Wilson NC - Share your concerns about ElectriCities with Rochelle Moore, WDT
Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Posted in ElectriCities
by DCN
Would anyone on this forum be interested in talking with me about your concerns about ElectriCities and its impact on the electric rate in Wilson? This would be an official interview. Also, if there is a concerned ElectriCities employee or former employee willing to discuss your concerns/frustrations, I am willing to keep your identity confidential.
Call anytime this week or after Sept. 15. (I may take a hiatus from the WDT and instead chase Hanna, Ike and Josephine)
Rochelle Moore, WDT
See related link:
Tuesday, August 19, 2008: Blue NC - Important post about ElectriCities of North Carolina at a glance
Note: Originally posted September 4, 2008.
8 Comments | Post Comment | Email This
Saturday, September 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment
http://www.wilsontimes.com/Opinion/Letters/Story/Higher-utility-bills-means-harsh-choicesLetters
Saturday, September 06, 2008, 12:00 AM
Higher utility bills means harsh choices
One thing I've heard my whole life is that parents want their children to have it better than they did. We work hard to give our children a safe home and a feeling of self-worth.
My mother became a single parent after 25 years of marriage all the while being a homemaker. When our world turned upside down and inside out she went to work for a salary of around $6,000 a year. She gave me everything I truly needed but I also knew she wanted to do so much more.
Now, my daughter is doing all she can to make a good life for her son. I am so proud of her. She is a wonderful mom.
When my last utility bill came it was $120 higher. I was mad just like all of you. Then I thought about my daughter. As you can imagine, she has no extra money to pay this higher bill.
That made me wonder how many other Wilson residents will be trying to decide what to give up to have basic utilities. Will our elderly neighbor have to stop buying his medication? Will our children be going to school hungry? Or will they not have adequate clothing to keep them warm and dry or to be able to fit in with their classmates. Will we be able to keep our homes warm this winter?
Can you believe that our City Council, whom we elected to watch our backs, have turned their backs on us? When the federal government makes decisions without thinking (or caring) about the impact on us regular folks at least they don't know us personally. It doesn't seem quite as personal. Not like this. After all, there's a very good chance that you could be standing in line at the grocery store with your council person.
We, the citizens of Wilson, have to stand up and be heard. Being the optimist that I am I keep hoping that someone's conscience will begin to ache a little. But maybe not. After all, they can pay their utility bill.
Debi Newsome
Buckingham Circle
Note: This comment was edited only to separate paragraphs. C. Dancy II - TPA
Edited by curmilus on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Posted by Anonymous
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
GET INFORMATION OUT TO NEWSPAPERS. ATTEND THE MEETING on the 17th of SEPTEMBER AT 9 am in WILSON AT THE OPERATIONS CENTER. BRING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL AND DEMAND NEW MANAGEMENT, CUTS AT ELECTRICITIES. 90 percent turnover of staff around the lobbyist over five short years. Nine of ten people gone. Some after only two or three months. How many settlements? How many legal bills in the pipeline? There is an issue with big salaries, big pay raises, turnover and lawsuits. From Jan. 2007 until June 2008, there were 19 Board meetings. Of the 19 meetings, 12 had closed sessions and 9 closed sessions were specific to employee performance issues. That is why our legal bills are $1.1 million and rising. On the day of the budget decision, there were 15 agenda items and the meeting lasted three hours. How long do you think they spent scrutinizing the budget? Not long apparently.Bring your bill to the September 17 meeting and demand budget cuts and new management. the meeting is in wilson. this information is from public records obtained from electricitiesPosted by Anonymous
Friday, September 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
OK - look at how mad people are. Andre Knight and Reuben Blackwell are LAME. .They do not have to go to a party to talk to Jesse Tilton. They need to get off their butts and demand he get fired. They need to remove Fred Turnage from this board and demand he pay the city the $80,000 he has made off our backs. They need to demand answers to salaries, people leaving, legal bills because of harrassment, closed sessions about personnel problems. They need to rise up and raise a fuss. What the heck? they are defending this bs now.And they are spending money for this worthless place. I saw an agenda and it was a stupid meeting. It could have been done here. WHAT UP WITH THIS CRAPhttp://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/electricities-retreat-cost-city-more-than-11500-126739.html
Note: So now it is in the hands of Knight and Blackwell to do what you want? Well what about the others? Where have you been all this time because the former Mayor was in office 30 plus years and you didn't demand that he do a damn thing but now because the city council is a black majority council and Knight is vocal as hell, so now you want him to fight your battle.
