Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / March 20, 1975, edition 1 / Page 1
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hw.uliOj: County Library NershsU, N . C 28753 TO CiE(g(0 Volume 74, Number 8, Marshall, N. C. 15 CENTS PER COPY March 20, 1I7S French Board EMC Officials Requested To Answer Questions EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letter sent to of ficials of the French Broad Electric Membership Cor poration has been submitted for publication by Ronald W. Howell, attorney at law, wbo is legal representative of the group of French Broad EMC members wbo attended the recent meeting here protesting the current rate of electricity. March 13, 1975 Board of Directors and Managing Officials French Broad Electric Membership Corporation Marshall, North Carolina 28753 Gentlemen: Please be advised that 1 represent a group of citizens who are members, and therefore shareholders, in the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation. A meeting was held at the Madison County High School on March 11, 1975, and ap proximately 2500 people were present. At this meeting, many questions were raised by the people in attendance, and it was agreed that these questions be submitted to the officials of the r rencn Bruad Electric Membership Cor poration to be answered at a forth coming meeting. It was also agreed that a formal request would be made to the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation to delay or suspend the im position of penalties and, if possible, extend the tune for payment of all present bills, for the purpose of giving people who are unable to pay their bills tune in which to make arrangements for payment and for the further purpose of allowing the protest, made before the Federal Power Commission, to be heard, and hopefully, acted upon favorably It was further agreed that a formal request would be made to the officials of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation that a Grievance Committee, or some similar device, be estabbshed for the purpose of reviewing any power bill which is alleged to be unfair or out of proportion to the amount of electricity actually used by the par ticular person involved Thus, this letter can be considered by you as a formal request for the relief requested above The group, which met on March 11. 1975. is in full agreement with the protest filed with the Federal Power Commission and is certainly desirous of supporting French Broad Electric Membership Corporation in any effort to obtain a repeal of the law prohltiting the Corporation from purchasing power from TV A, or any other source with a lower price. Many of the people at this meeting in dicated a willingness and an intent to write their Congressman and Senator for the purpose of assuring support for the Corporation in its effort to obtain relief. Inasmuch as a protest was not filed until the general public became involved, and until the meeting was set for March 11, 1575, it would not be potsfble to stahply forget the matter and let matters rest, pending the termination ol the protest to the Federal Power- ' Commissioa. The members of t French Broad Electric ? Membership Corporation, "have many questions which they feel should be answered . ' toy the iocs) Board of Directors 'land the Mawtfng Director. .hat follows is a list of questions presented ta the meeting on March 11, 1975 We request that we be notified of some date within the next ten days which will be agreeable to the officials of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation to meet in a general public meeting and to have the questions set forth below answered in full by the appropriate official, knowledgeable with respect to the particular area, and further that the entire Board of Directors, the Managing Director or any other official be available to answer any other questions which might be raised at such meeting We feel that all of the matters which are set forth below are legitimate questions which need to be answered in order (hat the members of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation can more fully understand and appreciate the present status of their Corporation 1 What guidelines, rules or regulations establish the rates which may be charged by both Carolina Power and Light Company and the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation? Are the present rates being charged legal? 2. Explain the complete system of estimating bills and .nctu.illy reading tfir meters. 