So said Jeannette Nesbitt, one of several speakers who came before the City Council Monday night to voice support for PMUA Executive Director Eric Watson, who along with two other top PMUA executives announced retirement plans last week.
"I'm here to support my boss," PMUA employee Philip Thomas said.
Noting Plainfield is called the Queen City, Thomas asked, "What happened to the Queen? She up and left and the servants took over. We need to support Eric Watson."
PMUA employee Kim Montford gave a discourse on the authority's mission, which includes trash removal and maintenance of parks and public grounds, invoking the memory of no-nonsense educator Joe Clark.
"Stand by this man, because he's given you what you want," Montford said.
The accolades for Watson came after more than two hours of public comment largely in support of Recreation Superintendent Dave Wynn. Because it was after 11 p.m. and the council had yet to start voting on its agenda, Council President Annie McWilliams asked other Watson supporters to forego comment. When McWilliams asked council PMUA liaison Bridget Rivers to respond to the concerns about Watson, Rivers cited "meddling." Alluding to a council request for Watson and others to meet with the governing body, Rivers said, "The commissioners want the council to come before them."
The PMUA commissioners have declined twice to meet with the council. McWilliams and others have asked for a discussion before voting to fill vacancies on the board of commissioners. The PMUA has been under fire from a citizens' group over spending, trips and aspects of services it provides and several council members have asked for vacancies on the board to be filled by commissioners who are amenable to change.
The PMUA is meeting tonight (Tuesday, March 15) at 6 p.m. in its headquarters at 127 Roosevelt Avenue. Last week, board chairman Harold Mitchell sent the governing body a letter defending the authority against the citizens' group's allegations of continued excess expenditures and said he hoped the governing body would "seriously consider all of the facts" before coming to any conclusions on the allegations.
--Bernice
The reason they are leaving now is to keep their juicy pensions.
ReplyDeleteIf they leave now, they keep their pensions under current agreement.
If they wait, the state/city could well slash pensions and they end up with less.
Don't give us some "badgering" sob story.
PMUA is run by a bunch of thugs. Is Councilwoman Rivers saying that the council is meddling? Isn't it in the city Charter that the PMUA must come before the city council if requested?
ReplyDeletePerhaps the councilwoman should be better informed about her duties.
Harold Mitchell represents all that is wrong and bad about Plainfield and why this city will never go forward until the citizens start demanding better for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteGive it a rest Councilor Rivers. Your job isn't to defend PMUA, but to keep the residents of Plainfield from being ripped off by those who are trying to enrich themselves and their connections at the public expense. On that, you're failing miserably, not just with garbage and sewage, but on many other issues of importance too. Stop working for 'The Man' and start working for all your constituents, not just those on the public payroll. Your continual votes for the status quo have become pre-ordained and are disappointing to say the least.
ReplyDeleteThe PMUA won't come before the council because they know they are doing wrong! They can run and hide now but their time will come. Check the likes of PVSC and the Middlesex Sheriff. No doubt that Jerry Green will give up his precious PMUA when he is put into a corner. It's only a matter of time and Dave and Eric know this so they are trying to make their early departure.
ReplyDeleteI think the PMUA has forgotten who they work for. The Council isn't in error calling them before them. The governing body of the city isn't required to approach a city authority on bended knee and beg for an audience.
ReplyDeleteThe PMUA was established not by Jerry Green but by Al McWilliams, who cast the deciding vote after he was elected to the city council. You can't blame Jerry for everything, much as you would like to. It was fully set up and the executive staff hired when McWilliams was mayor.
ReplyDeleteAnon, get your facts straight. Check the the PUMA 's web site. It was established by Mayor Mark Fury with Jerry Green and the city council that existed at that time, 1995. Mayor McWilliams inherited it as a 'fait de complet'in 1998. From the PMUA's web site:
ReplyDeletePMUA History
'The PMUA was created in 1995 to provide a stable and affordable solid waste operation and sanitary sewer service for the residents of Plainfield. Today the PMUA is both a service and regulatory agency managing the City's sanitary sewer and solid waste utility services. Overseeing an integrated waste management plan, with a comprehensive menu of solid waste and recycling services, the PMUA maintains and operates the Rock Avenue Transfer Station as part of Plainfield's Solid Waste Utility. The PMUA administers monitors and is responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing rules and regulations regarding the City's compliance with environmental regulations. The authority operates and maintains 110 miles of sanitary sewer services lines, several sewage pumping stations and provides for proper collection and treatment of municipal waste water. A community leader in outreach programs to increase recycling, reduce litter and clean-up public areas, the PMUA works with other city agencies on projects to promote reinvestment of resident dollars back into the Plainfield Community.'
Nat,
ReplyDeleteWhy allow facts to get in the way? They never have before when it comes to the PMUA.
Rivers, have you no shame? Seriously? That is the BEST word you could come up with to describe the situation? Residents are struggling to keep up, trying to decide which bills to pay this month, and praying that the kids don't get sick - no health insurance. It must be nice to have your kind of lifestyle - glad one of us doesn't have to worry about the bills. I guess we can't all make the same kind of money that Watson and you make.
It's disgusting that the PMUA remains an untouchable in this City. We have a budget shortfall and yet the PMUA spares no expense. They are accountable to no one. I noticed that the board of the PMUA gets full medical. That's almost $100k per year for "working" 2-4 hours a month. Nice gig!
ReplyDeleteSo not only do we have to put up with council members who allow this to happen, but board members like Mitchell who criticize people for questioning it.
Utterly Ridiculous!
Anon 3/17/11 9:06 AM
ReplyDelete'So not only do we have to put up with council members who allow this to happen, but board members like Mitchell who criticize people for questioning it.'
It is the mayor who puts forward candidates to be elected to the PUMA. The best the council can do is approve or disapprove the nomination. The only way to effect change in Plainfield is to get out and vote in the primary election. As Plainfield is a 'Democratic' town the primary is the election.
These people probably are not paying for PMUA services and are afraid that their gig is about to terminate. Hoping Governor Christie comes and shakes down the PMUA. We'll see then how many friends and family are getting free service.
ReplyDelete