Denied.
That apparently has been the answer more often than not from the City of Indianola’s insurance company when it comes to claims made by citizens whose vehicles have allegedly been damaged by potholes.
Ward 4 Marvin Elder questioned this past Monday night whether city employees were giving the insurance company all of the necessary and accurate information to make that call.
His questioning of Public Works Director Elvis Pernell led to a rare heated exchanged between Elder and Mayor Ken Featherstone.
“I have great concerns about these claims being denied,” Elder said. “We’ve been screaming from the top of the mountain about potholes and everything else in this city… Some of these claims shouldn’t have been denied. Wiggins Road. We’ve been talking about Wiggins Road for three years. Holes everywhere.”
Elder asked Pernell why someone would tell the insurance company no reports had been made regarding some of the potholes if the streets are known to have the jarring craters.
Pernell explained that when it comes to claims such as these, the city has to be negligent, meaning that someone called and reported a hole prior to it being hit. Without such a report, it would be stretch for a claims adjuster to declare the damage the fault of the city.
“We’ve got people calling the police while they are actually in the hole,” Pernell said.
When Elder pressed Pernell further, Featherstone suggested that he take his argument up with the insurance company.
“No, mayor. They are asking individuals if anything has been reported to them, and they are saying ‘no,’” Elder said.
Featherstone seldom raises his voice during public meetings, but he grew more frustrated with Elder’s response.
“You can get as loud as you want to, but it don’t change the narrative,” Featherstone said. “Maybe you should just call the insurance (company)… You’re looking for answers from Director Pernell, and he can’t tell you why it’s been denied. He don’t work for the insurance and claims department. Nobody up here does.”
Ward 3 Alderman Ruben Woods suggested that the city budget during the upcoming budget season for three operators for the city’s asphalt machine.
“It needs to run every day, all day,” Woods said.
Elder then suggested that all city employees riding in city cars, including public works and police, document potholes and report them to the city.
