Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Co-op forum draws interest

Gerald Garner Jr. El Defensor Chieftain Editor

It was standing room only at City Hall on Monday as Socorro Electric Cooperative's member-owners and its board of trustees faced off in a state-facilitated public forum.

The June 8 session drew more than 120 area residents, many of whom have grown disillusioned with the 11-member board of trustees and their governance of the organization. Seven of the co-op trustees were in attendance as well.

Flanked by Public Regulation Commission staff members and a pair of congressional aids, PRC Chairman Sandy Jones served as mediator for the three-hour input session.

Jones said he decided to facilitate the meeting after attending the co-op's annual meeting and receiving a petition with nearly 200 signatures from co-op member-owners who requested a formal hearing with the full PRC board to address allegations of waste and malfeasance by the board of trustees.

Jones opened Monday's meeting by noting the PRC is currently examining two questions with regard to the members' requests.

"We are considering whether we have jurisdiction to conduct an investigation and whether we can take any actions," Jones said.

District 5 Trustee Charlie Wagner — who is also leading the charge for reform — was the first to take the floor.

"Trustees have an obligation under state law to put themselves second to members' interests," he said. "That's not happening."

Wagner said the members who support reform are most concerned with inequitable representation under the current 11-member board and that the co-op's bylaws are not being followed.

Other reform measures the group hopes to eventually pass include reducing the board from 11 to seven members and to reduce the number of monthly meetings from two to one.

Fellow trustee Manny Marquez (District 3) said district inequity is common among rural electric cooperatives.

"Representatives of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association have told Charlie that lots of co-op's in the nation aren't even — Charlie's been told this," he said.

Discussion quickly turned to the hastily adjourned April annual membership meeting, with several members voicing disapproval with the way the meeting was conducted.

That meeting was aborted after Trustee and board Vice President Harold Baca asked for a roll-call to determine whether a quorum of the members was present. Co-op employees counted members still in attendance and eventually determined that — according to the board — a quorum of 291 member-owners was not present. More than 330 member-owners registered at the annual meeting.

"I was jaw-droppingly shocked with the way the meeting was held — Roberts Rules of Order is not being followed at meetings," said Mike Scott. "Who took those votes? It was co-op employees — they shouldn't be doing that. The only Roberts Rule that was followed was to adjourn. I'm not paying my monthly bill for this."

Dr. Donald Wolberg, who ran for a position on the board in 2008, said he's upset that members own the co-op yet cannot determine how money is spent.

"The board has a fiduciary interest — they vote themselves insurance, going on trips and more," he said. "They are a monopoly — we have no choice."

Wolberg said he'd like to see trustees bound by term limits (two terms) and would like a detailed forensic audit of the co-op.

"Maybe there's a need for governmental review and examination," he said.

Local businessman Max Torres, however, said he doesn't believe trustees are paid enough.

"I've been in business in Socorro for 55 years and have been a member of the co-op since 1955. The only thing I can say is these board members work hard and you don't pay them enough," Torres said.

Michael Gonzales, whose father, Juan Gonzales, serves on the board, echoed Torres' sentiments.

"They are doing the job they were elected for," Gonzales said of the board. "I have no problem with the way things are run."

Charlene Padilla West, who heads the reform movement, said the board should listen to the co-op's real owners.

"The bottom line is the people are speaking — listen," she said. "Our voices count, not yours."

Member Thomas Juerges said the issue appears to come down to one thing, "transparency."

"There is a huge lack of transparency," Juerges said. "Tell the people (what's going on)."

State Rep. Don Tripp — a co-op member-owner — said he looks forward to working with both sides to find some resolution.

Socorro's Steve Grossman — an outspoken critic of the trustees — said he welcomed the PRC's arrival in Socorro.

"Your coming to Socorro illustrates the importance of a two-way dialogue," he said. "I think it would benefit members if the board (of trustees) set aside 10 to 15 minutes at each meeting for public input."

Grossman's comment paved the way for PRC Commissioner Jason A. Marks to offer his assessment.

"The fact of the matter is the PRC has limited jurisdiction with regard to rates and services. That jurisdiction, however, doesn't extend to most of what's been discussed here.

"You can get an attorney and go to District Court, but that's really in no ones' best interest. I think what's needed is more discussion," he continued. "Someone needs to council the board. As an elected official, if I went to a meeting and saw this many concerned members, I'd listen. I think the board needs to open up a bit and allow members to let off steam."

Marks also had a warning for board members. "Don't do anything you wouldn't want to read about on the front page of the newspaper."

Jones, who opened Monday's meeting, also brought it to a close.

"Everyone handled themselves admirably. If you can get issues on the table without upsetting the other guy to the point of leaving, you're doing something right," he said. "I think the board (of trustees) is on notice that we're watching.

"This is your co-op," he said to the members. "You own it lock, stock and two smoking barrels."

Jones assured member-owners that he would deliver their petition to the full PRC board for consideration. He also said he'd be happy to facilitate future public forums, if needed.

ggarner@dchieftain.com

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