Garbage in, garbage out is often used to explain computer glitches. But in the case of the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation, the phrase may be a more literal commentary than humorous punch line. It isn’t a laughing matter.
Coming to grips with the potential mismanagement and fraud at the RIRRC is only now beginning, as the preliminary investigation of the agency has been completed. Gov. Donald L. Carcieri is to be commended for taking a firm line and for clearing out the old board of commissioners and nominating new members last week. The RIRRC and its landfill in Johnston are too important to the ecological health of the state to be running at anything less than their best.
It should come as no surprise to advocates of good government that conflict of interest lies at the heart of all three of the main problems identified by the recent investigation. This is, after all, Rhode Island, where nearly everyone knows everyone else and many cash in on that.
In this case:
• Landowners with connections to the RIRRC board or the Town of Johnston sold land to the corporation.
• A member of the RIRRC board had an ownership interest in the firm that managed the RIRRC pension fund and other assets.
• The RIRRC board made charitable contributions and, in return, board members and employees were given tickets to sporting events.
In fact, the only thing that is clear is that the citizens of Rhode Island find themselves facing yet another ethics mess and that systemic changes and clearly enforceable statewide ethics guidelines are desperately needed.
•
Another example of why politicians should not be running a facility that is owned and run by the private sector in every other state. The reason that there is a anti business climate in Rhode Island is because of the taxpaying businesses have to compete with the goverment on an unlevel playing field. After the corrupt and incompetant way the landfill was being run, why would they then get into the real estate business and think there would be a better outcome? Sell the dump, balance the budget, and let D.E.M. over see it as a watch dog entity. The downside is that the politicians might not be able to get their less than competant relatives a job there.