New Orleans leaders are looking at possible reorganization of the Sewerage and Water Board.
On Thursday, one of the top executives was on the defensive amid a firestorm of controversy.
Amid another recent string of very public failures of the agency, SWB executive director Randy Hayman defended himself against the city council's criticism which, he said, "undermines me in my daily activities as a leader in the organizations."
Hayman, who is Black, insists that he is not making this an issue about race even though others suggest he is being targeted to lose his job instead of SWB general superintendent Kaitlin Tymrak, a white woman.
"It is not necessary for me to bring in race," Hayman said. "I'm a highly-successful educated man who has done a good job across the country."
As the city council prepares to take a more active role managing the SWB, some have suggested the organization does not need both executives.
State law giving the city more control of the Sewerage and Water Board takes effect on Saturday.
