Your PUD News Release
Rock Island Hydro Park to be renamed for late PUD manager
Chelan County PUD
News Release
12/10/2007
Chelan County PUD commissioners voted Monday to change the name of Rock Island Hydro Park to Kirby Billingsley Hydro Park.
The vote came after a request was made by customer-owners Bob Parlette, Wilfred Woods, Rich Congdon and Bill Layman.
The community members outlined the accomplishments of Billingsley, a former PUD general manager and commissioner, citing his pivotal involvement in public power in the region, the funding and construction of Rocky Reach Dam, and the creation of Chelan County PUD’s parks system, among other accomplishments.
When presenting the request to commissioners, Parlette noted that Billingsley’s impact on the Columbia River was huge. “He was a giant in the struggle for public power,” he said.
Layman added, “Kirby really inspired people to dream something incredibly big, incredibly grand for all of us as citizens of this community. This is the least we can do to pay homage to a man who had such a profound effect on all of us.”
PUD policy is to limit renaming its parks and facilities, but commissioners felt this was a good exception.
Commissioner Ann Congdon, making the motion for the name change, stated that it’s important for the PUD to have policies, but this was one case where an exception should be made.
Echoing Congdon’s sentiment, Commissioner Randy Smith said, “I think this is a marvelous opportunity to recognize a true leader in development in Chelan County.”
97 percent of customers report satisfaction in latest customer survey
A recent telephone survey of Chelan County PUD customers found that 97 percent report being satisfied with the overall service of the PUD - the same satisfaction percentage as 2006.
Bill Robinson, whose firm conducted the survey, and Steve Lachowicz, PUD Communications director, Monday outlined the results from the customer survey conducted in October and November.
Robinson Research of Spokane contacted 400 PUD customers spread among the greater Wenatchee, Leavenworth and Chelan-Manson areas. It is the 12th customer survey done for the PUD since 1989.
Robinson said the 2007 results show similar results to 2006, and 2006 results showed major improvements from 2002, the previous survey taken.
“Chelan County PUD has a fabulous image,” said Bill Robinson. “It’s astonishing, the connection between the citizens of this county and this PUD are really tight.”
Customers listed “keeping rates low” as the top issue facing the PUD (25 percent), followed by “keeping up with population/industry increases” (8 percent) and “ensuring enough energy/power is available” (8 percent).
A question added last year, “Should hydropower be considered a renewable, along with wind and solar,” received a response of 87 percent “yes.”
When asked how likely they would be to spend an additional $5,000 to add conservation measures when building a new home, 63 percent said yes, up from 59 percent last year. And 53 percent said they would invest in energy-saving measures if they PUD paid a portion of the cost.
Robinson’s presentation and an executive summary of results are available on the PUD’s Web site, www.chelanpud.org.
In other business, PUD commissioners:
- Met with Chelan County commissioners in the afternoon at the Chelan County Chambers to discuss items of mutual interest. Representatives of the Port of Chelan County also attended as part of an ongoing effort to have all three agencies work together to improve communication and find ways to be more efficient in serving county residents. The primary purpose Monday was to share priorities about the upcoming legislative session with Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, Rep. Mike Armstrong and Rep. Cary Condotta (represented by aide Kurt Hammond), who all attended the meeting.
***
The next regular meeting of the PUD commission is at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, in the boardroom at PUD headquarters, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave., to discuss the Board’s Balanced Scorecard. Regular business will start at 1 p.m.
Most PUD commission meetings are recorded, and a link to the audio is available on the PUD’s home page at www.chelanpud.org.
Christy Shearer
Communications Audio-visual Specialist
Chelan County PUD
509.661.4258 office
509.421.4258 cell
509.661.8133 fax
christy.shearer@chelanpud.org