Kiser and Twomey make it to the list for PSC's top lawyer
Public Service Commission Executive Director Mary Bane said Friday that applications for the agency's general counsel position are now closed. For the third time.
Making it to the list of applicants to be selected by the PSC's five commissioners are former state Sen. Curt Kiser, now a Tallahassee attorney and lobbyist, and former PSC attorney and utility lawyer Mike Twomey. The agency has extended the deadline so many times, Kiser said he was frustrated.
"This process has been strung out so long, it appears that the deadline for the job is not really a deadline at all,'' he said.
The vacancy was created in September when Booter Imhof left after less than a year at the agency and returned back to the Legislature, where he had been a long-time staff director in charge of utility issues. His departure came at the height of the agency's turmoil over improper communications between agency staff and commissioners and the utilities they regulate.
D'Alemberte wasn't interested. Butterworth told the Herald/Times he wasn't interested but wondered how "FPL could screw up so badly." And Kiser said he'd apply. After Kiser applied, the commission decided the job should be permanent after all, so they advertised the post and required candidates to apply to the state's People First personnel application system.
Since then, Butterworth has been hired to recommend to FPL how it can improve its image.
Meanwhile, former PSC Commissioner Diane Kiesling, who was asked to apply by Commissioner Nathan Skop. But the People First deadline had passed, so the PSC told candidates they were extending the deadline and no longer using the system to submit applications.
On Friday, Kiesling said she considered applying but told the commission today that she "is happy where I am." Kiesling, an attorney at the Department of Health, said her decision "has nothing to do with the PSC" but she made the decision for personal reasons.
Skop also suggested that two attorneys for the Office of Public Counsel, Charlie Beck and Charles Rehwinkel, be sought to fill the post that was vacated in September by Booter Imhof. They also declined the offer.
Also on the list are Bonnie Davis, a Tallahassee attorney that specializes in utility representation; Annemarie Kraft, a Tallahassee workers compensation attorney; Jose Lorenzo, an attorney with the Department of Education; Colin Roopnarine, hearing officer at the Public Employee Relations Committee; Thomas Barnhart, an assistant attorney general; Ephraim Livingston, an attorney at the Department of Health; Lynn Rhodes, a former assistant public defender in Bradenton; Julie Forrester, attorney at the Department of Health.
As a pro bono lobbyist, for people with disabilities, I had a very good look at Curt Kiser as a Florida Senator. Curt Kiser has a brother who is blind. His empathy level for people with disabiities was always high. Years later I encountered Curt Kiser as a lobbyist. He walked with a severe limp due to a disability. I recall it was knee problems that needed replacement. Florida has in excess of 20% of people with disabilities. We need a straight shooter, and Curt would be excellent as a choice for the Public Service Commission. He has paid his dues by good service as a State Senator and sees issues very clearly. His appointment would reflect good on the Governor, who seems caught up in making appointments that benefit only the Governor.
Denny R. Wood
www.dignity4disabled.com
Posted by: Denny R. Wood | November 14, 2009 at 08:41 PM