June 26, 2007

AN INJUSTICE PERPETRATED AT THE MLGW

I was shocked to see that the MLGW Board approved "lifetime" insurance benefits for JL3, going to pay his legal fees and then at age 55 he is eligible for a MLGW retirement.

I call on the taxpayers and voters of Memphis to have some influence with City Council on this issue? Tom Marshall said it will be reviewed tomorrow. Joe Lee resigned "while under investigation" and would not be eligible for severance even if he had not dissolved the severance policy when he took office. He came in and with the backing of the Mayor, did away with the severance policy because they were upset that Larry Thompson wanted the benefits of the then in place severance policy. Now the shoe is on the other foot.

Most of the people this unqualified patronage employee forced out could retire and thus had some sort of protection (pension/benefits) but there were others who were hurt tremendously because they were forced out with no job, no insurance and no pension. Attorney Max Williams and Mike Whitten fall into this category. Both had more MLGW service time than Lee but get zip!!!! They did not leave under un-honorable circumstances

Lee was given special consideration by moving his City pension to MLGW---Lee did away with severance but he receives it from a Board heavily influenced by the Mayor. This is truly an injustice and I hope that the voters and taxpayers can make a difference. Editorial in today's paper took proper stance.

Let Joe Lee sue---he will lose.