City office riddled with black mold

[Guest guest]

Evidence of black mold shows on the wall and ceiling of an office in

Vidalia City Hall.

City office riddled with black mold

By Vershal Hogan (Contact)

Natchez Democrat - Natchez,MS,USA

http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/feb/19/city-office-riddled-

black-mold/

Published Thursday, February 19, 2009

VIDALIA — The mayor is getting a new office, but not because he wants

one. His old office is infested with black mold.

The problem first manifested itself following Hurricane Gustav,

during which the Vidalia City Hall sustained some damage.

After testing, the mold levels were discovered to be highest in the

mayor's office, which has since been closed off, City Manager Ken

said.

" I had to get out of there, because I had pneumonia twice this spring

and have constantly been having breathing problems that could

possibly be caused by the mold, " Mayor Hyram Copeland said.

And he's not the only one who has gotten sick.

" I have been to the doctor's office three times this year, and once I

had to be taken to the emergency room because I collapsed in the

waiting room, " said.

" I can't prove that the mold did it, because I don't have that

expertise, but it worries me knowing that this mold is in the

building. I am concerned about the health of the employees at City

Hall, and I don't want to see anyone get really ill. "

Approximately 60 years old, City Hall's roof has been leaking all

over the building.

" It has a flat roof, and they are constantly leaking, " Copeland

said. " Something has got to be done because the building is in

deplorable condition. "

The city has begun to look at ways to address the issues, but it is

currently in the preliminary stages because of one issue — asbestos.

" Asbestos complicates the issues, " said. " I am not saying it

is going to take that much to fix, but with the federal regulations

dealing with asbestos mitigation and mold mitigation, it's not going

to be easy to do. "

After seeking an opinion from an architect, the city has gotten a

preliminary estimate of $140 a square foot to renovate the 5,500

square foot building.

Those numbers are not final and are just a preliminary estimate,

said.

The mayor's new office, which is being built adjacent to the city

clerk's office from usually unused space in the city council

chambers, will be finished at a cost of approximately $600 using in-

house labor, Copeland said.