05/08/06 Homer Electric Association members elect directors at 2006 Annual Meeting

Incumbent Homer Electric Association directors Bruce Passe of Kenai (District 1) and Dave Carey of Soldotna (District 2) were elected to three-year terms by the membership of the electric cooperative. Also elected to a seat on the board was Don Seelinger of Seldovia (District 3). All three candidates ran unopposed in the election.

The results were announced at the HEA Annual Meeting at the Homer High School on May 4.  In District 1, Bruce Passe received 788 votes; in District 2, Dave Carey received 1,142; and in District 3, Don Seelinger received 1,050. The total number of ballots counted in the election, including write-ins, was 3,161.     

At the Annual Meeting, 176 HEA members registered, with total attendance close to 300.  The meeting featured several informational booths with an emphasis on safety, automated meter reading, HEA’s Geographical Information System (GIS) and renewable energy.  Members also enjoyed complimentary sandwiches (a big thank-you to Arby’s!) and refreshments. 

During the business portion of the meeting, HEA General Manager Brad Janorschke reviewed the highlights of the previous year and participated in an informative question and answer session with the membership.   

Several scholarships and awards were handed out at the meeting including special recognition of HEA employee Marianne Snowden for her many years of helping coordinate HEA’s scholarship and youth education programs.

The following is a list of the awards and prizes handed out at the 2006 Annual Meeting.

$2,000 Scholarship Winners
Jennifer Werth                  Soldotna High School
Alee Rowley                     Kenai Central High School
Jenna Raymond                Homer High School
Patricia Hanson Gillam    Kenai Peninsula College
LaVonna James-Liberty   Kenai Peninsula College
Celeste C. Morningstarr   University of Alaska, Fairbanks

Youth Rally Recipients
Christopher S. Hall           Kenai Central High School
Joel Ribbens                     Nikiski High School

Safety Poster Contest Winners
Best Safety Message
Tommy Sheldon              West Homer Elementary

Most Creative Message
Haralambos Asimakopoulos        Redoubt Elementary

Most Humorous Message
Kathleen VanVolkenburg            Home School, Nikiski

HEA Employee Recognition
Marianne Snowden, Youth Rally coordination

HEA Board Service Recognition
Fred Braun (President Emeritus, 21 years)
Dave Carey - 18 years
Mike Pate - 18 years
Hugh Chumley - 12 years
Ruth Fitzpatrick - 15 years
Roseleen (Snooks) Moore - 11 years

Attendance Energy Credit Winners
$50 Ann M. or Nicholas J. Gangl, Homer
$100 Linda M. Rowe, Homer
$150 Walter A. McDowell, Anchor Point
$200 Frederick or Marian Werth, Soldotna
$250 Laura Barton, Homer
$500 Joe and Joan Mello, Homer
$One Year of electricity, Daniel B.Winn, Homer

Mail-In Energy Credit Winners
$50 Lori M. Anderson, Kenai
$100 William J or Joanne Phillips, Soldotna
$150 Charles F. Hagen, Homer
$200 Daniel A. Hill, Soldotna
$250 John B or Pat A Rodgers
$500 Charlie Dinwiddie, Anchor Point
$One year of electricity, Karen Carpenter, Anchor Point