I spent another week, in between my day job, pondering another Grantsville Council meeting. This meeting was not specifically on our water issues, in fact the first part was quite ok from a 1982 Foundation point of view. Even if the discussion was a little too argumentative, we did make progress on securing water service into the two main buildings at Avalon. Although it would have been less contentious if everyone actually understood the town Ordinances.
The price rise only came up as some sniping from two people, with no opportunity to discuss, at all. If the Council and Mayor want to heal divisions this is another example of poor practice and leadership – no one should be frightened about debate.
What we were told:
• The proposed 60% water levy is urgent
• The Council has been transparent
• Water services are running at an annual deficit of $30,000, or is it the previously stated $54,000?
• Grantsville water fees are low
• The Council will not actively support the PSC audit and decision
• The only reason there is any debate is because there are outsiders just ‘slinging mud’ for political reasons – an accusation leveled against me and people running for the Commission.
It is worth restating what we need:
• A full accounting, you can’t make a decision like this without knowing the whole picture
• Transparency and good communication, you have to be open and lead people when there is an emergency
• Recapitalization is needed for the water services (and actually further too), but you can’t do that on the back of Grantsville residents
• Continue to fix the leaks
• Discuss and debate openly, people are unhappy because of poor service, poor communication and potentially high fees
• Apply for grants
I hate to repeat myself, but some people seem to doubt that anyone is proposing an alternate path forward. What we could do is have a plan that has a more gradual path to increased revenues whilst at the same time cut costs and increase income from other sources like grants.
Apparently, there have been separate unofficial meetings (unadvertised and un-minuted) on the Consolidation project. That project is very important, but those meetings should be advertised, with an agenda and minutes, all citizens have a critical interest.
One thing the Mayor said is very true, elections have consequences and November 5 is an important date. He asked the question as to whether some people just want him out. The division that everyone recognizes only started when the Council proposed an aggressive plan and people asked questions and then complained.
I think we need better leadership.
