Shining a light
LPEA board hopefuls sound off during pivotal time for co-op

It’s once again time for La Plata Electric Association members to cast their ballots for board directors. With the local energy co-op considering exiting its contract with wholesaler Tri-State and entering into the world of broadband, it is at a pivotal time in its 83-year history.

LPEA is comprised of four districts, with three board members representing each district, for a total of 12 board members. The board sets policies and overall directives of the cooperative, plus provides LPEA staff with goals and objectives. Board members are elected to three-year terms and are elected on a staggered, rotating basis, with one representative from each district up for election a year. Voters may only vote for candidates in their district.

This year’s candidates include:

• District 1, Archuleta County: Kirsten Skeehan (incumbent) vs. Veronica Medina

• District 2, South and West La Plata County:  Kohler McInnis (incumbent) vs. Mark Walser

• District 3, City of Durango: Ted Compton vs. Bill Waters. Sitting member Britt Bassett is retiring.

• District 4, North and East La Plata County: Tim Wheeler (incumbent) vs. John Purser

In addition to the board election, members will also be asked to vote on two amendments to the LPEA bylaws that would allow for holding the annual meeting virtually and allowing virtual attendance at regular and special meetings. 

Ballots were mailed out and should start appearing in mailboxes this week. They are due back by 4 p.m. Wed., June 16. They can be mailed or dropped off at LPEA (instructions will be included in the ballots).

Results will be confirmed at the coop’s virtual annual meeting at 6 p.m., Thurs., June 17. Participants must pre-register for this meeting at lpea.coop/annual-meeting. (Note: there will not be an option to submit ballots on the day of the meeting, as has been the case in years past.) 

The candidates statements follow:

District 2: South and West La Plata County

McInnis

1. Kohler McInnis (incumbent): As a director on the LPEA Board my actions will continue to be focused on: Keeping your electric bill as low as possible, lower rates provide you more freedom to live a quality life. Electricity is a necessity, not a luxury, knowing your health, safety and security are dependent upon reliable electric power when you need it, 24/7. This includes everything you do: heating and cooling; communicating, food preparation and more; Providing dependable power, which requires oversight of capital project budgets, power supply contracts, and operational needs; Using common sense to address the challenges and opportunities of the remarkable changes facing the electric power industry. This approach provides the ability to continue improving your local electric service; expanding and improving current technologies which will lead to a cleaner environment, higher efficiency, and reduced costs; staying engaged in research and strategy to make sustainable decisions about LPEA’s future; working to keep LPEA financially strong and viable and returning capital credits on a timely basis

Walser

2. Mark Walser: As a teacher, I always have my eyes on the future. I’m proud to call La Plata County home, and I’m committed to defending and improving our way of life. I am committed to helping members easily and effectively engage with the co-op. Together, our community can thrive during its transition toward more local, resilient energy. I value the freedom that comes from hard work and self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, these values aren’t always upheld by LPEA, which is currently hamstrung by a contract with Tri-State. I support the effort to review this contract. I will work to provide competitive rates, reliable electricity and a clear vision for the future. Over the course of my career, I have demonstrated thoughtful and analytical leadership. I earned my master’s degree from Fort Lewis College, and I honed my public policy skills as a Bill Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C. During School District 9-R negotiations, I represented teachers while finding compromise as a trusted negotiator. I will bring these skills and experiences to LPEA. I’m running to build a better future for all LPEA members.

