Co-op wise to table decision
With the board clearly split over a proposal to join a Portland-based power cooperative, the Flathead Electric Cooperative trustees wisely decided to table the matter last week.
It’s still unclear whether a vote of the entire co-op membership will be required or will be taken as a way for members to have a say in an issue this big. After prodding from many co-op members, the board agreed to better inform its membership about the proposal, either through public forums or an informational mailing.
A plan to join the Pacific Northwest Generating Cooperative known as PNGC Power is one of the top options for providing cheaper power once Bonneville Power Administration caps the amount of low-cost power it provides to Flathead Electric in October 2011.
Some trustees have lingering concerns about the potential loss of local control by joining the larger regional utility group. Some contend the co-op will have to give up its BPA allocation; other trustees believe “it’s ours and we can get it back.”
Even the board’s own chairman, retired attorney George Taylor, said he has questions about the draft contract with PNGC and that it doesn’t protect Flathead Electric “to the extent it should.”
With so many questions apparently still unanswered, Flathead Electric needs the extra time to give this proposal its due diligence.
LIBBY HAD cause to celebrate this week.
On Wednesday, Sen. Max Baucus was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony that kicks off construction of a much-needed 3,072-square-foot addition for the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, known as the CARD Clinic. The expansion will handle a burgeoning caseload of asbestos patients and will enable more research of asbestos-related diseases.
The community continues to deal with disease and death from asbestos exposure linked to the former W.R. Grace & Co. vermiculite mine there, but was reminded by Baucus that Libby residents will be cared for under provisions of the new health-care reform bill that was just signed into law.
That’s very good news for the thousands of asbestos victims that are or will be fighting some very nasty diseases.
RESIDENTS OF the Flathead have been highly supportive of our military community, so we are confident that “those who can” will come to the aid of a worthy cause to honor our veterans.
The downtown veterans memorial, which was dedicated on July 4, 2007, hasn’t yet been fully paid for. And in addition to the original expenses, there is an annual expense of $3,000 for maintenance.
Citizens who wish to help may either purchase a limited-edition replica bronze of the C.A. Grende sculpture used in the memorial, or purchase an inscribed brick to honor someone. To find out more, call Chuck Olson at 751-2911 or 253-1000.