PUD RATES

After reading the article about the January 9th public hearing of the Grant County PUD in the Monday, January 11th copy of the CBH, I find it amazing that Mr. Terry Brewer chose that meeting to lash out at me, when I wasn’t even present.

You called me a socialist and yourself a capitalist. First, let me explain that the Grant County Public Utility District was planned by, built by, and is still owned by the people of Grant County. Is it expecting too much that they should be able to receive favorable rates, expect help from large power-users when the dams need rebuilt, which is now happening, and may even show some profit? That, to me, is capitalism. Your idea seems to be; the citizens, the irrigators, and the business people of Grant County should take a hit on new rates, double that of industry.

Thanks to three of the PUD Commissioners, Bob Bernd, Randy Alred, and Greg Hansen- the rate increase should be uniform across the board, keeping the gap between residents and industry from widening as it has since Grant County PUD #2 was formed.

You feel we need a survey of cost of services to the end users. I say save our money, check industrial rates across the country to see how we compare, which I know we are one of the lowest. Then let capitalism shine; give the true owners of the Grant County PUD another break.

Remember, the customers paying more than their fair share of the power rates outnumber the customers paying less by 400 to 1. Keep that in mind as your re-election rolls around in 2 1/2 years.

Mick Hansen

Moses Lake