Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995 TAG: 9508310049
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dorian Williams' bedroom is like any child's - complete with teddy bears and rocking chair - except for the clunky equipment that clutters the corner next to his crib.
From those machines, a clear plastic tube snakes its way to Dorian's throat. For two months, it literally has been his lifeline. He has Down syndrome and was born prematurely with collapsed nasal passages. The machines pump humidified oxygen into the 4-month-old's throat and to his lungs.
To work, the machines need oxygen and a tall glass of water about every hour and a half. But Tuesday afternoon, the tap was dry at Dorian's home.
Vinton's water department had cut off water service to two R&L Properties - Longwood Apartments and Mansard Square - for delinquent water bills. The Williams live in one of the 72 apartments at Longwood.
In R&L apartments, electricity is the renter's responsibility, but the company pays for water and sewer.
Town officials would not say how much R&L owed or how late the company was in payment.
"There isn't a problem. The water was off for a little while, but it's back on," said Glenda Williamson, the company's property manager.
When asked why the water was cut off, she responded: "We didn't have a problem. Thank you," and hung up.
But Dorian's mother, Jennifer, said town officials told her the company's $3,000 check had bounced.
Jennifer Williams was frantic.
"I don't have anywhere to go. My mother lives next door, but she's in the same boat," Williams said. "I have no money. And my son is homebound. I have all this equipment. I can't just get up and move to a motel. That's not one of my options."
She searched the phone book's blue pages - the government listings - for someone who could help. She called everyone she could think of: the town water department and the county commonwealth's attorney were first.
But it was a call to Vinton Town Manager Clay Goodman that got water flowing from her faucets again.
A nurse from the company that cares for Dorian made the call.
"We called right away and got it back on," Goodman said. "We won't let that happen again. If they do have to cut off service, she will be notified."
The Fire Department also promised to supply Williams with 10-gallon buckets of water should it happen again.
By Tuesday evening, everything was back to normal. The Williamses - and those in their building - were out of water only a few hours. For other Longwood residents, the wait was a bit longer. Service was restored about 9 p.m. after an agreement was made for the owner to pay the overdue bill Wednesday morning, Goodman said.
The bill was paid, but that gives little comfort to Jennifer Williams.
"That was this bill. What's to say the next time it comes up, it won't be turned off again?" Williams said.
She's playing it safe. Her refrigerator is packed with old Diet Coke bottles filled with water.
by CNB