KEC: Questionable election

After all the power outage issues last year I decided to run for Kootenai Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors area wide open board seat. As a journeyman electrician with many years in the field and decades of cabinet and board level experience in other corporations and non-profit organizations, I believed that I could offer some fresh ideas, and perhaps offer KEC’s members improved services.

After applying for the position I was informed that I was one of eight potential candidates needing to be interviewed and recommended by the nomination committee. About a week after the interview I received a letter from the nominations committee stating that I had not been recommended for further consideration. The only other way to be placed on the ballot is by receiving nominations from members which I did not have time to solicit before the filing deadline. I assumed that there were several other candidates who would be “approved” for members to vote for, I was wrong! While completing my online KEC ballot there were two candidates for position 1 but only one choice for the area wide board member seat, the incumbent.

Can one assume that KEC has a strict filtering process for potential Board of Director candidates that ensures board candidate will be a puppet of the administration, not one who may rock the boat or otherwise make KEC’s administration have to address anything that may be embarrassing or uncomfortable to explain?

KEN WITHEY

Hauser