The members of La Plata Electric Association are fortunate to have nine good people step forward to fill four spots on the co-op’s board of directors. That gives the membership a welcome chance to review LPEA’s situation, hear different points of view and decide who is best qualified to lead the organization going forward. Our thanks to them all.

The point of an election, however, is to choose. The Herald suggests LPEA members re-elect incumbents Mark Garcia in District 1 and Jack Turner in District 4 and elect Lori Schell to serve District 2. At the same time, Doug Lyon deserves a pat on the back for stepping up in District 3.

There is no longer any question as to if or when to move toward renewable energy. The answers – yes and now – are understood. The questions that remain are all about how. Deciding who can best lead LPEA forward turns on that, including who can best help different, sometimes dissident, board members work together.

Mike Alley is a retired, 45-year veteran of electric utilities, including LPEA, and a community volunteer. His experience is reflected in his focus on ensuring reliability and meeting demand.

Calum McNeil’s candidacy centers on a desire to get involved and serve the community by lowering rates, particularly for lower-income households. He would bring humility to the board while looking at creative ways to get more power.

Both Alley and McNeil want to help others, and both should be encouraged to continue to do so. The clear choice, however, is Mark Garcia. Educated as a mechanical engineer, he has worked in and with local governments for 22 years including as interim town manager for Silverton and Ignacio. Going forward, he would focus on developing a strategic plan, fixing a flawed rate-setting process and using the capabilities of smart meters to implement better rate structures. He also has creative ideas about how to work around a 5 percent cap on renewables imposed by Tri-State, LPEA’s power supplier. And he would work on transparency and openness, including recording meetings and putting them online.

Dan Huntington is a fourth-generation local, longtime rancher, District 9-R volunteer and a producer of renewable energy. He has experience on another co-op board and is believable when he says he works well with others.

Huntington’s only problem is that his opponent is probably the best qualified candidate LPEA has seen in some time. Lori Schell is an energy consultant – “for natural gas, renewables, power & emissions” – with more than 30 years of experience directly bearing on the toughest issues facing LPEA. Her education and work history suggest expertise in every aspect of the co-op’s affairs. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and a doctorate in operations research and mineral economics. Her résumé, list of accomplishments and published papers is impressive and extensive. And, with all that she is not an ideologue and shows no interest in being part of a faction.

With no opponent, Doug Lyon will represent it.

John Beebe and Ron Bishop are both trying to unseat Jack D. Turner. Beebe is an active retiree with a background in business, including an MBA, and community involvement. He would focus on the business aspects of the co-op and worries that the LPEA board “has been overly influenced by special interests in solar energy.”

Ron Bishop has more than 40 years experience in the electric industry, first with Colorado Ute and then with Tri-State. His aim is to best represent the consumer with a focus on keeping rates low. He thinks solar and wind power are overrated as to their reliability, cost effectiveness and their actual affect on the environment. And he is concerned about board expenses.

But Jack Turner’s education, varied experience and friendly demeanor best fit LPEA’s needs. A Fort Lewis graduate he has a masters in geology, another in applied behavioral sciences and additional education on advancements in energy technology. He has worked as a hydrologist for the Forest Service and represented a tribal government. His long list of community involvements and volunteer work suggests the giving, cooperative nature the board needs. And, his focus on keeping rates low and money local while building community sustainability is correct.

Vote for Mark Garcia, Lori Schell and Jack Turner.