GRU Authority agrees to workshop to address issues after Coats asks board to vote on whether he should resign

Chair Craig Carter and Member James Coats disagree on how to move forward at second GRU Authority meeting

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At their November 1 meeting, the GRU Authority agreed to schedule a workshop in about two weeks after Member James Coats, frustrated at his inability to persuade the board to discuss a number of issues, asked his fellow board members to vote on whether he should resign.

General public comment

During general public comment, Jim Konish encouraged the Authority to hire its own attorney instead of relying on City Attorney Daniel Nee; he also suggested asking the Attorney General for an opinion on various legal issues that have been brought up in lawsuits, such as whether a board member has to apply before being appointed and how many initial members of the Authority can live outside the Gainesville city limits. Konish also said a “glitch amendment” could be passed in the upcoming Special Session of the legislature to clarify the outstanding issues.

Debbie Martinez asked to have the meetings televised on Cox Channel 12. Jeffrey Shapiro questioned the Economic Impact Statement filed with HB 1645 and suggested that the Authority ask the legislature to “rewrite and refile” the bill. Jo Beaty said she was disappointed with the first meeting and suggested that board members take a close look at GRU’s budget, policies, and procedures; she echoed the previous advice to hire a separate lawyer. Attorney Joe Little, who represents plaintiffs in three cases challenging the bill that created the Authority, urged the Authority to work for the repeal of HB 1645. Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson said the Authority has the responsibility to “mediate a solution to the problems that are manifest in 1645” and propose a bill that would fix the problems that he and others believe could make the actions of the Authority invalid.

Authority Chair Craig Carter said, “I believe that’s legislators’ problems… But I just, you know, I wish that you guys were around a long time ago because the citizens were trying to talk to the people back then, and we wouldn’t have the biomass or the solar problem. So this board would have never been created, quite frankly, if they would have listened to the citizens back then… The law will work itself out. I mean, bond validation, the lawsuits that you guys are filing, that’ll be the cure, in my opinion, and I’m just one vote by the way, I’m not speaking for the board.”

Coats tries to make changes to the agenda

After the consent agenda was passed unanimously, Coats asked to remove approval of the budget calendar from the agenda, and he wanted to add agenda items to hire a GRU-specific attorney, reconsideration of recent GRU rate increases, the Government Services Contribution from GRU to General Government, and the employment of GRU CEO/General Manager Tony Cunningham.

Carter said Coats would probably need to break that down into separate motions unless someone was willing to second the entire motion. He asked Nee whether they could take action on items that were not advertised on the agenda. Nee said the meeting was properly noticed, and agenda items are not required to be published ahead of the meeting, but it’s best practice to put “consequential” items that may generate a lot of public interest on the agenda in advance of the meeting. He concluded, “But I think you can proceed, despite that.”

Coats clarified that he wanted to make “a very unique presentation” to have “a Sunshine conversation with my board about the last 30 days of hundreds of hours, and what I found, dealing with these specific topics.” Coats added that he recently met with Hutchinson’s group, Gainesville Residents United, “and frankly, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to actually like them. They’re nice people.” He made a request to give Hutchinson five minutes to “present to everybody what the legal issues are… I want people who are opposing to have a voice.”

Carter asked Coats to make a motion and see if he could get a second. However, regarding the request to give Hutchinson five minutes, Carter said, “If we do it for one, we have to do it for all.”

Coats made a motion to give Hutchinson or his group five minutes to present the legal issues. Member Robert Karow said the legal issues would be decided by a court of law, “and we have absolutely no say in the response to those issues. So I’m not sure that this is the proper forum for that.”

The motion died for lack of a second. Coats gestured toward Hutchinson, saying, “I tried.”

Coats: “If we can’t have this discussion, why the hell are we here?”

Coats asked the board to let him present “what I found in regards to the GRU-specific attorney–and we’re talking facts–recent GRU rate increase, General  Fund Transfer repackaging [as the Government Services Contribution, and] Tony Cunningham’s employment.” He said he wanted to do a “cluster motion, which is–every single one of these is tied together.” He said he had asked Cunningham to place the items on the agenda, “and they’re not here. So I am taking control, as an individual on this board, to say, ‘Hey, guys, we need to discuss this.’ We’re not up here as puppets. We need to have a hard conversation today, right now, about these things… And if you guys can’t support me on that, I gotta have a different conversation at the end of this meeting.”

