Longtime observers and critics of the authority would also
like to hear more about the $725,000 settlement with former Executive Director
Eric Watson and Assistant Executive Director David Ervin that PMUA
commissioners approved last month in a 3-2 vote. It was unclear whether the
amount could be certified as payable by the authority, so the “state of PMUA’s
finances” item may clear that one up.
Given the split vote, with Commissioners Malcolm Dunn and
Alex Toliver and Alternate Cecil Sanders Jr. voting “yes” and Commissioners
Harold Mitchell and Carol Brokaw voting “no,” shading of answers to any or all
of the questions above may depend on who shows up tonight. There is also the
matter of this discussion occurring just as the council will be considering six
appointments to the board of commissioners which, taken along with the January
vote, indicate a shift of power on the board. Brokaw is not even on the list
for reappointment, so despite her long years with the board, any comments tonight
may have to be weighed by her possible imminent departure.
Council President Adrian Mapp will have to be adept at
keeping the discussion factual and not letting commissioners drift off into
rhetoric. Members of the public may only have a chance to ask questions at the
end of the meeting, unless Mapp opens it up while commissioners are on the hot
seat. Legalities or the specter of legalities may block full answers to any
questions.
The main thing here is that it will be the first time in
many months that any of the commissioners have met publicly with the governing
body, despite many appeals or demands from the council. The tone of the
discussion, let alone the content, will be a valuable indicator of things to
come in 2012 between the two bodies.
--Bernice
The council better not take this meeting lightly! The commissioners are a part of Plainfield's biggest problem. Disolving the PMUA could save taxpayers some $500-$750 each per year. Not only are the PMUA's rates out of whack with the normal going rates, they have racked up HUGE debt - to the tune of over $20 MILLION. Wake up council
ReplyDeleteThe Mayor, the majority of the Council and of course the Commissioners all pull on the same oar. Any relief which may come will come either from Trenton or an economic boycott, i.e., OPTING OUT.
DeleteI also hope the Council takes this meeting serious and ask hard questions. Malcolm Dunn is a disaster and a totally self-serving person. He is lower than dirt in my mind.
ReplyDeleteBob Bolmer
Don't forget Bob your New Dem friends Adrian and Annie put Dunn on the PMUA. You never seem to mention that!
DeleteAll the fire power for this, when basically we just want to make sure the sewers flow downhill and someone to picks up the garbage. Wait till government sponsored medical services kick in.
ReplyDeleteBil Kruse says:
ReplyDeleteThere are only 3 topics which warrant discussion tonight. In order of their priorities they are:
1. The million dollar boondoggle
2. The million dollar boondoggle
3. The million dollar boondoggle
There is no doubt in my mind that the PMUA will tout that they saved us $2.36 per quarter on the sewer bill. Quite frankly it's still $750 per year MORE than what the neighboring towns pay. What's special about our sewer? Well that depends on who you ask. The PMUA has 100+ excuses of why its so high but the real reason is they waste away money on attorneys, consultants, trips, and parties.
ReplyDelete