ELECTRIC NEWS

July 21, 2007

Today, I want to share some additional food for thought.

It has come to my attention that Mr. Sam Long serves on the Industrial Board, the Civil Services Board, the Benton-Decatur Counties Special Sewer District Board and the Benton County Electric Board.

Will Commissioner Randy Patton attend the next Electric Board meeting to request electric service for the new sewer system at Interstate 40. This project is expected to cost the rate payers approximately $17,000?

Will this $17,000 pay for everything? Is Decatur County going to pay for its half of this project? I would be remiss in my civic responsibilities if I didn’t mention that Commissioner Patton serves on the Benton-Decatur Counties Special Sewer District Board with Mr. Sam Long. Is this a conflict? Why, after nearly ten years, is this issue just now coming up? Looks like POOR planning to me.

It is true that General Manager Gary Stone’s son Michael Stone was hired by the system on January 30, 2002. This information has been verified now and you should add it to your list.

I am glad to see the interest being shown in the Benton County Electric System. I want to encourage you to run copies of this information and hand it out to those who do not have a computer. Also, I am just one rate payer. Remember, it is your fight too, so call and write to the County Mayor and the list of contacts on this web site. The whistleblower has broken open this cesspool of wrong and now it is up to us to get it corrected.

Henry Berry