Page 39 - Flathead Beacon // 12.31.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM BUSINESS MONTHLY DECEMBER 31, 2014 | 39
ENERGIZING THOUGHTS Flathead Electric Co-op
Building Permits
Building permits issued in Kalispell and Whitefish in November
Flathead Electric Board and Management Uphold Commitments
CITING THE IMPORTANCE OF openness and member involve- ment, trustees of Flathead Elec- tric have voted unanimously to readopt Transparency Standards for the Co-op. “We have always tried to be forthright in representing our member-owners, but renewing these written standards makes it official.” That’s according to President Earl Messick, who added that while the Montana Electric Coopera- tives’ Association (MECA) has a pro- posed set of standards for all co-ops in the state, Flathead Electric’s policies go beyond the norm. “With the obvious ex- ception of members’ personal account information, we want those we serve to be fully aware that they have access to information regarding their Co-op; that they have every right to attend board meetings; and that we embrace their in- volvement.”
In addition to readopting Transpar- ency Standards, the board also unani- mously reapproved (as they have for more than a decade) policies regarding trustee conduct and fiduciary responsi- bility. Messick says the policies revolve around mutual respect for their col- leagues and accountability to the mem- bers. “As trustees, we owe it to each oth- er to engage in good faith, fair and legal dealings. We also owe members our in- tegrity, our loyalty to their interests, and our assurance that we are thorough in researching issues that might impact the Co-op. We understand that we work for the people, and renewing these policies is a restatement of our pledge to them.”
The Flathead Electric Board has also adopted a resolution directing staff to continue prioritizing the purchase of American-made products. General Manager Mark Johnson says 95 percent of the materials FEC purchases are al- ready considered U.S. products, but he’d like to see that percentage grow even further. “Buying American helps the economy, lowers trade deficits, improves working standards, and reduces energy consumption (thereby helping the en- vironment) by alleviating the need to transport merchandise from overseas.” In addition, Johnson says, quality and safety requirements are generally lower in different countries; “so, for example, you can end up with flimsy items, higher lead content in paint, etc.”
Acknowledging that many neces- sary items are not made in this coun- try and that it is sometimes challenging to find American-made products that are priced competitively (compared to
those made in China for instance), Mes- sick says there are still important rea- sons to consider being patriotic in your purchases. “Every day we hear more and more about jobs being outsourced. In a time when the economy continues to struggle, buying American products can help the nation recoup losses dra- matically and put more of our citizens to work.”
Besides concurring with trustees on national loyalty, Johnson says his management philosophies also align well with board policy when it comes to transparency and upholding the public trust. “I have an open door policy both for employees and members at large, be- cause I believe that free-flowing commu- nication is the best way to stay informed for all concerned. I have an expectation of talking regularly with staff at the Co- op regarding the various issues at our utility, so I need to make myself avail- able to them in return.”
As to the member-owners, Johnson is keenly aware that they are the ones he and employees must be transparent with and accountable to. “The people de- serve to know what’s going on with their Co-op and they deserve the best efforts of Flathead Electric employees. I appre- ciate the fact that we answer to the local people who actually buy our product, in- stead of to outside interests.”
And Johnson says, he will answer to member-owners on their terms. “Some folks want summary reports while oth- ers prefer intricate details of the chal- lenges facing the very complex electric industry. Some people like to call – oth- ers send emails or write letters. I’ve been approached by people with questions at sporting events, at the grocery store, and so on. It doesn’t matter where or how the contact is made, it may be the only op- portunity I get to meet that member so I am happy to discuss whatever is on their mind. Some conversations aren’t easy, because maybe a member experienced equipment damage during an outage, or we trimmed one of their favorite trees to get it out of overhead wires. But after talking things out, we generally come to an understanding that while we need to share the benefits of belonging to a co- operative, we need to share the respon- sibilities as well. It has been my experi- ence that most problems can be traced to miscommunication of one kind or an- other, so it’s very important to connect and exchange ideas because at the end of the day ... we’re all in this together.”
KALISPELL
Recipient: Graham Design; 102 Moe’s Run
Contractor: Chad Graham
For: Single-family residence Value: $185,000
Recipient: Costco; 2330 Hwy 93 N Contractor: Advanced Fire Design For: Fire alarm
Value: $18,000
Recipient: Mark and Lona Cross; 165 Blue Crest Dr.
Contractor: Stringline Construction For: Addition
Value: $28,000
Recipient: Immanuel Lutheran Communities; 185 Crestline Ave. Contractor: Western States Fire Protection Co.
For: Fire suppression Value: $19,642
Recipient: Bighorn Development; 363 Bismark St.
