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March 17, 2008

Carcieri nominates six to clean house at landfill

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri today nominated six new board members for the state's $70-million trash agency.

The move comes in the wake of a preliminary audit report that found potential “irregularities and appearances of impropriety."

Carcieri's nominees, who would replace most of the current panel, are:

* Carole Bell, of Cranston, a senior program manager with Science Applications International Corporation, who works "in the environmental compliance and waste management/prevention arenas." Environmental Council of Rhode Island recommended her.

* Bradford Gorham, of Foster, a lawyer and former state senator "who led efforts to establish and improve the recycling programs of the corporation."

* Douglas Jeffrey, of Johnston, who is president of Signature Properties, a broker and a developer of urban residential properties. Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena recommended Jeffrey.

* Michael Quinn, of Warwick, retired State Police major and current executive director of campus safety and security and adjunct professor at Johnson and Wales University.

* Sue Sheppard, of Lincoln, retired former Lincoln town administrator.

* John Ward, of Woonsocket, current Lincoln finance director and Woonsocket City Council member and a certified public accountant.

“The Bureau of Audit’s preliminary report demonstrates that the Resource Recovery Board of Commissioners needs new leadership and a new direction,” the governor said in an afternoon statement. “It is now clear that the Central Landfill has been mismanaged for years. I have already asked the Bureau of Audits to continue and complete their investigation. I have also provided copies of the bureau’s preliminary findings to the State Police, the Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for their review.

The report says several transactions were poorly planned, insufficiently documented, and suggested potential conflicts involving Resource Recovery board members Austin Ferland, John St. Sauveur and executive director Sherry Mulhearn.

The report also singles out former Johnston Mayor William A. Macera, who supported the creation of a controversial industrial park while “members of his own family would benefit through land sales.”

The trash agency, known as the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, is overseen by an eight-member board including the Department of Administration administrator or his or her department designee and seven governor-appointed members. Two of the seven must be residents of Johnston, where the state's Central Landfill is located.

Carcieri is submitting the nominees to the state Senate for advice and consent.

Extra: Read a summary of the preliminary audit's findings.
-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney, with Journal archival reports

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:19 PM | Permalink

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tom | March 17, 2008 8:28 PM link

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