Eleven Days of Uncertified Water...
Ten Months of Murray...
Nine Forrey FAILS...
Eight empty theaters...
Seven Abominations...
Six Grinches on Council...
No golden rings...
Fourth Ward Foolishness...
Three Evil Websites...
Two-Faced Bloggers...
And the Portsmouth Times in bankruptcy.
DAY ONE: On Monday, January 4, 2010. Jane Murray fired three City department heads on her first day as mayor. She told the Portsmouth Daily Times and WSAZ-TV that all three were guilty of "gross negligence and mismanagement," especially Water Works Director Sam Sutherland. She told WSAZ she was going to have Sutherland "investigated" for improperly terminating Roy Payton, who was convicted of stealing city property when he was a city worker. Payton's behind-the-scenes support for Murray was instrumental in obtaining a fraudulent endorsement for her by a city union. You can read the story at WSAZ's website. (We reported on Murray's dirty deal with Payton earlier.)
WSAZ specifically asked Murray about rumors that the city would be out of compliance with EPA regulations because of the firings. Murray denied this and said she had already made arrangements the EPA. This was a lie. (Murray and Peck's lies appear in red.)
DAY TWO: Tuesday, Jan. 5. The Ohio EPA wrote to inform Murray that the City is in fact out of compliance at the water and sewer plants due to the firing of Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Duncan who had qualifying licenses. Murray did NOT forward this letter to Council, even though it is addressed to "Mayor and City Council."
DAY THREE: Wednesday, Jan. 6. City Solicitor Mike Jones warned Murray that her actions "may expose the city of Portsmouth to potential liability," due to potential EPA fines.
DAY FOUR: Thursday, Jan. 7. The Portsmouth Daily Times (1/7/10) featured this headline:
Mayor: City Meets EPA Guidelines Contingency Plan Implemented to Comply
Referring to her newly hired engineer, Jeff Peck, she tells the Times: "We knew these requirements all along. Mr. Peck has 30 years experience as a civil engineer...At the same time, we also knew the requirements for the wastewater department, and we have made arrangements-all of that is covered." The Times accepted Murray's lies and reported "The city of Portsmouth may have dodged a $10,000-a-day bullet," referring to possible EPA fines.
DAY FIVE: Friday, Jan. 8. Murray and Peck send a contingency plan to Ohio EPA. Peck tells the Times "the city has covered the need by contracting with a firm that has a Class IV operator for both the water...and sewage facility." He said "They have full knowledge of our plans."
DAY SIX: Sat., Jan. 9. The Times reports "Operations Normal At Plant" quoting statements from Mayor Murray and Engineer Peck, claiming EPA's acceptance of a "contingency plan."
DAY SEVEN: Sunday, Jan. 10. The Community Common headline:
"Mayor Says City In Compliance With EPA Guidelines."
DAY EIGHT: Monday, Jan. 11. Mayor Murray continues lying to the city of Portsmouth at her first City Council Meeting, where she introduces Peck to Council as the Commissioner of Engineering and Public Service. In the Council meeting (which may be viewed here, scroll down to 11 January 2010). Murray repeatedly tells City Council that the City was in compliance with EPA regulations. She makes multiple statements such as the following:
"What we are doing is in compliance." "We have covered all the requirements of the EPA." "There is no problem."
After several council members question these lies by the Mayor, she threatens to file misdemeanor charges against them to have them removed from office.
"No member of City Council has authority to communicate with Ohio EPA about administrative or regulatory issues. I must remind City Council that under the charter, you are stepping into what are absolute prerogatives of the Mayor."
DAY NINE. Tues. Jan. 12. Several member of City Council receive direct email correspondence from the OhioEPA. The email informs City Council that the EPA believed they had no choice but to contact City Council since Murray and Peck had been non-responsive to repeated warnings about compliance issues resulting for the termination of Duncan and Sutherland. EPA wanted to make sure City Council understood the serious consequences of the Mayor's actions and the possibility of $10,000-per-day fines.
The EPA communication came the very next day after Murray threatened to charge City Council with misdemeanors, if they had any contact with EPA.
DAY TEN. Wed. Jan 13. The Portsmouth Times reports on the memo to Council from EPA: "Portsmouth In Violation of EPA Rules." The Times article finally exposes Murray's lies to City Council and the public.
Despite her unproven, accusations of "gross mismanagement and incompetence," and her previous claims that Mr. Peck was qualified to operate both the water and sewer plants, and that the City was in full compliance, Mayor Murphy offered, Duncan and Sutherland their jobs back on Wednesday, the day of the Portsmouth Times headline.
DAY ELEVEN. Thursday, Jan 14. Director Sutherland returns to his position at the Water Works, and the City was finally back in compliance with EPA requirements for the water system. Mayor Murray has yet to apologize for her accusations against Mr. Sutherland.
The City remains out of compliance at the Sewage Plant. Duncan refused to return to his former position, and Murray is still trying to find a qualified person for the job to avoid being fined by EPA.
Mayor Murray has been exposed as a liar by the Portsmouth Times, by the Ohio EPA and by her own actions in rehiring Mr. Sutherland after her outrageous accusations.
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