A candidate seeking a seat on the La Plata Electric Association board of directors inadvertently violated an election policy by using the co-op’s logo on a door hanger.
Bill Waters, who is seeking to represent Durango in District 3 on the LPEA board of directors, was determined to have violated an LPEA election policy by using the logo on the election material.
“I made a simple mistake. I in no way ever intended to do anything wrong, illegal or take advantage of anyone or anything,” Waters said in a telephone interview. “I'm a faithful man, I go to church. I'm honest. I do what's right.”
Waters said he thought the LPEA logo had been removed from election material he had printed, but he said about 2,000 door hangers with the logo were missed and were hung on doors.
Waters said he had been unaware of the LPEA policy banning candidates from using the co-op’s logo, and when alerted to the rule, he had moved to eliminate election material with the logo, but the door hangers were missed.
Hillary Knox, LPEA vice president of member experience, said utility cooperatives are prohibited by Colorado law from endorsing or opposing board of director candidates.
By using the LPEA logo, it might have appeared to some people that LPEA had endorsed Waters.
“LPEA does not endorse Mr. Waters or any other candidate for its board,” she said.
LPEA wanted to inform the public about the violation, and no punitive action was taken against Waters, who remains a candidate in District 3, Knox said.
Waters faces Ted Compton to represent Durango on LPEA’s board.
Ballots for the election went out in mid-May, and they are due June 16.
Ballots can be returned by mail to LPEA. The deadline to return ballots by mail is 4 p.m. June 16.
Ballots can also be returned to eight different drop-off ballot boxes:
- La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, 679 Turner Drive in Durango.
- La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., in Durango.
- Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango.
- Farmers Fresh Market, 535 Goddard Ave., in Ignacio.
- Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, in Bayfield.
- Archuleta County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, 449 San Juan St., in Pagosa Springs.
- LPEA Durango office, 45 Stewart St.
- LPEA Pagosa Springs office, 603 South Eighth St.
Specifically, Waters violated LPEA Policy 105, which says: “Resources of the cooperative, including the cooperative’s logo, trademarks and graphic standards, shall not be used to support or oppose a candidate for election.”
After receiving several complaints from LPEA members, LPEA’s independent Election Supervisory Committee met and determined that Waters’ door hangers violated the policy – possibly giving someone the inaccurate impression that Waters had been endorsed by the co-op, Knox said.
“I truly apologize for making a mistake,” Waters said.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
