Candidates for ACC lay blame for Johnson Utilities at commission’s feet
by Heather Smathers | PinalCentral
Three of five Republican candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission participated in a forum Saturday, including discussing the beleaguered Johnson Utilities.
Newcomer Jim O’Connor — who, at 72, actually made his age one of his selling points, saying he’d be “one (term) and done” — touted his background as a financial manager. In pitching his skills, he said the ACC often deals with complex financial matters, and his expertise in finance would be a benefit.
O’Connor said the ACC should have been bird-dogging Johnson for years and said the issues with pollution and lack of service fall on the ACC for not more closely monitoring the company. He said public trust in the commission needs to be restored and urged the audience, fellow Republicans, to “put the old guy to work for you.”
