January 28, 2011 – New Bern has a historic opportunity to get our electric rates reduced. Duke Power and Progress energy are merging and if we strategically oppose the merger we can force them to buy out our debt…well we have a chance, which is better than nothing.
The entire Board is behind this action. Additionally, I went to Wilson yesterday to present our idea to the ElectriCities Board, and while they rebuffed me, I got about half of the electric cities mayors behind the idea, and they want to work with New Bern’s leadership to at least try and accomplish a goal which will impact tens of thousands of people. We have at least 150,000 people who will support us right now! We are not alone, however because this merger took everyone by surprise, we have no grass roots structure yet.
I would like to have an organizational meeting at City Hall on Saturday night at 6:00 pm. I have the keys so don’t worry about it being closed. The City needs your Ideas. The City needs your industry. The City needs your talents.
Please pass this word to anyone you think may be interested in joining the city to fight for lower electric rates. Its time we come out from under the Iron grip of the ElectriCities, and this is the first chance since the inception of this bad deal to lift the “Electric Curtain” and buy power at the same rates as our neighbors. This Electric Curtain is keeping our poor, poor, and is a burden on our economy.
Please have them respond to me directly at my email address if they are interested. Let’s make this happen.
Truly,
Lee Bettis, New Bern Mayor