No Buzz, No Quorum

There was no buzz at the Kit Carson Coop annual membership meeting on June 12, 2010. The Coop missed having a quorum for the first time in fifteen years. The current trend is analogous to the low turnout for the June 1 primary. Voters, citizens, or KCEC members appear to be apathetic, unhappy with the general state of affairs and uninterested in poor representative government. Without a dramatic controversy or the possibility of change for the better, folks vote with their feet and stay away from los politicos. In addition to the Coop members, a trustee from the electric side and one from the propane division were MIA. Few of the usual politicians showed up for introductions—except for the loyalist Rep. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales.

There’s a feeling of nostalgia about the meetings in the high school gym. You receive a ten-dollar credit on your electric bill for showing up. I always replenish my stock of CFL light bulbs at the meeting, thanks to the marvelously low Coop prices. There were the usual prizes—appliances and cash. We all got to use a new electronic voting gadget, looking like a small calculator with buttons. During the test run, it appeared a majority of those present favored the Broncos over the Cowboys. Most attendees at Coop meeting—except for the employees–appear to be rather long in the tooth and residents of the villages outside Taos itself.

Initial estimates of the members present were as high as 550 or 600. Some folks drifted in late but apparently more members kept leaving. By the time the President Ortega got to the official business on the agenda, the number had dwindled to 300 or so. The minimum needed for a quorum, according to CEO Luis Reyes is currently 671 members. President Ortega and CEO Reyes gave the usual positive spin about the state of the Coop. The reactions of the crowd were polite but subdued.

Luisa "Zapatista" Mylet

Though the members missed out on voting to clean up by-laws, there was nothing crucial on the agenda—like redistricting to provide members with equal representation. Taos has one representative per 3000 members whereas Penasco has one representative per 800. Generally, Taos area representative Manuel Medina votes with representatives of the outsiders from Angel Fire, Red River, Ojo Caliente, and Penasco in order to maintain control over the Coop’s governance and travel fund for trustees. Taos representatives Francis Cordova, Toby Martinez, and Luisa Mylet—despite alliances with Cerro-Questa Trustee Virgil Martinez and Penasco patron Ambrose Mascarenas—are unable to break Medina’s swing-vote stranglehold on the Coop. We have no idea why the Crane and Gravel man won’t vote to redistrict and give Taos fair representation.

In an undignified though typical reaction, Trustees have tried to blame activist Jerome Lucero for bringing up the subject of redistricting—as if the unelected activist is responsible for doing the job of the trustees when it comes to drawing up geographical boundaries. Many of the trustees used to deny the losses in the propane or Internet divisions—on the record—despite the reports of auditors. I’m not sure why the trustees are so afraid of the public.

At recent community meetings, Reyes and some board members presented community critics with documents substantiating losses and progress, explanations and plans for diverse development at the Coop. At least you can discuss the issues when you pull your head out of the sand. Some trustees have parking lot courage while others have the courage to speak up about their convictions—like Virgil and Luisa.

Now, the Trustees are supporting the Broadband initiative. Ironically, their own Internet service is down and they haven’t been able to provide steady email service for the last ten days. According to Reyes, the Coop’s share of the Broadband could rise as high as $20 million for the federal match.

During our last community meeting with Reyes, we members discussed the issue of dealing with the unregulated Tri-State behemoth, KCEC’s generation and transmission provider. Current law in New Mexico states that three (of 12) Coops must file protests before the PRC will ask Tri-State for a cost of service study to justify rate increases. Tri-State has raised rates about 70% in less than ten years. For years, Kit Carson has been firm in their decision to protest.

From time to time a second Coop has considered filing a protest with the PRC but KCEC trustees have never found a third partner. Still the trustees continue spending money from their travel club fund to visit with other statewide Coops or to run up to Denver for Tri-State meetings. The trustees haven’t been able to convince the legislature to change the law and reduce the number of protests needed either. We’re not sure whether the failure to persuade others to join the protest says something about other Coops, state lawmakers, the KCEC trustees themselves, or us—the members.

Don’t Cry for Me Taosenos. CEO Reyes mentioned at the meeting, the local Coop itself, not just Tri-State, will soon be raising rates. Pray for us.

P.S. In other community news, don’t miss the Taos Municipal Schools board meeting Wed. June 16 at 1:30 pm with a representative of state auditor Banderas. Documentation for millions of dollars and asset inventory—going back decades—is missing from CRAB Hall. The results of a third or the regular annual audit will be available soon. Arsenio, Lorraine, and Stella were right all along but who’s counting except for Los Lackeys?