Comments

pattrick wrote on Mar 29, 2008 11:58 PM:

" A certain local city council voted themselves a $6,000.00 a year pay raise about a year ago. This was decided at a meeting with virtually the only people present were the coucil members themselves. Of course there is no union involved with the with the city council, however if there had been I seriously doubt that a six thousand dollar a year pay raise would have been so easily decided on.
Just a thought. "




Jasper wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:49 AM:

" I'm voting for new board members and the by-law change. A co-op shouldn't have this much drama. "




To Publius wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:17 AM:

" Grasping at straws again are you? You connected the motives of the MEA Ratepayers to an article about the Friends of Mat-Su and the Sierra Club where no tie exists. You provide fact, in support of your opposition, clearly stating that MEA is willing to spend ratepayer money to support their desires without comment from those ratepayers. And then you offer quotes from the Sierra Club national office to somehow suggest that Alaskan citizens concerned about keeping Alaska beautiful are trying to destroy Alaska. What is wrong with you Publius? "




WWJD wrote on Feb 5, 2008 9:00 AM:

" Publius is a lying joke. Hey Poob, what would Jesus do? You pathetic hypocrite. "




Notice wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:31 AM:

" That Publius doesn't actually tell you where he/she/it/they got the $100,000 figure? Again, something Publius didn't like happened somewhere else, in the case of the material cited, UTAH, so it must be happening here. Oh, and those folks in GEORGIA have a name that sounds like Friends of the Mat Su, so they must all be in league with the devil and the forces of socialism. And the Sierra Club is running the world. Maybe what Publius has a problem with is people organizing for what they want, working for it, and getting it. Problem with citizens having beliefs? "




Not Outsiders wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:25 AM:

" When are you going to get that these aren't outsiders? Sierra Club has hundreds of Mat Su members. Nature Conservancy has over 600 Mat Su members. Alaska Center for the Environment has over 300 Mat Su members. "




Stop wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:18 AM:

" Stop calling Publius names...it isn't productive. Publius, stop calling your opponents names...it also isn't productive. He offered some information, someone take it to task if you disagree. For instance, THIS ISN'T AN ELECTION ON COAL! Or how about the fact that the Friends of Mat-Su have been around for years and aren't a front for anyone. "




here come wrote on Feb 5, 2008 1:50 AM:

" The MEA status quo, inventing boogie men. The scare tactics come flying to throw you off the real issue of a corrupt, narrow minded, petty bunch of good old boy partisans.
Publius and that nasty little bunch of know-it-all morons ARE the problem!
"




Publius wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:39 AM:

" "...however, Sierra Club and Friends of Matsu began organizing opposition to the plant in April.[2] MEA spent $160,000 on a campaign to convince member-owners to support the plant..."
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Matanuska_Power_Plant
A right-wing conspiracy?
Dear reader,
The Sierra Club spend $100,000.00 to fight coal plants and spawns "local" groups to do its bidding. MEA spent a pawltry $160,000 to counter the media spin of the outsiders.
Self-deceivers that opposition is local are daft. Only the naive believe that the MEA-Ratepayers Kabal/Friends of Mat-Su are anything but self-righteous fronts for outside interests, not Alaska's interest. These Enviro-facists must be stopped. "




Publius wrote on Feb 4, 2008 11:58 PM:

" http://www.standard.net/live/business/123618/
"Our goal is to oppose these projects at each and every stage, from zoning and air and water permits, to their mining permits and new coal railroads," said Bruce Nilles, a Sierra Club attorney who directs the group's national coal campaign..."
This quote, from 01/20/08, is but a tip of the iceberg stating the objectives of the Sierra Club toward using coal to generate electricity.
The New York Times article has Alaska on the map with two contested plants.
USA-Today: Opposition in Georgia comes from "Friends of the Chattahoochee" which coordinates with Sierra.
Sound familiar Mat-Su?

