Burchell explains his MEA candidacy

A lot of people have asked my why I want to continue serving on the MEA Board of Directors.

For the record, I support local power generation and breaking away from Chugach. I have been quite vocal about this. I don’t think that MEA members should have to pay for the mistakes of the Chugach management and board that have resulted in such huge endebtedness. My perception is that their management was allowed to operate for far too long without proper board oversight, and I am determined not to let the same thing happen to MEA.

For the past three years, I have pushed for transparency, openness, and increased member involvement in making decisions that impact all our lives. MEA is a member-owned co-op, and the members deserve to have their voices heard. This principle has guided, and will continue to guide, everything I do on the board.

That’s why I brought forward a motion to notify members when their ballots are rejected so they have the chance to correct the problem. That’s why I opposed pay increases for MEA board members. That’s why I opposed spending $186,000 of member money on “energy conservation” commercials featuring Lee Jordan while he was a candidate for re-election to the board. That $186,000 could have done a lot to really educate members on energy conservation.

I support the bylaw change proposal brought forth by more than 620 members to seat board members within 15 days. When the people vote on representation, they expect and deserve to have that person get to work for them right away.

I believe that the MEA Board of Directors works best when we are working for the member owners, not for MEA management. After all, it’s your co-op.

Peter Burchell

Wasilla