I am a longtime La Plata County resident and LPEA member. The LPEA board historically has done a fine job of managing our co-op and providing affordable, reliable energy for most of my residency here.

However, that has changed. Rates are going up, and fiscal management is more important than ever. I never have heard so many negative sentiments expressed about our LPEA board membership as I have for the past five years. Many residents have heard mean, negative comments being made by new members regarding longer-term incumbents – some over the Internet. We hear stories regarding new members attempting, and succeeding in some cases, to drive out selected LPEA employees who are knowledgeable and valuable individuals.

Day-to-day management and personnel issues are the job of the general manager, not the board.

We hear about special agendas, conflicts of interest and the refusal of some individuals to recuse themselves where these conflicts exist.

What has happened to our co-op? Who can we trust to run LPEA with dignity and respect and make honest, sound decisions?

We need to elect new LPEA board members who are known, trusted leaders in our community – people who are visible and who we all deal with on a daily basis – people who we know have the business background and experience to effectively consider alternatives and take sound actions that will assure we have clean, modern energy that is both reliable and affordable.

Please elect Karen Barger, Kohler McInnis and Jim Wotkyns to our LPEA board.

Sharla Dyar

Bayfield