Water commission's strides overlooked

Recent reporting on the changes at the DuPage Water Commission fails to look adequately at both sides of the issue. Of key importance is the fact that the commission itself ordered the independent audit and fully embraced its findings so that they could more efficiently and effectively manage the DuPage water system.

Such audits are nearly always conducted by outside counsel to prevent any possible conflict. To suggest that the commission is dragging its feet by not yet hiring a treasurer as recommended by the audit, is to overlook the importance of that position. A treasurer cannot be sought and hired in some slap-dash manner. Positions of the magnitude regularly take months to fill and appropriate procedures are currently underway to fill that slot with the most qualified candidate.

Furthermore, a highly qualified interim treasurer is presently in place to ensure continued smooth operation of the DuPage Water Commission. Recent news coverage also criticizes the commission for handling finance meetings as a committee of the whole. What the stories fail to acknowledge is that the committee of the whole provides much greater oversight and input than a subcommittee.

The commission understands the need to devote more time and oversight to finance and they have acted accordingly by engaging as a whole at the beginning of meetings for however long is required to conduct relevant business. The measure will remain in place until the current financial issues are fully behind us and key top jobs have been filled.

The public deserves accurate, unbiased reporting on a matter of this importance. To call the commission slow to reform is to ignore the important changes that have already been made and the steps being taken toward achieving maximum oversight and transparency.

Larry Hartwig

DuPage Water commissioner, Addison mayor