Created by the city 15 years ago, the authority has had its ups and downs with public opinion, but since double digit rate hikes in 2009, it has been the target of a new watchdog group, Dump PMUA, that has exposed costly travel and business lunch tabs and has taught ratepayers to opt out of its services. At an April Second Ward Town Meeting to gather public comment, residents called for disbanding of the PMUA.
The city and the authority are bound together by an Interlocal Services Agreement, but attempts by the governing body to meet with PMUA officials in 2010 met with resistance. In March of this year, Executive Director Eric Watson announced his plans to retire, along with his second-in-command, David Ervin, and Chief Finance Officer James Perry. All three were with PMUA since its inception.
In May, the City Council approved formation of a task force to study the PMUA and make recommendations about its future. The resolution is now up for amendment at Monday's regular meeting and four nominees to the task force are listed in a separate resolution. The meeting is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
Details of the task force's charge are in the link above. The amendment is to allow a majority of the council to name someone to serve from any ward where the council representative declines to name an appointee. At least two council members, William Reid and Bridget Rivers, have spoken against the formation of the task force. Reid formerly served on the PMUA as a commissioner and was council liaison to the PMUA in 2010. Rivers is currently a PMUA liaison and usually defends the authority in council discussions.
The nominees to serve on the task force are Joseph Ruffin, named by Councilwoman Rebecca Williams, who represents the Second and Third wards at-large; Thomas Crownover, named by Second Ward Councilman Cory Storch; and Ann Mosley, named by Third Ward Councilman Adrian O. Mapp. The name of resident Elisabeth D'Aversa of the First Ward is also on the list, apparently to be named by a majority vote in the absence of a name offered by Reid, who represents the First Ward. There is no nominee for the Fourth Ward, which Rivers represents, nor one from Council President Annie McWilliams, the citywide at-large representative, or from First & Fourth Ward at-large Councilwoman Vera Greaves.
--Bernice
Hi Bernice,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted the public to know that the PMUA has now hired a "company" Creative Blitz whose address is a post office box to establish a Facebook Page and Twitter Account for the authority. This can be confirmed through OPRA. It will be posted on DumpPMUA for all to see very soon. The initial purchase order is for a little over $6000. It is amazing to me how with the number of employees they already have, they have to do this. The City Council has to address this issue once and for all and any Council members who want to bury their heads in the sand need to go!
How can the citizens of the first and fourth wards stand for this? Are they now aware that their interests are not being represented? Do they not care? Don't come crying about the 2nd and 3rd wards getting everything, when their own representatives don't seem to care a hoot. Well, you voted for them (1&4), and you got what you voted for - nothing - unless you stand up for yourselves and demand better. Where is your pride?
ReplyDelete