A Storm Brews at MCE: CEO's Raise Ignites Furious Debate Amid Cyberattack Fallout

Ah, the delicate dance of public service and corporate accountability. You know, sometimes a story just catches you by the collar and refuses to let go. And honestly, the recent decision at Marin Clean Energy — MCE, for those in the know — to grant its longtime CEO, Dawn Weisz, a rather generous 3% raise, well, it’s one of those stories.

It’s not just a raise, is it? It’s a lightning rod, igniting a fiery debate that's been simmering for a while now, ever since a rather nasty cyberattack brought MCE’s operations to a grinding, shuddering halt earlier this year. The board, our elected representatives, found themselves grappling with a decision that, for many, felt deeply at odds with the current climate of distrust and questions swirling around the agency's leadership.

You see, Weisz, who's been at the helm since 2010, saw her salary jump by nearly $9,000, pushing her annual earnings past the $300,000 mark. A tidy sum, no doubt. But for some board members, and certainly for many members of the public, this increase felt, dare I say, tone-deaf. The backdrop? Accusations of a troubling lack of transparency, especially concerning how the fallout from that devastating cyberattack was communicated — or rather, miscommunicated, many argue.

Imagine this: A crucial system goes down, customer data is at risk, and the organization meant to serve the community struggles to regain its footing. And then, there are whispers, then shouts, that key information was perhaps, shall we say, withheld from the very people overseeing the agency. Not exactly a recipe for trust, is it?

Several board members, clearly frustrated and, frankly, quite vocal, expressed their serious misgivings. They spoke of a breakdown in trust, a feeling that they weren't getting the full picture, that their ability to effectively govern was being undermined. One board member, with a clear note of exasperation, pointed to a critical performance review of Weisz — a review that, according to reports, had been rather significantly softened before it even reached the full board. Now, if that doesn't raise an eyebrow, I don't know what will.

But wait, there's another side to this coin, isn't there? Others on the board, just as passionate, rallied to Weisz’s defense. They highlighted her long tenure, her dedication, and the undeniable fact that MCE has grown exponentially under her leadership, pioneering the community choice aggregation model that has brought greener energy to so many. They argued that her overall performance in 2023, cyberattack notwithstanding, warranted the raise, pointing to a consultant’s report that, you could say, gave her a solid thumbs-up.

And so, after what must have been an incredibly tense discussion, the vote came down. It wasn't unanimous, not by a long shot, reflecting the deep divisions within the board. Yet, the raise passed. The motion carried. Weisz got her increase.

But the real question lingers, doesn’t it? At what cost? This decision, for many, isn't just about a salary bump; it's about the fundamental principles of transparency, accountability, and the trust that binds a public agency to the community it serves. MCE, as the state's first community choice aggregator, holds a special place, a pioneering spirit. And frankly, a pioneering spirit needs more than just green energy; it needs crystal-clear integrity. And right now, for many, that integrity feels a little cloudy.