Where were you when Knight had to deal with ignant a... folks like Rev. Roosevelt Higgs (known criminal) and the others who were trying to get him removed from office by challenging his residency. C. Dancy II - Editor
Edited by curmilus on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Posted by Anonymous
Friday, September 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
what say you about reuben and andre going and spending money to defend this corrupt place??? They need to demand Jesse TILTON leaveNote: So what are you talking about when you say that defending this corrupt place? Please explain and then I can respond. C. Dancy II - Editor
Edited by curmilus on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Posted by Anonymous
Saturday, September 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/electricities-retreat-cost-city-more-than-11500-126739.htmlWhy isnt this story in your recent links? This is big time and 75 people have commented.
What I mean is - I hold Fred Turnage totally responsible for this dispicable place called Electricities and its corruption and bad management. Why would Andre Knight and Reuben Blackwell go spend money for a worthless conference. Yes, it was Friday and part of saturday and worthless. The new mayor played golf and did nothing. The program could have been read and the conference could have been here. MY POINT is Andre Knight and Reuben Blackwell took on Jessie Tilton and then gave up, without much fight, and joined him on a wasteful out of state party. They should demand this event be held in NC and in Rocky Mount. They are now seen as sucking up to the old boys who created this place. What say you?
Electricities needs to be CUT, cuts need to be made now, Management needs to be outed. But it looks like our former crusaders are now eating with the enemy. Fred Turnage should and is blamed but we thought better was coming from these other guys.
Note: The above was edited only to separate paragraphs. C. Dancy II - Editor
In response: First of all I pick and choose what I want to post on my blog. You see I am in control of my blog. However I posted this link on my blog dated: Wednesday, September 10, 2008: Rocky Mount NC - ElectriCities retreat cost city more than $11,500. The post that you left your comments at is dated: Saturday, September 6, 2008: Wilson NC - Share your concerns about ElectriCities with Rochelle Moore, WDT
I do believe Wednesday, September 10 is more recent than Saturday, September 6. I posted the link the same night it came out.
You say the article in the Rocky Mount Telegram is big time cause 75 people have responded. Really? Most of the comments in my opinion are irrelevant because money is put in the budget for this council and other councils, boards and commissions to attend meetings. So therefore if they don't go over their budgets then there is nothing to complain about. The only problem I have with the trip is that I didn't understand how Raper turned in an expense for his wife.
What I mean is - I hold Fred Turnage totally responsible for this dispicable place called Electricities and its corruption and bad management.
(So what in the hell are you doing about it? He is the one on the damn board not Knight and Blackwell.) C. Dancy II - Editor
Why would Andre Knight and Reuben Blackwell go spend money for a worthless conference. Yes, it was Friday and part of saturday and worthless.
(Worthless? In your opinion? It would have been worthless if they had gone to the conference but didn't attend the business portion.) C. Dancy II - Editor
The new mayor played golf and did nothing.
(I have no clue of what the new mayor did so I can't speak to that.) C. Dancy II - Editor
The program could have been read and the conference could have been here.
(Knight and Blackwell didn't have control of where the meeting was held. So damn they had to go there or opted to not know what happened during the conference.) C. Dancy II - Editor
MY POINT is Andre Knight and Reuben Blackwell took on Jessie Tilton and then gave up, without much fight, and joined him on a wasteful out of state party.
(Gave up what? They went to Washington DC this week to speak out against ElectriCities so look for that article probably in tomorrows RMT.) C. Dancy II - Editor
They should demand this event be held in NC and in Rocky Mount.
(They are not on the board to make decisions about where the meetings are held. Why don't you get with the good ole boys on the board and I think they are all white and demand they carry out your orders. Again they had to go where the meeting was held or choose to opt out. Opting out was not an option when they are serving on the council to represent. And also they live in Rocky Mount and are faced with the same issues as those they represent.) C. Dancy II - Editor
They are now seen as sucking up to the old boys who created this place. What say you?
