The Testimony

Accountability for MLGW CEO!!

Council Members say MLGW not authorized to charge customers in advance for gas Last Modified 05/01/2007 07:32:00 PM
process and it makes us questio other things THE MLGW MESS JUST GETS MESSIER WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF CITY COUNCIL THE UTILITY CHARGED CUSTOMERS TO STORE GAS THAT WAS NOT USED THIS WINTER. THE CHARGES WERE ON YOUR GAS BILL FROM SEPTEMBER 2006 TO JUS LAST MONTH. THE MONEY NOT ONLY WENT TO STORE THE.

Reaction to Lee's legal bills Last Modified 05/01/2007 09:09:00 PM paying for Joseph Lee s attorney s bill? Action News Five s Ben Watson continues our team coverage wit the answer. Well Donna an article about the payments appeared in the Commercial Appeal this morning. And you guessed it -- the MLGW customers we talked to are NOT happy. Outside the downtown MLGW...

Ratepayers react to Lee's lawyer fees Last Modified 05/01/2007 05:20:51 PM Many MLGW customers are not happy about reports that the utility paid more than $60k to an attorney to represent President Joseph Lee before a federal grand jury. Outside the downtown MLGW bill payment center, customers complained about their bills and the report that MLGW CEO Joseph Lee is...

MLGW releases list of Joseph Lee's legal bills May 2, 2007 10:07 PM CDT

After days of refusing to comply with media requests, MLGW has released an itemized list of fees accrued by Joseph Lee in his effort to defend himself before a federal grand jury. http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6461581

MLGW Head Joseph Lee's Lawyer Bills http://www.wreg.com/global/story.asp?s=6462626

"Tonight, a late announcement from Mayor Herenton, he's having a news conference tomorrow on the growing MLGW mess...But another big issue in all of this is how the utility arranged to pay Spence. The city council approves bills over $25,000. Joseph Lee's legal bills came in increments of $24,999. "

Herenton: Lee and Horton out at MLGW May 3, 2007 12:17 PM CDT Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton calmly announced the resignations of MLGW's President and General Counsel, Joseph Lee and Odell Horton, Jr. respectively, in a news conference at City Hall this morning.

Raw Video: Mayor Herenton announces MLGW resignations (05/03/07) At a press conference Thursday, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton announced he had accepted the resignation of MLGW's President and CEO Joseph Lee, and General Counsel Odell Horton. This is raw video of the press conference.

Cumulative Effect of Lack

The euphoria following benevolence of The BLVD Church was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the April MLGW bill for $326.36! This must be an error or perhaps one of two March payments hasn't posted. After reading the statement, $1,312 payments received toward the $1,312 previous balance, I had to face the reality that the Amount Due was accurate and up to date.

The consumption rate of $10.84 per day seems rather high considering a week without any usage and not much need for AC or heat this past billing cycle. The primary factor for the balance is the security deposit of $100 in addition to the $43 reconnection fee. $141 in current charges plus $42 toward deferred billing totaling to $326. This is what I meant about the “cumulative effect of lack”.

Those not having “enough” end up acquiring even more costs in the long run. For each time you missed one step, you get put back two steps. Now you have three steps to catch up. If you don’t catch up the three steps in time, be ready for two more steps back. This explains the fundamental law of the cumulative effect of lack.

Inadequate income means incurring more costs than someone with sufficient income. It means what little income they have doesn’t get used efficiently. Additional fees incurred from the inability to pay a bill displace funds for food, clothes or other bills. The cumulative effect of lack means the poor get even poorer despite their efforts.

Zep 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

Zec 11:11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it [was] the word of the LORD.

Mat 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jam 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Faith in Works

The BLVD Church arrived Saturday morning to exemplify their Christian faith through their works.I thank April Thompson (WREG reporter), for referring me to the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church's Helping Hands & Hearts Community Service Program. She rolled up her sleeves with fellow members to paint my bedroom and installed a new ceiling fan to make it cool enough to sleep in my bedroom on warm days.