3. What device or procedure is available to the members of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation to challenge the validity of their power bills7 4. What is the difference in the rate charged by Carolina Power and Light Company with respect to their sales to French Broad Electric Membership Corporation, and the rate actually charged to the consumers, and what determines the margin, if any, which the F'rench Broad Electric Membership Cor poration charges over and above what they pay to Carolina Power and Lighl Company, and what is this margin, if any, used for7 5 Give the names and ad dresses of all of the Board of Directors of the French Broad Electric Membership Cor poration 6. Give the names and ad dresses of all officers, managers, or other managerial type employees of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation , 7 Explain how the billing process is handled, where it is handled, whether it is handled by personnel or computer. Nutrition Council Formed For County The opportunity to share ideas with interested county people and to learn more about the county's nutritional needs led to forming a nutrition committee The first planning meeting was held Wednesday, March 5 Each person present was given the opportunity to bring up problems encountered in their work. Many problems along with ideas for solutions or ways to work on these problems were raised and discussed by the group. Serving en the committee from our county are as fellows: Mrs. Anna Mae Tipton, School Loach ' Program; Mrs. Amanda CaldwelL Mrs. Leubt Houston ,; and Mrs. Faye Ramsey, OEO -'. Program; Mrs. - Geneva ' Ramsey, Senior ' Cititens Feeding , Programs, Mrs. C' Maria Cos, Day Care Center I Nutritionist; Mr. Walter,'. SerenekL Health Department where such computer is located, how many employees were used in the billing process prior to the time a computer, if any, was ob tained, and how many em ployees have been hired to handle the billing process since the purchase of a computer 8. When is the annual meeting of the shareholders of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation; where is it held; what, if anything, is done to notify the general membership of the meeting and what are their rights with respect to the Corporation; and when is the exact time, place and date of the next annual meeting of the shareholders'' Home "My, that homemade yeast bread is good." "Who seasoned these peas, anyhow? They sure do know something about country cooking." "We need a little more vinegar for the greens, please, und make sure , that fresh baked cake doesn't slide around in your car too much on the way down here." Madison County has many fine places to get a hot meal, but these comments come from several of the 44 elderly who enjoy a free, home cooked lunch five days a week courtesy of the Madison County Day Care Center in Marshall and the Title VII Nutrition Program of the land of Sky Regional Council. This is the second year that the meals have been served in the county, but only since the first of January have such enthusiastic remarks been heard That is when Mrs. Maria Cox, Department of Social Services Food & Nutrition Supervisor, and her staff of two cooks at the Marshall Day Care Center, Mrs Carrie Johnson and Mrs. WiUa Capps. began whipping up some down home cooking for the elderly This came about through the planning and work of many people who felt that Madison County's elderly could best be served by their neighbors An employee of the Department of Social Services proposed the idea, but it took the Nutritionist; Mrs Edwina Tweed, Social Services; Mrs Grace Haynie, Food Stamp Program; Mrs. Sandy List. Hot Springs Health Program; Mrs Ethel T Wallin, Mrs Doris Roberts and Mrs Wanda Wyatt, Extension Service. Mrs. Bessie Jefferies, Extension Service Nutritionist, from NCSU also attended the planning meeting. Members not present were: Mrs. Maxine Gosnell and Mrs. Brenda Spence, Home Economics Teachers; Mrs. Manuel Briacoe, Mrs. Dorothy Payne and Mist Violet Navy, Homctnakers; Mr. Nell Wyatt, Senior Citisens Feeding Program and Mrs. Versa Buckner. . Health Deportment. - ' Many a the suggestions and ideas are being ased ta plan better natriUoa programs for tvr county. . . -1 .- 9 What is the organizational structure of the F'rench Broad Electric Membership Cor poration; is it a non-profit organization; does it have a charter and a set of by-laws; and provide the committee with a copy of the charter, the by-laws and any amendments, thereto. 