ADVISER SOUGHT TO RUN DWP.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer With the departure of its chief executive after a $20,000 salary dispute, the Department of Water and Power is looking to hire a private consultant to replace him - on a two-year contract for $600,000 - to help it through electric deregulation Deregulation The reduction or elimination of government power in a particular industry, usually enacted to create more competition within the industry. Notes: Traditional areas that have been deregulated are the telephone and airline industries. . A Water and Power board of commissioners is scheduled to take up the proposal today to hire consultant David Wiggs to help the agency prepare for the competition it will face from private utilities beginning next year. Former General Manager Bill McCarley left the agency Friday, after the City Council refused to grant him a $20,000 raise last year that would have brought his salary to $195,000 annually. A report to the board said Wiggs was needed because of the ``unprecedented circumstances which the department faces.'' Wiggs will help the department develop its strategic business plans, alliances with other firms, recruit a permanent general manager and evaluate means to reduce debt. The contract calls for Wiggs to work a maximum of two years for up to $600,000. But word of the contract drew outrage OUTRAGE. A grave injury; a serious wrong. This is a generic word which is applied to everything, which is injurious, in great degree, to the honor or rights of another. from Councilman Joel Wachs Joel Wachs served for several terms as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 2nd district. He was first elected by defeating incumbent James B. Potter. While in office, Wachs chaired the Public Works Committee and vice-chair of the Environmental Quality & Waste Management , who has been a frequent critic of the agency. ``If it's $600,000 for one person, they've gone completely out of their minds,'' Wachs said. ``We clearly need to bring in good people, but I can't imagine one person at $600,000. That's completely loco. What is this world coming to? This shocks the conscience Shocks the conscience is a phrase used as a legal standard in the United States and Canada. An action is understood to "shock the conscience" if it is perceived as manifestly and grossly unjust, typically by a judge. .'' Aides to Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. , however, said the contract was needed and would have been awarded even if McCarley had stayed on. ``(Wiggs) is a person extremely experienced in the utility industry,'' said spokesman Steve Sugerman. Wiggs did not return telephone calls. Deputy Mayor Chris O'Donnell said Wiggs, the former chairman of the El Paso El Paso (ĕl pă`sō), city (1990 pop. 515,342), seat of El Paso co., extreme W Tex., on the Rio Grande opposite Juárez, Mex.; inc. 1873. Electric Co. in Texas, brings special expertise to the DWP DWP Department of Work and Pensions (UK) DWP Drinking Water Program DWP Dynamic Weapon Pricing (gamin, Counter-Strike: Source) DWP Department of Water & Power DWP Drinking Water Protection as it prepares for deregulation. As for the salary, O'Donnell said Wiggs made more than $400,000 a year in previous jobs. ``There's no question in this marketplace that we will have to pay for talent,'' O'Donnell said. ``It is based on his prior experiences and expertise.'' |
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