Stop Bullying Frankfort Plant Board Members Who Question!

Frankfort friends, let’s remind the city commissioners that we live in a democracy where public discourse and debate is encouraged. Two members of our Frankfort Plant Board (FPB) have been raising questions about the contract signed, in Aug. 2016, with the Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KyMEA).
Energy supply is a complex topic. The way communities get our electricity is highly regulated, and even more complex.
The process has been frustrating; one very talented and active board member, John Cubine, has already resigned. Having served decades in government, Mr. Cubine understands complex systems. More importantly, he knows how to address and improve governmental systems.
Now, Frankfort's City Commissioners are attempting to terminate two Plant Board members who have been asking the most questions: Walt Baldwin and Anne Marie Rosen. The Frankfort State Journal fanned the flames by setting up an online poll, enabling votes to gage public support and/or opposition for Baldwin & Rosen.
Many of us believe that it's neither a democratic procedure nor a statesmanship practice for City Commissioners to whip up more public confusion, repeat divisive charges, further clouding this complex discussion. Don’t remove (or threaten to remove) those Frankfort Plant Board members who are working to uncover vital information and pushing for more transparency.
We want to know what our future electric rates will be and this decision will impact the pocketbooks of ratepayers for years to come. Asking these questions does not mean that the FPB is trying to get out of the contract. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Our Plant Board is responsible for knowing what they are committing to. They have a duty to scrutinize the power supply contract and are following the advice of experienced independent advisers. They are looking out for the interests of ratepayers.

2. Our contract with the power supplier was rushed to a vote under strong pressure from the supplier in August 2016. Many citizens and two board members objected to the rushed vote because they were lacking complete information. Since that time, two plant board members have been working to further understand & improve the contract. Those two board members are doing their job.

3. There's a major problem with the contract: It does not define what rates our customers will pay; we still don’t know 15 months later! This creates a risk for all Plant Board customers – homes AND businesses once we are locked into the contract.

4. The contract is a 10-year commitment to the power supplier and contains provisions that make getting out of the contract very difficult. That's why this issue is so important.
Please sign the petition and forward it to others who might help.