Electronic Vote is Now Closed.

 

We have hired Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS), a Minnesota-based professional survey company that has been providing bullet-proof voting solutions for over 30 years. We have enlisted SBS to take care of our entire election process, and as a result, this year’s vote will be all electronic. That’s right! Vote from the convenience of your own home!

  • Voting Opens: November 4, 2024 – email will arrive in your inbox around 8:00 am. Click the link and cast your vote
  • Voting Closes: November 13, 2024 – Voting closes voting site at 11:59 pm
  • Results Announced: November 15, 2024 – Results will be announced at this year’s annual meeting to be held at 5PM at the Eastsound Firehall

You will be receiving an email ballot from SBS (less than 30 people will be receiving a paper ballot in the mail) on Monday November 4th. Please be on the lookout for that and be sure to cast your vote.

 

Annual Meeting & 2024 Membership Vote

Eastsound Water Users Association (the “Association”) is hosting an annual membership meeting on Friday, November 15, 2024 to be held at the Eastsound Firehall at 5:00 PM, in order to announce the results of the election of three of its Directors to serve on the Board of Directors (meeting details forthcoming). We also would like to take the opportunity to cover other member updates and news – we hope to see you there! 

The Annual Meeting have a general manager’s presentation, door prizes and will culminate with the election of three new directors. Our by-laws provide that two or three Directors be elected each year and with staggered terms. Two Directors (Jim Nelson and Leith Templin) will be up for re-election this fall.

 

Slate of Candidates for 2024

 

We have five (5) candidates this year! Below is their name and their bio statement for you to enjoy. Only the top 3 vote-getters will become Directors in this election, so pick the three who you want to help lead the Association for the next three years and don’t forget to vote!

 

1. Christopher Madison

 

With extensive experience leading high-impact projects and driving innovation at top-tier companies like Google, Chris brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, technical expertise, and a community-focused approach. As a Senior Product Manager, he’s successfully managed multi-billion-dollar projects, led cross-functional teams, and implemented data-driven solutions that have directly enhanced operational efficiency. His background in Management Information Systems, coupled with his engineering mindset, allows him to understand both the business and technical aspects of infrastructure management—skills crucial for overseeing a complex and vital utility like water distribution.

In addition to his corporate roles, Chris has a proven track record of community leadership and engagement as he co-founded the Black EIG at F5 Networks and served as its President. Chris also served as the President of the MIS Society at his University. Chris is committed to ensuring that Eastsound Water Users Association remains a thriving, profitable, cooperative and continues to prioritize the needs of its members and community.

In closing, Chris is confident his leadership skills, technical background, and full-time residency on Orcas Island make him an ideal candidate.

 

2. Jim Nelson

 

I am currently the longest serving member of the EWUA Board. I am asking for election to another term in order to help finish the work that the Board started before we were confronted with almost two years of controversy and needless lawsuits. I believe that my experience will help the new board get established and working together as a team.

I previously served on the SJC Planning Commission, the Eastsound Planning Review Board and the SJC Technical Advisory Committee that drafted the original SJC Unified Development Code (UDC) many years ago.

We need to complete our EWUA bylaw amendments and our employee handbook update, get the new Clark well project up and running, and get moving on Montgomery Lane and other water line replacement projects. We need to devote more time and attention to planning for future capital projects as we continue to concentrate on our operations & maintenance (O&M) work for Eastsound as well as Doe Bay, Olga, and Rosario. We all rely on our skilled employees to maintain these systems.

Most importantly, we need a board made up of individuals who are team players with a primary objective of working together to get back to the important work of running a water company.

Our employees are the most important component of the future success of EWUA. The Board should continue to do everything we can to foster and support the good working relationship that we now have with all of our employees.

I hope that you will consider all of this when you cast your vote for in this year’s annual meeting and election. We don’t need more conflict and the resulting excessive legal expenses. To all of you who have supported our board this past year, I would like to thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

3. Vaughn Ploeger

 

Related Work Experience:

  • Town of Milton Water and Power
  • Seattle water department
  • Local 32 Plumbers and Fitters

I wrote the installation instructions for the new standard plan for the Seattle water Department. I worked as a Forman and superintendent on larger projects for local 32 contractors like the Seahawks stadium, The Madison hotel, Fort Lewis McChord, etc.

 

4. Mike Speece

 

Mike spent five years managing and maintaining water systems consisting of four wells and a pond water treatment system at Carousel Buffalo Ranch in Deer Harbor. He alos served 25 years on the board of Deer Harbor Community Club and is currently on the executive board at the American Legion.

 

5. Leith Templin

 

I was appointed to the EWUA board last January to bring my board experience with governance and process to their new board. My most recent board experiences are with public entities which by law are obligated to follow the Open Public Meetings Act to ensure transparency in all aspects of governing. Even though EWUA is not required to follow all of the OPMA rules I have always believed in transparency and have tried to do my due diligence in listening to the public, members, staff, and other board members to act in the best interests of the organization I am serving. I enjoy working with board members that have different opinions, skills, and work toward a common goal that is best for the organization in a cooperative and respectful manner, real team players. During this past year we have had to put the running of your water company on hold to deal with some very expensive misguided lawsuits.

We have lost a substantial amount of money and valuable time to move forward on important projects. Now is the time to put our time and resources into those projects that are critical for the future of EWUA. I am asking you to support me in continuing this work.

Giving back to my community is the way I was raised. Be a part of the solution not the problem. When my sons were young, I served as President of Children’s House where I helped secure a permanent home for Children’s House. Continuing through their little league experience, I helped the original parks and rec program with no funding, and the Orcas Library board where I help facilitate the purchase of the property where the current library calls home. I have served on the Eastsound Planning Review Committee, OI Fire Commission, and currently I am a SJC Cemetery District #3 commissioner.

Thank you for your support this year and I hope you will vote for me to continue serving you at EWUA.

 

Term Schedule for Existing Directors

 

Election 2024:

  1. Nelson: Up for Re-election
  2. Templin: Up for Election (currently appointed)
  3. Open Seat

 

Election 2025:

  1. Cleveland: Up for Re-election
  2. Open Seat
  3. Open Seat