Plainfielders can get an update on PMUA goings-on at tonight's FOSH forum, 'Let's Talk Trash', its second to discuss issues with the city's waste management agency (see Ledger item here).
Among the latest hijinks are the behavior of PMUA staff toward one of the FOSH event's organizers at this past weekend's Environmental Fair, the agency's 10th annual such event.
Pat Turner Kavanaugh reports that she went to the event hoping to find the agency's public information officer, who has failed to return multiple phone calls relating to tonight's forum.
After making the round of tents but failing to find the PIO, she ended up grabbing a cold hamburger at the food tent and notes she spotted a tent across Ninth Street, all by itself and went to investigate.
It turned out to be the Reliance Insurance Group's 'VIP Recognition Tent', and it offered a lot more than cold hamburgers to those considered VIP's.
The menu included fish, chicken, ribs and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, garden salad and carrot salad, crudités and shrimp cocktail ring, and peach cobbler for dessert.
Inquiring of a PMUA executive what the Environmental Fair cost the ratepayers, Kavanaugh says she was told, 'Nothing, it's all underwritten'.
Ratepayers may well wonder.
Knowing there is no such thing as a 'free lunch' always raises the specter that the fees vendors are paid are padded to absorb such largesse as sponsorships of this kind of event. Some even call it a 'corruption tax'.
Kavanaugh has more to share, including an accusation of 'racism' leveled against her by an executive.
Other items of interest include the ballooning of a professional services contract for 'OPRA legal matters' (complying with public records requests) from $15,000 to more than $32,000. There is also the matter of $450,000 set aside for 'employee training' and how it is being spent.
Philip Charles will also be on hand to update residents on the status of the DumpPMUA lawsuit against the PMUA, recently sent to mediation by the court.
PMUA officials, Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, and member of the City Council have been invited to attend and participate.
FOSH Forum on the PMUA
'Let's Talk Trash'
Tonight | 7:00 PM
YWCA
232 East Front at Church Street
'Let's Talk Trash'
Tonight | 7:00 PM
YWCA
232 East Front at Church Street
-- Dan Damon
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2 comments:
Underwritten or not, the fact that the PMUA saved all the good stuff for themselves and not their customers shows their priorities. DISBAND THE PMUA!! IT IS NOT WORKING!!
I know Pat. Someone called her a racist? Based on what, wanting to know how our tax dollars are being spent? Given the multiracial makeup of the PMUA's executives as well as its board, I am hardpressed to wonder how racism manifested itself in her exchange with this unnamed executive.
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