GRANT COUNTY PUD

Terry Brewer’s chickens are coming home to roost. He is the president of the Board of Commissioners for the PUD. Last week in their afternoon session ,the commissioners approved a governance policy for all their actions concerning the PUD. Item 20, Code of Conduct, states each commissioner will disclose any remote conflict of interest and “a commissioner with such remote interest, will not participate in any discussion and/or debate concerning such interest, will not vote on the matter”.

That very evening, they held an irrigation and industrial rate hearing. The owner of a company that

had just relocated here, complained he was promised long term low cost power by the Grant County Economic Development Council, of which Mr Brewer also presides over.

So, it appears during his day job Mr Brewer is making power rate commitments to potential industrial customers, then at night sits in judgment of which class of PUD ratepayer is going to be shocked the most by the increase in their power rate. Do you think, Mr. Brewer, this might just qualify as a remote conflict of interest as stated above? I would say it is not only a remote conflict, but a direct conflict of interest and you should follow the governance policy of which you were the main proponent, and disqualify yourself from voting or commenting on this matter. If you won’t adhere to the new rules, why did you vote to approve them? It wouldn’t have been just for the others, would it?

Speaking of chickens coming home to roost, The PUD is now lowering fiber rates, which is still drowning in red ink, while simultaneously raising the power rates. I guess it proves elections have consequences and the voters are getting what they deserve.

Dick Hansen

Moses Lake