The network of creeks or bayous that drain Vicksburg’s hills have presented a challenge for a long time. And, due to inaction by the City of Vicksburg and Warren County, will for a longer than necessary time to come.

City officials have formally turned down $3.9 million Warren County supervisors won to clean out overgrown streams that still run through several neighborhoods, citing the difficulty of the work and the cost of maintenance as reasons. Of course, in so doing, the local officials guarantee slum areas will remain slum areas, valuation of and tax revenue from some property will remain lower than it should be, spending to spray to inhibit West Nile-virus-carrying mosquitoes will be needed and some residents will be forced to put up with a continuing stench.

It was District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon who had the bright idea of seeking the money as a share of Hurricane Katrina-related block grants coming to the state in 2007.

Federal managers approved the request, but there was a lot of red tape involved. Easements would be required to work on private property and finding owners of tracts, much of it in heirships, would be difficult. The spectre of creating a new legal entity, a drainage district, to raise funds for required continuing maintenance was raised.

Supervisors, not known to favor projects inside the city limits despite the fact that’s where 60 percent of their revenue is derived and all of Selmon’s district is located, offered to pass the cash to the city. A smidgen of politics arose, given that Selmon didn’t particularly like the idea of not getting the credit and Mayor Laurence Leyens being suspicious of any idea originating at the courthouse.

So overall the decision is to do nothing or, perhaps, supervisors will see if the project can be scaled back. Both governments would like to have the money, but use it for other purposes.

Call it a victory for the weeds, the rats and the insects. It’s a win for substandard housing, slum lords and the drug dealers who take refuge in blighted areas.

Call it a loss for residents who have every right to expect local officials to aggressively seek community improvements.