LPEA members deserve transparency, accountability and a voice in major decisions. That is why I support John Purser for the District 4 board seat.
Over the past several years, LPEA has made some of the largest financial decisions in its history, including leaving Tri-State, taking on major new debt and selling cooperative assets. Regardless of where members stand on those decisions, we should all agree that member-owners deserve a vote and a full financial explanation. LPEA has said rates will remain flat in 2026 in part because the budget includes $8.4 million in “rate stabilization,” raising questions about whether current rates are being supported by reserve funds rather than a sustainable long-term financial plan.
John Purser has spent years attending meetings, asking hard questions and demanding transparency. He is not tied to political interests or special groups. He is running to make sure members know how their money is being spent and that future major decisions follow the cooperative’s bylaws and include member input.
Members were never allowed to vote on leaving Tri-State, taking on hundreds of millions in new debt or selling FastTrack Communications. In a member-owned cooperative, decisions of that size should not happen without a member vote.
LPEA is a member-owned cooperative. The board should answer to its members. John Purser is the candidate most likely to restore that principle.
Kristin Dallison
Bayfield