Many years ago, for a college political science course, I had the pleasure of interviewing the mayor of Jamestown, Fred Dunn. We discussed many topics relating to being the leader and mayor of a small city and the challenges that came along with the job. One topic that was discussed was the fairly unique situation of the city having it’s own power generating utility led by a semi-independent board. That board was composed in part of civic industrial/business leaders who understood the importance and value of the utility as well as bringing business expertise to the utility. My understanding the initial purpose of having such a board was to have a degree of separation from the political side of government thus allowing the BPU to operate in a more business like manner free from the politics of the city. Until recently, this is how the board was composed and operated very successfully I might add. While we should thank those who recently have agreed to serve on the BPU board, that longstanding policy of board composition certainly has changed. Financially it also should be noted that the city does already contribute a “tax equivalent payment” to the city and school district similar to what a private utility would be paying.

There are many examples of intelligent managing of the BPU but I will cite just one. Approximately 15 plus years ago under the leadership of James Gronquist P.E., the board of the utility seeing the need for a source of power other than coal, added a gas turbine. Given the fact that the coal industry has essentially been shut down and the fact that gas prices are at all time low that decision made many years ago shines as a brilliant business decision in addition to providing energy with a significantly improved pollution footprint. With the present board and city government would that type of sound business decision be made today? Would the BPU today have the financial assets to purchase and install the turbine? I believe the answer to both questions is unfortunately no.

This directly leads to the BPU’s recent “dividend payments” to the city even though as previously discussed they already in today’s language “pay their fair share.” This bleeding to the city of reasonable BPU profits, which should be used for utility infrastructure improvements and overall improved operation of the utility, will in the not to distance future destroy one of the city and areas best remaining assets. One can look to the recent water problems in Flint Michigan to see an example of poor management and underfunding of infrastructure requirements. What a sad day that will be for our entire region.

Jamestown has many financial problems, many self created by poor political decisions and some through no fault of their own However whatever the case, the city needs to get it’s financial house in order but should not jump to the short term (and easy) solution by taking funds that should remain within the BPU for proper utility operation.

Greg Jones is a Jamestown resident.