Why I am a Candidate for PUD

"When you serve as an elected official, you must devote yourself to all areas, however, there should be a specific issue that deeply motivates you."

Reading, week after week, the articles in the Leader about the number of families going  through the hardship of having their power disconnected by our PUD, I decided to file for the PUD Commissioner post for District #2.

Having served on the Jefferson County Public Hospital District #2 (Jefferson Healthcare) for over 40 years, I am acutely aware of the financial issues within our area.  The Hospital Board and administration has made access to needed healthcare, regardless of insurance or ability to pay, a priority.  Yes, we try to make arrangements with patients for payments, but, if they just do not have the money, after in-depth review, many times we write off their bill to charity care.

When our PUD took over the power delivery system, I assumed that, since the PUD is owned by the people, that our financially vulnerable neighbors would be better off then when they had to depend on a large corporation, Puget Sound Energy, for their electricity.  This appears that, at least for now, they were better off under PSE.

We can, WE MUST,  do better by our less fortunate neighbors.  Lets be clear here, I am not referring to those whom just decide that they have better uses for their money than to pay their power bill, these deserve to suffer the hardship of a disconnect.  Our seniors on inadequate fixed incomes, the physically and mentally challenged who cannot work and those, through no fault of their own, are struggling to keep a roof over their families heads and food on the table.

I have frequently heard from the PUD Board that they cannot legally give away money (electricity).   Washington State Law, RCW 74.38.070, and our state constitution, Article VIII, Section 7, say otherwise.  Service can be provided at a reduced rate, some PUD's reduce rates by up to 60%, but the PUD must take appropriate action to make this happen.

I have heard it said by board members that the PUD is in business to sell power.  I agree, the PUD should be managed as you would any other business, but it should also have a heart, a conscience, that reflects the spirit of the our community.

Then there is the funding issue.  At the PUD Board meeting last night, it was announced that a "stuffer" would be in the next bill asking for your donations to the Power Boost Program.  The cost of this was estimated to be $1,500.00.  In addition to the marketing, the managing this type of donation program adds additional costs.

It has also been said that the rate study should be completed before any action is taken for provide for the less fortunate.  This will not be finalized until this fall, maybe later.  By that time, it may be too late to avoid financial crisis and disconnects for those in need.

If our PUD Board would just add a dollar, just one dollar, to the base rate on each of our nearly 18,000 monthly electric bills, that would generate over $200,000.00 a year to help our neighbors in need.  Not as much as PSE did, but it would be a start.

This is this issue that motivates me, that puts the fire in my belly, one of the main reasons that I want to serve as your representative on our PUD Board.

Thank you!!!
Tony