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Wednesday, October 15, 2008 SEC incumbents 3, challengers 0Bustamante prevails in District II election Paul Bustamante retained his place at the Socorro Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees table after claiming a win over challenger Richard "Arf" Epstein. Bustamante, who serves as the board's president, prevailed in Saturday's (Oct. 11) election by an 87-50 count. He will serve an additional four-year term. With a total of 687 total registered members in District II, Saturday's vote count represents a 20 percent turnout at the polls. Bustamante offered thanks to his supporters. "I want to take a moment to thank all of the people who supported me and who voted for me," Bustamante said Tuesday, Oct. 14. Epstein, who immediately offered a congratulatory handshake to Bustamante after the vote tally, said he was happy to have helped raise awareness about some critical issues facing the board. "I don't regret running," he said. "In fact, I think it (my candidacy) helped shine a light on some of the issues — including open meetings and exorbitant reimbursements for trustees — that many members are beginning to question." Bustamante said he's looking forward to another term. Proposed amendments scuppered After Bustamante was declared the winner, Robert Vega — who had been selected to chair the District II meeting — opened the floor to attending members. Reform proponent Charlene West immediately introduced a resolution to amend the co-op's bylaws to facilitate more open meetings. One member asked Bustamante directly if he supported the proposed resolution on open meetings. "I'm against it," the president said. "I like it the way it is." Another member moved to table the resolution indefinitely. The motion was seconded and passed by a 40-21 count. Bustamante elaborated during a Tuesday phone interview. "I just didn't feel that the members had enough time to look over the proposed amendment," he said. "As it stands, we follow state law (with regard to open meetings) and, if a majority of the member want open meetings, it's something they can do." Despite having two more amendments to introduce, West and reform supporters were quickly shot down after multiple motions to adjourn eventually came to fruition, abruptly bringing the district meeting to an end. That prompted a group of members to hand deliver a list of seven requests regarding procedures to Bustamante and Co-op general manager Polo Pineda. The group hopes to have a new slate of guidelines in place in time for this weekend's District III and the Oct. 25 District V elections. The members are hoping to have the following approved:
"We believe these procedures are necessary to ensure a democratic process," the letter of request reads. A total of 13 members signed the document. A call to Pineda was not immediately returned on deadline. District III, V elections Following Saturday's District II elections, cooperative members in Districts III and V now wrap up the monthlong process. In District III a trio of positions are up for election. See Page A3 for details on the District III affair. The final election — District V — sees incumbent Jack Bruton and challengers Richard McGuire and Randy Chavez on the ballot. That election will be Saturday, Oct. 25, at Datil Elementary School.
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