Member Eric Lawson said that the agenda included Member Comment at the end of the meeting, and he planned to bring up similar topics at that time. Coats responded by asking him whether he had asked Cunningham to put items on the agenda, as he had. Coats said that anything they bring up at the end of the meeting will be placed on the agenda for the December meeting: “Do you guys want us to punt this down the road?… We need to discuss it today… If we can’t have this discussion, why the hell are we here?”

Karow said he agreed with the sense of urgency, but added, “I don’t know that we can do justice to a lot of these issues tonight.” Karow said he wasn’t ready to talk about Cunningham’s employment because “we need to give him a chance to demonstrate that he’s willing to play ball.”

Carter said the board needed to vote on the motion or repackage the motion instead of discussing it. He said he and Cunningham had talked about having a workshop in about two weeks to talk about some of the topics brought up by Coats. Carter also said that he had set the agenda with Cunningham, and they had agreed that one of Coats’ items would be handled at that evening’s meeting, and the other two could be discussed in the workshop. 

Coats clarified that he just wanted to present information, then he would present a motion that the board could consider “once you hear the facts.” Coats added, “I’m asking for support on this, guys, and if you can’t support me, then why are we here?” He said “for the record” that he wasn’t going to ask for Cunningham’s termination, “so let’s be decent businesspeople and give me a shot, as CEO of a company, to have a conversation with some other CEOs.” 

Lawson: “I really feel like we need to play out the process a little bit.”

There was still no second to the motion, and Coats said, “Are you guys serious?” Lawson replied that he wanted to “work through this methodically… I really feel like we need to play out the process a little bit.” Karow added, “And you can present this at the workshop.”

Lawson made a motion to adopt the agenda, and Karow seconded it. During public comment on the motion, Konish pointed out that Coats could present his information during Member Comment. The vote to adopt the agenda was 3-0, with Coats remaining silent.

Coats asked whether the item he had asked to be removed from the agenda had been removed, and Carter said the agenda had been adopted as presented. Coats said, “I see where this is going.” He dramatically stacked his papers as if getting to ready to leave and said to Carter, “I’m not trying to be attitude-y toward you, but just understand that I’m a very passionate individual.”

Trunked Radio System

Cunningham gave a presentation on employee awards, then the board took up the sale of GRU’s Trunked Radio System to the County.

GRU Chief Business Services Officer Lewis Walton told the board that the interlocal agreement to negotiate the purchase had been extended to December 31, 2023, but “if an agreement can’t be reached within the extension, then County staff will move forward with building a County-owned system.” Walton gave the board an overview of the Trunked Radio System, which is used by all emergency response agencies in the county for communications.

On the question of whether GRU can sell the system without a citizen referendum, Walton said, “The short answer is that after legal review, the public safety radio system does not reduce our ability to provide telecommunications services outside of this non-commercial system. As a matter of fact, it takes away from our core competencies.” Walton added that a County-owned model is the standard across the state.

The details of the agreement can be found here.

Staff’s recommendation was to authorize Cunningham to move forward with finalizing the agreement to sell the radio system to Alachua County. 

Carter: “Believe it or not, it’s a good business decision”

Carter pointed out that GRU owes $11 million on the system and is planning to sell it for $8 million, “and believe it or not, it’s a good business decision because if [the County builds] their own, we lose our majority customer. It sounds hard to swallow, but I think this entire board wants the good, the bad, the ugly out there in every conversation. So if we’re going to be taking a loss, let’s tell the people why we’re taking a loss.”

Karow moved staff’s recommendation, and Lawson seconded the motion. The motion passed, at least 3-0; it didn’t look or sound like Coats voted.

Bond validation process

Mike Wiener from Holland and Knight, GRU’s bond counsel, gave a presentation on the bond validation process, saying that his role was to provide an objective opinion on the validity of the bond, particularly the tax exemption given to local governments on bonds. Wiener said once the Authority approves the bond validation, GRU and the bond counsel will provide a timeline for the validation process; he said the progress of the various lawsuits would be taken into account and pointed out that Authority comments and actions are closely watched by the investing community. 

Wiener said GRU’s borrowing costs will increase if the validation fails; a credit downgrade can even affect the cost of existing debt.

