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Harrisburg City Treasurer Charlie Will on Thursday again came under attack because of work being done in the city by an Evansville firm, Energy Systems Group.
As the discussion developed, there was a shift: Will apparently is not the person who brought the controversial “energy study” to city government.
Attacks on Will have been regular since questions developed among city employees when the firm moved from studying energy efficiencies in City Hall to asking questions about how the water system operates, what types of meters are used and how they are read.
Originally, Will had told council the firm would study City Hall.
After employees raised questions, Commissioner Ron Fearheiley point-blank asked if the firm operates water and sewer plants and do they have the intention of doing so in Harrisburg.
Will, at that meeting, said the firm never takes over utilities.
At the Thursday meeting, that question was again raised by local businessman and former candidate for City Council Jonathon Gerike, who said after an online search, he believes, “One specialty is the design, construction, financing and operation of water and wastewater systems.”
He also questioned if Will has a relationship with a family with the surname of Will in Indiana. That family, he said, owns Indiana businesses that work with ESG.
Will denied any relationship with the family and Commissioner Bart Schiff said he had called ESG and the firm denied to him the operation of any wastewater or water systems.
“They guaranteed they don’t,” Schiff said.
Declaring Gerike to be on a witch hunt, Mayor Eric Gregg caused the attention on ESG to make a strong switch.
Gregg declared Will had not brought ESG to Harrisburg.
Gregg did it.
“I take full responsibility for them being here,” Gregg said.
Gerike also objected to the handling of city employee health insurance, saying it should be bid.
With the renewal date being Dec. 1, “there is no way possible for anyone other than someone hand-picked …,” he said.
He termed it “blatant cronyism at its worst.”
Gregg took issue with the statement, saying the council is “trying to move away from cronyism.”
City Attorney Todd Bittle, at the request of Gregg, explained state law does not require bidding of health insurance.
During the meeting there were financial high spots.
Good news
Jim Maurer, the vice president of external affairs for AT&T, presented the city a $5,000 check for signage that will note Harrisburg is a good place to live.
The grant came about because Gregg has been interested in what AT&T plans for the area. Maurer said Gregg always asks what to expect, not complaining about the past.
Finance Commissioner Ron Crank brought to council a bit of budget relief.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent a check to Harrisburg for $113,500 as reimbursement for city expenses during the flood of 2010.
Harrisburg City Treasurer Charlie Will on Thursday again came under attack because of work being done in the city by an Evansville firm, Energy Systems Group.
As the discussion developed, there was a shift: Will apparently is not the person who brought the controversial “energy study” to city government.
Attacks on Will have been regular since questions developed among city employees when the firm moved from studying energy efficiencies in City Hall to asking questions about how the water system operates, what types of meters are used and how they are read.
Originally, Will had told council the firm would study City Hall.
After employees raised questions, Commissioner Ron Fearheiley point-blank asked if the firm operates water and sewer plants and do they have the intention of doing so in Harrisburg.
Will, at that meeting, said the firm never takes over utilities.
At the Thursday meeting, that question was again raised by local businessman and former candidate for City Council Jonathon Gerike, who said after an online search, he believes, “One specialty is the design, construction, financing and operation of water and wastewater systems.”
He also questioned if Will has a relationship with a family with the surname of Will in Indiana. That family, he said, owns Indiana businesses that work with ESG.
Will denied any relationship with the family and Commissioner Bart Schiff said he had called ESG and the firm denied to him the operation of any wastewater or water systems.
“They guaranteed they don’t,” Schiff said.
Declaring Gerike to be on a witch hunt, Mayor Eric Gregg caused the attention on ESG to make a strong switch.
Gregg declared Will had not brought ESG to Harrisburg.
Gregg did it.
“I take full responsibility for them being here,” Gregg said.
Gerike also objected to the handling of city employee health insurance, saying it should be bid.
With the renewal date being Dec. 1, “there is no way possible for anyone other than someone hand-picked …,” he said.
He termed it “blatant cronyism at its worst.”
Gregg took issue with the statement, saying the council is “trying to move away from cronyism.”
City Attorney Todd Bittle, at the request of Gregg, explained state law does not require bidding of health insurance.
During the meeting there were financial high spots.
Good news
Jim Maurer, the vice president of external affairs for AT&T, presented the city a $5,000 check for signage that will note Harrisburg is a good place to live.
The grant came about because Gregg has been interested in what AT&T plans for the area. Maurer said Gregg always asks what to expect, not complaining about the past.
Finance Commissioner Ron Crank brought to council a bit of budget relief.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent a check to Harrisburg for $113,500 as reimbursement for city expenses during the flood of 2010.
