Betty Noel nomination

[Anonymous]

The DC Council Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs voted this afternoon, three to two (Alexander, Bowser, Mendelson to Cheh, Graham), not to approve the nomination of Betty Noel, former People's Counsel, to the Public Service Commission. The bill they defeated was an odd one. It gave reasons not to approve Ms Noel, then recommended approval. Councilmember Cheh moved to amend the bill to recommend disapproval but that amendment was defeated by the same majority.

There may not seem like a big difference between voting no on approval and voting yes on disapproval, but procedurally, the former ends the nomination, while the latter sends it to the entire Council. On an issue of major importance to the entire City, given all the controversy about Pepco, I think there would be a lot more confidence in a decision in which all councilmembers took part.

I don't know the specific Council rules, but I think Robert's Rules would allow any of the three who voted to oppose the Cheh amendment to move for reconsideration. I hope one of them will do so. And I hope all councilmembers would then listen to Mary Cheh's reasons for her vote.

[jsteele]

Noel is done. Gray will have to nominate someone else. It's very disappointing. Washington Gas was not opposed to Noel. So, this is purely PEPCO's doing. Bowser's position is that Noel is not impartial. But, Mary Cheh said, "What's really behind this is Pepco. Pepco wants another puppet on the commission. ... Noel is nobody's puppet and Pepco knows it."

Muriel told me in an email this afternoon that she won't support a PEPCO puppet, so let's see. I'm most disappointed by Mendelson. I have been a strong supporter of his but lately he has really been making me question that support. I guess we are stuck with him for another 3 years, but the way things are going I can't see myself voting for him again.