Carter asked about the cost of the validation process, and Wiener said it could be as high as $200,000 in circuit court; if it’s appealed, there will be additional costs. Lawson made a motion to move forward with the validation, and Karow seconded the motion. 

Update on potential timing of the federal lawsuit

During public comment on the motion, Hutchinson said the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit have been told that they will be in required court-ordered mediation in March and a trial probably in June–and then the judge will issue a verdict at some point after that. He said that because of that, the best way forward would be to get the law rewritten. He said that his group, legislators, Little, and the Authority should get together to mediate a rewrite of the law before the January legislative session.

Coats: “I’m a little passive-aggressive, please understand that. I’ll be a big boy later.”

The motion was approved, 3-0, and Carter turned to Coats: “You’re not voting?” Coats said, “Nope.” Carter responded, “I think you have to. Doesn’t he have to vote?” Coats said, “Then I’m for it. I’m supporting, Chair Carter. I’m a little passive-aggressive, please understand that. I’ll be a big boy later.” With his vote, the motion passed, 4-0.

Budget calendar

GRU Directing of Accounting and Finance Mark Benton gave an informational presentation on renewing or replacing some financial instruments that have scheduled termination dates in May 2024. He then presented the budget calendar for developing the FY2025 budget for GRU. 

Coats made a motion to accept the budget calendar, and Lawson seconded the motion. 

During public comment on the motion, Konish said, “Because the current budget is loaded with politicized projects, that budget has been invalidated. And I would ask you by resolution to direct Tony to find all the… losers that are causing GRU to hemorrhage, like the free outdoor lighting for the County.” He also pointed out that GRU’s debt service will increase every year until 2028 and not come down to last year’s level until 2041 “without any new borrowing at all… They’re sinking deeper and deeper in debt all the time.”

Carter asked why the Authority has to present the budget to the City Commission, and Benton said his understanding was that HB 1645 requires that. Carter responded, “For information only or approval?” and Nee said the City’s Charter states that the Authority must “prepare and submit [the budget] to the City Commission” by July 1. Nee said the term “submit” is the same term previously used for the requirement that the GRU General Manager submit the budget for the utility systems to the City Commission, “at which time the Commission would do their legislative actions.” However, Nee said, the Charter now says that GRU will be “free from direction and control of the Gainesville City Commission.” Carter said, “Hopefully we get some clarification on that.”

Karow: General Services Contribution is the “elephant in the room”

Karow said the General Services Contribution for the current fiscal year is the “elephant in the room,” and he asked whether the Authority has any say over that. He asked whether the payment is made on a monthly basis, and Cunningham nodded his head that it is; Karow said, “We need to take a look at that. We can’t wait. And I think that’s what James was after.”

Coats said, “Thank you! What’s weird is to experience what I just experienced, which is ‘Let’s not talk about this stuff. But now let’s talk about this stuff.'” Carter said they were now at the point on the agenda to talk about it. 

Carter said the Authority members are looking at the budget, but “We can’t solve everything in one meeting. And that’s why I think the workshop is so important–I’d love to know where Eric’s been diving in, I’d love to know where James has been diving in, or Rob.”

The motion to approve the budget calendar passed, 4-0.

Code of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics

The board next adopted a Code of Business Conduct. Coats moved to accept the Code of Conduct, and Karow seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

The board also adopted the State of Florida’s Code of Ethics; Coats made the motion, Lawson seconded it, and the motion was approved unanimously.

Topics for future meetings

The last action item on the agenda was a list of topics for the Authority to consider for future board meetings, including Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), the Government Services Contribution, Utility Rates, Service Level Agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding. Cunningham said it was an opportunity for the Authority to identify and prioritize items they would like to “accelerate” and that they could choose to do that in that evening’s meeting or in a future workshop. 

Carter apologizes: “I did not know what to expect tonight.”

Carter said he wanted to apologize; he said he had limited the items on the agenda because he didn’t know how many people would show up or “what discussions we were going to have. We had the great unknown… It is my sincere hope that any member up here that wants something put on the agenda will be put on the agenda. I will always support that… So I do want to apologize that I stifled anybody; that was not my goal. I did not know what to expect tonight. And if I’d known it was gonna be very peaceful and everything was going to go great, I would have expanded it.” Coats thanked him for the apology. 

Coats: “What we’ve done today is simply avoid talking about the painful issues.”

