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Gerry David Bradbury
Age: 52 Profession: Educator Town of Residence: Newport 1. What experience do you have that makes you qualified to serve as Pend Oreille PUD commissioner?
It would be my privilege and honor to serve as Commissioner of District #2 of the Public Utility District #1 of Pend Oreille County. As a life resident of Pend Oreille County and a graduate of Newport High School, my true personal passion and sense of purpose comes from serving my family and community. The foundation of my professional work ethic and philosophy comes from my upbringing in the family “service station” (Oldtown Tire and Auto Sales). It’s there where my parents taught me how to serve and love the people, culture, and geography of this community that we call home.
I earned a Bachelors Degree in Education and a Masters Degree in Leadership and Administration - both from Eastern Washington University. I’ve served the Newport School District as a teacher and coach for the past 23 years. In addition, I managed KUBS FM for nearly 20 of those years. Prior to that, I served the West Bonner School District as Principal of Priest River Junior High School. My career as a public educator and administrator has offered me extensive experience in dealing with public regulations, public budgeting/finance, organizational management, conflict resolution, and team building dynamics. The overwhelming majority of this experience, furthermore, has been specifically related to and focused on our community and this county.
I’ve worked with and for the Pend Oreille County PUD on numerous occasions throughout my adult life. I was hired as a seasonal engineering assistant for PUD while in college.
I collaborated with POC PUD on numerous projects (outage announcements, public safety campaigns, public forums, etc.) during my 15+ year tenure as general manager of KUBS FM.
Plus, my involvement with the T.I.P.P. (Teachers Interested in Public Power) Program afforded me the opportunity to comprehensively study and witness the services, functions, history, and organization of POC PUD.
I’ve also served our community in a variety of other capacities: Newport City Councilman, Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Newport Volunteer Firefighter, Grid Kids Football coach, Little League Commissioner/ Coach, “Voice of the Grizzlies” P.A. Announcer, Newport Rodeo Parade P.A. Announcer, Oldtown Lawn Mower Dragraces P.A. Announcer, Newport Gun Club Vice President.
The primary role of a Public Utility District commissioner is to represent the people of Pend Oreille County. Your commissioners are the bridge and/ or conduit between you (the citizens and ratepayers) and the management team of PUD; ensuring clear, effective communication and accountability.
It is, therefore, essential that your PUD commissioners are thoroughly embedded and have a vested interest in the history, dynamics, culture, and people of our community. We deserve commissioners who have a heart for serving our community and are approachable and trusted to represent our needs.
I would cherish the opportunity to be that person for you.
2. What has the current board of commissioners done right? What have they done wrong?
Since the departure of Bob Geddes, the past commissioner boards of Pend Oreille County PUD have struggled to find a replacement general manager who had a similar list of skills and qualities that Bob possessed. Bob Geddes was a servant leader who was a lifelong member of the community and was vested in the ongoing health and success of our PUD.
During his tenure, he navigated our PUD through the first relicensing of Box Canyon Dam. He effectively oversaw the expansion of our PUD during the acquisition of Inland Power and Light assets within Pend Oreille County. And, he nurtured a true sense of purpose and community within our PUD.
Our current board of commissioners have successfully found both a general manager and a management team who have the same skills and qualities… if not even better! A PUD commissioner does not have to be an expert in electrical engineering. A PUD commissioner does not have to be an expert in finance.
A PUD commissioner does not have to be an expert in customer service. But, your PUD commissioners are responsible for final approval of those people that are hired and/or appointed to execute those responsibilities. And, our current PUD board of commissioners has done an awesome job of doing exactly that! Our Pend Oreille County PUD has absolutely outstanding people at basically every level and in every position. The overwhelming majority of these people are not only ratepaying, vested members of our community desiring to achieve the goals of PUD for the welfare of our community, but they are also experts at what they do! The current PUD board of commissioners should receive a huge amount of credit for this.
3. What do you see as the single biggest issue facing Pend Oreille County residents as it pertains to the PUD?
There are a number of issues facing Pend Oreille County residents as it pertains to the PUD. We face ongoing regulatory (mostly environmental) mandates from both the State of Washington and the Federal Government - many, if not most, of which are typically “unfunded mandates” that could directly affect the ratepayers of Pend Oreille County.
PUD continues to address ongoing upgrades and improvements to our infrastructure that ensure reliable, quality service. PUD is also already focusing on the relicensing of Box Canyon Dam, even though that is roughly 30 years down the road. But, the number one issue facing Pend Oreille County residents as it pertains to the PUD is the negotiations of the PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) between Pend Oreille County PUD and Seattle City Lights.
This agreement stipulates how the 48 Megawatts of electricity that we receive from Boundary Dam/Seattle City Lights is administered. We currently have an agreement in place that is favorable and beneficial to both entities. A new agreement must be established by the year 2030. We need this new agreement to continue to be beneficial for the ratepayers of Pend Oreille County so that we may continue to enjoy the best possible service at the lowest possible rates.
4. Where would you like to see the PUD in the next five, 10, and 20 years?
Public Utility District #1 of Pend Oreille County has a rich tradition and history of putting the needs of our community and ratepayers first and providing “Quality Service at Low Cost.” Our predecessors foresaw the need for a citizen-owned, not-for-profit Public Utility District that would be able to provide reliable utilities at affordable rates to our remote, rural community. Their proactive, forward thinking mindset led to the construction of Box Canyon Dam in the 1950’s. Our PUD then successfully fought for settlement with the City of Seattle – a settlement that would guarantee Pend Oreille County citizens some of the lowest electric rates for generations to come. Since then, on multiple occasions our PUD has successfully negotiated improvements to that agreement - removing stipulations that would have had negative impacts on the ratepayers of Pend Oreille County. And, right now, Pend Oreille County PUD continues to serve us and work for a future where we will continue to enjoy the best possible service at the lowest possible cost. My primary focus as your PUD Commissioner will be to ensure that this remains the case for our children, our grandchildren, and beyond. Within the next five years, I hope to see a successful negotiation with Seattle City Light that will be beneficial for both sides. Over the next 10-20 years, I intend to see a PUD that effectively manages state and federal regulatory challenges and attends to ongoing infrastructure upgrades and improvements. Plus, don’t fail to maintain a focus on the 30-year mark when our FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) license for Box Canyon Dam must be renewed.
Ultimately, our primary desire is to continue to enjoy “Quality Service at Low Cost” for generations to come!
