From the Publisher - ElectriCities in my opinion

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 10:50 PM

Posted in ElectriCities

by DCN

It is of my opinion that ElectriCities is another example of the good ole boy system that was put in place for friends. It started out as a way for these good ole boys to so call serve the public but in a way to make money and have fun outside of their regular job. It appears the good ole boys have gone overboard with salaries.

I bet many of them say they are church folks but can't see the need to take a cut in pay. It don't take $450,000 a year to live. It damn sure do not take $1,000 a month to attend a board meeting. Hell this was before gas went up.

If these good ole boys really were concerned about the people they are serving they would cut their salaries because every little bit of monies saved could help. But oh hell no they don't want to do that. Sam Nobles is the Town Manager of Tarboro and should be getting paid a decent salary so why does he need $1,000 a month to serve on the board? So why does former Rocky Mount Fred Turnage and a retired attorney need $1,000 a month to serve on the board?

And then what tickles the hell out of me is that Nobles allowed his Tarboro Town Council to vote on the increase before the ElectriCities board voted? The people in Tarboro ought to be mad as hell!!

See related link:

ElectriCities

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Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Agree

I agree. Most of this board has no expertise on these issues. When looking at them, Bob Smith from Monroe who worked for Duke Power has the most direct experience. I dont think the others even get it.

Cities have to make cuts when things get tough. But not this place. They add people, pay off settlements and generally go hog wild.

IMO, they will destroy eastern NC and are off to a good start. And when they dare to talk about buying more nuclear, they should be run out of town.

I am with Jeff Herrin, who will be the bold leader from a city council who will stand up and demand change, cuts for the people who pay. There is no way this is fair or right for the people and businesses who pay for this extravagant place where people only want money.

CD - Go to www.bluenc.showck-week to share the thoughts you put here. You can put a link to your site.

Note: Thanks. I read bluenc everyday because I receive email notices all day everyday with updates from what people post. I have an account there and I have posted something there maybe once about a month ago in response to James. Someone has been posting a link to my blog there so I have not posted anything.

C. Dancy II - TPA Editor

Edited by curmilus on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Posted by Anonymous

Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Need a Volunteer

We are looking for a few good people to send this to the paper and the city council with as many signatures as you can get. people in all the cities are stepping up - who will do it in rocky mount

Citizens and Business Uniting for Leadership, Excellence and Responsibility

A Change in Leadership is Needed at ElectriCities of NC


ElectriCities of NC is a not-for-profit trade association, together with two municipal power agencies that serve 32 eastern cities and 19 western cities with ownership in the power agencies.


Presently the organization has approximately a one billion dollar budget and oversight is a board of representatives of cities from the east and west. The composition of the board at present time is: five town managers, one former manager, two utility managers and one utility director, two former mayors, two current mayors, one council member. The Board is paid a salary of $1,000 per month for 12 months for a term of three years.


In June, ElectriCities announced a 14% rate increase for the eastern power agency, even though the CEO was aware of problems that would affect rates in October 2007 and the Board in March 2008. The result is most cities will have to pass the rate to their customers, adding another burden to a declining economy and rising costs. At least 2% of the increase is due to a refinance of the agency's $3 billion debt in the variable bond market where the interest rate soared, costing $12 million in interest. The decision and then the delay in revealing the problem means citizens got one month notice to adjust personal and business budgets to a much higher electric rate, most in cities where the electric rates are already much higher than those of competitors.


Citizens and businesses are uniting across the cities to encourage City and Town Councils to ask questions now and regularly about ElectriCities management based on reports of excessive salaries, double digit salary increases, more than 30 staff members earning more than $100,000, excessive staff turnover in some divisions, multiple legal settlements with former staff, pending federal legal claims against current staff, the refinancing error, excessive spending for events and travel, many out of state.


Further we will encourage City and Town Councils to inquire as to details of these issues and demand ElectriCities do its part, via resolution, to help soaring energy costs that are burdening citizens by making operational cuts as many cities have been forced to do. Further, we will encourage City Councils to meet with Board Members and Power Agency Commissioners on these matters to monitor actions and results on a monthly basis and publicly provide reports. Further, we encourage City Councils to evaluate their representative on the power agency board of commissioners to ensure a strong understanding of the issues and demand monthly reports on ElectriCities and power agency activities and budget and to provide that information to the public.


Suggested cuts in the ElectriCities include:

$168,000 per year for Board member Salaries

Reduction in CEO salary to $250,000, a savings of $200,000 and termination of current contract for the CEO amid mismanagement, misallocation of funds for staff salary increases.

Elimination of its out of state Myrtle Beach Party, a savings of more than $100,000 plus the additional costs cities incur for travel, meals and lodging.

Elimination of staff retreats, out of state travel, savings of more than $200,000

Elimination of positions in senior management and salary adjustments eliminating double digit salary increases over the past five years, savings of more than $2 million

Elimination of contract lobbyists and excessive staff lobbyists based on excessive turnover (80%), savings of $500,000

Restrict the legal budget expenses to $150,000, savings of more than $400,000

Hiring freeze

Restriction of salary adjustments to 2% for the lowest paid employees only.

Elimination of bonuses.

Streamlining functions within ElectriCities to achieve elimination of positions.

Further we recommend these cost savings be immediately undertaken, effective September 1 and applied to costs associated with the rate increase so that the reductions have an immediate reduction effect on rates.

We are citizens and businesses representing the cities and we are demanding change, accountability, and excellent leadership that includes innovative solutions to soaring energy costs.

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Edited by curmilus on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Posted by Anonymous

Thursday, July 24, 2008 - trying to link all the blogs

we are trying to link all the blogs and cross advertise them
Posted by Anonymous

Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Spokesperson

DCN - are you the person to send the release to the paper and to the City Council with names of others who feel this way? It would be great if you are. We want to get the recommendations for cuts out there.

Note: No I am not the one simply because I live about 7 miles from Tarboro and about 3 miles from Pinetops. I said that to say this, I feel it should be someone from Rocky Mount however I would support them. I work in Rocky Mount.

I am going to forward the information "Need a Volunteer" to some folks and I also hope others will read my blog or have read my blog and will consider volunteering.

I don't have a problem with helping to get the word out and speaking for others when I am asked by those who are directly affected by issues.

C. Dancy II - Editor



Edited by curmilus on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Posted by Anonymous