"




Think of the Children wrote on Feb 4, 2008 8:35 PM:

" Publius, is caring for our children related to keeping environmentalists out of the MEA election? Or is that a different topic? "




To Publius... wrote on Feb 4, 2008 7:55 PM:

" Your behavior here is despicable. You are right, many people do not have the time to sit and read through endless blogs and comments. So how about you stop posting lies and childish insults, further contributing to wasting everyone’s time, and start presenting even one fact to support your point of view on these MEA elections. Please, prove to me, as well as anyone reading these comments, that you have something factual to back your ceaseless attacks against... well... everyone not blindly agreeing you. "




LOVE YOU PUBLIUS wrote on Feb 4, 2008 7:40 PM:

" Good try my friend, but no go. Each candidate's financial supporters, and the donors to any group influencing the election, are filed with MEA. Go to http://mea.coop/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=157&Itemid=164 and read them yourselves. Find the Sierra Club or any outside group, environmental or otherwise. They aren't there. "




Publius wrote on Feb 4, 2008 7:14 PM:

" The anti-MEA crowds' affections are so touching,be still my heart.
Truth:
MEA is a non-issue to the majority of people in the Valley except when the power is interrupted. 98% of the public is far too busy working to read blogs and editorials in the Frontiersman. In fact, most ballots will go into the landfill straight from the mailbox.In light of this, let's strive to pay attention to something more important;our children.
Keep the Sierra Club and outside environmental groups out of the MEA election...more to follow...Beware Alaskans!
"




Funnily Enough wrote on Feb 3, 2008 7:04 PM:

" I've seen Publius posts before but I don't see one for this article. "




When? wrote on Feb 3, 2008 5:54 PM:

" Was the last time you saw Carmony or Tuckerman climbing a pole when your lights where out? "




Pooh-bee us wrote on Feb 3, 2008 4:47 PM:

" Publius just repeats the stuff Tuckerman tells him with a little fire and brimstone throwin' in. "




Phil Munger wrote on Feb 3, 2008 3:47 PM:

" Is Publius Fred Agree? "




Gas Plant wrote on Feb 3, 2008 3:14 PM:

" Please check out MEA IRP. The #s don't lie. A MEA gas plant won't lower rates and service realiablity is questionable too. "




Pooblius wrote on Feb 3, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Publius is an insider who comes in here to sling management's misinformation and anti-union paranoia. As if that alone could stop the wave of change that's coming.

Say goodnight, Carmony. Say goodnight, Babcock. "




Wasilla27 wrote on Feb 3, 2008 8:42 AM:

" To "Changing of the old guard": There are two at-large openings up for grabs on the MEA board, so everybody, regardless of district, will be voting for two of the five candidates. You have correctly identified Burchell and Kincaid as being worthy candidates. They are the only choice for people who care about openness and transparency in the way our co-op is run. Vote yes for the bylaw change, too. "




MEA History wrote on Feb 3, 2008 6:33 AM:

" The MEA anti-IBEW thing started when Aaron Downing and like minded board members fired a non-confrontational GM and hired Carmony to carry on Downing's anti-union crusade. The rest is spin! That's why Carmony hired all the spin doctors. Change the board, fire the spindoctors and give the savings to the lineman. Service will improve and the rates will remain flat. "




Changing of the old guard wrote on Feb 2, 2008 10:16 PM:

" I smell Publius and his hateful ways at work on this blog. If publius is against Kincaid and Burchell, then they are obviously the best people to vote for.
Publius is a supporter of all that is still wrong with MEA...
I don't know which one of the two I'll get to vote for but which ever one it is, has gotten my vote. "




Countered Union Shenanegans wrote on Feb 2, 2008 8:11 PM:

" Again, are there actually union shenanegans, or are you just trying to imply that there are without anything to back that up so that you can smear a good woman and good man who have done a heck of a lot more for this community that Lee Jordan ever has? "




There's a point? wrote on Feb 2, 2008 8:09 PM:

" Really, you've made a point? When? You've called someone a moron for disagreeing with you. You've said that the people who disagree with you are mindless drones following the sinister Rate Payers. And the IBEW. Wanna blame FOMS next...they seem to be the only ones missing? Make an argument. Back it up with something that is at least in the family of a fact. People will consider. People will respond. "




Bluster... wrote on Feb 2, 2008 8:05 PM:

" Yes, bluster. And you proved the point. You are more interested in calling people who disagree with you names than actually offering something substantive to the argument. HOW IS JANET KINCAID AN IBEW SELLOUT? WHAT DO YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T? If you've got something, tell us so we too will know the truth and not make a huge mistake with our votes. Otherwise... "




