By: Doctor Esquire, dr_e4excel@yahoo.com
I would like to start off by thanking you for all your work and effort within the black community. You have maintained the ability to positively influence our people. In reading the latest addition of African American News dated Feb 20, there was a vaguely descriptive article about the city of Prairie View. As someone with insight on the subject matter, I feel it would be fulfilling to provide further details .
In January 2026, a half dozen residents complained publicly about inconsistent water billing. Even former mayor David Allen complained about a $11k water bill. Current Council Woman Barbara Manuel campaigned on fixing inconsistent utility billing. She has complained for years about how the city inappropriately billed her account forcing her to accept a payment plan. Ms Manuel asked to address her utilities account publicly because of the public Complaints. It was listed under a private “Executive Session”.
It was not discussed because she declined to address it in private and wanted it to be discussed in public. I have been an avid reader of your publication for years. I still have an article from summer 2015 in which you justifiably criticized Prairie View Elected Officials and their response to the Sandra Bland. Marie Herndon being an elected Council member at the time. It was a shock to see that your publication would be willing to accept work from Ms Herndon has she has been a consistently corrupt figure in the City Of Prairie View. She was an elected official that incurred and upheld the inconsistent billing against Ms Manuel in the first place. Then she writes an article criticizing the situation when she was one of the initial culprits.
Ms Herndon is a known slumlord facing lawsuits for unsatisfying safety and living conditions in student housing she owns. She too had and has a water billing issue with the city; at one point owing a delinquent $30k bill.
I think its good that you are provided with some background info with all matters so that you can continue to deliver truthful and informative. Thank You for all that you have done.
