Time to separate MEA rumors from facts

It didn’t take long for recently elected Matanuska Electric Association board member Janet Kincaid to ruffle some feathers on an already divided board of directors.

It seems her raising some innocent questions with electric cooperative employees raised some eyebrows and hackles with MEA management, particularly MEA General Manager Wayne Carmony. During a contentious board meeting Monday, Carmony outlined in a memorandum that Kincaid roused the rabble and has caused insubordination and sparked employees to lose respect for supervisors and lose respect for the chain of command.

Her sins?

On one occasion, she called to have tree branches cut from a power line near some property she owns. Another time she apparently had a brief conversation with an MEA employee following a Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce meeting. The employee gave a report to the organization.

“After the report was given, I went up to the representative and said that it is common practice at the chamber that when a board member is present you introduce them,” Kincaid said.

A third contact with employees came about when Kincaid passed along a complaint from a co-op member that alcohol was being transported in an MEA vehicle. She passed along photos of the alcohol in a company truck to senior management and raised the issue at a board meeting.

What’s the big deal?

Seems there are very specific rules about how a board member can interact with MEA employees. While this approach makes sense — for instance, it would be improper for board members to give direction to or interfere in the day-to-day duties of any employee — demanding a hands-off-at-all-costs approach only guarantees a board with be out of touch with the pulse of the organization.

Carmony paints a bleak picture of the effect Kincaid has had with her few contacts since she was sworn onto the board in June. He says an employee has given notice of intent to retain legal counsel to protect against Kincaid and that she has caused anxiety, violated the privacy rights of employees and there are “multiple examples of employee speculation and gossiping about how long it will take Director Kincaid to get rid of the general manager.”

If these anxieties and legal maneuverings result from those three seemingly reasonable contacts with employees, we may do our own speculating on the fragility of MEA.

As we’re in the news business, here’s a flash for Carmony and the rest of the MEA board of directors: Co-op employees aren’t the only ones posing this “speculation” and “gossip.” If they’re hearing it from employees, it’s simply a reflection of many in the Mat-Su Valley at large.

Make no mistake, there needs to be a line between the MEA board and employees. Board members who think their place is to also manage and direct the day-to-day operations and actions of employees are counterproductive and need to be admonished.

Of larger concern is the revelation that Kincaid may have divulged information gleaned from a board executive session to her son, who also does business with MEA. While Carmony may be overreacting to a few petty contacts that any other co-op member might make as well, this is a more serious situation. We’re strong advocates and supporters of open meetings, but understand there are valid reasons public entities, like Matanuska Electric Association, need to use executive sessions. That a board member would discuss or disclose any of that information outside executive session has the potential to cause great harm.

Without knowing what information may have been disclosed to her son or if that information could have any impact on current or future business dealings of the organization, it’s impossible to be certain how damaging that contact could prove.

Kincaid has been a vocal voice for change, much of which is needed. Carmony contends her alleged improper disclosure could potentially impact contract negotiations with the utility’s union and others. This is far more serious than a few random contacts with MEA employees and could spark speculation the other way about Kincaid’s tenure on the board. Only time will tell if this allegation is melodrama or a real reason for censure.