Homer Electric Association’s annual meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at Soldotna High School. For the first time in the co-op’s 70-year history, though, HEA is encouraging members not to attend.
HEA is required by its bylaws to hold an annual meeting the first week of May but the bylaws did not foresee a global pandemic. HEA doesn’t want to encourage a crowd, given state health mandates on social distancing and large gatherings. That means no free meal or prize drawings, as HEA usually provides at the annual meeting.
If 50 or more people show up, an official meeting must be held. If less than 50 members attend, HEA can reschedule or cancel the meeting.
There will be a table set up at SoHi. But, as a bonus deterrent to attendance, and because school district buildings are closed, the table will be outside. The forecast is calling for east winds continuing this evening, up to about 20 mph.
HEA Board of Directors elections did take place as scheduled and the winners were announced today.
In District 1, Kenai, Nikiski and parts of Soldotna — Jim Duffield beat Erick Hendrickson. Both Kenai residents were new candidates to the HEA board.
In District 2, Soldotna, Sterling and Kasilof, Soldotna’s C.O. Rudstrom ran unopposed. This will be his first time on the board.
And in District 3, south Kasilof to Kachemak Bay, incumbent Jim Levine, of Homer, beat challengers Troy Jones, of Homer, and Pete Kinneen, of Anchor Point.