Posted on: Thursday, March 20, 2003

City workers told to report suspected illegal activity

Advertiser Staff

City employees received a memo yesterday directing them to report any suspected illegal acts to their supervisors or people higher up the chain of command.

The memo is a response to the improper dumping and burial of tons of appliances at the Waipahu incinerator site in 2001.

In the memo to city Department of Environmental Services personnel, acting director Frank Doyle wrote, "Had the situation at the Waipahu incinerator site been reported when it started, we would not be in the situation we are in today."

He said it was unfortunate that the situation tarnished the reputation of employees in the department and that it called into question their ability to perform their duties.

"We now need to recapture public confidence by demonstrating daily our ability to perform our duties in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner," Doyle wrote.

Mayor Jeremy Harris said the city was expected to conclude its internal investigation of the dumping today. The city also has been testing the soil for heavy metals and expects the results today.