Grant PUD's commissioner hopefuls

Grant County residents are introduced to three PUD commissioner finalists during a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Quincy Community Center.

We encourage you to attend, ask questions and learn more about the finalists before commissioners appoint a new board member.

The Board of Commissioners is working to fill the District 3 position and selected three finalists out of a group of seven people.

The finalists are Melva Calloway, an owner/operator of a Quincy potato farm and farm operations supervisor at Amway's Trout Lake Farm facility; Evan Landin, of Quincy, a retired administrative services manager for a food processor; and Larry Schaapman, a Quincy farmer.

Calloway told the Columbia Basin Herald she is passionate about agriculture because farmers meet a central need for consumers. Grant PUD does that as well, she said.

Affordable power is important to families and businesses, she said.

"It's important to me to serve in that capacity, to ensure we continue the tradition of low power rates in the county and to encourage agriculture, agribusinesses and other businesses," Calloway added.

Landin said his experience in accounting and business management would be skills he could use to help the district.

He served on the Quincy City Council for eight years and the Quincy hospital board for 10 years

"I have a long background, at 65 years old, I have plenty of history," Landin commented.

Schaapman said he is of the age and his operation is to the point where he can give time back to the industry.

"Grant PUD is a fascinating business with lots of different areas to oversea, from fish protection to power use," Schaapman commented.

Schaapman spoke about the diversity of the county.

"I want to make sure agriculture is represented and make sure things are looked at in a balanced fashion as we serve all the energy needs of all the customers in the PUD now," he said.

The newly appointed commissioner completes Commissioner Randy Allred's term, who steps down on Nov. 1 because of health issues. Allred's term expires in December 2014.

The board has 90 days from the date of Allred's resignation to make a decision, according to the Revised Code of Washington.

We believe the board is doing the right thing by introducing the candidates to the people they serve. Commissioners and the public will see how the finalists handle being the spotlight and operating under scrutiny.

Finalists will see if they are up to the task of dealing with complex issues, thinking on their feet under pressure and representing the district as a public official.

It's an important task and we wish the selected appointee well in their new endeavor.

- Editorial Board