Take the Reins
The Tribune has a piece this morning about the City Commission’s decision to reappoint two ECP Board members to new terms.
While I agree with Mayor Stebbins that the Commission still has a responsibility to perform its duties, these are controversial appointments that can wait a month with no ill effect. Suspecting, as many of us do, that the power utility issue weighed on the minds of voters, it is a slap in the face to those voters to structure the Board for the long-term continuation of current policy.
Ouch. That hurt.
Bronson’s comment in the paper today that there wasn’t any “compelling” reason to delay the appointments is just precious. What does he think constitutes a “compelling” reason. There were so many reasons for objection raised — that Ebeling & Golie are ECP customers, that the six-year term is inappropriate, that it doesn’t jive with the B&M recommendations, that tabling the motion would not deprive the ECP Board of a quorum, etc. — and not a single one was actually responded to, much less rebutted, before the vote occurred. The line of communication was wide open and very clear; it was simply ignored.
It is generally considered to be good taste for a lame duck body to defer controversial actions. Especially when 2/5 of that lame duck body were rejected by the polls.
Not classy. Not at all.
I am surprised any of you would expect otherwise from this cabal in their twilight. They’ve been giving taxpayers the middle finger all along, what did you expect a gentle kiss goodbye?
The new commission when seated should immediately demand the city manager follow the ordinance and make ECP whole pronto. What’s that, some of the commercial customers are locked in under contract? No problem, just shift the burden to fill the shortfall on those sophisticated pilot customers “just trying out” the program. After all, they are sacrificing themselves to see how well the little utility works out since the general public would not understand. If that means the two reappointed ECP board members and the other hangers on might have to eat a big rate hike, well so be it.
We voted you in new team, now get to work.
Our new mayor elect and new commissioner elect spoke against these appointments and commissioner Jolley voted against. I think that ECP in now in deep trouble! January should be interesting. Lets hope we can return the “Silly Hall” to the people’s “City Hall” soon…..
Bronson is sidelined and will be gone in two years. It will be interesting to see where Jones falls in all this.