Update on PMUA Appointments

My trip to the library yielded some more details on the proposed PMUA appointments, including the fact that the two people appointed in November are being switched to longer terms.

Malcolm Dunn, who had been appointed to an unexpired term ending in February 2014, is now up for a full five-year term ending in February 2017 succeeding Carol Brokaw. Cecil H. Sanders Jr., who received a two-year alternate's term, is now nominated for an unexpired commissioner's term ending in February 2016, succeeding Harold Mitchell. Commissioner Alex Toliver is up for reappointment until February 2017 as well.

The mayor's pastor, The Rev. Tracey Brown, is currently serving as commissioner until February 2015. The new nominee for commissioner, Wilbert O. Gill, would get Dunn's former term to February 2014.

As previously noted, Dunn, Toliver and Sanders gave the three votes that granted settlements to former PMUA Executive Director Eric Watson and Assistant Executive Director David Ervin. Of the naysayers on the settlement, Mitchell was bumped down to Sanders' former alternate seat and Brokaw is off the board, replaced by Dunn.

The other nominee for alternate, as previously noted, is Darcella Sessomes, succeeding Brown. Her term would be two years, but is listed on the resolution as ending in February 2017. Since Brown vacated the seat to become a commissioner in 2010, the succeeding two-year term ends this month and the appropriate one for Sessomes would be from February 2012 to 2014.

It should be clarified for the council and the public whether Sessomes is eligible or not, if she has anything to do with the PMUA's parolee re-entry program.

Any votes on these nominees at the council's regular meeting on Feb. 13 will affect the PMUA reorganization on the following night. And if the lineup presented prevails, those who approved the settlement could become a power bloc for at least four years out.

--Bernice