Re-instate Wheeler for another term – The Durango Herald

The deadline to vote in the La Plata Electric Association elections is fast approaching on Tuesday and deserves your attention. Each year, one seat is up for election in each of the LPEA's four districts.

This year, only two of the four district seats are contested: District 1 in Archuleta County, where Dusty Mars is running against incumbent Kirsten Skeehan, and District 4 in northern and eastern La Plata County, where incumbent Tim Wheeler, currently serving his second term, is running against two-time candidate John Purser.

The HeraldThe editorial board always appreciates a spirited contest and candidates who go the extra mile to win the voters' approval, not only for the effort involved in campaigning, but also for the fact that they serve LPEA members for a three-year term. In keeping with our coverage area, we are only participating in the La Plata County contest between Tim Wheeler and John Purser.

Purser, a 19-year resident of La Plata County and an IT professional with a degree in economics, has run for office before and continues to serve as a watchdog demanding transparency and accountability from board members and staff. For example, he was responsible for pointing out the inconsistency in the bylaws that reduced the time available for candidates to collect signatures and led to the annual meeting being postponed from May to September.

We want it to continue in this important role. Although it is not a government agency, elected officials need oversight bodies, and the LPEA Board oversees an annual budget of about $100 million, of which about $70 million goes to our electricity supply, a significant responsibility.

That brings us to Wheeler, who we'd like to see re-elected to a third term to finish what he started in his first two. Wheeler has a long history in La Plata County as a small business owner and advocate for local, independent businesses. He was a founding member of Local First, La Plata County's independent business alliance. He wants to see more member dollars invested in local energy sources (currently capped at 5%) and took steps toward that and more autonomy when he voted in March 2024 to terminate the contract with Tri-State effective April 1, 2026.

In his six years on the board, Wheeler served as treasurer for five years, vice president of the board, and helped create and lead the Finance and Audit Committee. He helped set new financial goals and budgeting processes and ensured costs remained affordable. He has long advocated for cleaner, cheaper, and more local energy sources for members.

Electricity is something we take for granted, but it takes an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to manage it. Wheeler has both and what we need now to get us through the transition of Tri-State and finish what the current board started.

To be counted, ballots must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17. Ballots will list all drop-off locations, or members may vote in person at the LPEA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, September 18. Members who wish to vote in person must register by 11:30 a.m. Voting will close at 12:30 p.m. when the Annual Meeting begins and election results are announced. For more information, visit lpea.coop/elections.

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