Candidates seek PUD board seat

Three people are running for a six-year term on the Wahkiakum Public Utility District board of commissioners—incumbent Esther Gregg, Skamokawa resident Dennis Reid, and Deep River resident Pamela Anderson.

The Eagle was able to interview Gregg and Reid; Anderson was contacted several times for this story but did not submit information.

Esther Gregg

Incumbent commissioner Esther Gregg of Rosburg was raised in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, and moved to Wahkiakum County in 1987 after a career in the machine tool industry. She has served as county fair manager and as a county commissioner in the past and has been a PUD Commissioner since 2004.

Why run for the position?

I have a passion for the work of public utilities as a result of my upbringing as the daughter of a farming family and in later years my involvement in the Grays River and Washington State Grange. The Grange was the push for public power to come into rural communities. As a result, I’m proud of the fact that I can now participate and help form policies to keep public power in the hands of the public and continue distributing power and water to our residents at the lowest possible cost at the most efficient delivery.

I look on our PUD commissioners, manager, staff, and crew as a team. In the past several years we’ve made some remarkable progress including completing the Salmon Creek water line expansion project that added approximately 45 users to our Western Wahkiakum Water System that currently serves about 315 meters. Additionally, the transformer in the Grays River substation is 60 years old and has a short life remaining. We were able to purchase a used but completely rebuilt unit which is on standby at the present time.

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

There is a small group of residents in the most western part of my district from the Deep River Bridge to the Pacific county line that need / want water. At the present it is difficult if not impossible to find monies without a required large percentage of matching funds. The potential water users, at present, are unable to help with that funding. We could borrow money but that would have to be paid back with very high monthly rates which would be unaffordable for some. It’s a challenge to find adequate, affordable funding for this project but I hope to be able to move it forward at the first opportunity.

I want to help keep our PUD in good financial condition and keep our electrical lines and water lines capable of distributing product at the least interruption. I hope to continue setting policy that keeps our PUD able to serve the public at all times.

What is the biggest issue facing PUD District #3 and how should it be addressed?

The biggest issue facing our PUD is keeping our rates at the lowest possible cost yet making necessary improvements in order to continue delivery of electricity and water.

The life of a PUD commissioner or the work of the PUD itself seems a bit “laid-back” except in the case of a storm. But there are a lot of issues happening that don’t always hit the front pages of national news. The issues are challenging and I feel that I’m up to that challenge.

Dennis Reid

Dennis Reid of Skamokawa graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1965, served in the Navy for 10 years, and retired from a career in banking in 2009. He has served as a cemetery district commissioner and on boards in the Wenatchee area.

Why run for the position?

Because I have the time to fulfill the position and I feel that I will be a good fit for the PUD board.

What do you hope to accomplish if elected?

I hope to improve communication with PUD customers and help with good business decisions and good planning. I feel that my background in finance will be valuable to the PUD board in making wise business decisions in the coming years. Also my background with the government (USDA) will be helpful in obtaining grants or low interest loans for upcoming projects.

What is the biggest issue facing PUD District #3 and how should it be addressed?

The biggest issue facing District #3 as well as the rest of the districts is the replacement of a sub-station that is nearing the end of its useful life. The cost will need to be covered through a combination of PUD reserves and loans or through a bond issue.