There was a contest for two open seats to represent Marion County on the Tri-County Electric Cooperative Board at Saturday’s annual meeting.
Normally only one representative per county is elected each year, but since there was no annual meeting last year due to COVID-19 restrictions elections were held for two seats.
Sam Phillips of Salem retained his seat after being challenged by James Baker. Baker questioned some of the cooperative’s financial practices in a brief speech to membership. The final vote was 199 for Phillips and 73 for Baker.
Baker than challenged Michelle Barbee for another Marion County seat on the board. Barbee won that election 203 to 74. Barbee praised the work of the electric workers and noted her business experience in a speech to the membership. Barbee replaces the cooperative’s president Greg Vieira who is retiring from the board.
The representatives from Washington and Jefferson County were elected without opposition. Donnie Laird and Larry Manning were reelected to the board from Jefferson County, while Jordan Brink and Doug Knolhoff won seats to represent Washington County. Brink is replacing Rick Russell who is retiring from the board.
A total of 442 Tri-County Cooperative members registered for the Annual Meeting. That is less than half the normal attendance and is believed to be related to continuing concerns over COVID-19.
