PMUA: Is there a solution for it?

PMUA's handling of fiscal matter seems to have arrived to a crucial point with the revelation of the million dollar settlement given to two former executives.  If you have not read what the problems are with PMUA you can read Plaintalker's excellent coverage of the issues over the last few years or you can read the latest coverage of PMUA troubles at the Courier News HERE.

I am not going to write about PMUA's issues, this has been well documented at the website that is maintained by the DUMPPMUA group HERE.

The issues on PMUA as someone who has not followed closely PMUA seem to be as follows, or at least that is how I interpret them now:

--There are thoughts of dissolving PMUA and then there are thoughts that changing the commissioners will solve the issues.

--There are also perceptions and feelings that PMUA is nothing but a political cow.  There is also the belief that the city, as it is being managed right now, could not take over the duties of PMUA if it was to be dissolved.

--Reducing trash pick-up and sewerage cost is one of the biggest concerns as PMUA's cost is higher than surrounding communities. And the cost of supporting PMUA gets insulting when one sees all the perks its commissioners and executives get.

Somewhere in the middle of all these issues there must be a solution that will address PMUA excessive cost and will satisfy local homeowners.   The need to talk about the solutions proposed and the consequences each offered solution might bring is a must but this won't happen until both the city and PMUA feel the pressure of the community.  Here are some examples on how you can help as per the DUMPPMUA website:

* Distribute "Did you know?" flyer to your neighbors (posted at the link above)
* Attend monthly PMUA meetings (Let's show PMUA we are united and concerned)
* Contact your local, county, and state representatives
* Speak to your neighbors and block associations
* Translators
* Volunteer time to go door to door to inform residents that they have choices

You can also sign the *petition to the Governor which is requesting that the State takes a look into the million dollars settlement and the operations of PMUA. (The petition site itself, not DUMPPMUA, will be asking you for a donation to their site, you can just skip this step -I think I just closed the page when I did it- YOUR PETITION still will be counted.  Thanks to Bob for reminding me of the hesitation some will feel when they see a "Donation" prompt. )

If you are concerned about the excessive cost for trash pick up and sewerage service as well as the high cost of maintaining PMUA as it has been maintained until now, please add your voice and your signature to the request that both local and state officials serve as problem solvers of an issue they created.