Mr. Collins responded to my question.

"The easiest way to learn the answer is to ask the question."

I posted the questions from my previous blog, regarding his actual duties and responsibilities in the energy and utility industries, to Mr. Collins via his Facebook page.  He did respond, to me personally, not publicly on his Facebook.  I have asked him if I can add his response to my blog and am awaiting his permission.

He ended his response with the following question:
And I have a question for you: What is your experience in the energy and utility industries? 

Here is how I answered this question:

Mr. Collins,

I have never claimed to have experience in the energy and utility industry other than what I have learned from extensive research and personal contacts since I decided to file for election. 

The day-to-day operations of any large organization should be left to those with the training and expertise, the boots on the ground.  It is the responsibility of the elected officials to assure that adequate, qualified staffing is provided and that the right staff members are the right positions.  In addition, the Commissioner must monitor staff’s performance against the goals; objectives and budget as set by the PUD Board and other such duties as are delineated in Chapter 54.04 of the Revised Code of Washington

I have over 40 years experience as an elected Commissioner for the Hospital District dba Jefferson Healthcare, a municipal corporation with an annual budget of 77 million dollars and 581 employees.  My position with the Hospital district is similar to that of a PUD Commissioner.  My experience includes the adoption of organizational goals, objectives and budgets and involvement with contracts and the public bidding process, as well as working within the rules imposed by the open meetings law and public records acts and other tasks as delineated under Chapter 70.44 of the Revised Code of Washington

Tony

A question for Mr. Collins

"Sometimes it is not what you say, but what you leave out that makes the difference."

Mr. Collins, I have a question for your that I wanted to ask at the debate but was not allowed to do so:

In your handouts, you state:  "26 year career as a manager and consultant in the energy and utility industries"

However, on your Facebook page, it states:  "Originally trained as a clinical social worker, Kenneth had a career working for and consulting to industry on mental health and substance abuse issues in the workplace".

My question is:  What exactly were your duties and responsibilities while working in the energy and utility industries?

The answer might well reflect on your qualification for the office of PUD Commissioner. 

If you have the opportunity, please ask Mr. Collins this question and let me know his answer.

Thanks
Tony

It's Leader day!!

"Well, all I know is what I read in the papers."  Quote from Will Rogers, early 20th century humorist in The New York Times (30 September 1923).

I think this quote is quite appropriate with regards to the upcoming primary election,  There was only one candidate forum (debate) between the PUD candidates, sponsored by the League of Women Voters on July 3rd, so our local papers are a good resource for guiding your vote.

The Leader staff posed one last question to the candidates;  What separates you from your opponents and why should people vote for you?”  The answers appear in today's edition.  I have tried  not to comment on my fellow candidates campaigns, but this will be an exception.

These are the answers copied from the Leader:

Kenneth Collins wrote: “I have the courage to speak truth to power, the commitment to walk door-to-door in the district, the conviction to dig deeply into my own pockets to fund my campaign and the compassion to care about the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

My comment:  I do not quite catch the meaning of  "I have the courage to speak truth to power".

As to "the commitment to walk door-to-door in the district"   I commend his efforts.  I made a commitment to treat the voters the way I want to be treated, in other words, to not disturb their day or, especially, their dinner, and I have stuck to that commitment.  I have, however, taken the time to share myself and my views with you each day in my blogs at: DeLeo4PUD.blogspot.com

 I have also attended meetings of the PUD Commission, PUD Citizen Advisory Board, Friends of Public Power, Local 2020 and other gatherings of concerned citizens.  I have spent many hours of research on issues facing our PUD and our community.  I have done my homework!!

Regarding "the conviction to dig deeply into my own pockets to fund my campaign"  I found this on his website ,http://kennethcollinspud.com/ : 

Donate to the Campaign

Please send your contributions to: Campaign Treasurer Judith Collins, 415 Meade Road, Nordland, WA 98358 / Checks payable to: Kenneth Collins for PUD.

>>>According to today's Leader, Mr. Collins has raised $7,352.00 in campaign donations and spent $5,558.00.   Apparently, not all of the money is coming out of his own pocket.  Is this an issue of credibility???

The ads you have seen in the Leader, the printed material and cards I had available at the forum, all expenses for my campaign, to date, have, in fact, come out of  our pocket, my wife and I. 

