– Submitted by Orcas Power and Light Cooperative

OPALCO Board Member Bob Myhr will retire at the end of the year. Myhr is currently serving as vice president and represents District 3: Lopez, Decatur, Center and Charles Islands). He joined the co-op in 1967 and was elected to the board in 1986.

The board will appoint a new board member to fill the vacancy, in accordance with our bylaws (Article III, Section 4). The appointee will run for election in 2016. President Jim Lett invited members to attend the Dec. 17 board meeting in Eastsound to honor Bob at his last meeting as a director.

“Bob’s long-time commitment to the co-op membership, his wisdom on the board and his deep caring for the community will be missed,” said Lett. “Those are some pretty big shoes to fill.”

Bob and his wife Joyce aren’t going far, just a short hop to Bellingham, and they have promised to come back often for visits.

“It has been an honor to serve our co-op,” said Myhr. “OPALCO is at the heart of our communities in the islands and I hold the utmost regard for my fellow directors, the OPALCO staff and especially our General Manager Foster Hildreth for their commitment to continually improving our quality of life in San Juan County.”

At the Dec. 17 meeting, the board decided that they will not appoint a temporary director to fill the vacancy because the District 3 election process begins early next year. Members who reside in District 3 and are interested in running for election may contact the Nominations Committee through Bev Madan (bmadan@opalco.com).

The nomination and election process is clearly defined in our bylaws, also posted online. Board meetings are open to the co-op membership. The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 21 on Lopez Island.