Orcas Power and Light Cooperative is a local electric cooperative that is owned and operated by its members.  On Saturday, May 4, 2013, the member-owners will exercise their right to elect their Board of Directors at the 76th Annual Meeting, from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. on the ferry.

Members and their families who attend the 76th Annual Meeting will be treated to free gifts and a healthy and delicious lunch.  Every member has a chance to win one of more than fifty fabulous door prizes, such as power and garden tools, gift certificates, kitchen tools and appliances, camping and sporting equipment, OPALCO bill credits, art, and merchandise from local businesses.  Every member who attends will receive a $5 credit on their next bill (one credit per membership.)

Who is a member of the Cooperative?  Anyone who receives an OPALCO power bill has a membership; each member household gets one ballot regardless of how many meters or accounts they may have.  All OPALCO members may vote in every election, regardless of their home district.

Two Board positions in District 3 (Lopez, Decatur, Center and Charles Islands) and one Board position in District 4 (Shaw, Bell, Canoe and Crane Islands) are up for election in 2013.  Members may vote for any two candidates for District 3 AND one candidate for District 4.

Candidates for the Board are nominated by committee or by petition.  The 2013 candidates nominated by committee are:

District 3:  Michael Karp, Jim Lett (incumbent) and Bob Myhr (incumbent)

District 4:  John Bogert (incumbent)

The 2013 candidates nominated by petition are:

District 3:  Jerrold R. Gonce and L. Dwight Lewis Jr.

Candidate bios are available online at www.opalco.com. The 2013 annual report will be distributed at the Annual Meeting and posted online.