Council sets May 6 for water talk
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City Council has set May 6 at 5pm, according to Council clerk Jeanne Cox, as the date and time of the work session on the local water situation. Ever since a new citizens group emerged this year to challenge some of the assumptions of the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority, the topic has been at the forefront of local debate, and the Hook has yet another burst of coverage on this today.
What causes the apparent fascination local governmental and quasi-governmental authorities in this area have with consultants and studies? This is not a rhetorical question. Why not hire somebody who has a clue? For example, we have a severe and potentially disastrous water problem. Why not hire as director of RWSA somebody who is a specialist if not an expert if not a world-renowned expert on such problems? This person would surely cost less than an endless parade of consultants. And - brace yourself for this, local politicians - this person would potentially be held accountable. Consultants aren’t. They get paid regardless of whether they actually solve the problem.
Can we hire a consultant who can do a study and tell us why we’re so fixated on consultants around here?
In this worksession, Frederick will do the talking, O’Connell and Mueller will do the double-talking, and Council will do the listening. Net result? Council will rubber stamp. They have no foundation in real decision-making. Open up your pockets WIDE people, this is just the beginning.