UPDATED: GRU files emergency petition to prevent the City Commission from taking over GRU until appeals are decided, Bielarski sends defiant email to GRU employees
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
Updated at 11:40 a.m. with information about the Show Cause order
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Following the successful referendum to return control of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) to the Gainesville City Commission, the GRU Authority has filed an Emergency Motion for Constitutional Writ to prevent dissolution of the authority on November 6, and GRU CEO Ed Bielarski sent a message to GRU employees this morning, signaling that he does not intend to leave without a court order.
The court has now issued an order to the City of Gainesville to explain why the writ should not be granted; the City is required to respond by 5 p.m. today.
Emergency Motion
The emergency motion asks the 1st District Court of Appeal (DCA) to prevent the City Commission from immediately taking control of the utility until the Authority’s legal challenges are decided.
An Emergency Petition for Constitutional Writ was filed with the 1st DCA on August 18, making similar requests to preserve the status quo until the two pending lawsuits can be heard on their merits, but the court dismissed the petition, writing that the harm to the Authority was “clearly speculative… Rather than speculative future harm, GRUA must demonstrate impending harm that is ‘real and ascertainable’ if the writ is not given.” The decision appeared to hold out the possibility of action after the election, and that is what the Authority is requesting today.
Bielarski’s message to employees
Bielarski sent the following message to GRU employees this morning:
“I am here at work today under the authority of state law and will continue to discharge my duties as the CEO of GRU.
“The GRU Authority believes yesterday’s vote has no legal consequence until the board receives a court order telling it otherwise or until the special legislative act that created the Authority in 2023 is repealed.
“Until then, the board will continue its responsible governance of GRU, and I will continue as CEO.
“During the Authority’s tenure, the monthly 1,000 kWh residential electric bill has decreased from $156 to $137, and the utility has paid off $177 million of debt. The bond rating agencies that determine the rates at which we borrow money have affirmed our strategic plan.
“While keeping bills low, GRU has also focused on safety and reliability, taking on multiple projects to improve infrastructure and customer service. Moving the utility back under the city commission would not only undo the progress we have made, but I also fear it would create utter chaos, leaving the utility a directionless organization whose primary purpose is to fund city initiatives.
“I remind all of you to keep your eyes and mind on task. Please do not let these political goings-on distract you from your important roles.”
Go home, Ed. This is ridiculous now.
It’s going to be interesting how many other New Yorkers decide to escape the new $0ci@li$t 💩🕳️ state after their most recent election.
They’re in for a rude awakening when all the free stuff promises run out and the police leave people to fend for themselves.
Well we shall see. I live here now so there’s that
Yes, and that’s unfortunate for us Bob.
But you’re leaving soon with a number of other posters, right James?
Oh, the Jazzmouth never missing an opportunity to spew your venum. I’ve been trying to leave for about 3 years now. Unfortunately, the city annexed my property into the city. Then they changed my zoning to MU1 so developers could build a 5 story hotel adjacent to my property. So after 26 years of paying off a mortgage in a neighborhood that had a restricted covenant that the developers were able to remove, they are willing to pay the residents of Robbinswood a “fair offer” of $150K while paying each other $320K for the same lots. Thanks for asking. Make me an offer.
James, sorry to hear about your troubles with developers and the city and though of no value to you, I am fully sympathetic with your position. Sorry I mocked you.
Wrong again Jazzman! Your kind apology and empathy means a lot to me. Thank you. My mantra for the unfortunate divisions of our current state of affairs both nationally and locally is: Stop the Hate. Peace be with you🙏
Go back to NY Bob, you’re not welcome here.
I live here… you folks are the worst of the worst. I don’t care if you don’t agree with me or anyone else but you have no room to tell ANYONE where they are welcomed! Do you own the state of Florida? This is AMERICA and as you know, we have the right to go wherever we want and say what we think. See original comment!
I live here… you folks are the worst of the worst. I don’t care if you don’t agree with me or anyone else but you have no room to tell ANYONE where they are welcomed! Do you own the state of Florida? This is AMERICA and as you know, we have the right to go wherever we want and say what we think. See original comment!
Not. Welcome.
Thank you, Ed! GRUA has been an enormous help for the past two years.
A graceful letter of resignation from Mr. Bielarski, perhaps recognizing his acceptance of the popular will, would be most helpful. Unfortunately, it looks like well-practiced tactics of delay-delay-delay, honed and disseminated by prominent national-level fraudsters have really gained traction.
