Geoffrey
Deibler

How fast should Morganfield finish its sewer separation work, and why?

Their pick: Yes, finish as fast as possible

Morganfield should complete its sewer separation project as quickly as financially and responsibly possible. This is essential infrastructure that affects public health, environmental protection, and our community’s future. However, moving quickly should never mean spending taxpayer dollars carelessly or placing unnecessary financial burdens on our citizens. The city needs a clear, realistic timeline with measurable milestones, responsible budgeting, and aggressive pursuit of available state and federal funding. Citizens deserve to know what has been completed, what remains, how much it will cost, and when they can expect results. The goal should be simple: Finish the job, protect our citizens, safeguard their investment, and build infrastructure that serves Morganfield for generations to come.

How should the city pay for the remaining sewer work?

Their pick: Use loans and grants

Morganfield should pay for the remaining sewer separation work through a responsible combination of state and federal grants, low-interest infrastructure loans, and careful management of existing city resources. Before asking our citizens to shoulder additional costs, the city should aggressively pursue every available funding opportunity and carefully examine its current spending priorities. We must also ensure that every dollar invested produces measurable progress and long-term value. Raising utility rates or placing additional financial burdens on hardworking families and seniors should be a last resort, not the first solution. Our citizens deserve modern, reliable infrastructure without being financially punished for needing it. The responsibility of city leadership is to find solutions, protect taxpayer dollars, and make decisions that benefit the entire community, both today and for generations to come.

How should the city pay for PFAS water treatment, and how much should fall on water customers?

Their pick: Yes, seek grants first

Clean, safe drinking water is a necessity, not a luxury. Every Morganfield family deserves that protection without facing unnecessary financial hardship. The city should aggressively pursue state and federal funding, available PFAS settlements, and opportunities to hold responsible parties financially accountable. Our citizens should not be handed the bill for a problem they did not create. Before passing any costs along to water customers, city leadership must provide a complete accounting of treatment expenses, available funding, and long-term operating costs. If some customer contribution becomes unavoidable, it should be minimal, transparent, and structured to protect seniors, families, and those on fixed incomes. The goal is simple: Safe drinking water, responsible financial management, and protecting the citizens of Morganfield from unnecessary costs.

When should the city build its PFAS treatment, and why?

Their pick: Build it when funding is complete

Safe, clean drinking water should never be something our citizens have to wait unnecessarily to receive. Morganfield should begin planning, engineering, and securing funding for PFAS treatment immediately, with construction moving forward as soon as a reliable treatment plan and responsible financing are established. However, we must ensure the treatment system meets our community’s specific needs and provides a dependable, long-term solution. Citizens deserve a clear timeline, regular water-quality updates, transparent costs, and measurable progress. We should aggressively pursue available funding without allowing unnecessary delays or bureaucracy to stand in the way of protecting public health. Our responsibility is not simply to meet government deadlines. It is to protect the health of our families, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and ensure that future generations of Morganfield residents have safe, reliable drinking water

Which park projects should the city fund next, and how?

Their pick: Spend more on parks

Morganfield’s parks should be places where children can play safely, families can make memories, and citizens of every age can enjoy their community. Our first priorities should be maintaining and improving existing parks, upgrading playground equipment, improving accessibility, and expanding recreational opportunities for our youth. I also believe Morganfield deserves a serious commitment to bringing back a public swimming pool and creating recreational spaces that serve all generations. Funding should come through parks and recreation grants, public-private partnerships, community involvement, and responsible use of existing city resources. Every project should have a clear budget, maintenance plan, and measurable benefit to our citizens. Investing in our parks is investing in our children, our families, and Morganfield’s future. Our citizens deserve to see a return on their investment through facilities and opportunities they can actually enjoy.