[dropcap]R[/dropcap]eaders, we own PEC and pay its employees including the Board Members. James Oakley, the main subject to the troubling reporting in last week’s HFP editorial, actually receives two paychecks.
All elected and hired employees are required to represent the best services for PEC users in maintaining and developing new advances in our electricity with cost effectiveness. Employees must be able to participate in company discourse without fear of incrimination and losing their jobs. If they had not testified to the fraud and oppression under Bennie Fuelberg, crimes would still be occurring. The HFP was effective in reporting the investigations.
Our service employees are not hired on their political affiliations nor should Board Members be elected on theirs.Yet political partisanship from the Board may have initiated the resignation of John Hewa, an outstanding, progressive General Manager. He defended intimidation by some Board Members against employees who objected to remarks made by then Board President, Oakley who retained Board Membership despite a strong Coop request to be replaced. Hewa chose not to direct under these censoring conditions.Unfortunately, the majority of the Board did not honor the achievements of Hewa and ignored the best interest of the shareholders. In the business world censorship of employees would have required all directors involved to step down. Co-op owners, all of us, should protect the interests of all users and look at changing Board Membership.
