Washblog

Recently, Snohomish County PUD Commissioner David Aldrich made a presentation to a monthly meeting of Democracy for Snohomish County. His presentation focused on the issue of climate change and its potential ramifications on future energy sourcing for the PUD. Aldrich is big on conservation and renewables. His reason for presenting to us was to enlist our help in encouraging more public input at commissioner's meetings in an effort to sway at least one of the other two commissioners toward his position of conservation and renewables. I should emphasize at this point that at no time did Commissioner Aldrich mention the upcoming election or suggest any change in the make up of the commission. Our response at that time was to appoint our endorsed candidate for PUD Commissioner, Eric Teegarden to act as liaison to the PUD Commission to keep us informed of upcoming meetings and when we might want to send out information and a request for attendance.

Since that presentation, the PUD commissioners met to vote on an endorsement for I-937 - the Clean Energy Initiative. The endorsement failed on a two to one vote with Aldrich standing alone in favor of the endorsement. This past weekend, DFSC hosted its first annual Renewable Energy Symposium and Expo. While the symposium was held at the auditorium of the Snohomish County PUD and featured remarks from the mayor of Everett, a local state legislator and both of the members of Congress representing Snohomish County, the only member of the PUD commission to attend was - you guessed it - David Aldrich. At the Expo, on Saturday, Aldrich presented his climate/energy presentation to a broader audience. It was at that moment I realized the importance of this race. One seat on this commission could change the entire energy sourcing outlook for hundreds of thousands of people for the foreseeable future; and DFSC has endorsed exactly the right person for that job!

Eric Teegarden brings precisely the qualifications and philosophies to this job that will help make Snohomish County a leader in energy awareness and policy in the state and the country. Eric's education (BS in Geophysics from Texas A&M, BS in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University, and a MS in Environmental Science from Oregon Graduate Institute) coupled with his longstanding Progressive activism would compliment the "new energy realities" agenda that Commissioner Aldrich could move forward as the leader of a more progressive thinking PUD. However, before we can make this tremendous leap from 19th century energy thinking to the 21st century reality, Eric must overcome a primary opponent in a three way race to move on to defeat the other remaining primary candidate in the November general election. Eric needs our help.

Obviously every candidate is deserving of support. What I would ask is that you visit Eric's website (http://www.teegarden4pud.com/index.html) and see if you agree with the values he stands for. After you have done that, consider that by electing Eric Teegarden to the Snohomish County PUD, the shift to a real policy of sustainable energy begins in Snohomish County in January, 2006 - no further action required. This is the opportunity to make real change now.

Wait! There's more! If you are still not convinced to act, check out the incumbent that Eric would replace:

Kathleen Vaughn
(Commission) President

On January 1, 2001, Kathleen Vaughn began her second term as PUD Commissioner, representing District 2. Ms. Vaughn is the owner of Goldmark Financial Corporation, a Snohomish County mortgage company. She also is co-owner with her husband of a construction firm. Prior to her election to the Commission, she was active in the community, running many youth organizations and serving as a (republican) precinct committee person. Ms. Vaughn's term expires December 31, 2006.

You decide - A republican mortgage broker or a Progressive Democrat with degrees in Environmental Science and Geophysics?

That website again:
http://www.teegarden4pud.com/index.html

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue