Lewis County has always been my home. I grew up here, raised my family here and watched my children attend our local schools. Like many of you, I care deeply about the future of our communities and the challenges facing the families and businesses that call Lewis County home.
My decision to run for Lewis County PUD Commissioner, District 1, comes from a desire to serve the community that has served me so well.
Public power has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father was a lineman, and growing up, I saw firsthand the dedication and sacrifice required to keep the lights on. I later spent more than 20 years working for Lewis County PUD, gaining experience in technology, communications, infrastructure, operations, broadband and reporting to the board and manager during commissioner meetings.
Today, my career in technology and cybersecurity continues to give me insight into the challenges organizations face when planning for the future.
Our PUD faces some important decisions in the coming years. Rising costs, aging infrastructure, increasing regulations, changing power demands and the potential impact of large electrical loads will require thoughtful planning and responsible leadership.
Affordability must remain a priority. Every dollar matters to the families, seniors, farmers and small businesses in our community. We need to carefully evaluate spending, understand the long-term impacts of major decisions, plan for expected growth and look for efficiencies before placing additional financial burdens on ratepayers.
At the same time, reliability cannot be compromised. Maintaining our existing infrastructure, planning for future growth, and ensuring our employees have the resources they need are essential to providing the dependable service our communities expect.
I also believe strongly in transparency and accountability. The PUD belongs to its customers, and those customers deserve to understand the decisions being made, why they are being made, and how those decisions will affect them.
A commissioner should ask difficult questions, listen to different perspectives and make informed decisions with the long-term interests of the community in mind. It isn’t about managing the day-to-day operations of the utility. It’s about providing responsible oversight, establishing sound policy and ensuring the PUD remains focused on serving its customers.
I’m not running because I believe everything needs to change. I’m running because I believe my experience, local knowledge and commitment to this community can help guide the PUD through the challenges ahead.
Lewis County is my home, and I want to help protect what makes our public utility so valuable.
Local Roots. Local Voice. Local Control.
Jeff Baine
Candidate
Lewis County PUD Commissioner, District 1
Editor’s note: The Chronicle allows political candidates to publish one letter to the editor per election cycle. To submit a letter, email letters@chronline.com.