(I say you are full of bull manure. I say put the damn blame where it belongs and that is with the good ole boys who started ElectriCities and those who continue to serve on the board. Knight and Blackwell are not on the board so what in the hell can they do other than what they are doing? The only time they can have their say is when they attend the ElectriCities meeting as a citizen and if comments are allowed they can do so. I know they will speak up anytime they have the opportunity to do so.
It is a damn shame that these Knight and Blackwell continue to fight against ElectriCities. They traveled to Washington DC on Tuesday and spoke out in Washington and those of you who only know what is going on as you read in the newspaper don't have a clue of who are fighting for or against the ElectriCities bull manure. And then Knight and Blackwell have folks running them down while they are trying to help them.
This reminds me of Mclying and Paling. Oh well typical of racist White Folks and Safe Negroes.) C. Dancy II - Editor
Edited by curmilus on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Posted by Anonymous
Saturday, September 13, 2008 - Darien - in Wilson
I live in Wilson and have been reading everything I can about this place. I value this web site. People are trying to understand Mr. Dancy and there is a lot of information floating around. I don't think people are being racist or partisan because people of both parties and all races have spoken out, written letters and done research. I think people are upset with the costs. See, ElectriCities says the meeting costs $175,000 but we saw the agenda and it was pitiful and not very extensive. Then we find that the costs paid by "sponsors" are really people who are paid by ElectriCities so that is still a cost. Then we find out the staff pays for stuff and it goes unreported on their expense reports; then, we see that cities pay dues which should cover this meeting but the cities end up paying again for the registration. I don't want to see anyone attacking anyone unless it is the board of directors and in Rocky Mount that is fred turnage. Those people are making money. But do understand that Rocky Mount pays $60,000 in DUES to electricities so they should not have to pay registration for a meeting they already paid for. Now, I don't expect Andre Knight and Reuben Blackwell to know that because I bet they don't. But that is a fact. ElectriCities double charges and overcharges all with the advise of Poyner and Spruill who are making big bucks. Rather than all of us argue and we should be on same team, lets make sure Mr. Knight and Mr. Blackwell get the same facts we are all getting. Lets get it to them for the meeting in Wilson on September 17. Thank you.Note: You are right on target. Nope ElectriCities is not about race. My point is that some folks want to blame Rocky Mount problems on the new council which is a black majority. I just keep reminding them that it is this council and along with the white members who are doing a great job.
It is just unfair that some want to single out Knight and Blackwell who are not on the ElectriCities board but it is Fred Turnage and the others who just happen to be white.
I totally agree with your comments and I am trying to make others understand how politics work. But then that could be a problem because some folks don't want to hear what certain people have to say be it good stuff. But I am going to keep doing what I do for those who appreciate what I do and those who don't also. Guess why? Because those who don't appreciate it, they also benefit.
Thank you for your response and trust me I hold everybody accountable be it Knight, Blackwell and others. C. Dancy II - Editor
Edited by curmilus on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Posted by Anonymous
Saturday, September 13, 2008 - From Darien
You are a good man, brother. I think people do not understand and want to blame. ElectriCities is talkin about how we black folk dont understand and are too dumb to do anything about this and that is riling people up. I get it. Trust me I dont want to single out anyone. I want people to stand up and fight injustice. Fred Turnage and Sam Noble and Bruce Rose have had their backs scratched for too long and made money off people who could not afford it. It was a white boy club. I totally agree with your comments and I too want other to understand how politics work. But then that could be a problem because some folks don't want to hear what certain people have to say be it good stuff. But I am going to keep doing what I do for those who appreciate what I do and those who don't also. Guess why? Because those who don't appreciate it, they also benefit. We have to look at the expense reports of staff next - Tilton, Ken Raber, Tim Tunis and the other 27 staff who attended in SC. 1/3 of the staff attended and their expenses will total $30,000 and more and they buy beer on their credit cards and drink it up with their buddies - on us. Keep at it and so will I and others.Posted by Anonymous
Saturday, September 13, 2008 - Karen
http://www.ncauditor.net/HotTips/ Ask the auditor to investigate.Posted by Anonymous