Coats said that if the Authority continues “punting this stuff down the road, then we are nothing more than a group of people taking up space. What we’ve done today is simply avoid talking about the painful issues. So I yield.”

Lawson said he would support a workshop to discuss the various issues. He specifically supported hiring independent legal counsel; he wanted to “dive in more on the debt reduction plan,” particularly alternatives to the planned rate increases; he wanted to talk about net metering; and he wanted to talk about the Integrated Resource Plan. 

Karow said he wants to talk about GRU’s power plants and fuel sources. Carter said, “Tony laughs because I’m such a geek about this, but it’s so cool, what they do and when they do it and why they do it. You’ll enjoy that.”

Workshop to be scheduled before Thanksgiving

Carter proposed a workshop that will not include “back-and-forth discussions with the public” and asked staff to come up with dates as soon as possible; all members agreed that they wanted to do that before Thanksgiving. Carter said he now wished they had agreed to more frequent meetings at their first meeting.

Coats made a motion to have a workshop at a date provided by staff. Karow seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

Member Comment

During Member Comment, Carter said he has made phone calls to attorneys and that two of them were in the room. He said he’d been looking at the budget: “We’re still paying the City Commission and their staff. Why are we doing that? Am I right?” Cunningham nodded his head in agreement. 

Lawson thanked Cunningham and his senior leadership for providing orientations and tours for the members of the Authority. Karow seconded his thanks.

Coats: “So I’m asking you guys, do you want me to stay?… I am packed and ready to go.”

Coats said he had decided not to present his information and continued, “I need to understand if you guys can work with me or not. Because so far, I’m isolated by my own board… I am known publicly to be slightly passive-aggressive… I need to know if you guys want to work with me on this, which means that this is the personality you get. I’m direct, I have no filter, I have way too much education and a lot of experience in areas that you may not understand. So I’m asking you guys, do you want me to stay?… I am packed and ready to go. So I’m asking for a vote from my board. Do you want me to stay, or do you want me to go? Because I am going to be this way, every meeting, because I’m sick and tired of East Gainesville being spoken about and no one does anything to help those people.”

He continued, “We could have helped those people tonight. And now they gotta wait another 30 days, another GRU bill, and it’s Christmas, for crying out loud, next month. But because somebody didn’t research something or someone didn’t want to have a conversation about data, now those people gotta find money to feed their family and pay their GRU bill. Is that acceptable? And I say no. So I ask you guys officially now, if you don’t want to work with me, simply raise your hand, and I’ll resign. That’s where I’m at. Because I’m not going to change. I’m always going to be the thorn in the side of people who are doing wrong. So I ask now, by show of hands–if there’s two or more, I’m gone.”

Carter: Coats will “make this board entertaining. People will tune in with popcorn.”

Carter said, “I know you’re gonna bring a lot to the table. I love the diversity of this board… We need you… This board would be missing without you. I will say that… Understand: I knew your name before I accepted this position. It would have been really easy for me to say, ‘I can’t work with him.’ You were one of the people I was excited to work with because I’ve seen you solve problems. You are out of the box. And you know something, that’s going to make this board entertaining. People will tune in with popcorn. That’s my speech.”

Lawson said to Coats, “I’m looking forward to working with you.” Karow said, “Yeah, me, too. I think you’re bringing a lot to the table.” Coats said, “Well, I guess I’m not resigning tonight. Thank you very much, I enjoy you all, meeting adjourned.”

Coats made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Carter adjourned the meeting. 

  • I know it’s only been a month or so but this group appears to be as dysfunctional as the City Commission.

    Anyone else starting to think the same thing?

    • I don’t think so. This is an entirely new entity unlike the city commission or even other boards functioning under the city commission. Those entities have staff, people who have been there forever, etc. This board is feeling its way. Not at all sure about this guy Coats….”I’m known as being passive aggressive?” Sounds like a bad choice to me.

      • Agreed with Coats, the former commissioner seems level headed to me. I agree with his statement on hoping this authority resembles the Airport authority that has a good working relationship between county/local/and state entities.

        Signed,
        A liberal that still wants to hold poor city leadership accountable. Lets stop the division and find things where we can agree on and move forward.

