Montgomery County GOP

Montgomery County Republican Chairman Mark Uncapher criticized the pending appointment of Jerry Johnson as General Manager of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. According to news accounts the WSSC’s six-member board voted unanimously Thursday to offer the job to Johnson, and Johnson has accepted. The offer is contingent upon a background check and contract negotiations, which must be finished by July 8.

Speaking Friday June 26th on the Montgomery County Cable Television show  21 This Week, Uncapher said:

"Johnson's choice to head WSSC is very troubling considering his role in handling the DC Water and Sewer Authority's excessive lead levels. By most media accounts, Johnson failed to alert the public of the health risks they faced.  The health and safety of  Montgomery County residents deserves better.  Given  WSSC's already checkered history, another choice is needed. "  

According to the Washington Post story earlier this month:  "Johnson, WASA's general manager for 12 years, is set to resign from that agency July 2. WASA's board of directors voted in April to buy him out of his $230,000 annual contract a year early, a decision that one D.C. Council member said was aimed at restoring public confidence after the way the lead discovery was handled five years ago."  (see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/18/AR2009061802678.html)