ELECTRIC NEWS

July 24, 2007

Today, the Benton County Electric Board will hold its monthly meeting at the Electric Office at 4:00 pm. The subject of replacing the current General Manager will surely be discussed. State law allows the five members of the Electric Board to hire and fire, without cause, the General Manger. In fact they do not have to go thru the motions and charade of interviewing the heir apparent.

In this day and age of stiff competition to acquire jobs the appointment of a baby sitter is unacceptable. We must have a manager that is familiar with the industry. We must have one who knows how to create a business plan for the System and to facilitate job growth before opportunities arise. In addition, the use of an outsider will restore accountability and infighting will fade. It is imperative that the new members of the Board push to appoint someone from outside of the System.

In closing, may I say that the odious policy of the present does not serve the people.

Spanish philosopher George Santayana, famously observed that,” those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.

Henry Berry