Residents tell council they fear health effects from data centers and report sewer backups in Ward 3

Two Muskogee residents spoke during the public-comment period at the May 18 council meeting, raising concerns about city governance, sewer backups and the health impacts of data centers.

Nina (recorded in the public record as the speaker who signed in as "Nina Brown") said she is conducting an audit of the foundation and accused city and foundation operations of corruption and conflict of interest. She also reported repeated sewer backups in Ward 3 that have inundated basements and said homeowners continue to pay for private repairs. "We have a sewer problem in District 3... When it rains, it backs up into my basement," she said, urging the council to address the matter and review the charter.

Debbie Rowan, a longtime resident, told council she is concerned about health risks from data centers and referenced national discussions she had followed. She said she had seen news about legislative inquiries and studies and asked the council to consider potential local health implications. "One of the main things for me is health," she said, linking worries about high-voltage equipment and neurological outcomes as reasons to study the issue locally.

Mayor Ryan Lowe and staff offered residents an "open-door" follow-up and said staff would meet to discuss their concerns further; no technical studies or immediate remedial actions were presented during the meeting. Council did not vote on any data-center or sewer-specific actions at the session.

Both callers asked for further engagement with staff and council; city staff invited the speakers to follow up outside the meeting for more detailed discussions.