“Popular will”? I was not allowed to vote. Same for all the other County residents that pay GRU.
You might take your inability to vote to the State legislature. GRU isn’t the only municipal utility with out of city customers in Florida.
We’re probably the only one with an activist City Commission that wants to bury their utility in debt, so they can claim their farts are carbon neutral.
We did, and the legislature created the GRUA. The city referendum is an attempt to nullify the vote of the legislature.
The GRUA was created only because recent city commissions have proven themselves to incompetent utility managers and the most hostile to their county customers.
pretty incompetent in running the city as well
“The city referendum is an attempt to nullify the vote of the legislature.”
And the bill creating the “authority” was an act to nullify the votes of the citizens of Gainesville by partisans who never win that vote. This is an unarguable fact, not opinion.
Yes. The popular will of the owners. If you want to be an owner, you can annex into the City. Or you could offer to buy the utility like the citizens of the City did in the early 70’s.
You don’t own GRU Mo, city residents do. You think FPL or Duke will let you vote on their decisions?
Couldn’t agree more. People have voted, which is their right. Ed is reacting in a way that is disgraceful and disrespectful. It’s unfortunate.
Popular will?!! GRU’s combined service area reaches about 280,000 total customers. A little over 10K Gainesville residents voted to encourage the City Commission to seize control of the utility. Gainesville has 80,000 to 85,000 registered voters. So even if everyone who could vote in Gainesville did so, it’s still a small fraction of the total GRU customers. The whole boondoggle is designed to add unethically appropriated money to the Commission’s profligate spending, and is essentially taxation without representation for those customers who had no say in the election.
GRUA has the right and obligation, for all the customers and state law, to pursue all available legal avenues.
The”City” will pull a joe biden move and undo ALL of the good the Authority has done.
Joe Biden left Trump with an economy termed “The Envy of the World by the Economist that fall. Trump left Biden with an economy in free fall and a pandemic he pretended didn’t exist and would come and go in amatter of a month.
https://www.economist.com/special-report/2024-10-19?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=17210591673&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17210596221&gbraid=0AAAAADBuq3LZ6x7tZ93an_vIP_dr4P3Qj&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiKzIBhCOARIsAKpKLAMxkcdx-Hp_gQb8L2F6-MHenyHmYQ7NtjsTFhihsN-Kdm9PQ222BpgaAtPbEALw_wcB
Popular will? I didn’t get a vote but I live in Haile and am forced to use GRU? I guess this kind of rigged gerrymandering is good because it benefits the government in power?
Apparently you are unaware that GRU was purchased from a joint city/county entity by the citizens of the City of Gainesville. Annex into the City and you’ll get a vote as well as one for the commissioners you strenuously disagree with. Until then, whine in the news media because you don’t have a voice in City Hall. Any “gerrymandering” is of your own doing.
There was no purchase. It was simply agreed in 1971-72 that the The Board comprised of City and County commissioners would dissolve.
I was there and did not think it right … it wound up 9 to 1
Mark
Michael, your forced to use whatever utility has the rights to your area. Gerrymandering is how we ended up with the governor dictating his personal preferences over the rights of voters who didn’t elect him.
The vote in this and the previous election(in which over 50k voted) clearly demonstrates that over 70% of the voters do not want a non-elected, governor-appointed board to run the city-owned utility, so arguments that this special election made the difference are not supported by the facts.
That is an actual mandate. The arguments have been laid out in exhaustive detail. The majority has spoken, and spoken loudly.
In America, we should be gracious winners and losers and move forward together.
Yep, two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner…..
The voters own GRU Steev. Reclaining control is not predatory.
You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Explain to us how our having ownership of GRU allowed 7 self-centered, incompetent idiots to buy a Bio Fiasco, continue increasing utility rates and siphon our profits for their personal agendas. Since you won’t be able to do that, tell us how many people you know, (not those you’ve pledged loyalty to), who voted to actually increase their utilities per annum until 2027.
If unable to, you might want to shut your mouth or go see somebody in City Hall who likely enjoys it.
Maybe news to you You Voted but in a democratic republic – we don’t run our governments like New England yearly Town Meetings with citizens personally voting, but with elected representatives – there is almost always dispute and competing power groups fighting over issues. I suggest you take a civics course, since you just admitted you don’t understand how governments in America work, and then dedicate yourself to winning city elections instead of waiting for Daddy in Tally to smite your enemies.
Like I said, you don’t have an explanation for 7 people increasing utility rates & using “our” profits for their agenda, let alone anyone who voted to increase those rates until 2027.
