At the Sept. 28 meeting of the Water Authority of Western Nassau County (WAWNC), formerly Jamaica Water Supply Company, the board announced its decision to make the WAWNC's paid attorney an officer. He will assume the role of secretary to the board. (This position became vacant six months ago when normal voting member Frances Kayne, Hempstead representative, resigned.)

The unfairness of the situation is highlighted when one considers the reality that a voting board member, Marianna Wohlgemuth, North Hempstead, was interested, willing, and offered her name for consideration for this position. Unfortunately, the reason for their selecting the paid employee over Wohlgemuth will never be known as the discussion took place in executive session, not before the public.

Consequently, I can only wonder why the WAWNC Board members would prefer that all officers be non-board members. It is without logic when you consider that the members of the board are accountable for any wrongdoing, error or omission made by any of its three officers. My point is this. If you are responsible for all actions, wouldn't it be in your best interest to control your fate? These well-intentioned volunteers [board members] who are appointed by their villages and towns should serve as the officers of the public entity. It makes perfect and clear sense. Instead, you have the chairman of the board as the director of the WAWNC($62,250 /annum¬part-time employment); the treasurer of the WAWNC serving as the superintendent and overall manager ($108,938); and now the attorney serving as secretary of the WAWNC ($85,000/annum¬part-time employment). (These figures do not include the costs associated with medical, dental, optical, disability¬long- and short-term, base life premium, AD&D, retirement, NYS Group life insurance, applicable vehicle and meal allowance.)

The obvious question, why did the board members vote (except Wohlgemuth) to change the current composition of the board? Wohlgemuth would have certainly been diligent with this responsibility and would have served well, so why? Having attended the meeting, I felt it necessary to ask...the response from the chairman was that it was the will and desire of the board.

Could it be possible that this board is so fickle in its deliberation that it changed its mind from just a mere six months earlier (when Kayne served)? Or, is it based more on the fact that Wohlgemuth was appointed by a town board with a Democratic majority?

Marietta DiCamillo

P.S. For the record, I am a founding member and former treasurer of the Waterbill Watchdogs, sister of Wohlgemuth, and former board member of the WAWNC.