From the PMUA 10th Year Service CatalogBesides some council comments opposing the PMUA task force on May 9, resident Dave Morales took the microphone in public comment to call formation of such a task force "harassment" of an already beleaguered entity.
Based on what he said was his own research on the PMUA, Morales said the authority had 2,700 delinquent accounts and also lost half a million dollars when Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center closed. In addition, he said, the authority lost money on the Connolly properties. (You may recall that the PMUA had to pick up trash at Connolly's numerous multi-family buildings whether the bills were paid or not.)
Morales also noted the authority employs parolees who would most likely not be able to work there if the city took it over. He also praised PMUA Executive Director Eric Watson for his "vision," starting the authority with only two trucks.
"Now we rag on him to the point where the man is sick," he said, alleging in addition "the state is on him."
Topping all that was the task force "harassment," Morales said.
In other comments perhaps alluding to the authority's hiring of parolees, Morales talked about "kids wilding" and said, "I'm training them into a betterment."
Morales said he would rather have Watson and the PMUA the way they are.
Later in the week, a lien sale notice appeared in the Courier News with more than 900 delinquent accounts, mostly for sewer services. The city has been conducting these sales on behalf of the PMUA for several years. If I heard Mr. Morales right and there are 2,700 delinquent accounts in all, that is a collection rate of only about 76 percent. Whether or not that is the case, the delinquency rate evidenced in the five and a half-page May 11 lien sale notice is reason enough for the task force to inquire how a higher collection rate can be achieved.
In light of what Morales had to say, it is also interesting to review the "press statement" released by the PMUA earlier this year in reaction to perceived "relentless negative criticism" over the past two years. It sets forth eight new initiatives "ready to be launched" in a "continuing strategy for improvement," followed by "bitter sweet" accolades for departing executives Watson, Dave Ervin and James Perry.
Despite the statement's emphasis on the departing executives' legacy, there have been other instances of people coming to the public microphone to paint Watson as a victim. Click here to read remarks from Watson supporters at the March 15 council meeting.
Besides the current drama, the PMUA has long had political overtones, perhaps no more so than when an ad for "Democrats for Change" appeared in the Courier News just before the June 2009 primary in which then-PMUA Chairwoman Carol Brokaw was one of five challengers to Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs' re-election. The ad pointed out numerous reasons why eliminating the PMUA would be a bad idea.
The council's charge to the task force is simple and narrow, and is supposed to result only in a report. Neither the task force nor the public fretting over the PMUA changes the basic issue of solving the present standoff among the governing body, the administration and the authority. To that end, the council resolution calls for a meeting, in accordance with the Interlocal Services Agreement, among the three entities at a mutually agreeable location no later than May 30. Can the ice be broken? We'll see.
--Bernice
Check the books, Mr. Morales has connections with the PMUA. His relatives are parties to some lucrative contracts with them. Dave has been seen at some of the PMUA parties that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. It's clear based on the statements he made at the council meeting that he has first-hand knowledge of the SHADY operations at the PMUA.
ReplyDeleteOne only needs to check the books to see that Plainfielders are overpaying for services so that a select few can benefit. The Mayor herself has benefited by the PMUA. The deck of cards will fall soon and believe me they will continue to rat each other out.
Now I am not happy to hear from PMUA insider Mr. Morales that Mr. Watson is sick. But Mr. Watson has brought this on himself. What started out as a good idea evolved into Mr. Watson running a social services organization with he and his friends receiving the majority of the benefits while throwing a few crumbs to second chance citizens. It would be a noble cause if it wasn't on the backs of the rest of us. So the state is on him? Thanks for that information Mr. Morales. I am glad to know all our letters to the state are bringing some actions. I have long said that working with the PMUA and the City to bring about real reform was useless. If all of the PMUA actions are proper then the state will find nothing wrong, right? So relax Mr. Watson and let the truth come out. After all, the truth shall set you free and perhaps allow your body to heal. It has never been our hope to bring any one individual down or tear down the PMUA BUT TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY OPERATE! Will this be posted? Probably not, I have been censored the past few times I've commented, but at least you'll read it Bernice.
ReplyDeleteWhen you add up the $$$'s spent on lawyers, engineering firms, etc over the last 10+ years you could have drilled a hole to the center of the earth to dump and flush all our garbage/sewerage to and still had money left over for ballons.
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Are corporation counsel and the Mayor on our side or do they want to keep the PMUA the way it is?
ReplyDeleteThe whole "study" is a sham. This is only delay tactics. Whu not hold the PMUA acctually accountable? Why not get rid of them? Why are the New democrats dragging their feet on this? Check the books, then check the campaign contributions.
ReplyDeleteLike "deep throat" said: "Follow the money". If you do then you will understand why the New Dems do not want to do anything about this.