Cobb EMC members are asking lots of questions about their co-op leadership

Since Dwight Brown was indicted on 31 counts of racketeering, theft, and making false statement last month, Cobb EMC has invested considerable money in advertising in support of Brown, along with a media event. Replies in support of Brown in the Marietta Daily Journal, which serves as the local paper for Cobb County, have primarily, if not solely, come from Cobb EMC employees/board members.

This week the paper has several letters to the editor from Cobb EMC members, none offering praise for Brown, board leadership of the EMC, or a full accounting of co-op expenses. Member points include:

• "Why is Brown running so hard from standing in front of an impartial judge?" 
• "Now what kind of excuse will attorneys defending Brown come up with?"
• "There will never be any transparency concerning Cobb Energy as long as Brown and his board are involved."
• "It should be clear to all that as long as Cookerly,Kelly, and the Cobb EMC Board are quick to claim transparency as along as they get to choose the topic, the timing and who asks the question."
• "This much is clear: We Cobb EMC members will be paying for Plant Washington for a long, long time ... and dearly."

The response must from members must have been significant as the MDJ chose to run only some of their comments, as they indicate here:The Marietta Daily Journal - COBBWEB MDJOnline readers sound off on EMC Sweeney

FACE commends the Cobb EMC members who continue to demand what any business owner/partner should: full and fair financial reporting, access to business leaders for questions and answers concerning operations and long range planning, abiding by the bylaws determined by members and legal rulings as issued. 

We encourage our fellow Washington EMC members to expect our own board of directors to lead OUR co-op with openness to member involvement, full reporting throughout the year, and answering member questions with complete honesty and integrity.

Katherine Helms Cummings

FACE Executive Director