 |
|
|
WZTV FOX 17 - Top Stories
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - It is a billion-dollar utility, but tonight some fear the Nashville Electric Service is wasting money. Metro Council members have tough question sfor NES leaders after a troubling state audit. Several Metro Council members are not happy with NES. They fear that money is being squandered, and managers are not doing a good job. Problems they say ratepayers are paying for. Metro Council members came with a list of questions for Nashville Electric Service.
"When the public sees these findings, it's like it's a big party up there for management," says Councilman Charlie Tygard.
Concerns have heightened ever since a state audit released last month uncovered 14 problems inside the electric utility.
"Hopefully the process we are going through will serve as a lesson, and going forward we won't have this issue come up again," says Council member Phil Claiborne.
The audit revealed a $17 million contract was not competitively bid, and a transformer was leased in exchange for hotel rooms and golf passes.
"At what point in our society can fraudulent actions occur, and someone still maintain their employment?" asks Tygard.
The NES Board Chairman Ron McCabe says the utility has adopted a plan to fix the problems and has already implemented most of it.
"Rest assured that the NES board and management take the findings very seriously, and we are committed to addressing control weaknesses within the company," says McCabe.
Concerned citizen Ken Jakes isn't convinced.
"The philosophy at NES is anything goes, they are not above the law," says Jakes.
Jakes believes it is time for a change in leadership, and is calling for the firing of President Decosta Jenkins.
"I am dedicated, I am committed and I am going to see this through until it gets to the U.S. District Attorney's Office, and I don't think he'll see this public corruption as something to be swept under the carpet," says Jakes.
One step NES has taken is limiting the number of company credit cards. There used to be 160 cards, now NES only has 11. You can find all our WASTE WATCH stories on Fox17.com. Just go to HOT TOPICS and click on WASTE WATCH. You can also submit your ideas for WASTE WATCH stories in that same section.
"When the public sees these findings, it's like it's a big party up there for management," says Councilman Charlie Tygard.
Concerns have heightened ever since a state audit released last month uncovered 14 problems inside the electric utility.
"Hopefully the process we are going through will serve as a lesson, and going forward we won't have this issue come up again," says Council member Phil Claiborne.
The audit revealed a $17 million contract was not competitively bid, and a transformer was leased in exchange for hotel rooms and golf passes.
"At what point in our society can fraudulent actions occur, and someone still maintain their employment?" asks Tygard.
The NES Board Chairman Ron McCabe says the utility has adopted a plan to fix the problems and has already implemented most of it.
"Rest assured that the NES board and management take the findings very seriously, and we are committed to addressing control weaknesses within the company," says McCabe.
Concerned citizen Ken Jakes isn't convinced.
"The philosophy at NES is anything goes, they are not above the law," says Jakes.
Jakes believes it is time for a change in leadership, and is calling for the firing of President Decosta Jenkins.
"I am dedicated, I am committed and I am going to see this through until it gets to the U.S. District Attorney's Office, and I don't think he'll see this public corruption as something to be swept under the carpet," says Jakes.
One step NES has taken is limiting the number of company credit cards. There used to be 160 cards, now NES only has 11. You can find all our WASTE WATCH stories on Fox17.com. Just go to HOT TOPICS and click on WASTE WATCH. You can also submit your ideas for WASTE WATCH stories in that same section.
Tuesday, February 5 2013, 12:04 AM CST
Tennessee News
Haslam's chief deputy Claude Ramsey to retire
June 19, 2013 16:41 GMT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Gov. Bill Haslam says chief deputy Claude Ramsey is retiring at the end of August to spend more time with his family in Chattanooga.
The Republican governor said in a news release on Wednesday that the 70-year-old Ramsey has been integral to his administration on key initiatives that include civil service reform, economic development efforts, workforce development training and improved operation of state government.
Ramsey was elected to the General Assembly in 1972 where he served four years in the House. He was Hamilton County's mayor for 16 years.
His last day on the job is August 31.
News Stories
Local Headlines
Haslam's chief deputy Claude Ramsey to retire
Faith leaders asked to help members get legal help
Singer asks forgiveness from Chattanooga in video
Supreme court justice to speak at Belmont
Witness rescues toddler from railroad tracks
Neighbor charged with stealing deputy's gun
Ramsey reappoints De Friece to museum commission
Restored medevac chopper being dedicated at post
 |
|
|
Newsmax Headlines
Sponsored content
 |
|
|
Business News
Porsche tops in annual survey of vehicle quality
DETROIT (AP) -- Porsche is the top performer in an annual survey of new vehicle quality.
Consumer Info
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SAY SURVEILLANCE FOILED PLOT TO BOMB NYSE
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S.
Get This
VEGAS STRIP-THRILL RIDE
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- If losing your shirt in Sin City isn't enough -- you could soon lose lunch.
IE6 Float Fix
