Oh crap! Sewage backup damages president’s home

CSC President Randy Rhine and his wife Ann, suffered a stinker of a day back in late July after a city sewage problem flooded their basement, causing an estimated $35,000 in damage. 

The home is owned by Chadron State College and used as the residence for the sitting CSC President.

The backup filled the basement with 2 to 4 inches of raw sewage flooding the basement, Monday, July 27. 

In addition to damaging the basement floor and walls, Rhine said Tuesday that several pieces of furniture and other personal belongings were damaged or lost, including irreplaceable family photos. 

Kari Gaswick, vice president of administration and finance, said Wednesday the college filed a claim with the City of Chadron, but added that it will likely be months before the matter is resolved. She also said  it could be some time before renovations to the residence can begin. 

Repairs will not take place until engineers determine the extent of the of structural damage, Rhine said. 

Gaswick said the college is waiting on the results of a City of Chadron internal investigation aimed at determining what caused the sewage to back up into the Rhine’s home.

Two phone calls Tuesday and Wednesday seeking comment from City of Chadron Utilities Department Superintendent Tom Menke went unanswered before press time Wednesday. 

The Rhine’s did not have to permanently vacate the home. 

Although it’s no bed of roses  at times, Rhine said Service Matters, a local company, has worked to clean up the mess. He said the water and sludge was removed by the end of the day it flooded. 

While Rhine admits there’s never a good time for sewage to back up into a home, it was particularly untimely, as the he, along with the rest of the staff and faculty at CSC, were occupied with preparing for the upcoming semester. 

“It’s been tolerable, you know,” Rhine said. “But it’s kind of like the last thing I needed to happen.”

The home was originally gifted to the CSC Foundation which later transferred ownership to CSC in 2009. 

The house, valued at $372,330 back in 2009, was originally gifted to the Foundation by Vernon Chicoine, who created the CSC Foundation.

When it was gifted, the Foundation had a policy of liquidating property it received from donors, but made an exception in accordance with Chicoine’s wishes.