To the editor: I want to make a suggestion for hiring a brand new head of the Los Angeles Division of Water and Energy: Look inside (“Head of L.A.’s Division of Water and Energy resigns,” March 4). Cease going exterior to get the “most certified” particular person to run the DWP.
I labored on the DWP for 34 years. When our normal supervisor retired, a brand new one was picked from the other system. If the outgoing normal supervisor was from the water system, then the brand new one was picked from the facility system. This labored.
Every of those newly appointed normal managers labored their means up from the start of their careers. They took pleasure and have been dedicated to the working of the DWP with the data of the workings of the division. That they had vested pursuits in having the DWP proceed its lengthy historical past of supplying water and electrical energy to the folks of Los Angeles. Certain, there have been issues that got here up (what massive utility doesn’t have issues?), however previous in-house normal managers have been trustworthy, hard-working and happy with their workers.
Outsiders largely solely need the status and the big wage that’s supplied to them. Right here at the moment, gone tomorrow. And most of those outsiders wish to run the DWP like a enterprise. This isn’t possible. The DWP is ruled by the town constitution, insurance policies and rules that non-public companies shouldn’t have to abide by.
So, if the town desires somebody to suitably characterize the DWP, it ought to look inward to its high-level workers. For a lot of of them, the DWP is their dwelling, the place they plan on staying till they retire quite than in search of out greener pastures. It could be a disservice to them to suppose they’re incapable of performing the duties required.
Yolanda H. Lickson, Cypress
