Politics vs. public interest

There are issues currently under investigation involving corruption in public office that are mind numbing at best, egregious acts against taxpayers at worse, given the presumed innocence and decency of these officials.

The probe involves following the paper trail on how certain projects from repair of power generators to housing were manipulated, placing greater importance on relationships with political stalwarts over the public’s interest.

For instance, I’ve learned that CUC’s Engine No. 8 has been down for 36 months (since the time that this administration came into office). An RFB was issued for its repair. When proposals were submitted, the package from BB’s stalwart was higher than the other bidder or private firm. Giving the private firm would have been a savings for brow-beaten taxpayers.

The award was cancelled and an RFP subsequently issued, allegedly orchestrated to allow the friend of this administration to submit a lower proposal. Still, the other firm came in lower than BB’s loyal political friend. Now, a scheme had to be concocted to accommodate their friend.

Finally, it was decided to sole-source it to BB∂s political stalwart. Several things emerged in the award to repair engine number eight. The taxpayers are denied savings. Taxpayers were screwed by this administration’s placement of politics over the public’s interest. Thus, taxpayers are saddled with fuel surcharge fees and, yes, rolling blackouts today. What great sacrifice against taxpayers in favor of political stalwarts. Obviously, transparency isn’t the forte of this administration.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. The paper trail leads elsewhere or even right into venues we never even knew existed known as corruption in public office. It involves public officials we have trusted, but chose greed as to allegedly violate certain procurement laws to fill their pockets. Now, there’s quiet nervousness everywhere!

It is also rumored that charges against this administration’s loyal friends have been dropped. In the process, small fries are prosecuted to the hilt when the AG’s Office should go after the big fish with or without political connections. The AG’s Office ought to know by heart that the American tort system was designed to redress wrongs, not to commit more of them, or use it to protect the politically connected to roam the streets, Scott Free!

John S. DelRosario, Jr.
As Gonno

Note: The issues raised are currently under investigation, thus the need to leave out names at this point in time. Well, the cat is out of the bag, so to speak.