Dear friends,
Now that the spring primary season is over, it is time to get back to work on the issues we have been discussing for several months now. Back in March of this year, I presented a very clear and detailed vision for Plainfield that included reining in the PMUA and providing tax relief to property owners.
As I walked this city and talked with Plainfield residents, the most compelling issue at hand was the issue of the PMUA's outrageous rate increases and insensitivity to the ratepayers as they took expensive trips to conferences completely unrelated to their mission, the last one to the tune of about $25,000.
At that time, I articulated a plan that would bring the PMUA under the city’s umbrella, thus having all PMUA charges included in the property tax bill of Plainfield property owners. In addition, my plan would protect the frontline employees, and rid homeowners of the unfair, revenue-generating "cart fees" that we all have found so onerous.
I continue to receive substantial email from you, the ratepayers, about the wasteful spending and lack of transparency at the PMUA, and I want to assure you that I will be taking action immediately. That means now.
The lack of accountability on the part of the PMUA leadership offended the sensibilities of virtually every resident I met. I spoke with many of you about my intention to draft a resolution to ensure that the Plainfield city council, which has some say in what the PMUA does, takes action.
The council has a fiduciary responsibility to the residents of Plainfield to make sure that each commissioner seeking appointment is thoroughly vetted and does not have any conflicts of interest in serving.
Further, most companies cut back on conference travel and other questionable expenses as belt-tightening measures during troubled economic times. The PMUA should do the same, so I will follow through on a proposal to cut all travel until the PMUA makes clear its policies on such.
I will be asking my council colleagues to stand with me on this issue and support passage of this resolution. I look forward to your comments.
Regards,
Adrian
7 comments:
Glad to see that you are leading the charge here, Councilman. Please try to get the other council members to help you with this. You can't do it alone.
Will they support you? Not one of the councilors have said a word for or against your proposal since you first outlined your plan a while ago. I have been lobbying for a long time about this but couldn't get Burney or anyone else to commit to anything.What about the mayor, will she finally say something about PMUA? She said some crazy things about Brokaw and PMUA at her forum but it sounds like she was just making noise. You keep the pressure on them Adrian. I sure wish you had won the election! We need leadership!
I have thought about your plan ever since you first proposed it. I think that overall it will give a net savings to ratepayers. I definitely think that the executives should forego any plans to do any more traveling especially to Las Vegas where I presume they will also get a per diem. Sounds like there would be some gambling, with our tax dollars. I hope that the other elected officials will get on board with your plan, Jerry Green has already jumped on the bandwagon. Who will jump on next? Not that it matters, though because we just want relief. However you had my vote for your forthrightness about this.
Please let the MUA leadership know that the people in the 4th ward are not happy. No one seems to care about them and the fees and summons are worse there than anywhere else.
What about the PMUA's bonds and other debts? Would we the taxpayers inherit them too?
Thank you for keeping the pressure on PMUA. The most recent agreement is because of your efforts and pressure on them. Keep it up. That can only be the beginning if Plainfielders are to see significant savings.
THANK YOU.
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