Why would DWP General Manager Ron Nichols and union leader Brian D’Arcy have a need to pump $40 million dollars over the years into two secret non-profits called Joint Training Institute and Joint Safety Institute? In this day in age all Human Resource Departments have a warehouse full of labor laws that protect employees. Hopefully, Controller Ron Galperin, who announced that he will be issuing subpoenas, will also follow up with public hearings for the benefit of ratepayers who are entitled to know the details.

And,…why are City officials asking ratepayers to conserve more energy, when a California Energy Commission report stated that since the adoption of the Energy Code in 1978 to about 2011, Californians have saved $56 billion in energy cost. Also, the Commission’s report further said that because energy conservation was successful and that between 2011 and the end of 2013 Californians would save an estimated additional $23 billion in electricity and natural gas cost, thus, preventing having to spend billions of rate payer dollars on building 15 additional power plants. Then why are DWP utility rate hikes predicted to increase to equal a house mortgage payment?

These are the solutions to this madness. Non-profit organizations must be willing to reveal their financials in order to solicit for a government grant. We must vote out incumbents.

Fix the broken Civil Service System and prevent elected officials from hiring family or friends, who do not have prior municipal experience to fill important positions. The Mayor
must appoint qualified Civil Service Commissioners with actual hands on Human Resource Management experience. City officials must allow the H.R. Director to do their job freely, such as enhancing employee’s job strengths as well as addressing all city departments’ personnel complaint issues. They must be able to do so without interference from supervisor’s, or city council members such as what council member Herb Wesson is apparently trying to do in the sexual harassment complaint against his colleague, councilmember Jose Huizar.

Most importantly, repeal the City’s business tax which has driven employers out of town and they would most likely return and put our people back in the workforce when it is repealed..

Editor’s note: Mr. Barron is a Civil Servant, local community activist and a Commentator for the NVR.