Carol Schwartz
Talking Points For Water Quality Task Force Announcement
February 12, 2003 [sic; actually delivered February 11, 2004]
Frustrated that WASA still does not seem to comprehend how upset people
have been with the at-best lackluster communication with its
customers about the lead issue
Apparent "bunker mentality" at WASA when they were confronted
with reports about lead in water – has not served them well
Certainly has not served WASA customers well
As soon as we heard the news from the media, Council "got it"
– there was a sense of urgency here, and "we are going to keep that
sense of urgency"
Immediately scheduled emergency hearing
At that hearing, one week ago on February 4, citizens who testified
were loud and clear in their concern
Several citizens at hearing suggested idea of a Task Force
One week later announcing its formation
A number of ideas discussed as to who should be involved in the Task
Force
Decided most effective composition would be a working group
Overriding factor in conclusion to create the interagency working group
as the Task Force has been the desire to get results as soon as possible
Task Force will work with WASA to help address and reduce the lead in
water, and to ensure that WASA learns to communicate vital information to
its customers promptly and clearly
When chairing the Council of Governments, immediately after September
11, 2001, I set up a Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency
Preparedness (model for Water Quality Task Force)
First meeting of that group was open – tough words needed to be said
and sometimes were not said, and speeches were being made that were not
always necessary (thus made the decision to close the meetings so that
real work could get done)
Any budgetary decisions or legislative initiatives agreed upon by Task
Force will take place in a public forum
Task Force will be composed with representation from the entities
listed below:
Mayor (co-chair of task force)
Carol Schwartz, Chair of the Committee on Public Works and the
Environment (co-chair of task force)
Linda Cropp, Chair of the Council
Sandy Allen, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Human Services
Robert Bobb, Office of the City Administrator
Glen Gerstell, Chair WASA Board of Directors
Jerry Johnson, General Manager WASA
DC Department of Health
Dan Tangherlini, Director DC Department of Transportation
Thomas P. Jacobus, General Manager, Washington Aqueduct
Task Force may interact on an ad hoc basis with other
governmental authorities, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency,
the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, and the DC Public
Schools
To include relevant scientific, environmental, and consumer
perspectives, the task force will confer with any relevant stakeholders
and experts as appropriate.
Submit report by April 9, 2004. |