District 3: City of Durango

Compton

1. Ted Compton: Reliability. Affordability. Sustainability. If these things are important to you, support me. I’m a career engineer with the skills and experience to ensure we never wake up to an energy crisis like Texas experienced this year. I am a committed community member who knows Durango needs to stay affordable with low-cost energy. Most importantly, I know we can achieve these things while protecting the environment essential to our way of life. My family has five generations of history in La Plata County. I graduated from DHS as valedictorian in 1988. After obtaining a pair of engineering degrees from Stanford University, I came home to Durango to work, raise a family and contribute to the community. My love of our town means I step up and volunteer when needed including: nine years on the board of La Plata Open Space Conservancy; seven years on the board of FastTrack Communications; and four years as a judge for Colorado’s Advanced Industry Grants for small businesses. At this critical time, I am needed on the LPEA board. I will use my skills, education, experience and broad community support to make the decisions needed to provide LPEA members with reliable and sustainable electricity at the lowest cost in Colorado. 

Waters

2. Bill Waters: I am a five-generation-plus family in the Durango and Mancos area. I was born and raised in Durango, graduated from DHS and went to San Juan Vo-Tech in Cortez. In 43 years of employment, my experience is in business, finance, sales, construction, leadership, customer satisfaction and investment. I understand the importance of listening to all concerns. I believe in safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable power. Renewable energy sources of solar, hydroelectric and wind I support. Lowering our carbon footprint is essential. As a farmer and steward of the land, I understand the true value of this. It is important we supply affordable electric rates to elderly on fixed incomes and those who need assistance. I will look to keep electric rates low and increases at a minimum. I understand the importance of proper equipment to safely repair the power infrastructure. Decisions made require facts and supportive data. It is imperative the Board works together for the common good. The board is a representation of members; it is their duty to represent them and not a personal agenda. Professionalism, safety, accountability, relationships and quality – I believe in all of these. Electricity is a necessity, not a luxury.

District 4: North & East La Plata County

Wheeler

1. Tim Wheeler (incumbent): Here in this wonderful corner of Colorado, we’re writing the playbook for our future. It’s a vision for community-led solutions and self-sufficiency. I’m honored to serve at the heart of this movement. Together we’re working toward a triple win of affordable, local, clean energy. The current LPEA team has created one of the most professional, transparent and publicly engaged co-ops in the country. It’s been my privilege to serve as the co-op’s treasurer, on the Broadband and Finance and Audit committees, and as LPEA’s FastTrack representative. I am proud to have voted for LPEA’s commitments to reduce carbon emissions, pursue affordable local renewables, and provide greater transparency. But the work isn’t done. Today’s electricity market is changing quickly. LPEA is being called to tackle major issues with our electric supplier. To overcome these challenges, LPEA needs strong, experienced and informed leadership. I joined this extraordinary community 27 years ago with my family, and I’ve brought a lifetime of business skills to my service as your board member, including work as Apple Computer Asia’s Director of Marketing, a local business consultant, and owner of the Durango Coffee Co. I am committed to giving back. Together we will build the system all LPEA members deserve.

Purser

2. John Purser: Vote like the future of LPEA depends on it. Traditionally, LPEA has been an electric distribution cooperative and has a great tradition of providing service to its members. There is now a push to expand the role as an electricity generator. I’m concerned this will not be beneficial to the membership at large and we’ll lose focus on what LPEA has done well. The impetus for this change came years ago when the power provided to LPEA by Tri-State was produced by fossil fuels. Times have changed, and now Tri-State’s goal for greenhouse gas reduction exceeds the goal for LPEA. There is no longer an environmental justification for leaving Tri-State. This is a significant issue with many good points on both sides. One of the LPEA bylaws I would advocate for changing is that contracts of more than 10 years require a full membership vote. We have a diverse membership, with 10 percent living below the poverty line. Our full membership should have a direct voice on long-term contracts. My economics degree, with studies in environmental economics, security markets and financial institutions, provide me background to evaluate solutions to long term infrastructure planning. My 35 years working in the IT industry provides experience in organization management.

The candidates’ statements were edited for length. In addition, the candidates for District 1 (Archuleta County) do not appear here as it is outside our distribution area. To read those, or the statements in full, go to lpea.coop/candidates-qualified-lpeas-2021-director-elections.

http://lpea.coop/candidates-qualified-lpeas-2021-director-elections