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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Concerned employees filled the audience at a candidate's forum Tuesday night for the South Tahoe Public Utility District board, asking questions about cuts in wages, workforce and benefits.
Ten of the 11 candidates vying for three open seats on the board answered questions from an audience of about 75 people, which was largely composed of STPUD employees.
None of the candidates said they supported cuts in wages or workforce, but several said employees should be patient with the current economic conditions and wait for raises and cost of living increases.
“You guys are very well taken care of, and you shouldn't feel dissed,” said Ken Curtzwiler, who is challenging seat 2, held by incumbent Jim Jones.
John Adamski, a former STPUD employee and seat 1 challenger, said he wasn't pro-union or anti-union, but “pro-employee.”
“I saw a lot of pride in employees' eyes,” Adamski said. “I don't think we want to lose that.”
Seat 1 incumbent Ernie Claudio was questioned about an employee benefits program he was researching that would pay employees for having fewer trips to the doctor. Claudio is examining an existing program in Oroville.
“It's an incentive system,” Claudio said. “You get a paycheck increase if you don't go to the doctor.”
Other questions addressed meter installation, conservation and delivery to Alpine County.
El Dorado County registrar of voters William Schultz said turnout for the Nov. 3 election is expected to be between 25 and 35 percent. About 10,000 absentee ballots were mailed to South Lake Tahoe voters this week and are due by 8 p.m. on election night. According to the county's Web site, 14,555 registered voters live within the South Tahoe Public Utility District boundaries. Visit http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/elections for voting information.
Read more about the forum in Friday's Tribune.
Ten of the 11 candidates vying for three open seats on the board answered questions from an audience of about 75 people, which was largely composed of STPUD employees.
None of the candidates said they supported cuts in wages or workforce, but several said employees should be patient with the current economic conditions and wait for raises and cost of living increases.
“You guys are very well taken care of, and you shouldn't feel dissed,” said Ken Curtzwiler, who is challenging seat 2, held by incumbent Jim Jones.
John Adamski, a former STPUD employee and seat 1 challenger, said he wasn't pro-union or anti-union, but “pro-employee.”
“I saw a lot of pride in employees' eyes,” Adamski said. “I don't think we want to lose that.”
Seat 1 incumbent Ernie Claudio was questioned about an employee benefits program he was researching that would pay employees for having fewer trips to the doctor. Claudio is examining an existing program in Oroville.
“It's an incentive system,” Claudio said. “You get a paycheck increase if you don't go to the doctor.”
Other questions addressed meter installation, conservation and delivery to Alpine County.
El Dorado County registrar of voters William Schultz said turnout for the Nov. 3 election is expected to be between 25 and 35 percent. About 10,000 absentee ballots were mailed to South Lake Tahoe voters this week and are due by 8 p.m. on election night. According to the county's Web site, 14,555 registered voters live within the South Tahoe Public Utility District boundaries. Visit http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/elections for voting information.
Read more about the forum in Friday's Tribune.
Candidates
Seat 1
Ernie Claudio, incumbent Chris Cefalu, challenger John Adamski, challenger Jim Martin, challenger Seat 2 Jim Jones, incumbent Ken Curtzwiler, challenger Tod Williamson, challenger John Runnels, challenger Seat 5 Eric Schafer, incumbent Scott Swift, challenger Peggy Cocores, challenger |
