In response to the recent article about City Council members' attendance at the annual ElectriCities' conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C., I would like to know why city officials had no trouble finding the money for this trip after City Manager Rich Olson made it clear that there was absolutely no money available to help with the cost of utilities. Because of this lack of funds, council voted to pass on a 14-percent rate increase to customers of Elizabeth City's electric utility.

The proposed cost of this trip to South Carolina was about $165,000. At a time like this, it seems ridiculous to spend this much money on a business-pleasure trip. It seems to me, we already have a mismanagement of funds.

Our city council members, who also got a raise to the tune of $4,000 a year, need to stay home and get this utility rate situation straightened out.

Our city is deep in debt, and it's not all our fault. Things need to change and they need to start changing now.

SANDRA GEDDIE

Elizabeth City

Editor's note: About half of the cost of the annual ElectriCities' meeting was paid by sponsors. The other half was paid for by the cities sending officials to the conference. Elizabeth City spent approximately $500 on each of the nine elected and appointed city officials who attended. Also, city councilors' pay raises were approximately $1,800 this year.