During a recent government meeting, Kelly Hingler, a policy analyst and resident of Suffolk, passionately advocated for the city's village initiative, emphasizing its critical importance for local communities, particularly those facing significant flooding issues. Hingler highlighted the historical significance of Suffolk as a crossroad community and underscored the lack of essential infrastructure, such as wastewater management, in areas like Oakland and Chuckatuck.

She expressed gratitude towards the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Environmental Protection Agency for their involvement in developing technical plans to address these pressing issues. Hingler noted that many residents are dedicated to improving their city, contributing countless hours of effort to understand and tackle complex challenges.

The discussion also touched on the need for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, which Hingler argued is essential for accessing federal funding aimed at supporting environmental justice initiatives. She pointed out that Suffolk's current lack of updated historical surveys is hindering the city’s ability to secure vital resources, particularly for BIPOC communities.

Hingler concluded her remarks by urging city officials to act swiftly on the village initiative, which she believes is crucial for securing funding and improving sanitation services in underserved areas. She highlighted a recent achievement where the city secured $750,000 in support for wastewater infrastructure, reinforcing the community's commitment to enhancing local living conditions.