You really should shut up; you’ve obviously hit your head too many times with that hammer.
Sure Mark, Please tell that to the BOCC and other local entities before their next objections and legal filings against state legislation.
7000 votes decided this referendum in a city of what 150K. No mandate. In fact it looks like the majority of Gainesville voters don’t really care who runs the show. The majority here are all fat and happy at UF, THE CITY AND THE SUPPLIERS OF BOTH.
James, as pointed out by Mark, the 2024 vote on this won 50k votes and the percentages were roughly equal to this election.
false
With a salary like Ed’s, which he continues to increase for himself, it’s not surprising he’s continuing to embarrass himself. He should take what shreds of dignity he has and take his talents elsewhere. The people voted, twice, wrap it up!
What part of NO they don’t understand? Seventy five percent speak for themselves!
10,000 city voters decided the fate of a utility that serves 100,000 accounts and probably 200,000 citizens. That isn’t very democratic now is it?
And many of the voters were dorm rats who don’t even HAVE GRU service (on UF campus)! 🐀
Slice, that is democratic in America where voting is not a requirement of citizenship but a right. I understand that in Australia it is an obligation. Would you prefer that system? Until then any turnout is decisive and I’m sure you know that.
Please do not let these political goings-on distract me from trying to save my 6 figure salary.
My GRU bills are higher than ever due to: 1) electric rate increase above 1000 kwh, 2) increased solid waste and storm water fees, elimination of waste water winter max. An electric cost shift is not “savings”. It is a gimmick.
If I remember correctly, the winter max went away in 2021 or 2022. That was during the other rate increases that were voted on by the Commission of Fiscally Incompetent Clowns, (against the voices of residents and a petition).
But correct me if I’m wrong.
Mine are considerably lower.
Well hold on to your wallet Jim. You ain’t seen nothing yet.
You know and we know the trash is a city thing. Classic Jim.
Jim Konish, My GRU bills have gone down since the GRU Authority takeover. Do you know why mine have gone down, yet yours have increased?
Hopefully the judge will get some common sense and allow a vote of CUSTOMERS/RATEPAYERS ONLY!!
Where were all the (potential) voters who were in support of GRU? Couldn’t be bothered to cast a vote?
I have lived in Alachua County all my life and as someone who graduated in 2020 (COVID Class Gainesville Racetrack graduate) from high school and after my hard work at SFC and my part-time jobs, found a job that pays well. I was hired due to my skill NOT DEI (especially since I’m multiracial and the NAACP rejected a scholarship opportunity to me in high school because I was half white) so try your best but I’ve been told by both black and whites I don’t belong to either race so I honestly act like I’m aligned with any. I have found over the last couple years my bills go lower under the GRUA. With living single in a 1 bed 1 bath apartment I manage to get by every month but I do not understand how people can be so supportive of a city government who doesn’t even try to really hide most of their bad spending or lack of business management (I unfortunately can and it’s called UF at this point seems). I read comments on here and Facebook everyday and see how much some residents of this county (specifically UF students) just vote on party lines or what “my professor/“studies” say”. I hope that one day this county (Mostly city; Aiming to move to Newberry!!, High Springs!!!, or Alachua to escape before next November when my lease runs out since they are actually trying to grow and IMPROVE) can see that these liberal policies that they vote for and the liberal (more activist) politicians they keep for what feels like EVERY position. I hope and pray that God will have the courts “stay” the motion by the GRUA to maintain control until their lawsuits fully go through the courts especially now that they clearly have the “impending harm” considering courts before said, “clearly speculative… Rather than speculative future harm, GRUA must demonstrate impending harm that is ‘real and ascertainable’ if the writ is not given.” Well NOW it’s “Real and ascertainable” and it’s no longer just “harm” that is impending, it’s a complete threat by the City and those residents that voted “Yes” of Gainesville.
NOTE: I did vote NO to this over reaching “referendum” that not all customers serviced by GRU got to have a say in, in addition to the fact that my bills in city limits have decreased since the GRUA was established.
Sore loser for the third time hahaha what an idiot
The poorest families suffer the most under control of the Gainesville City Commission whose continuous virtue act is transparent and unbelievable. The expensive vote whose language was effectively uninterpretable was meaningless legally. And worse, many thousands of residents who are connected were not included in the city’s deceptive voting referendum because they live just outside the city limits. This is a well documented case of Selective Democracy created by candidates who illegally selected their districts leading to…
Bad government that keeps getting worse.