The following is an old post from Taxpayers Against ElectriCities.  Some of not most of what they say is still valid today.  As the new CEO starts his job we suggest he Cleans house and start over.  And, don’t fall into the same trap as Jessee Tilton.  And, in case any body forgot about the Tilton Trap, take a look at the article from talking politics below.

On a side note: if you’re looking for an ElectriCities “support group” there is at least one in the following cities:
Southport, Wilson, Rocky Mount & Clayton

Posted : 10/14/2007 9:41:55 AM  

From: Talking about politic:

Many of you will be familiar with Pat Stith’s 2001 stories that unveiled extravagant spending at ElectriCities and their ability to cover it up using the public records laws. You will also remember the absolute arrogance of the CEO Jesse Tilton in responding to the press. He is responsible for BILLIONS of dollars of debt and is spending money in outrageous ways.

I am part of a large group of ratepayers in electric cities in the eastern part of the state where we cannot afford the electric rates – sometimes our electric bills are more than rent. ElectriCities needs to go. It is a "middle man" which costs us in our electric bills.

1) The CEO of ElectriCities – Jesse Tilton – makes $500,000 a year – more than UNC and NCSU Chancellors and Erskine Bowles. His salary is like that of the mental health administrator – and should be cut.

2) The CEO has run up astronomical legal fees – $500,000 + a year for who knows what and for negotiating settlements. We have been told he settled with Alice Garland in 2003 for illegal behavior and then Jeannie Bonds in 2007, same thing – illegal behavior. We are paying for settlements for a man who obviously has an issue with women and appropriate behavior. Two women in four years. The legal fees are really adding up. How can a public entity keep settling for huge amounts and no one does anything?? This is our taxpayer money.

3) The CEO gave huge raises to people there – there are 15 people making more than $100,000. Five people making more than $200,000. One person got a 20% raise in one year. For the past three years, top staff were getting 10, 15 and 20% pay raises in one year and BONUSES. They should get what cities get – 4-5%.

4) Health Care costs are exorbitant there because the CEO used it for his own personal health needs.

5) The CEO takes staff and board on retreats and spends $1000s on drinks at Fearrington, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, California, Texas.

6) The board makes $1000 a month for two hours of meeting. Dub Dickson is a former legislator and chair and he retired from legislature, was hired as a lobbyist for Electricities making $25,000 a year, then got on the board, made $12,000 a year for 5 years and now as chairman makes $1500 a meeting. He has made more than $100,000 of our money. This is MORE than legislators. Why do they get paid on this board??? Fourteen board members making $12,000 a year!!! Dub Dickson is beholden to his money not the taxpayers and cannot make a decision earning this much money. Sam Noble has been on 6 years and now 6 more, chairman twice, making $150,000+. This board is made up of people paid by cities and should receive no additional pay. The legislature could appoint a responsible business board to make good decisions. The current board uses this as slush money and there are no ETHICS reporting.

7) There are no checks and balances on board, CEO and spending has gone amuck. The board has approved them buying TRANSMISSION even when the other debt is not paid. That will mean more debt and higher rates.

8) Secretaries there make $50,000 or more a year. Out of market and out of bounds.

We are considering a class action law suit.

Taxpayers Against ElectriCities (TAEC)