10. Why was no effort made by the Board of Directors of the French Broad Electric Mem bership Corporation to protest the increase passed on to them by Carolina Power and Light Company, before March 11, 1975'' 11. What negotiations or efforts were made by the officials of the French Broad Electric Membership Cor poration to hold down the - cooked Lunches Enjoyed By Elderly Chairman of the County Commissioners, James l.edford, working with Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Judy Sears, who is the County Day Care Coor dinator; Mrs. Frances G. Ramsey, Director of the Department of Social Ser vices; Monica Mayes of Land of Sky, and many others to actually work out the planning and implementation of the program. Land of Sky Regional Council administers the MRS. GENEVA RAMSEY, manager of the Marshall meal site, is shown preparing the plates just prior to serving the lunch. She is assisted by Mrs. Diora Rice and Mrs. Ella Baker. Governor Proclaims Arbor Day This Friday Governor James E Holshouser, Jr , has proclaimed Friday, March 21, as Arbor Day in North Carolina. Arbor Day provides an opportunity for individual and group efforts, both in urban and rural areas, to "reaffirm their pledge of good stewardship of a valuable Natural Resource" by engaging in tree planting programs. In making the proclamation, Governor Holshouser called upon the Probable Cause Found In Slaying Probable cause on a charge of murder was found by District Court Judge William M. Styles Thursday In the case of Kenneth NeO Maxwell, M, of Rt. I Weaverville. He was bound to Superior Court under the Slt.m bond set for Ms release oa Feb. B. v He was charged after the deaf of Truman Wyatt, , at RL Marshall tram pistol wound in the chest, ea Feb. X. increased rate passed on to tlie Corporation by Carolina Power and Light Company? 12. What is the relationship of Pike Electric Company to the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation; and are there any employees of the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation who have previously worked for Pike Electric Company; and if so, what are their names, addresses and positions'" 13. What determines whether or not a particular activity is contracted or ac tually performed by the employees of the French Broad Electric Corporation'' 14. U.st ail the salaries paid to employees of the French Broad Electric Membership Federal grant that pays for 90 ;er cent of the cost of the program, iocal government pays the remaining ten per cent. The purpose of the program is to provide not only a nutritious and healthful meal, but also to provide a setung for entertainment, emulation and an ixpadded social life for those over 60 who wish to take part. There is no charge for the meals, though if anyone wishes to make a contribution, it is accepted. citizens of North Carolina "to observe this date as a day to review the progress that has been made in the conservation and restoration of our natural environment and to promote current efforts in forestation and community beautification I do par ticularly encourage the schools to engage in tree planting on their school grounds and throughout the community." The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources provides an Arbor Day kit to each fifth grade class in the State to help the students observe this special day, as well as learn about the forests of North Carolina. The kits contain a packet of tree seeds and all the material needed for each class to see how a tree is born and enable them to watch it grow. This year, the Green Sur vival Commissioa is also taking part in the Arbor Day observance in many cities end towns. The Green Survival Commissioa is under Joint sponsorship ef the America Bicentennial Comrnissioa and the American Association of Nurserymen. Several local tavMriea are making tree seedlings available ta local schools for planting ea Arbor Corporation; and list the date of the last change in salary and how much increase was given to each employee. 15. What is there to prohibit the Board of Directors of French Broad Electric Membership Corporation to give all customers a sixty or ninety day extension of tune in which to pay their bill? 16. What procedure does the French Broad Electric Membership Corporation follow in procuring Kight of Ways; and what rights, if any, do the persons who sign Right of Ways have in the organization'' 17. What gives the French Broad Electric Membership Continued lo Page 'I Twenty-two elderly meet at the Marshall Baptist Church and another twenty-two meet at the Mars Hill Baptist Church "Lunch Club" The Rev. Spencer. leGrand in Marshall and Rev. Sue Fit zgerald in Mars Hill arranged fir the use of the churches' facilities I in tiit program Mrs. Geneva Ramsey manages the Marshall meal site with the volunteer assistance of Mrs. Diora Rice and Mrs. Ella Haker. Mis. Nell Wyatt manages the Mars Hill program with the assistance of a number of volunteers from '.he church. It is Mrs liam.se and Mrs. Wyatt who help Mrs Cox and her staff stay abreast of the changing tastes of the forty four participants The Madison County Day Care Program provides transportation for the elderly from their homes to the two meal sites, while the adult services unit of the Depart ment of Social .Services and student volunteers from