Kincaid wrote on Feb 2, 2008 6:00 PM:

" Kincaid + IBEW = union control over MEA "




Bluster? wrote on Feb 2, 2008 5:59 PM:

" I was pointing out it was management's job to be at odds with unions and their activities, no matter what the organization may be. I was speaking in general terms, moron. Why don't you read the entire series of posts before stepping on your tongue? I tell you, some people just don't get it! No matter what, the anti-MEAers will not consider any point being made. They blindly follow a pre-set agenda and take issue with any statement that even resembles something running counter to their propaganda. Take issue with this now! "




Countered Union Shenanegans wrote on Feb 2, 2008 12:08 PM:

" What evil union plots have our intrepid team of managers foil, pray tell? Details please, no more bluster. "




Which One? wrote on Feb 2, 2008 12:01 PM:

" You say that one of the candidates running is an IBEW supporter who will sell us out to the union. Be brave...tell us which one please. "




To concerned member wrote on Feb 1, 2008 9:37 PM:

" What planet do you live on? It is management's duty to keep union shennanigans closely scrutinized and under control...whatever the company may be. It's the nature of capitalist organizations that management is invariably at odds with unions, their members, and their activities. If the MEA board wasn't constantly countering union tactics I'd think they were doing something wrong and, indeed, only then begin to wonder if they weren't up to something. And "something" like this may very well happen if Kincaid and Burchell are voted in. I emphatically urge everyone to vote against these two!!! "




concerned member wrote on Feb 1, 2008 8:46 PM:

" I have been following the debates with interest and feel a need to comment. MEA has for years had such an anti union stance that one has to wonder why.

I can only assume that due to the fact that a very large percentage of MEA's labor is subcontracted and non union that it is in the best interest of these subcontractors to continue without a union.

I have often wondered does the management of our Co-op have undisclosed financial ties to any of these subcontractors? You have to admit it does make one wonder. "




Pretty Petty??? wrote on Feb 1, 2008 8:29 PM:

" You mean someone running for the MEA board who's in bed with the IBEW is a petty concern??? You've got to be kidding me??? That is hugely significant and if anyone thinks that's petty, they're mindless and being led around by the nose with a chain attached to the anti-MEA propaganda machine. You sound like one of those mindless imbeciles...are you? "




Is this the best you've got wrote on Feb 1, 2008 7:21 PM:

" Seems like a pretty petty argument. The winning director will still sit the same length of time whether they're seated in a few days or it takes longer. If you can't find anything of more substance than this to whine about the current directors must be doing a pretty good job. "




Disagree wrote on Feb 1, 2008 4:06 PM:

" Here's another: If a new board is seated and does anything to rescind the petition against Chugach's rate increase that the current board has filed with the RCA, our MEA rates will increase significantly. And it'll happen in very short order. That's a fact and if you don't think that is one of the intents of those in here advocating for change, then you're dumber than your naive little comment has you made out to be! It wouldn't at all surprise me if some of these anon-bloggers are working for the IBEW or Chugach Electric! "




Disagree wrote on Feb 1, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Based on the fact that one of those running to unseat a current board member is a supporter of the IBEW. That means, as a board member, that person will be in the position of voting on rulings which might directly affect the members of the IBEW - CONFLICT OF INTEREST! Some of these rulings may increase wages for the already-overpaid IBEW folks; you know, those guys dragging their feet, while walking around with their hands in their pockets. I'm sure you've seen some of them. If their pay is increased, our rates go up! Simple, really. "




To Disagree wrote on Feb 1, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Based on what do you attempt to push the lie that higher rates will follow the election of a new board? This is pure management propaganda. Nothing else. But nice try. "




Disagree wrote on Jan 31, 2008 9:17 PM:

" Hit a nerve did I? Well, good! But it seems the anti-MEA wackos continue to hold sway. That's OK...you all will probably be successful. But the resultant bile (new MEA board) will quickly become evident. However, that bile will turn to slime and gather in a stagnant area where it will gel into scum. The scum, though unpleasant, will dry, crust over, and be easily scaped away in the next election. Still, until that time, Chugach and railbelt ratepayers will dance in their well-lit living rooms with every electric bill they receive. "




Wasilla27 wrote on Jan 31, 2008 4:16 PM:

" "A lie told often enough becomes the truth to the unsuspecting, ignorant masses who are so easily manipulated by propaganda."

