George Shelton is one of the many area residents who were not happy upon learning that CDE’s Power Board had made the decision to hire Johnny Piper to head the public utility. You might ask what sets George apart from the rest of the crowd? George, a life long Clarksville resident, is planning a response. He is currently organizing a boycott of the businesses owned by the members of the CDE Board. He is also planning to stage protests at some of the businesses, and at the upcoming CDE Power Board meeting.
Shelton isn’t normally the activist type, but when he noticed that regardless of their political party affiliation, people seemed to share his opinion that this deal just smelled fishy. So when I got wind of what George was trying to do, I contacted him to see if I could help spread the word.
I wish him luck.
Statement by George Shelton
Around 18 months ago the Clarksville Department of Electricity Power board overseeing and appointed by then Mayor Johnny Piper dismissed the then Superintendent Rick Ingram for approving nearly 500 thousand consulting contracts without board approval. Brian Taylor a long time employee was put in place as an interim superintendents, while the board sought out a new one.
Months passed and no progress or announcements were made as to job candidates or if interviews were being given. After over a year rumors began to circulate around town that Johnny Piper would NOT seek re-election as Mayor, and that the CDE Power Board, populated entirely by Piper appointees, would appoint him to the superintendent position when his mayoral term was up.
The Power board publicly denied these allegations and Piper refused any comment on them, but he did eventually announce that he would not be seeking another term as mayor.
Rumors persisted and Piper remained adamant the he was busy being mayor. On December 29th Piper was interviewed by two members of the board in a 17 minute interview and it was offered the 140 thousand dollars a year job around a hour later. Mayor Piper had appointed every single one of these Power board members and they are known to be some of his best friends and staunchest supporters. The whole charade reeks of collusion, back room politics and the good ole boy network taking care of each other.
The Power board held the Job open for 18 months, during that time they claim to have interviewed 3 perspective candidates Piper, Brian Taylor and another unnamed person.
Why Brian Taylor was not hired is baffling to many people in the community, as he has been doing a excellent job running CDE for the last year and a half. Most anyone that is not naive beyond belief will see what is going on here, and as stated earlier IT REEKS of collusion.
It also violates a city ordinance forbidding elected officials from being hired to ANY supervisory position of a city department for the period on one year after they leave office.
In response to this unethical and likely illegal hiring by the members of the CDE power board of former mayor Piper, I am proposing a Boycott of ALL local businesses owned and operated by the members of the power board. I am also organizing two peaceful protests, to let the former mayor and the board know that we the people of Clarksville are angry about this and that we will not stand for it any longer.
The first protest will be held on the sidewalks in front of the McDonald’s on Madison Street from 8:00am till 1:00 pm Saturday January 15th.
The second will be at the Clarksville Department of Electricity on Wilma Rudolph Blvd at 4:00pm January 19th.
McDonald’s was chosen because it is owned by Mabel Larson a board member and it is highly visible with adequate sidewalk space and parking. The CDE protest was chosen because that is the time and the place of the CDE boards monthly meeting.
I would encourage EVERYONE who is upset over this hiring to Join us and let your voice be heard, the bigger the turnout the louder the voice. Remember community apathy is what they are counting on LETS PROVE THEM WRONG.
You can contact me at FirePiperNow@gmail.com George Shelton
Editor’s Note: Mabel Larson is not related to Clarksville Online’s Bill Larson.
Whoa……..I smell smoke!!!! Something is burning, momma told me not to play with fire or I would get burned……
piper is a crook
George Shelton, you are awesome. Good luck buddy! As a man in my early 20’s just recently getting into local government after growing up here, I already do not like Johnny Piper. That must say something. He is a major land/property owner who does not give a damn about anything except his own financial and personal gain. Clarksville, please send this man home.