the Mars Hill College School of Social Work transKirt the meals French Broad Electric Membership Corporation, in addition to the other 17 Electric Membership Cor porations in the State of North Carolina that have recently been subject to wholesale rate increases, have intervened in protest against Carolina Power & Light Company on what the cooperatives con sider an increase above and beyond the revenue needs of Carolina Power & Light Company for electricity sold to the cooperatives throughout the State of North Carolina. This rate case is scheduled for hearing before the Federal Easter Coloring Harold Herrea Rt. 1 Bx 1J Marshall Apr I ENTRIRS: Donna She) ton Yvette Pke Dwigbt Ledford Rath Ana Bailey Kathleen Burda Greg Lloyd ": Renee Fonder , Vivian Allen ' ' " Edna Maxine Boras j ' Rename Hyltoa - Treaa L. Ray - B I. ANNA IIASSI I T ISLAM) I.OOKKl) MOKK LIKE A LAKE LAST Friday morning as the I- t ent h liroad Kiver overflowed its banks. The waters reached the main building ol the Marshall elementary school earlier Friday morning but had receded when picture was made as noted by vehicle at extreme left near building. Little actual damage was reported but basements in several of the buildings in Marshall were flooded. terA$-- Mir- VS. V.4 it " -X rv vh PICTURED ABOVE is the group of elderly citizens who enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Marshall meal site on Monday of this week. The free, home cooked lunches five days a week are prepared at the Day C are Center here. The other meal site in the county is at Mars Hill. Approximately 44 elderly persons enjoy these meals. EMCs Protest Wholesale Power Contracts Power Commission in Washington, D C. sometime between the months of April and June, and has already been assigned a Federal Power Commission Docket Number, that being Docket No E-8884 The Cooperatives in North Carolina through their state wide organization, the North Carolina Electric Mem bership Corporation in Raleigh, retains what is considered to be one of the best legal firms and engineering firms specializing in utility rates and matters to handle cases such as this. Our Contest Winners Patrick Jeaes Rt Z. Bes USA Marshall Marshall Age I Lynn Price Douglas Glen Snelson Karen Lyme Gosnell Kellie Ana LeGrand Shirley BuDmaa -Carol Ana Fox Lisa Michelle Lovid Rebecca Edmonds -Janet Worley. Dm fee Cantrell . Roy Wallin Elaine Randolph Patti A Cuwanf i V: ti attorneys have plead for relief in this contract as now prepared by Carolina Power & Light Company for release to the parties concerned. The proposed contract as drawn and submitted by Carolina Power & Light Company on July 1, 1974 to become ef fective January 1, 1975 at the expiration of the contract the Cooperatives were prior receiving service under, remains unsigned by any Cooperative within the State of North Carolina. The legal staff representing the Cooperatives in North Carolina have been preparing their interveners' testimony since the Fall of 1974 in behalf of the Cooperatives and consumers within the State ef North Carolina and Tennessee ' that they so represent. ' ' The Cooperatives ap preciate the interest ef meir consumers in what is taking place in the cost of electrical . energy in these times. The Cooperatives strongly suggest mat the consumers through " Norm Carolina and Tennessee write their Senators and Congressmea and prevail upon their elected officials in .Washington to eserclse ell energies within their '.f to bring pressure upon the Federal Power Comnwton 'or a speedy and expeditious " H 4 mx-:n H4 mm1 hearing on Docket No. E-8884 and also request your Representatives to maintain pressure on the Federal Power Commission for a ruling to be handed down on said Docket and not to be left in limbo for several months in behalf of protecting their constituents and also in behelf of protecting the Cooperatives which their constituents ewa as a menner of providing themselves with electricity. Under the laws pertaining to wholesale power contracts, yon either accept It a, presented, which the Cooperatives ol North Carolina bare refused ta do: kjwwAwAr - tWm law 11aw a Carolina rower at ugm . Company te , base their wholesale ratea ander the proposed contract and present - mar una as uey are now doing until we, - the , Cooperative t, hopefully receive Judgment from the Federal Power Commis--: -i 1 n . the form of relief on t 1 "contract. At this time, Fr i Broad Electric V ' 3 Corporation's cost of r f purchased from ('. a Power ft Lu 't Cc" : r Increased 2 11 r -t? t ta Ji 7 perce-t '- ' Cooperative's vr 1 met"'--g r -! t swvire er-
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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March 20, 1975, edition 1
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