Letter to the Editor
GVEA board
Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008
March 24, 2008
To the editor:
I feel compelled to speak up as I see the members of the Golden Valley Electric Association’s board of directors being attacked by inaccurate letters to the editor and in blogs.
There are two issues with these letters.
Some letters imply that the board of directors influenced the volunteers who served on the nominating committee that did not nominate an incumbent for re-election.
These were members of his own district, who presumably know Tom DeLong and have interacted with and received information from him. The association by-laws dictate the process. They are posted on the Internet for all to see. The directors were as surprised as everyone else.
I have no opinion whether Mr. DeLong should have been nominated. What bothers me is the blanket attack on “the old boys” on the board. I can tell you that “the old boy” to whom I am married lays awake at night worrying about providing power that the members can afford to pay for, which will be there when they flip the switch.
He is mightily concerned that new businesses may not be able to obtain electric power and will go elsewhere instead of Fairbanks. He worries about loss of jobs if this happens. He thinks constantly about how to increase the use of renewables, given the current state of technology and regulatory support.
My husband, and the other board members, who spend up to 900 hours a year on Golden Valley, most of them unpaid, also deal with policy issues from public and employee relations, rate structure, capital expenditures, long-range planning — the list goes on.
I am not in the boardroom, but I observe the board members and hear their concern for all members, not just those in their districts and not just those with special interests.
Those who make personal attacks should inform themselves first.
These are my personal comments only.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
I have to question the long-range planning that has led GVEA rates to be the highest on the rail belt. We will soon be paying over 20 cents a kilowatt as we burn $3.20/g. naptha to generate electricity. Our neighbors to the south are still only paying 11 cents a kilowatt. We could have pushed for coal generating plants or partnered up on a gas facility in Anchorage instead of having to rely on Flint Hills to give us a good deal on fuel.
Just my .02
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE HIGH PRICE OF ELECTRICTY THEN LIVE WITHOUT OR GET OFF THE GRID!
"If you don't like it, just leave" is such a compelling argument. You've won me over with your well founded argument and INCREDIBLE TACT!
it would be nice if the # 1 priority for gvea was too lower rates at any and all cost. its geeting out of hand.
Am I the only one that's tiring of the ALL CAPS from Anti-baby that spew nothing more than "if you don't like 'x' then do without 'x' " comments?
While the DNM staff can remove comments, at what point does moderation or removal become valid for the causes of readability and usability?
IF YOU DON'T LIKE ALL CAPS, THEN MOVE TO THE LOWERCASE 48! THIS IS A BIG STATE! FOR BIG LETTERS!
Peer to peer sharing is where alot of great ideas come from. To tell people who differ in opinion to lump it or leave is narrow minded and all though you may have moved out to 'the end of the highway' when you came to Alaska, you could still go a little further out without having many people become upset.
Please realize that every time you spout off with that rhetoric the value of your opinion goes down, I would like to hear the informed opinion that compells you to say such things but it is hard with the 'ugh-ugh, go away' attitude. Seriously.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.