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Incumbent Ken McMillen wrote: “My experience, knowledge and understanding of state regulations will be of great benefit to voters. It’s not who has the most signs or biggest ads who will be the best commissioner. It is the man who has been on the job and knows all the complications of the energy world.”

I agree with Mr. McMillen in that local offices should not go to the highest bidder, the one who spends the most money on signs, full page ads and frisbies bearing their picture.  The candidate you choose should be the one that most reflects your position on issues facing the office for which they run and will listen to your concerns and work to resolve them.

Thank you and, P L E A S E   remember to vote, the clock is quickly running out.

Tony

Support local agriculture

"Locally sourced (grown) foods are good for you, good for the local economy and good for the environment, everybody wins.  This resource can thrive if supported by those you elect to represent you."

According to a November 2010 (most recent) report from the Jefferson County Economic Development Council aka Team Jefferson, the local food and farm cluster is a growth industry for Jefferson County.  In the same report, The Washington Employment Security Department estimates agriculture to be on of the fastest growing clusters in Jefferson County.

Sales at the Port Townsend and Chimacum Farmers' markets for 2013 were over one million dollars ($1,057,000.00), money spent here that stays here.  The Food Coop posts over ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00) in annual sales with much of its products purchased locally.  Buying foods locally provides a 6:1 financial return for the local economy.   Our restaurants feature local fresh fare and help build our tourism industry 

Locally grown foods are fresher, tastes better, are safer and more nutritious.  Locally sourced means no long distance transport, reducing the carbon footprint.

With global climate changes and the reduced water availability to agricultural areas in the southwest, we will become more and more dependent on what we can grow locally for what we put on our tables.  Not only vegetables, but meat, cheese and even spirits are produced in Jefferson County.

Our agricultural industry is supported by a variety of organizations such as WSU (Washington State University), Jefferson County Extension, the Landworks Collaborative, Conservation District and the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Program. These, working individually and in concert have accomplished much in preserving our rural and agricultural environment.

What is really needed, however, is for Jefferson County PUD #1 to join this effort with respect to assuring adequate water for the local growers and producers.  The Washington State Department of Ecology manages our water supply.  We are in WIRA 17 (Water Resource Inventory Area 17), Quilcene-Snow Watershed.  Significant restrictions have been imposed on the taking of water for domestic and farm use to assure adequate water flows in streams and creeks to support spawning for endangered salmon stocks.

Our PUD should step up and work with the state and the other organizations to support our local agricultural industry, not only for the economic benefit to our area, but to assure an abundance of healthy, locally grown food on our tables and to protect the environment and our rural way of life.

If I am elected, this would be one of my priorities.

Thanks
Tony

The mirror

"The only thing worse than seeing yourself in a mirror is to see yourself in a video."

I picked up a video copy of the July 3 PUD Candidates debate today.  I seemed to have covered the material and responded to the questions from the audience.  Aside from that, lets just say I will use this video as a teaching tool and, at least to me, I have a lot to learn about being a politician.  On second thought, I take that back, I do not want to be a politician, I just want the opportunity to serve my community.  I do want to share my views and plans in a better way, however.

I am told that we are our own worst critics.  Having viewed this DVD and critiqued my performance, I apparently live up to that old saying.

Well, if chosen to move into the finals, I am sure that the first night jitters will have subsided by the next debate and, hopefully, my voice won't fail me again.

Have a great night, will be hot tomorrow so take it easy, use sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids.  And, Please, conserve water as much as possible.

Tony

PUD candidate debate rebroadcast.

For those of you who may have missed seeing the PUD Commissioner candidate debate, sponsored by the Leader and the League of Women Voters,  held on July 3rd, the recorded video is being rebroadcast over PTTV on Broadstripe Cable on channels 97 and/or 98.  I have been told they are broadcast frequently but check your guide for days and times.

See your PUD candidates in action.  The more you know about the candidates, the more informed you choice will be.

Thank you for your support, and your vote, but, regardless of who you vote for, make your voice heard!!
Anthony F. (Tony) De Leo
PUD Commission Candidate
District #2

Public Utility District

You and I, all of us, we are the PUBLIC in Public Utility District.  We own it; the Commissioners and staff work for us!  It is their job to take direction from us and act accordingly.

It is our PUD, make your voices heard, take control of your utility and the future of our area!

Thank you

Anthony F. (Tony) De Leo

Commission Candidate

Jefferson County PUD No. 1

District #2