Soul-Searching PV Council Member Struggles With EMC Vote
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Pinckneyville City Council Friday voted to place on public display an agreement with Environmental Management Corporation (EMC) of O.Gallon, Mo. that would turn the city's public works and street functions over to a private contractor.
Soul-searching commissioner Martin Beltz told the newspaper over the weekend that while he voted to place the document on public display, he hasn't decided how he will cast his vote on final approval and is asking the public to help him decide.
"For approximately the last 10 months, the city council of Pinckneyville has been engaged in a debate concerning the appropriateness of entering into contracts with EMC for the operation and maintenance of the water, sewer and street departments,"Beltz began.
"After nearly a year of debate and uncertainty, the time has come to bring the proposals to a final vote and allow the city to move forward in the direction chosen," he continued.
" To that end, a special meeting of the city council was held on Friday, February 13, 2009 at which time the council voted to put on public display the proposed agreements with EMC. While I cast a vote in favor of putting the proposals on public display, thus clearing the way for a final vote on this issue, I have yet to determine how I will cast my vote on the acceptance or rejection of the contracts when that final vote is called," he said.
"I can cite as many reasons for being against the proposed agreements as I can for being in favor of them, and I feel as though I can make legitimate arguments for either side of the debate," Beltz said.
"The real stakeholders in this debate are the taxpayers and utility customers of Pinckneyville; they are the ones that will ultimately win or lose with the passage or defeat of these proposals. I believe that as one of the five members of the city council that will be called upon to make a vote on this issue, it is incumbent on me to hear from those who will be directly affected by whatever decision is made. Members of the city council have been led to believe that there is overwhelming public support for passage of these proposals, however I remain unconvinced," he said.
Beltz said he plans to hold scheduled office hours at city hall in Pinckneyville this week to listen to comments and feedback from the public regarding these proposals.
Beltz will be available during the following times:
Wednesday, February 18 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 19 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 10:00 a.m. -12:00 Noon
"I encourage anyone who wishes to view the proposals to do so at City Hall and to make their voice heard to myself, the mayor and the other commissioners. I would also support a public hearing on this issue prior to a final vote being called to provide the public with an opportunity to address any concerns or questions to the City Council as a whole," Beltz said.