Grant PUD attorney's supporters criticize commission

EPHRATA — About 30 people attended Monday’s Grant County PUD commission meeting to show support for former PUD attorney Ray Foianini, after his contract was not renewed last month.

They also grilled commissioners about topics ranging from alleged illegal voting during an executive session on Feb. 17 to possible “sweetheart deals” for industrial power customers.

Eleven people who spoke at the meeting were critical of the commission’s decision about Foianini’s contract.

Former Grant PUD Commissioner Bill Judge asked for commission president Terry Brewer’s resignation.

Judge’s request brought applause from the audience. Judge also told Brewer the commissioner was comprised by his actions.

“I would like to expose you like the weasel you are,” Judge said.

Brewer kept control of the meeting and allowed everyone to speak.

“I was elected to represent citizens,” Brewer said. “I do that with integrity and without prejudice.”

Judge also asked Brewer if the PUD ever had a special rate for industrial users.

“Never been talked about,” Brewer replied.

Another resident, Bill Watson, questioned if the commissioners illegally voted about Foianini’s contract during an executive session last month.

According to the state Open Public Meetings Act, voting for public boards and commissions must be conducted during an open session.

One of Foianini’s supporters, Grant PUD Commissioner Randy Allred, confirmed the entire discussion and decision was done during the executive session.

Brewer said Foianini brought his proposed contract to commissioners during the executive session.

During the past two years, Brewer said he’s observed significant degradation between Foianini and the commission and between Foianini and staff.

Foianini read a prepared ?statement to the audience and accused certain unnamed commissioners and two top-level upper management PUD employees of making important decisions behind closed doors with special interest groups.

“I further believe that there is a concerted effort to suppress information not only from the public, but even from some commissioners,” he said. “I have, on a first-hand basis, observed many so-called public meetings here at the district where policy decisions appear to have been made by a group a commissioners well in advance of the public meeting — with no public debate or public discussion of the policy or its affect on the citizens of the county.”

“Cronyism runs rampant at the district. One need only look at the number of employees that have resigned or been dismissed and replaced with what one former employee referred to me as FOT’s or friends of Tim (Culbertson, Grant PUD’s general manager).” he added.

Culbertson was not at Monday’s commission meeting. He was in Washington, D.C. testifying before a Senate committee about renewable energy.

Foianini also said it is his objective and intent to make sure the public becomes fully informed to as to what is going on within the district.

“I intend to do everything I can to put the ‘public’ back into the Grant County Public Utility District,” he says.

Rich Callahan of Royal City questioned an advertisement ran in the Columbia Basin Herald by Brewer’s employer, the Grant County Economic Development Council,

The ad speaks of an abundant power supply in Grant County.

Callahan said he’s attended past PUD meetings and disagrees about the ad’s conclusion.

Callahan also said there’s a rumor the PUD is cutting a good deal with industrial power users.

Jim Hammack of George said a perception exists about industrial users receiving “sweetheart (power) deals at the expense of everyone else.”

Former Grant PUD commission candidate and former PUD employee Sam Johnson said he was also forced from his employment.

The PUD’s alleged practice of removing employees and not allowing knowledge to exist must stop, Johnson said.

Larry Wiliamson of George said he supports Foianini and told commissioners Foianini could help keep them out of the woods.

Merle Gibbens, past manager of the Grant County Project Hydroelectric Authority, submitted a letter to the commission he wrote about Foianini’s contract.

Gibbens said he disagreed with Foianini’s dismissal and suggested the PUD retain outside legal counsel.

Cindy Ray of Soap Lake told Brewer she respects him and knows him to be a good man. She also spoke about the PUD’s interest in buying a portion of a Montana coal plant, which didn’t materialize.

Grant PUD Commissioner Greg Hansen said the PUD is returning to conditions not unlike under the previous manager and added he feels they are moving from a public utility to an industrial utility.

Grant PUD Commissioner Tom Flint said he takes offense to Hansen’s statements and pointed out he is a farmer and won’t jeopardize agriculture.

Grant PUD Commissioner Bob Bernd apologized to the district’s employees for actions that have distracted them from their role of providing power.

Bernd said he’s not aware of the illegal meetings Foianini mentioned.

Moses Lake attorney Mitch Delabarre is now the PUD’s interim counsel and said nothing during the meeting.