Murphys Sanitary District Failing Op-Ed by Beth Hartline

    July 3, 2012
  I believe that Murphys Sanitary District (MSD) is failing. and in large part due to those who turned a blind eye to past, ongoing and current conflicts of interest of Board Members, legal counsel, the landlord/director and sometimes employees, depicting a clear pattern of self-interest and in my opinion misconduct and corruption over time; an abuse of public power, authority and resources.

     How can one ratepayer raise an alarm?

     MSD's General Manager (GM). has honored my request to agendize three of these debilitating conflicts of interest by MSD landlord/director/board President Patricia Davies, MSD director Ryan Van Cleave and the Districts legal counsil Ken Airola for next Monday's MSD board meeting.

     I hope there will be board, staff and public discussion on these issues. To that end, I am forwarding my e-mail written to the GM and MSD Board last week, date June 28, 2012 (and attached documents), illustrating the reasons for my heightened concern, and my call for the immediate resignation of 2 MSD board members and the District's legal counsel.

     Recently hired MSD GM Julio Guerra is trying to save the District, while its board members are hopelessly deadlocked allowing chaotic meetings and making erratic and possibly illegal decisions while Rome burns.

     Even with a well-intentioned and educated board, Mr. Guerra and professional engineer Gary Ghio will have difficulty pulling MSD back from the brink operationally, and financially.

    Earlier this year, LAFCO found MSD mismanaged and plagued  with constant board resignations, no transparency or public outreach, and so stressed operationally that it recommended dissolution, reorganization or just handing the reins over to "another service provider."

     A public utility board should not be voting by "picking sides" out of friendship, loyalty or for finanial gain in a free-for-all town hall style meeting.

     This is not a game. This is a public utility - a government entity - guided by the County and regulated by State regulations and law upon which commercial businesses, residents, families, workers, property owners, seniors, renters and retirees depend.

    Livelihoods and a community's economic prosperity are at stake on this scenic and tourism based Highway 4 corridor.

     Rates will skyrocket; it's now only a matter of time, how much and who we want in charge to transition us into the future.

     This is a pattern, not an isolated incident, and not unique to this small sanitary district.  I urge the press, through its readership to motivate people to get involved and stop this destructive behavior contributing to the demise of a local public utility.

     I encourange residents, business owners and others to attend the July 9th MSD board meeting at 6 PM at 90 Big Trees Road in Murphys, to raise their voice.

     Read my e-mail below and the three June 28th documents: Patricial Davies Secret Ballot Vote: MSD needs New Legal Counsel, MSD Conflicts of Interest and Van Cleave Residency.

    The other documents are my softer attempts to bring these issues to the board's attention.

              Beth Hartline, Murphys resident, ratepayer and former MSD President