This organized team of volunteers of every age used just a couple of hours and a couple of hundred dollars to make a significant difference in the quality of my life. There was prayer but no proselytizing or promises for a “healing.” Beyond their Christian charity I was so impressed with their operation. A member came on a Saturday to assess and prioritize my needs. The following Saturday a team arrived all on schedule not only with people …but with a plan. With both efficiency and warmth they went about their charitable tasks.

They were ordinary people, but they were extraordinary Christians. Note: They were not ordinary Christians. They were exceptions to so many ministers and church members that have generously given their prayers, anointed us in oil, lay on their hands, and sent many compilations of the healing scriptures. Make no mistake these benevolent acts were sincere and greatly appreciated. Every one of these demonstrations is important to our Christian faith. These declarations of faith are not enough though. In the New Testament James says,

If a brother or sister is naked, or is destitute of daily food, And you say to them, [Oh] Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; but yet you don't give them any clothes or any food; what good are your words (2:15-16)?

They can't make him warm. They can't fill his stomach.

Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, if you try to stand alone. Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: but you show me your faith without your works, I will show you my faith by my works (2:17-18).

True faith will be manifested by the works. Verbal affirmation isn't enough and it won't do it. The works being the proof of the faith.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also (2:25-26).

Father, help us not just affirm our Christianity but may we demonstrate Christianity by the attitudes and actions of our lives. May we show faith in the works that we do

In Jesus' name. Amen.

REPLY TO ANONYMOUS DONOR

We Americans are citizens of the greatest democratic republic on earth. Many Christians, including our President view our young nation as Chosen by God. As the world’s greatest super power even the secular claim responsibility on a global scale. The well and the able and the prosperous often assume that our great nation’s assortment of programs, bureaus, agencies, charities and Social Security take care of all Good people that may face hardship. We assume most social problems are made by the poor choices made by uneducated people leading dysfunctional or destructive lives. My intention is to erase this misconception. This assumption within our subconscious allows us to feel less responsibility for the ills within our community. As my life unfolds I have to face my own false preconceptions.

We all want to believe in "The American Dream" that anyone who goes to college and makes 'A's' and works hard will attain security and prosperity. The reality is there are some unfortunate cases of good people placed in bad circumstances beyond their control. Occasionally tragic events place them back so far behind they cannot get ahead of their problems. Despite all the efforts and resources available to them, they can’t get back to ground zero, now matter how hard they try.

It is very easy to disconnect from any feelings of obligation to help the less fortunate. Many believe most impoverished people will probably squander any of the resources provided for them. On the other hand many good people in bad situations are frustrated by futile attempts to get ahead often giving up hope on their future. They can never escape the cumulative effect of their lack.

I know I have been treading hard to keep my head above water for so long and with all my will power. The fatigue was so great I felt doomed to drown until someone was willing to jump in and rescue me! I just want you to know about me and to realize the value of the life you saved. There just aren’t enough life guards, for the drowning. Hopefully your altruism will inspire others to at least cast a lifeline to someone else barely treading water.

Thanks you. May God continue to Bless you. May my Blessing through you lead to Blessings to others through my testimony.

Thank God, nieghbors, friends, and family!

Today I could find comfort from the promise of an anonymous donor, whom I had the chance to thank on film. I also thank and may God Bless those nieghbors, friends, and family who might not have been able to make large cash donations, but who gave what they were able including such necessities as nonperishible food, ice, a cooler, oil lamp, candles, batteries, and toilet paper. Thanks for enough paper towels and bleach to clean the leaking defrosted fridge. Thanks for the charcoal, foil to grill up the salvagable meat.

A special thanks to my next door nieghbor who has always assisted me whenever I asked. She knew I had grown too weary of seeking and begging for resources and she was willing to put herself out as an advocate for my circumstances. She was willing to use her strong voice to express my needs. I am forever grateful for the blessing of her true Christian faith shown through her good works.