For the third time in two months, a candidate competing for a seat on the La Plata Electric Association board of directors has been deemed eligible to run in an election that draws to an end Thursday.
The co-op’s Election Supervisory Committee met to review Jack Turner’s residency after his home was shown as being available for rent starting May 1. The committee announced Tuesday that Turner has a permanent home and remains a resident of La Plata County and is therefore eligible to serve on the board, said Indiana Reed, the co-op’s spokeswoman.
Turner, an incumbent, is running against Sarah Ferrell for a seat on the board.
The committee previously declared Turner eligible to run through the month of April and met Tuesday to review his residency for the month of May. The committee also reviewed his residency in March.
Candidates and board members for LPEA are required to purchase power from the co-op and live in the district they represent. If Turner failed to provide proof of his residency, he could have been declared ineligible to run for election.
The election committee first reviewed and confirmed Turner’s residency in March because his membership with LPEA briefly lapsed in 2018, said Ron Meier, manager of engineering and member relations, in a previous interview.
The review found Turner’s roommate changed the electricity account for the home out of Turner’s name as a result of a miscommunication, Meier said.
It was confirmed again in April when his home was listed for rent. The listing of the home surprised Turner at the time, Turner said previously.
The third review was done to see if Turner had found a new place to live within the district.
Turner did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday afternoon.
The last opportunity to return an LPEA ballot will be during the co-op’s annual meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Ballots will not be accepted after 6:30 p.m.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
