 |
Current News
06/114/13: Rhoades Wins San Miguel Power Board Elections - The results of San Miguel Power Association's (SMPA) 2013 Board of Director Elections are as follows:
District Seven:
Total ballots received: 434
Spoiled ballots: 18
Votes for Keith Meinert: 189
Votes for Terry Rhoades: 227
Rhoades will represent SMPA members in the Ouray and Silverton areas for the next four years. Click here to see photos of the event.
05/23/13: Justis Selected to Fill SMPA Board Vacancy - On Monday San Miguel Power Association's Board of Directors appointed Robert Justis, Telluride, to fill the District 2 board seat vacancy caused by the death of Wes Perrin. Justis will represent members in Telluride until 2015 when the seat comes up for election. At that time he can run for re-election. Justis was selected from a pool of four candidates. The SMPA Board interviewed the candidates in executive session and voted in open session.
Justis has a background in the electric utility industry, serving as the director of economic development for twelve years at Central Vermont Public Service. He has also served in the United States Army and as the CEO of the Northern Community Investment Corporation, a non-profit organization that promotes business development and employment opportunities in Vermont and New Hampshire.
"Robert's past experiences will be a great benefit to our board and membership. We welcome and thank him for his enthusiasm to serve," said SMPA General Manager Kevin Ritter.
Justis's term begins immediately, with his first meeting being SMPA's regular monthly board meeting May 28, 9:30 a.m. in Silverton at the Kendall Mountain Recreation Center.
SMPA will add another new director next month after the 2013 District Seven Director Elections take place at the co-op's Annual Meeting of Members on June 13, 2013, 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. at their Ridgway office (720 N. Railroad St., Ridgway, CO). Member registration will open at 4:30 p.m. A complimentary fajita and taco bar will be served at 5:00 p.m. The polls will close and the business meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. All SMPA members and their families are invited to attend. The results of the District Seven Elections will be announced during the business meeting.
District Seven includes Ouray and Silverton. Two candidates are running for the seat: Keith Meinert of Ouray and Terry Rhoades of Silverton. Members in District Seven should receive their mail-in ballot before the end of the month. They can vote by returning the ballot via mail or in person at the Annual Meeting. Ballots can also be hand delivered to either SMPA office. If returning a ballot, it must be received by SMPA by 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. SMPA is not responsible for ballots that arrive late through the postal service.
San Miguel Power is a member-owned rural electric cooperative and is governed by the consumers it serves. The Annual Meeting of Members is a yearly event held by the cooperative in order to update the membership on the association’s financial condition and business operations. SMPA will award door prizes to registered members who attend the annual meeting. Members must be registered for the annual meeting and be present to win. For more information contact Toni Bertorello, Executive Secretary, (970) 626-5549 ext. 210 or toni@smpa.com.
05/07/2013: Two Candidates Vying for SMPA Board Seat - San Miguel Power Association, Inc. (SMPA) members in district seven will soon be asked to cast their vote for their director representative. District seven includes Ouray and Silverton. Two candidates are running for the seat: Keith Meinert (Ouray) and Terry Rhoades (Silverton). Current director, Jerry Hoffer of Silverton is not seeking re-election. The board position in district five was also scheduled for election; however incumbent Rube Felicelli was the only candidate to submit a nomination petition and will run unopposed. Biographies for the district seven candidates can be found online here.
Members in district seven can expect to receive a mail-in ballot near the end of the month. In order to vote by mail, members must complete their ballot, insert it into the ballot envelope, sign and print their name on the ballot envelope, and return the ballot by mail to the SMPA's Independent Election Monitor. It is very important that members follow the balloting instructions to avoid their ballot being disqualified. The ballot must be received no later than 5:30 p.m. June 12, 2013. Ballots can also be hand delivered to either SMPA office and placed in the locked drop box. If returning a ballot to an SMPA office, it must be received no later than 5:30 p.m. June 12, 2013. Members can also vote at the co-op's Annual Meeting of Members on June 13, 2013.
SMPA will hold its 74th Annual Meeting of Members on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at their Ridgway office, 720 North Railroad Street, Ridgway, Colo. Member registration will open at 4:30 p.m. A complimentary fajita and taco bar will be served at 5:00 p.m. The polls will close and the business meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. All SMPA members and their families are invited to attend.
San Miguel Power is a member-owned rural electric cooperative and is governed by the consumers it serves. The Annual Meeting of Members is a yearly event held by the cooperative in order to update the membership on the association's financial condition and business operations.
"The Annual Meeting is one of our most important events of the year," explained SMPA General Manager, Kevin Ritter. "It is an opportunity for our members to get a firsthand look at what we've been doing over the past year and learn about our goals for the future."
The theme for SMPA's annual meeting this year is "Livin' la Vida Local: the power, people and projects we believe in." The co-op will highlight the local projects and accomplishments that underscored 2012.
"The foundation of all electric co-ops is their local roots. We are member-owned and locally-controlled, and we take pride in that," explained Ritter. "In order to continue this local legacy we work to power our communities by more than just power lines. We sponsor community events, support local charities, purchase goods from local businesses and participate on boards and committees."
SMPA will serve a buffet style fajita and taco bar with sides for dinner. They will award door prizes to registered members who attend the annual meeting. Members must be registered for the annual meeting and be present to win. For more information contact Toni Bertorello, Executive Secretary, (970) 626-5549 ext. 210.
