HOMER ELECTRIC
VALUES
I'm Crystal Schwartz McKenney and it's great to meet you. Thank you for being an active Homer Electric member and taking an interest in this exciting election.
I'm a lifelong Alaskan and my first home was a one room homestead cabin on the Peninsula. I'm fortunate to be raising my amazing children here in the same community I grew up in. I've owned and operated small businesses, created local jobs, led youth camps for over a decade, and now work serving vulnerable families and kids in our community - including helping locals with energy bills assistance.
I know the added stress that high electric bills put on our families. As a mom, I also feel responsibility for ensuring that future generations can afford to live, work and prosper here.
As an HEA Board member, I'll work overtime to bring my small business savvy to fight for solutions that lower costs and help keep our energy dollars local and recirculating in our economy.
Practical, affordable, and keeping the long view in mind, I'd be honored to earn your vote to put our Homer Electric Values to work.
2024 IS A TURNING POINT
2024 is a crucial turning point for our energy future. Our current gas supplier is at risk of disappearing, leaving our communities without easy answers. Options to import natural gas aren't a surefire solution and would place us at the mercy of a volatile and political global market. We'll need to strike a smart balance that stabilizes our situation now while giving us time to build the energy system we want for the long haul.
I know that people on the Peninsula are innovative, hardworking. and independent. These same values need to guide our work in reducing our dependency on unreliable sources, growing our local economy, and protecting our natural riches.
ENERGY FOR LIVABILITY
Hardworking Peninsula families need more options for good-paying careers. As a mom, I think about the opportunities for my kids to stay, work, and build a good life here at home.
Our co-op leadership can be a partner in growing the local economy by investigating ways to put our abundant wind, sun, water, and tides resources to work for us. Keeping our energy dollars local, instead of relying on faraway corporations and foreign governments, can be a win-win for our energy independence and a new generation of great local jobs.
COMMUNITY-ROOTED REPRESENTATION
We all have busy lives and most people I talk with have little time to pay attention to Homer Electric topics, much less attend meetings and advocate for their needs. As a lifelong local, business owner, and youth camp leader, I'm running for our board to bridge that gap between members and the board room, sharing important HEA information with the community and bringing community concerns to the agenda.
HOW TO VOTE
Ballots mail to Homer Electric members on Friday March 29. That day, members will also receive an email with a secure online voting option linked to their accounts.
Mail or online votes are due by Wednesday May 1.
Members can also choose to vote in-person on Thursday May 2 at the HEA Annual Meeting at Homer High School. The time of the meeting is not yet published.
