sitting a little too close to the road,” said Todd.

When Supervisor Kelly Morris described the $1,900 garbage bill, Todd said she disputed a bill on Fogg Road and has not paid a Solid Waste bill since.

Morris, the board president, explained Solid Waste has the authority to flag her automobile tag or put a lien on her property. The county is required to continue Solid Waste service to the home, he said.
Todd asked supervisors to not “punish” her son and his automobile, since it was her responsibility to pay the unpaid garbage bill.

 “Have you paid anything?” asked Morris.

“No, I have not paid anything on it,” replied Todd.

Supervisor John Thomas suggested reimbursing Todd for the damaged goal, but Supervisor Cole Flint disagreed with that suggestion.

“I say we credit her bill,” said Flint. “I don’t agree with paying for the goal.”

The county board voted unanimously to credit Todd’s bill for the damaged goal, though it was left unclear how much the bill will be credited.

Supervisors agreed to credit the bill after researching the approximate cost of the damage.