Ballots for the election of three La Plata Electric Association directors – a fourth is running unopposed – won’t be mailed until May 1. But candidate statements and public comment indicate some sharp elbows could be thrown before votes are tallied May 21.

In an election that on the surface should be neutral and nonpartisan, two candidates in their official statements speak of ideological issues, conflicts of interest and partisan politics that could shape the direction of LPEA.

And from the public sector, an April 13 letter to the editor in The Durango Herald alleges that incumbent Jeff Berman won’t lead the Pledge of Allegiance done at the beginning of LPEA board meetings and doesn’t put his hand over his heart during the pledge.

One candidate, however, appears to have no worries.

District 2 incumbent Davin Montoya is running unopposed, which is a boon to the association, LPEA spokeswoman Indiana Reed said.

LPEA saves a minimum of $10,000 whenever a board seat is not contested, Reed said. The savings accrue from reduced LPEA staff work, preparation of ballots by the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s Office and the cost of printing and mailing.

But in the other contests – one director in each of LPEA’s four districts is elected each year – there’s one challenger for each incumbent.

District 1

District 1 includes Archuleta County. The incumbent is Ken Fox. Since retiring from the U.S. Air Force and moving to Pagosa Springs, Fox has been the county airport manager and served on the board of county commissioners and the county school district.

Among important goals for Fox are getting a biomass plant in Pagosa Springs up and running, tapping geothermal sources for energy and resolving a dispute over rates with the LPEA wholesale power supplier.

Fox worries that ideological issues and partisan politics could lead LPEA down the wrong road. Asked to explain, he said recent elections have split the 12-member board evenly between what could be called old guard and new-wave green-energy proponents.

“We all support alternative energy,” Fox said. “But some members want to do too much too fast.”

He said the split is exemplified by 6-6 votes. Even filling the president and vice president posts after the last election ended in a deadlock. Each post was filled by a flip of a coin, he said.

Bob Lynch, the challenger, a business management consultant and cattleman, has founded a company in each field. He’s been a member of committees dealing with education and county planning.

In his formal statement, Lynch emphasizes his 25 years in business management and his stewardship of the land as a cattle rancher.

Lynch favors a mix of sources for power generation such as biomass, solar, hydro and geothermal.

District 3

District 3 includes the city of Durango. Berman is the incumbent. He has been director of nonprofit Colorado Wild, sales manager for a solar installation company and CEO of San Juan Bioenergy. He currently is exploring entrepreneurial ventures.

In his statement, Berman, who has a degree in electrical engineering, says he has championed clean energy and energy efficiency. He speaks of his role in developing the LPEA solar garden policy and as the LPEA representative to the statewide lobbying group, Colorado Rural Electric Association.

Bill Waters, is a territorial manager of Wagner Equipment, a dealership for Caterpillar Inc. He is a 57-year resident of La Plata County. He has been active in the community.

Waters is troubled by the direction LPEA has taken in the last few years. He thinks renewable energy should be a goal of the cooperative, but he takes issue with statements by some current unnamed LPEA directors to the effect that power rates are too low.

Waters said he has no conflicts of interest as do board members associated with solar energy, presumably a reference to Berman and Britt Bassett, an industry consultant.

“No one who manages or owns a solar company that LPEA does business with should be on the board,” Waters said.

District 4

District 4 includes north and east La Plata County. The incumbent is Joe Wheeling, a partner in James Ranch. Previously, he was CEO of Red Roof Inns, executive vice president of Accor North America and employed at Deloitte Consulting.

Wheeling, in his statement, says his current work is grounded in sustainable resource management and environmentally sound enterprises. An MBA from Wharton School of Business and his corporate management experience brings sound business judgment to the board, Wheeling said.

Alison Dance, the challenger, owns Cyprus Cafe and the Eno wine bar. She is a founding member of Local First and the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado.

Dance says her small-business enterprises provide employment and support local entrepreneurs. She supports development of renewable energy on the local level – she mentions solar and wind – to create jobs, ensure clean air and water and bring stable energy prices.

[email protected]

