At December’s board of commissioner’s meeting, Commissioner Georgana Kicinski motioned, with no reason given, to remove for Commissioner Ed Mims from the SGWASA board, to be replaced by newly elected commissioner, Robert Way. The motion passed.

The board voted to remove the most seasoned and experienced commissioner from the SGWASA board — a commissioner who has the proven ability to analyze the data and facts, follow up with important questions, all the while keeping the needs of Creedmoor first.

I am extremely concerned with the board’s immediate switch from what is right for the residents of Creedmoor to what is beneficial for the board member(s).
Knowing growth has been halted and bills have increased, and with continued concerns with water quality, the board made a conscious and public statement that water would be their top priority. Their vote showed different.

While campaigning, Commissioner Robert Way expressed to me personally that he is a family man first, that he will leave party out of the non-partisan position, and do what is right for Creedmoor. I appreciate Commissioner Way’s demeanor, approachable vibe, and selfless service with the CVFD. I admire seeing his son by his side on fire and rescue calls.

But within an hour of taking office, Commissioner Way let us, the residents, down. Why? 

Creedmoor’s water concerns are too much of a risk and high priority to allow for on-the-job training. What experience does Commissioner Way have with waterworks or local or state government? How many BOC meetings has Commissioner Way attended? How many SGWASA meetings? Commissioner Way should have done the right thing and voted against Commissioner Mims’ removal. He should have voted for what was right and not for personal gain or party points.

Imagine your house is on fire. One of the biggest risks you will ever face, and the chief tells commissioner and fireman Way to sit this one out because they are sending me instead. I have no experience, I have no training, I have no proven track record, and I am not fully vetted on fighting fighters. I am sure we would agree that this is not my time, especially when we have a willing and proven experienced firefighter trained to go. 

I would have respectfully told the chief that I am not the best person for the job, send fireman Way in, I’ll go with him, I’ll learn from him, my time will come. This is what putting the residents first looks like.

I hope and pray that Commissioner Way rights his wrong for the residents of Creedmoor by motioning at January’s BOC meeting to remove himself from the SGWASA Board. This is not his time, just like it is not my time to fight fires.

Jonelle Berky Marable
Creedmoor