ELECTRIC NEWS

OPEN LETTER TO THE CITIZENS OF BENTON COUNTY TN

July 14, 2007

I have received, from an anonymous source, several pounds of documents concerning the allocation of funds by the Benton County Electric System. The first thing that must be said is that the rank and file employees are victims just like the rest of the county. Let me be clear, my complaint is only with the management of the System.

I can only surmise that this desperate call for help reached my door because I was a candidate for County Mayor or because I worked for the Memphis Light Gas & Water Division for twenty-six (26) years. Either way, I stand ready to help those who help themselves.

For the past six years Gary L. Stone, General Manager of the Benton County Electric System, has engaged in the practice of deciding his own annual pay raise. He determined the employees’ annual raises as well. This is over seven thousand (7,000) counts of wrong doing.

There is a five member board appointed by the County Mayor and approved by the County Commission to oversee the Benton County Electric System. This board is responsible for determining the allocation of funds for any and all raises.

The Board failed to provide the proper over site and inspection of the financial records. It is inexcusable that this activity went on for six years. Excluding the board’s two newest members, Mr. Rainwaters and Mr. King, they should resign.

I am forwarding information to District Attorney Hansel McCAdams and the Governor’s Office. I am requesting that an INVESTIGATIVE AUDIT take place as soon as possible. I am also requesting that the District Attorney’s Office seek all appropriate indictments.

I have also received information regarding the hiring practices of the Benton County Electric System.

Jared Walker, who is the son of Office Manager Gary Walker, was hired on June 18, 2007.
Robert Plant was hired on November 16, 2006.
Nathan Leonard was hired on October 2, 2006.
Wesley Palmer, who is the grandson of former Road Supervisor Ray Douglas, was hired on May 6, 2006.
Justin Thornton, who is the son of former County Mayor Jimmy Thornton, was hired on November 5, 2003.

The men listed above are no doubt capable, hard working employees. The issue is one of fairness. My research shows that there were no notices placed in the newspaper of record for these jobs. In addition, the Electric Board has a member (Sam Long) whose wife works for the Benton County Electric System. This is not illegal but is, at least, unseemly.

This is a public utility owned and operated by the people of Benton County, Tennessee. You can see by the chart that the system has the best paying jobs in the county. Therefore, sometimes many years go by before an opening occurs.

All the sons and daughters in our county have dreams and a right to fair play.