Questions about RUSS

February 20, 2012

Richmond, Iowa

To the Editor:

Over the past year, residents of Richmond have learned quite a bit about Regional Utilities Service Systems (RUSS) and its relationship with the Washington County Board of Supervisors. I am sorry to say that almost everything we have learned has convinced us that we simply do not want RUSS involved in our community.

This was confirmed in a spectacular way by a recent news article in ?The Oskaloosa Herald? of Feb. 10, 2012, reporting that the chairman of the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors, Henry ?Willie? Van Weelden was found guilty of ?first-degree documents.? Although Supervisor Van Weelden was indicted on three serious criminal charges in April of 2011, the article reports that ?Van Weelden is still a member of the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors and continues to serve until sentencing,? which is scheduled for April 16, 2012.

How citizens of Mahaska County feel about a person charged with and found guilty of three felonies at the head of their county government is something for them to decide. But what brings this sad story close to home for residents of Richmond is the fact that for at least eight months after being charged with three felonies, Supervisor Van Weelden remained at his post as Chairman of the Board of Directors of RUSS!

Only recently has RUSS seen fit to replace Supervisor Van Weelden with Supervisor Wes Rich of Washington County as their Chairman. Even so, according to RUSS? Web site, Van Weelden still remains on the RUSS Board of Directors.

Anyone who has ever worked for a government agency, either as a public employee or elected official, should be aware of the need not only to strictly obey the law, but also of the importance of avoiding even the appearance of wrongdoing.

If the town of Wellman terminates their City Administrator for allegedly stealing a $10 bottle of aspirin, the Chairman of a public agency receiving millions of dollars in government funds who is charged with ?first degree theft, felonious conduct in office, and tampering with documents? should be asked to step aside until such a serious cloud of suspicion is removed. Failure to do so speaks volumes about such a public institution!

It is not out of any malice toward Mr. Van Weelden that we write this letter, but to let people know why Richmond residents are so determined to keep RUSS out of our community. And this is only one of many ethical questions that have been raised about this organization ? and just one reason for our outrage that four of our five county supervisors are trying to inflict it on us.

Terry and Deb Strabala

Members, Residents for a Better Richmond