Letters to the editor - ElectriCities: What we have done
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Posted in ElectriCities
by DCN
Mr. Dancy,
Many of us have called the Board Members of ElectriCities. Some will not take calls. But we have called. We have emailed them and we have mailed them letters. We have requested documents from ElectriCities and we have analyzed electric rates across cities. We post what we find to educate people.
We have letters coming every day in the Wilson paper which gets more and more to write. We have pushed the newspapers to write articles, gave them information and urged editorials. We got that done.
We have done a lot.
Knight and Blackwell can get money but they do not need to take tainted ElectriCities money to go to Washington. They could have asked to meet in Rocky Mount and Wilson and had an audience. We will now ask how much the trip was. No need to spend more out of ElectriCities when we are asking them to cut out of state travel. Wasteful. They can help without traveling.
That money, if approved by Congress, is a drop in a bucket compared to what we could get with dropping the dues for ElectriCities from the city budget and making cuts in the budget. Rocky Mount could get cuts in rates AND money for those who need it. BY ADVOCATING CUTS, ELIMINATION OF PEOPLE IN HIGH PAYING JOBS AND DROPPING THE TRADE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP DUES (not the debt - the dues - look at the budget). We want $10 million cut in fat to cut the rates 2%.
People were there from Wilson. We support Rick Dew. Rick Dew has been talking to the Council in Wilson as have others. Council Members have more power than we do, but we have been making calls and speaking out. Andre Knight and Reuben Blackwell heard from us and we do not hear back. They spoke out and so are others but they happen to be council members.
We do not support Fred Turnage. He is arrogant and rude.
Rick Dew is getting lots of support. People are working with him but he is our spokesperson.
People have followed up with letters supporting him in the Wilson Paper nearly every day. We want him as the next Mayor in Wilson.
I am sure you know Knight and Blackwell and we know you know what they stand for but a trip with the spendster Tilton is not what is needed. Rates need to be cut. We think that was a bad decision.
We are working on the other councilmembers in Wilson and Rocky Mount and in Elizabeth City where they have spoken out.
Butterfield meets with folks all over the place. Why not ask Tilton to forgo a trip and meet in Rocky Mount. Tilton and his chronies like to travel - he went to New Orleans, Washington, Myrtle Beach, Washington and he still screwed up. He has spent millions this year on travel and meeting. That is not right.
And you are wrong as we have written congress members about these issues too. We have already been asking about funds but federal funds to correct a state mistake is not right. There are cuts that can be made to cover EVEN MORE poor people.
Cut the Electricities dues and you will get $60,000. Cut trips and you will get $100,000. If Washington trip gets $100,000 (if Congress votes on it)minus cost of trip, you will see we can get more by cutting now. We are doing one better than reading the paper. We are reading public records and sending them out. Have Knight and Blackwell asked for the public documents and reviewed them like we have. We have staff giving us documents.
We will send them these details if you say they want them.
We agree about cutting out the expenses of the board members at a rate of $1000.00 a month is a good thing but why are they waiting until 2009 and not doing it now. Did you read Daryl Barber's letter based on the line item budget. There are good suggestions there.
We are behind you on the real enemy and we have studied it and gathered the data. We have a good plan and we need help getting it done and elected officials are where we need help.
Kathy
From the editor: Cut the Electricities dues and you will get $60,000. Cut trips and you will get $100,000. If Washington trip gets $100,000 (if Congress votes on it)minus cost of trip, you will see we can get more by cutting now. We are doing one better than reading the paper. We are reading public records and sending them out. Have Knight and Blackwell asked for the public documents and reviewed them like we have. We have staff giving us documents.
You are right on target however again we can not leave out folks who are on fixed income who are not abusing the system. I have a problem with not understanding that there are a variety of things that need to be done.
We will send them these details if you say they want them.
If they want them? Not an option, you need to send them to everyone you can that you feel can make a difference whether they want them or not especially all city councilmembers.
We agree about cutting out the expenses of the board members at a rate of $1000.00 a month is a good thing but why are they waiting until 2009 and not doing it now. Did you read Daryl Barber's letter based on the line item budget. There are good suggestions there.
Not only did I read it but I promoted it: Sunday, August 10, 2008: Wilson NC - ElectriCities can save money with simple cuts by Daryl Barber
I trust that ya'll have a good plan and I know ya'll are sincere, however I feel the real focus should be on ElectriCities and not going after the councilmembers across the state because when they were elected to serve certain benefits came with the package. However some may not feel that is is important to them however how can the council be informed if they do not attend the meetings. I wish the meeting had been in Rocky Mount or closer so that I could have attended and videoed at my own expense. And during this time of the year I video for the school at my own expense supporting the children so their coach can show them the game so they can enhance their skills. And again the parents don't appreciate it.
I am up now and have to go to work on my real job in couple of hours and I do not get paid a dime. I have a good job however since I am the only one working in a family of 4, if I bet I could possibly fall in the low income category. But I am out fighting for the least of those and sacrificing my family and for what? Because I feel that I have been called to do what I do. So again when it comes to politics, I take it personal especially when I am actively engaged in the process because it is the right thing to do. C. Dancy II - Editor
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
You can help those on fixed income who are not abusing the system right now by cutting the membership dues to ElectriCities and providing funds to NEED. Why wait for Congress and hope it works. We can do this now. Cut the rates with cuts to ElectriCities and then use those surplus fluff salary and redundant economic development and communications funds for NEED.Posted by Anonymous