Although I commend The Herald’s articles revealing the misuse of our utility money, I still have a few unanswered questions.
First of all, what is the salary of Paul Elias? I am sure it must be a substantial one, since he had the responsibility of overseeing something as important as our utility company. Being hired to such a responsible position I would think would require high management skills. If he was qualified to fill this position, why did he need so many consultants to tell him what to do?
Next, I would like to know how he justifies taking leave with pay during the audit period. It seems to me he should either stay on the job, take unpaid leave, or use some of his paid vacation time if he feels he must stay away.
Frankly, I think he has proven he is not capable of holding this job; and we should just get rid of him and hire someone who is.
Other questions I have concern the three commissioners. Do they receive a salary? If so, how much? What are their job duties?
Evidently they have been as remiss in whatever these duties may be as they allowed Mr. Elias to be in order to get us in to this mess. Their excuse that “the high power bills are more a result of changes in federal energy policy and the volatility of a profit-oriented power market than the PUD’s operational costs” is hard for me to believe. Aren’t all the public utility companies of Washington living with the same conditions? Then why are our rates the highest in the state, and why haven’t these other companies been forced to double their rates?
I agree with former PUD Commissioner Peter Newland. I think it is time we dump them all and start fresh with capable, responsible people.
Camano Island
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