        • Nope. Liberals now feel it’s fine to lie, cheat, still or fake ballots as long as it’s against the evil “MAGA” republicans. MAGA was used as a slogan by Ronald Regean first. Plus, what’s wrong with making America great? Are you cracked? Disown your DEC conspirators that have RUINED this town and maybe we’ll listen to you’

      • Having gotten to know him, he is like that because he has a strong feeling for helping those that need the help the most. Being that many have seen bills over 1000 dollars lately within the last year he feels certain things should take a priority. I held a meeting at the beginning of the month of October for those that felt the need to tell their stories to him. This man wants to help. He knows what it’s like to struggle.

  • If Coats needs to ask the rest of the GRU board whether he should resign then I would agree based on his proposals in their meeting.

  • Actually, this was not bad for a first meeting. They need to separate all the ties to the city that Ward and company have tried to sneak in, like the $500,000 for the lawsuit against GRU they stuck onto GRU. If GRU is to survive, it needs to use all of its revenue to pay down the insane debt the politicians have saddled it with. No more general fund transfer, none, zero.

  • Gee, that went really well! Given the care and steady deliberations Rep Clemons employed in guiding the bill through the Florida House, with House sub-committee processing, thorough study, expert and public testimony, and , not to mention the care the Governor exercised making the appointments, mindful of the promised “fair representation” a committee of 4 Gainesville citizens plus 1 would ensure – who coincidentally just happen to be all white male Republicans – one knew the result would be aserious and focused board with the best interests of the city and GRU customers at heart.

    NOT! None of that happened, except the 5 white male Republicans, which really was the point of this entire cluster …… Big surprise!

    • Let me ask Jazzman… are you Bryan Eastman?! This sounds exactly like what Eastman continues to spew, and it certainly seems as though there is no common ground. We don’t have to see eye to eye, but you seem to have a strong dislike for republicans. Seems almost like a racism thing but not with race.

    • Racist and sexists, as well as an ideolog.
      Also a bit fast and loose with the facts (appointments don’t have to comply with the “fair representation” requirement, only those seats that are up for future election).
      You’re world must be miserable Jazzman, I pray for you to let go of the hate and find Peace.

  • Coats needs to accept two things:
    1) This problem was created over decades, and it won’t be solved in the first meeting.
    2) Robert’s Rules exist for very good reasons– including protecting the process from people who are “passionate” or “passive/aggressive”.

  • The line between sublime madness and anarchy is thin and unrecognizable to the casual observer.

  • It’s almost like they don’t want to make any decisions of consequence until the lawsuits are settled.

    Having a meeting once a month watching puff piece presentations and clapping over GRU workers doing jobs (that they are paid to do) isn’t going to cut it.

    They are on the board to move the ball. Do your jobs people or resign!

    • I wouldn’t necessarily assume that, given he’s in charge of a major hospital (no slouches need apply) and possibly puts in a 60+ hour week already before heading downtown.

      With that said I wonder when some of these people are going to have the time to really do the job that’s needed.

  • If this is sign of things to come, only lawyers will be happy with GRU. The board should consider agenda items on possibly splitting it up and selling the electrical generation part; keeping gas and fiber internet; convert the biomass into a waste incinerator.
    Make lawyers starve in Florida, starting here.

  • Since Ward and his friends are doing everything they can to sabotage the new board, I don’t mind giving the members a little time to feel their way while figuring out how to make this all work. There’s a lot to unpack and only one member even knows much about the history and the workings of GRU.

    Carter needs to step up and get DeSantis to at least pick the fifth member. I would like to see the two political appointments be replaced with people who have more direct experience. I don’t mind someone like Coates who doesn’t have the same filters, at least he’s willing to ask questions and demand answers. Like Lincoln’s ‘Team Of Rivals’, GRU needs a board that is based on competence with members who are will to at least question the status quo and who don’t always agree.

    • Of course to you Joe.Coats is spot on and will be your and Fat Harveys nightmares coming back into reality.His overall perception is Gainesville reality.The rest of your Gru kickback wil soon be gone. The 28per cent tax hike is just the beginning.When the transfer goes to zero,nada,zilch, you can then get serious on cutting Wokesvilles budget.

  • Thanks for the detailed reportage in the Alachua Chronicle.

    Here is a small observation from an old Navy/Marine Corps Psychologist:

    What Mr. Coats self-describes is not really a Passive Aggressive personality disorder, it’s not even a personality disorder. It appears from his performance to be the product of a well established and successful repertoire of impatiently acting out distress with group deliberations that are more ministerial then meaningful.

