CMEEC board carries blame for junkets
During the past several months, local papers have supported claims citing individuals who were asked to attend meetings on trips that would enhance their interest in supporting functions peculiar to local city utilities. These trips were hosted by the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative Board that, we are told, paid for all costs for the individuals attending these sessions, the latest publication, “2013 and 2014 Kentucky Derby trip attendee lists released,” (April 8), showed costs in excess of millions.
Why not invite only utility or board members on these occasions? Friends, wives, and legislators were also included, hinting that these trips were less than professional. Educational or engineering topics were lacking and the trips were more than likely junkets without any input or advantage for the utility ratepayers.
However, the major problem is the CMEEC Board, which invited all participants, paid all costs, called it a "strategic retreat," provided no information on the results of the sessions nor any news concerning improvements. Local state legislators are currently working on a project to improve the techniques the board uses in the required trips. More importantly the legislators should be more involved in the function and funding requirements to best improve the wellbeing for the local ratepayers.
The ethical evaluation of the attendees is well understood and underway to correct. The function of the board appears to have gone astray and in need for some important correction.
Donald E. Leone Sr.
Norwich