Vieques Mayor Emeric demands transparency on privatization contracts during council hearings
May 25, 2021 | Senate, Committees, Legislative, Puerto Rico, International
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The government meeting held on May 25, 2021, focused on the evaluation of the RS 31 project by the Commission of Strategic Projects and Energy. The session highlighted significant concerns regarding the frequency and transparency of meetings held by the board overseeing the project.
The discussion began with a review of past meetings, noting that there had been a considerable gap in gatherings, particularly under the administration of former Governor Ricardo Rosselló. Members of the board expressed frustration over the lack of compliance with legal requirements for regular meetings. Questions were raised about the efforts made by board members to ensure these meetings occurred, with one member stating they had protested and reported the issue, but felt their concerns were largely ignored.
The conversation shifted to the documentation of meetings, including whether minutes or recordings were kept. It was confirmed that meetings had been recorded and transmitted online since the administration of Alejandro García Padilla. However, there was uncertainty about the recording of the current meeting, which was conducted via Zoom.
A key point of contention was the privatization contract with HMS, which was discussed following the appointment of Mara Pérez as director in February 2019. Members questioned when discussions about this contract began, with some stating that the topic had been circulating informally prior to Pérez's arrival. The lack of formal communication regarding the contract was also criticized, as board members reported being told that the process was confidential and that they could not disclose any information.
The meeting concluded with a request for all recordings, minutes, and notes from the past six years to be made available, emphasizing the need for transparency in the board's operations. The discussions underscored ongoing concerns about governance and accountability within the commission, particularly regarding the privatization of essential services.
The discussion began with a review of past meetings, noting that there had been a considerable gap in gatherings, particularly under the administration of former Governor Ricardo Rosselló. Members of the board expressed frustration over the lack of compliance with legal requirements for regular meetings. Questions were raised about the efforts made by board members to ensure these meetings occurred, with one member stating they had protested and reported the issue, but felt their concerns were largely ignored.
The conversation shifted to the documentation of meetings, including whether minutes or recordings were kept. It was confirmed that meetings had been recorded and transmitted online since the administration of Alejandro García Padilla. However, there was uncertainty about the recording of the current meeting, which was conducted via Zoom.
A key point of contention was the privatization contract with HMS, which was discussed following the appointment of Mara Pérez as director in February 2019. Members questioned when discussions about this contract began, with some stating that the topic had been circulating informally prior to Pérez's arrival. The lack of formal communication regarding the contract was also criticized, as board members reported being told that the process was confidential and that they could not disclose any information.
The meeting concluded with a request for all recordings, minutes, and notes from the past six years to be made available, emphasizing the need for transparency in the board's operations. The discussions underscored ongoing concerns about governance and accountability within the commission, particularly regarding the privatization of essential services.
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