    The consequences of such behavior are not unintended. His seemingly disruptive commentary and self-deprecation nevertheless changes group behavior and and focus on its purpose for existence, however uncomfortably.

    Some will remember City Commissioner Gary Junior who was a master of the art. The city was better for it.

    It also appears that former commissioner Craig Carter gets it.

    Those who prefer to keep the previous system of control may criticize Coats and Carter but only after they explain why they passively tolerated even supported the last two decades of City Hall’s abuse of the public, the ratepayers and the notorious mal-administration of the city.

    • Interesting body language in the above photo. I’ve heard of “Lean In” business management styles but, not familiar with “Lean Out”.

    • Mr. Coats: “Do you want me to stay, or do you want me to go? Because I am going to be this way, every meeting,…”. He behaves no better than a petulant child and should never have been appointed to this board.

    • I did not see or hear anything entertaining about Mr. Coats – only a serious man who has already done a lot of appropriate research and wanting to move forward on tackling the SEVERE problems facing our utility.

      Not sure why GRU Manager/Tony Cunningham is setting the agenda with just Craig Carter. Especially since Mr. Cunningham appears to be serving two masters like City Attorney Dan Nee.

      All the board members need to have input on setting the agenda not GRU.

      Also, for Mr. Cunningham to place proclamations for GRU employees on the agenda (burning up the meeting clock) to me was the greatest embarrassment.

      It’s clear to me, those who want to see the return of the city commission serving as the board of directors of GRU do NOT want the board members to look at any thing of any SUBSTANCE.

      • My gut instinct is that they are waiting for the new year to really start “cleaning house.” Nobody wants to start a new job right before the holidays. And if they are going to be laying off some people, why not wait until the holidays are over.

        I would be surprised if Cunningham is around much longer in his current capacity. How sad for him that he was promoted for the wrong reasons and now he may not have any job at all. Maybe they’ll try to get Ed to return to his old position, if he can focus on cutting costs and forget about green energy for the time being.

  • GRU is a prime example as to why the government should never be involved with a utility. From the past failed progressive city leadership to this politically appointed board…we just can’t catch a break

  • They’re going to screw up everything as usual. Give them enough rope and these republican fascists will hang themselves.

    • Do you even know the definition of “fascists”

      I don’t think you do little Joey

      • Dear Hundred: I am surprised you did not call out Joey for his redundant writing by saying “republican fascists.” The word “fascist” is redundant, just say “republican” and we all know they are fascists if Desantis appointed them.

  • I am sure the City Commissioners and other naysayers for this board are tickled pink over Coats breakdown in this meeting. The one thing we needed was passionate but professional board members. After seeing the list of applicants in the Gainesville Sun this morning I can’t help but wonder why did the Govenor select these 5 people?

    • They were political appointees…unfortunately not merit based.
      So first off you needed to be a registered Republican. Secondly, you needed pull within the governors circle…usually by donating the max campaign amount and by helping to bundle additional funds for the right politicians. Basically, the opposite of how you get elected to the city commission here.

      • None of what you stated is true it appears. fwiw below is the criteria for those reading these comments. Facts should matter, regardless of political affiliations.

        “The bill itself calls for a five-member board that will be appointed by DeSantis. Board members will be unpaid and serve staggered terms before serving four-year terms.

        One member must be a major commercial user or own a company that is, while another must be a county resident outside city limited. Three other members “shall be competent and knowledgeable in one or more specific fields substantially related to the duties and functions of the authority, including, but not limited to, law, economics, accounting, engineering, finance, or energy.”

        If GRU’s customer base serves more than 40% of its customers outside Gainesville limits, then the governor must appoint a second board member who also lives outside city limits.”

        • Wow…you are naive.
          You posted the criteria listed in the bill. My response above was in regard to why certain people were actually appointed in the real world. I’m not saying they don’t meet the stated minimums laid out by the legislature. I am stating that in no way was this utility board appointed based on pertinent abilities or knowledge. The folks selected were solely selected for political purposes, not for their wisdom of the utility industry. Just look at the damn list of applicants…this isn’t that hard.

          But I still don’t see how they could possibly do any more damage than the previous leadership. Slow, little, baby steps

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