Candidate statements

Ken Fox candidate Statement:
“I seek a second term on the LPEA Board of Directors for some very compelling reasons. Your cooperative is in a time of transition, a polite way of saying we could easily head down the wrong road. Ideological issues have surfaced during the past year, and partisan politics has replaced common sense. “What’s in the best interests of the Customers?” is no longer the top priority for some who have placed their agendas above the good of the cooperative.
Among our challenges, not the least of which is the on-going PUC complaint concerning Tri-State’s unfair rate structure, is working through the “red tape” to get the Pagosa Biomass plant up and running and on the grid. This project is near and dear to my heart as it will not only help make Archuleta County more energy independent, it will help spur our economy and protect our forest and water. Plus, I’m excited about the possibilities to tap Pagosa’s geothermal energy. This is indeed a time for stability and strong leadership.
For more than 26 years I have been actively involved in the Archuleta Community. My command and staff experience with the U.S. Air Force, as well as my experience working in a team environment, has served me well on the LPEA board. I hope to continue the efforts we’ve begun while keeping the cooperative fiscally strong as we move toward an affordable AND sustainable energy future.
I have the experience, drive and passion to help LPEA succeed in these challenging times. I would sincerely appreciate your vote in this year’s election.”
Bob Lynch candidate statement:
“I am running for the LPEA Board of Directors representing District 1 because my business experience has prepared me to help LPEA navigate the challenges and opportunities we face. In my 25 years of business management consulting I have worked with senior business leaders across many industries. I understand how large organizations work and know the role of a board member in helping establish a vision for the future, and establishing a long term strategy for achieving that vision.
My 15 years of cattle ranching has added to my preparation for the board. In ranching, being a steward of the land and water resources and working within the natural cycles is critical to success. Ranching requires a longer view, wise investment and being fiscally conservative.
LPEA must maximize all of our options for power generation, so that we have a mix of power sources available, now and into the future. We must plan for a time when traditionally generated power may not be as cheap and available as it is today. Multiple options, including biomass, solar, hydro and geothermal will increase our independence and may help keep costs in line. Our energy security is enhanced when we have multiple sources of generation, particularly local sources.
As an LPEA board member I can contribute by being problem solving oriented and willing to explore facts and options before determining the best solution. I bring independent thinking, fact-based methods and creative problem solving to our challenges and will work collaboratively with all board members.”
Jeff Berman candidate statement:
“Serving as an LPEA Director since 2005, I have been a diligent advocate for greater clean energy and energy efficiency programs, which has helped reduce electricity usage for the last three years running. I played a leading role in development of our groundbreaking market-based Community Solar Garden policy – with a half dozen solar gardens now approved to help drive prices down for the maximum benefit to our members. And in the last year as LPEA’s representative to the statewide lobbying group, the Colorado Rural Electric Association, I have been working with colleagues statewide to better ensure rural electric cooperative leadership embraces rather than challenges the need to move toward cleaner energy sources.
I graduated from the University of Florida in 1992 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. I worked for a local solar installation company until last year, and am currently developing several new business opportunities. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for greater energy efficiency and clean energy policies that help LPEA’s members keep their bills low, encourage conservation, and increase the percentage of our energy coming from local renewables like solar power. I will also continue to promote transparency, rate equity, sound financial decision-making, and careful consideration for both current and long term future reliability and safety of the extraordinary benefits that our electric grid provides.”
Bill Waters candidate statement:
“My wife and I are 5th generation natives of La Plata County with deep roots. We’ve always been active in this community because we care about it. We have four grown sons and our sincere hope is that they will be able to raise their families in this beautiful area.
The direction La Plata Electric has taken in the last couple of years has troubled me. My business experience has taught me that volatile energy practices have a big impact on the local economy and our personal lives, especially when trying to raise a family. Electricity must be affordable. The less affluent folks in our community should be able to live comfortably and not have to make a choice between groceries and electricity. It’s unclear to me how some current LPEA directors can maintain electric rates are too low. LPEA’s members are diverse, and I believe they all deserve fair treatment.
I do believe renewable energy should be a goal for LPEA, and I know local generation projects can be developed while maintaining the fiscal integrity of the cooperative. Unlike some, I have no conflicts of interest and will judge every project on its merits and not promote any pre-determined agendas. LPEA should not be involved in partisan politics, which is one of the most troubling changes I have seen at LPEA. LPEA is a business and should be run as a business.
If you will elect me, please know I can and will work with the entire board. I respect diverse opinions and will consider everyone’s. You can be assured ultimate decisions I make will be in the best interests of the entire cooperative.”
Joe Wheeling candidate Statement:
“I have truly enjoyed my time serving on the La Plata Electric Association Board of Directors and am seeking re-election. In the six years that I have been on the board, I believe that I have benefited the board and the membership with my knowledge of business, finance and management.
I am the current Treasurer for LPEA as well as the LPEA representative to Tri-State Generation and Transmission, our power supplier, requiring a trip to Denver on a monthly basis. At Tri-State I am a member of the Executive Committee so I am positioned to bring positive change for LPEA, as well as long-term stability.
My life experiences in corporate management (most recently CEO of Red Roof Inns) and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business have given me solid resources to contribute a strong business background to LPEA in decisions concerning finance and management. I have enjoyed learning the financial models of a rural electric cooperative and especially recognizing that LPEA is on firm financial ground, something that all members should take confidence in.
My participation in the activities of this board has continued the passion of my family in western North Dakota who were instrumental in starting the local electrical co-op.
My family and business, James Ranch, are grounded in sustainable resource management, environmentally sound enterprises, and the support of our local community making those tenets the heart and soul of our livelihood.
I feel that I bring a balanced perspective to the LPEA board, a clear and focused business mind and a sound ethic toward sustainability and local environmental sensitivity.”
Alison Dance candidate statement:
“I am excited by the chance to represent you on the LPEA Board. I have long been an active leader and businesswoman in La Plata County, a founding member of Local First, and a member of Sexual Assault Services Organization. As a successful downtown business owner since 1996, thanks to this community, I am able to employ between 30-50 people, pumping over a million dollars into our economy yearly through jobs and sustainable, local purchases from farmers, ranchers and local suppliers. That multiplies with every dollar my employees spend in turn on rent, utilities, food, and fun. Buying local is a smart way to grow our county’s economy from the ground up.
As your Director, I’d bring my small business background and commonsense questions to the LPEA Board, as well as my personal commitment to sustainability and our local economy. LPEA’s website proudly cites their “history of inventiveness and determination.” Let’s embrace that inventiveness now. LPEA has the chance to craft a new energy policy to carry us forward into the 21st century – and that future must include renewables while guaranteeing affordable, reliable electricity for members. Rather than buying our electricity from distant, ageing coal-fired plants, let’s keep those energy dollars here in SW Colorado. Solar and wind installations create local jobs, ensure clean air and water, and provide stable energy prices in an uncertain energy future.
As your next Board representative, I will pursue renewables aggressively and realistically, and seek to encourage all our co-op members who choose to participate in greater energy efficiency and local energy solutions.
I want LPEA to invest in our energy future, not in our energy past. With your vote, I will help make that happen.”