Thanks to the former poster (Denny, is that you?) who supplied this line, which could stand as the mission statement of MEA management.

Time for change. Vote Burchell and Kincaid to reclaim OUR co-op and restore trust and integrity to the way OUR business is conducted. "




Not a Chugach-Backer... wrote on Jan 31, 2008 11:50 AM:

" they're even more dysfunctional that our own board right now. I'm just sick and tired of the total lack of respect Carmony and the current 4 in charge of the board show to the members. Asking member opinions on important topics 3 years after the management and 4 members of the board already made up their minds and then only after spending a fortune on tv commercials and one-sided arguments to sway the vote. Oh, and kicking out 20% of the votes cast. So, we want change and are working for it...you have a problem with democracy now too? "




When you resort to insults wrote on Jan 31, 2008 11:45 AM:

" in the first sentence, you have nothing worth saying. You really can't help trying to demonize people who don't agree with you. Have you ever actually talked to any of these people? Or would you rather just call them ignorant, blusterers, crackpots, enviro-wackos, pawns, whiners, liars, ignorant, morons. Oh, and don't forget the brilliant assertions that they secretly want to raise your rates. None of these things help your cause you know. "




For Disagree wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:12 AM:

" I do feel you are the one that has been brainwashed, media is telling the truth and that can hurt some folks, to agree with MEAs unethical behavior is not in ratepayers best interest; and as for that board, they have little to no respect for the public and are not even capable of returning a phone call, change em out and come into the new world which we all seek in the corrupt world we have found ourselves currently dwelling. The entire MEA mess reeks of fraud in one form or another. Where is the DA? "




Always Chiming In wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:25 PM:

" Wasilla27 chimes in again with its Chugach-backing rhetoric. But let's remember, Wasilla27's comments = nothing; zilch. If you want change then vote as Wasilla27 tells you how to vote. And let me tell you how that change will materialize: in the form of higher electric bills coming to your mailbox...month after month after month...continuing on and on and on...until you're so used to paying more that you'll eventually forget what lower rates were. Go ahead, vote like these morons suggest and continue to subsidize Chugach Electric ratepayers and all those railbelt customers who'll continue to enjoy cheap electricity! "




Disagree with Anti-MEA Zealots wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:17 PM:

" Don't be swayed by yet another ignorant bluster by anti-MEA crackpots who want to creep under the tent and raise our rates. If you listen to these enviro-wackos, you're listening to pawns of Chugach Electric and the rail belt whiners whose electricity we MEA members continue to subsidize. Our current board is intelligent and working to keep our rates low. Let's do indeed trust them with our utility and don't let these pundits of change sway your vote. A lie told often enough becomes the truth to the unsuspecting, ignorant masses who are so easily manipulated by propaganda. "




Gas Plant wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:34 PM:

" Elect a board that frustrates Carmony until he quits. Ya know he has a golden parachute if we fire 'em. That'd make rates go down! "




geo wrote on Jan 30, 2008 4:47 AM:

" it is time for the good old boys club at mea to take a long, long, long,ride into the sunset. this includes their puppet master wayne carmony "




MEA member wrote on Jan 29, 2008 11:47 PM:

" Right on, you hit it on the head. Why can't the MEA management figure it out. "




Wow... wrote on Jan 29, 2008 4:47 PM:

" I opened the Frontiersman today and just wasn't expecting to see this editorial. Its as if Christmas came very very early. Good job. "




dab wrote on Jan 29, 2008 3:02 PM:

" Very good and logical story--If MEA management would spend more time getting along with other utilities and working on a energy plan we would all be better off--We need Burchell and Kincaid on the board and they need to be seated imediately like other organizations do. "




Wasilla27 wrote on Jan 29, 2008 12:43 PM:

" Outstanding -- and totally on-point -- editorial. Thank you Frontiersman for shining a light on this situation. What MEA management is doing is wrong, anyway you spin it. A vote in favor of the bylaw change, and votes for Burchell and Kincaid for board, will go a long way in restoring trust to OUR co-op. "