Elections for the board of directors of La Plata Electric Association have become the focus of considerable attention in recent years. While the attention is welcome, the remarkable thing is that an electric co-op election should garner such interest. It is the sign of an engaged community.

That interest revolves around changes that have come about on the LPEA board, as some have sought to alter its focus slightly away from its traditional goals. Those reforms are in keeping with American values

And with that, the Herald sees no reason to rock the boat. Vote for Bob Formwalt in District 1, Gregg Dubit in District 2, Britt Bassett in District 3 and Heather Erb in District 4.

District 1 is Archuleta County. Formwalt has long experience, both with that county and LPEA. Moreover, he has the depth and kind of experience his district deserves in its LPEA representatives.

His challenger, Nicholas “Koli” Kazarinoff, has a varied and interesting résumé, little of which seems to involve LPEA. From admittedly 60 miles away, Formwalt looks to better represent Archuleta County.

District 2 includes southern and western La Plata County, and both candidates for this open seat are longtime residents with solid business experience. Kohler McInnis owned and ran a successful small business in Durango for years and is now a managing member of three investment companies. He has been and remains an active member of the community through his church and various civic groups.

Gregg Dubit also has a full résumé; however, he has particular experience in energy-specific topics such as a certified energy auditor, a solar consultant, working with the Conservation Corps and as executive director of the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, or 4CORE. That is the kind of knowledge and experience LPEA needs.

Pick Gregg Dubit to serve District 2.

The issues in District 3, Durango, and District 4, north and east of the city, are similar. And in both cases, the voters should choose the incumbents – Britt Bassett and Heather Erb.

The challengers are well-respected local residents with solid records in business and demonstrated commitments to the community. Both would likely benefit any group to which they chose to commit.

But how well LPEA is run as a business is not at issue; those aspects of the organization seem fine. Electricity is cheap, and the lights stay on. In any case, the day-to-day business operations are not the board’s purview. The board is to provide direction and vision, and on that level, Bassett and Erb have the edge.

Bassett has a strong background in technology, including turns with several national labs. He has private sector experience with solar projects and knows their advantages and obstacles.

Erb brings personal experience with alternative energy. She has seen European efforts toward renewable energy firsthand, worked with 4CORE to help low-income electricity users cut their bills and worked to establish community solar gardens.

LPEA elections are not about how we got here, but where we are going. Vote for Formwalt, Dubit, Bassett and Erb.