The Empire Electric Association is looking to appoint a director for District 3 to complete the remaining term of longtime director William Bauer, who passed away March 4.
Bauer, 84, served on the EEA board for 28 years, with 21 years as board president.
“His leadership and knowledge will be sorely missed,” states a March 25 news release. “EEA’s Board of Directors and employees express their sympathy to the Bauer family.”
EEA members who wish to apply for the District 3 director position must apply by submitting an application to EEA by 5 p.m. April 22
The application can be downloaded from eea.coop or may be picked up at EEA’s headquarters at 801 North Broadway in Cortez.
District 3 generally encompasses the center of Montezuma County.
It is anticipated the new director will be chosen in time to be confirmed at EEA’s regular board meeting scheduled for Friday, May 14.
Also, District 1 and 2 board seats are up for election this year, which will be held June 17 at the annual meeting. District 1 is held by incumbent Jerry Fetterman, and District 2 is held by incumbent Bob Barry. The winning candidates will serve four-year terms.
Nominating petitions are available at the main office during normal business hours and must be completed and submitted by May 3.
Director qualifications include the following:
Applicant must have been an EEA member for at least one year.Applicant must have lived in District 3 for at least 120 days before becoming a director.Applicant must be 18 years of age, a U.S. Citizen, and be registered to vote.A description of the District 3 boundaries can be found at eea.coop or by inquiring at EEA’s Headquarters. Interested applicants can also call (970) 565-4444 to confirm the district they reside in. The term for this director position is approximately one year, at which point the seat will be up for election.
EEA board members help manage the electric cooperative that provides service to Montezuma and Dolores counties and part of southeast Utah.
They review and approve policies and analyze projects and rates during monthly meetings. Board members receive a base pay of $1,000 per month, plus $150 for attending additional meetings.
“The board really governs the cooperative,” said Empire Electric Executive Secretary Shawna McLaughlin.
The current Empire Election Association board includes Fetterman, Barry, Norman Butler, Larry Archibeque, Kent Lindsay, and David Sitton.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
