The Swifton water superintendent didn’t take kindly to an anonymous post this week on Facebook about his city’s water quality.
In an anonymous post to the NEA Report News Tips group on Facebook, a group participant said “Something needs to be done about Swifton AR city water. I have pictures to post.”
The person then commented with three photos:
The group is managed by NEA Report and allows anonymous posts specifically so that issues can be brought up to the public without fear of reprisal – especially from the government. Only a handful of people replied to the post. But one person was notably upset in the comments – Ryan Holland – water superintendent for the City of Swifton. He specifically took issue with the anonymity of the author, writing, “Why do you have to be a pussy and hide behind anonymous come out and tell your name because you never called city hall or me…”
The post then trailed off into an incomplete sentence before a new paragraph began.
“People who live in government housing and don’t pay for water can get my personal cell so grow a fucking set of balls and show your name,” wrote the Swifton Water Superintendent.
The comment stayed on Facebook from Thursday night until Friday morning, when Holland appeared to have removed it. The Arkansas Municipal League website’s Swifton page shows him to be the water and wastewater superintendent for the city. But to be certain, we reached out to Holland, who confirmed he was indeed the government employee in charge of water for the city.
So we asked him why he made the post above.
“No comment,” he replied.
NEA Report reached out to the city via phone number but no one answered. We requested comment through the city’s Facebook page. An employee replied and said they would relay the message to the mayor, who has not responded as of this report.
Meanwhile, the city announced on Facebook residents could see discoloration in water through the weekend due to hydrant testing. The city advised caution when doing laundry.
Update 8/2/2022: Ryan Holland has been fired by the City of Swifton, KAIT reports.
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