Who went to Washington?
That’s a simple enough question, but apparently not in San Juan
Bautista.
San Juan Council Member Chuck Geiger asked that question at the
council’s meeting last Tuesday. We’re all still waiting for the
answer.
Who went to Washington?
That’s a simple enough question, but apparently not in San Juan Bautista.
San Juan Council Member Chuck Geiger asked that question at the council’s meeting last Tuesday. We’re all still waiting for the answer.
Another member of the council apparently hinted privately to Geiger that the city had sent a delegation to meet with Economic Development Administration officials to talk about the status of a grant that’s critical for a sweeping water and sewer project. The city had initially applied for the grant with the San Benito County Water District. But shortly after City Manager Jennifer Coile’s arrival at San Juan City Hall last July, San Juan separated itself from the water district over issues that included things as petty as where the two agencies would meet.
Since then, things have been up in the air.
Geiger’s question was directed at Mark Davis, a $6,200-per-month consultant who is supervising the project. Visibly shaken, Davis replied that he was not prepared to comment.
Incredulous, Geiger repeated his question, and Davis continued to stonewall.
Then Coile jumped in with assurances that of course Davis would be in frequent contact with all parties connected to the project.
But that was not the question asked. Were public funds spent without prior approval of the council? Were people representing the city in Washington without prior approval of the council?
Members of the audience joined the fray. Former Council Member Robert Quaid repeated the question. “Not prepared to comment.”
Then liberal firebrand Rebecca McGovern, conscience of the council for a generation, got up. Speaking slowly with visible disgust, she reminded the council that the public’s business is not a private matter in our country.
She’s right, of course.
At the same meeting, Coile tendered her resignation, and supplied a three-page list of some of her accomplishments in her six-month tenure. Her last day on the job is Jan. 19. The stated reason for her departure is a health issue in her family.
Lacking answers to a simple question, the people of San Juan can only speculate.
It’s reasonable to assume that one or more people representing the city did go to Washington. Had no one gone, there would be no reason to clam up.
It’s just as reasonable to assume that the San Juan delegation did not get the hoped-for answers from the EDA. Had they had good news, Davis certainly would have been eager to justify his salary with the revelation.
So San Juan’s secret envoys may have been told they lost their shot at federal funds. They may have been told they need to re-apply. They may have been given clear orders to start working with the county Water District staff.
Finally, family issues or no, Coile’s resignation may be very well timed to separate her from a disaster she had a hand in creating.
We adamantly believe the public’s business be conducted in public. We sincerely hope the federal grant is not lost. We hope San Juan’s water and sewer project is not on the rocks. We hope Davis and council members are able to begin working in good faith toward a successful outcome. The people of San Juan who continue to be held hostage through this protracted debacle deserve that much.
Finally, we commend Council Member Geiger. It’s reassuring to know that at least one member of the council is working for the benefit of the public.