Contractor: Bighorn Development For: Single-family residence Value: $199,900
Recipient: Northwest Healthcare; 1273 Burns Way
Contractor: Swank Enterprises For: Remodel
Value: $220,528
Recipient: Northwest Healthcare; 205 Sunnyview Ln.
Contractor: Swank Enterprises For: Remodel
Value: $70,978
Recipient: Mark and Renell Wilson; 221 Garland St.
Contractor: Robert W Ross Building For: Remodel
Value: $2,995
Recipient: 4 Cav’s LLC; 145 Com- mons Loop Ste. 100
Contractor: Camas Creek Contract- ing
For: Remodel Value: $285,000
Recipient: Elaine’s Equity, Inc; 140 W Center St.
Contractor: Phat Cabinets Inc For: Remodel
Value: $25,000
Recipient: Margaret Lekander; 214 First Ave. W
Contractor: Steve Quinn
For: Remodel
Value: $8,545
Recipient: Bridgeland Dev; 449 Hilltop Ave.
Contractor: Westcraft Homes For: Single-family residence Value: $220,000
Recipient: Bridgeland Dev; 453 Hilltop Ave.
Contractor: Westcraft homes For: Single-family residence Value: $220,000
Recipient: Rocky Mountain Sub; 350 Heritage Way
Contractor: Mountain Fire Protec- tion
For: Sprinkler Value: $90,400
Recipient: Rocky Mountain Sub; 350 Heritage Way
Contractor: Systems Northwest, LLC
For: Alarm Value: $12,346
Recipient: 4 Cav’s LLC; 145 Com- mons Loop Ste. 100
Contractor: Stellar Integrations and Safety LLC
For: Fire alarm Value: $3,500
WHITEFISH
Recipient: The Lakes HOA; 4219 River Lakes Pkwy
Contractor: Ray Hoerner
For: Remodel
Value: $6,500
Recipient: Bonsai Brewing; 549 Wisconsin Ave.
Contractor: Owner
For: Remodel
Value: $7,000
Recipient: Great Northern Bar; 27 Central Ave.
Contractor: Jim Blankenship
For: Remodel
Value: $40,000
Recipient: EDM Development LLC; 229 O’Brien Ave.
Contractor: Greg Eaton Homes Inc For: Multi-family homes
Value: $150,000
Recipient: EDM Development LLC; 227 O’Brien Ave.
Contractor: Greg Eaton Homes Inc For: Multi-family homes
Value: $165,000
Recipient: EDM Development LLC; 225 O’Brien Ave.
Contractor: Greg Eaton Homes Inc For: Multi-family homes
Value: $160,000
Recipient: EDM Development LLC; 223 O’Brien Ave.
Contractor: Greg Eaton Homes Inc For: Multi-family homes
Value: $160,000
Recipient: EDM Development LLC; 221 O’Brien Ave.
Contractor: Greg Eaton Homes Inc For: Multi-family homes
Value: $150,000
Recipient: Lyle Strom; 300 Bay Point
Contractor: Dow Powell
For: Remodel
Value: $60,000
Recipient: Mike Jenson; 435 Glenwood
Contractor: Owner
For: Addition
Value: $13,000
Recipient: Jim Heibert; 620 E Eighth St.
Contractor: Owner
For: Addition
Value: $4,249
Recipient: Randy Carspecken; 107 Railway St.
Contractor: Owner
For: Addition
Value: $2,500
Recipient: Charles Lyman; 2405 Carver Bay Rd.
Contractor: Shreve Construction For: Single-family residence Value: $70,000
Recipient: Ron and Crolyn Smith; 1112 Meadowlark Ln.
Contractor: Fields Construction For: Single-family residence Value: $400,000
Recipient: Old MT Bldg Co; 4001 Red Eagle Dr.
Contractor: Old MT Bldg Co For: Single-family residence Value: $350,000
Recipient: David and Tory Brandt; 129 S Shooting Star Circle Contractor: Brandt Construction For: Single-family residence Value: $750,000
Recipient: Jay and Kathryn Skemp; 3038 River Lakes Dr.
Contractor: Compass Construction For: Single-family residence Value: $385,000
Recipient: Chad Phillips; 165 Vista Dr.
Contractor: Owner
For: Single-family residence Value: $228,000
Recipient: Terry Larsen; 309 Stonecrop Ln.
Contractor: Denman Construction For: Single-family residence Value: $1,500,000
Recipient: Daniel and Regina Dickinson; 2211 Larkspur St. Contractor: Remodel
For: Sunrise Builders
Value: $20,000
Recipient: Steve Peykoff; 249 N Shooting Star Circle Contractor: Owner
For: Remodel
Value: $22,120
“WE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO BE FORTHRIGHT IN REPRESENTING OUR MEMBER-OWNERS.”