By WILLIAM and SHERON HAINES

We would like to thank Brad Newman, Madison County surveyor, for correcting a serious problem that has plagued our neighborhood for 30 years.

Wantland Manor Addition and several properties north on Rangeline Road have had inadequate storm drainage since the addition was built. At times, Rangeline was closed to one lane due to high water. Water stood like ponds after rains, trees were uprooted in the woods because of spongy, wet ground, basements flooded, driveway gravel washed away, water shot up, from a drain cover, like a geyser and topsoil eroded. If allowed to continue, our homes and properties would be ruined. We discovered that some neighbors had researched the problem. Calls and letters to the surveyor’s office, under past administrations, went unanswered. Homeowners couldn’t devote full time to this issue, so it only came to the forefront every few months. Eventually, it was accepted that no one in the county was going to do anything to help.

When we moved to the neighborhood, we fought it for a few years. Employees in the previous surveyor’s office said they didn’t know where the field water, Wantland Manor and Highland storm water went, but they assured us it didn’t drain onto our properties. That fired further investigation by my neighbor and I. We discovered that the 20-inch drain from Wantland Manor connected to a 9-inch drain that ran through our properties. The overflow water saturated the ground.

At a recent Drainage Board meeting, Brad Newman, the current surveyor, first learned of this situation. He listened intently to our concerns and was the first official to ever acknowledge that there was a problem. His attitude was professional. He was at our home the next day, inspected the neighborhood and took immediate action. The problem was solved within two weeks, at no additional cost to taxpayers.

As we understand it, some of us on Rangeline Road had been paying a maintenance fee for the drainage system for many years, thus there were still funds available for this project. We are ecstatic about the rapid response from Mr. Newman, and the excellent results. We are extremely pleased, and want others to know what a good job he is doing. In November, we intend to thank him again — by voting for him. It is refreshing to work with an elected official who knows that he is working for the people of the county and not on his personal agenda.

William and Sheron Haines are residents of Anderson.