Dear Editor,

My name is Butch Walb, and I have lived in the Tri-Towns since 1978. I served as a Firestone Trustee on the Firestone Town Board for 18 years, the Tri-Area Ambulance for four years and the Frederick-Firestone Fire board for eight years as secretary, vice president and president.

I am recommending that you re-elect Virginia “Ginny” Buczek for United Power’s Director of the North District.

Ginny has lived in the Firestone for 35 years and has always been active in working for the betterment of the community. I served with Ginny on the Firestone Board of Trustees, the Firestone Planning Commission (she held both the chair and co-chair positions) and the Firestone Parks and Trail Commission. She has also served on the Tri-Area Ambulance Board, Tri-Area Planning Commission, the Technical Committee for the Southwest Weld Study and the Weld County Council, where she was vice president and president.

Being a director is a lot more than meetings. It literally takes hundreds of hours of research, study and training to understand and know the issues to be able fulfill the director’s position. Ginny has earned many certifications in the public electric field, including the NRECA Director Gold Credential that few people achieve.

Ginny has demonstrated she is fiscally responsible, focusing on cost-effective new technologies and financial accountable serving on the Audit Committee. She will work diligently for safe, reliable electric power and outstanding customer service. She has always been available for the residents to talk to her about their concerns, ideas or answer their questions.

She is very passionate about fire mitigation. She has worked tirelessly and with tenacity to prevent the ignition of wildfires due to United Powers infrastructure throughout the Service Territory. These are some of the deterrents the United Power has done to prevent fires from their equipment.

• Using smoke detectors throughout the Mountain District

• Mountain top cameras

• Maintaining clear right of ways

• Insulated cable

• Fire-retardant pole wraps through the Plains District

• Training programs for our partner Fire, Police, and Sheriff Departments

• Collaborating with the First Responders throughout the Territory on fire mitigation and disaster planning

This has resulted in United Power Members benefiting from lower insurance rates paid by United Power. United fire mitigation efforts are recognized by the state, and one of United's Operational Mangers sits on the State Wildfire Committee.

Ginny will continue to serve both the residents of the West district and all United Power Customers exceptionally well.

When you receive your United Power ballot in the mail, vote for and re-elect Virginia “Ginny” Buczek for United Power Director of the North District.

Thank You,

Butch Walb

Firestone