April 2023

Our local electric co-op and members, that means us, are facing great changes in how we get power. Switching to solar and wind is already happening all over the world. I have been attending meetings to get more information on what I can do individually to make the changes necessary. The solar garden project was a great answer for those of us without enough roof space or land and I was hoping to hear more about the future plans. What I eventually learned after several years was that this project stopped and the land was sold. This never appeared in the newsletter.

The April 7th Lake County Press report, “Co-op Light and Power seeks member input on representation”, had inaccuracies regarding the recent history of unequal district representation. The CLP CEO and Board President implied that the Board has considered equalization of Districts but had “run out of time” to “evaluate redistricting” or “get this issue on the agenda for a full discussion in April”.

Is there anything more American than one person, one vote to elect our officials at all levels who make the decisions that govern? Down to the local level, where amongst other things Cooperative Light & Power's Board of Directors approves changes to the prices that members pay for our electricity.

A sad reality is that the CLP Board has vigorously avoided informing our member- owners that our 5 Director voting districts are extremely unequal. Their actions speak much louder than their words, or excuses as in the April 7 article. The Board’s rejected every motion made to equalize our districts. At the same time they refuse to take action until more members say it’s a problem the Board and CEO repeatedly turned down all my requests to tell members of the inequity and ask for their input. It’s hard to believe member input is really valued if the Board won’t even tell them there’s a problem. A board should always seek and welcome member input, especially if they are unsure about a discretionary decision. But ensuring equal member representation, a fundamental principles of all co-op business models, is not discretionary. Every member should expect their elected representative to uphold this foundational democratic co-op principle without question.

I am writing this in response to the front page story on April 7th 'Co-Op Light and Power seeks member input on representation.' The article interviewed Director Pat Schmieder on the opinion that the Coop needs to redraw the district