For some reason, GVEA President-CEO Brian Newton, perhaps a result of his 'for shame' comment at the Annual Meeting, decided it would be a good idea to organize a protest/rally outside the Northern Alaska Environmental Center (NAEC). The NAEC is one of the 4 organizations who oppose restarting the Healy 2 coal fired powerplant without some conditions GVEA didn't like. The board found out some days before and required Newton to be open about his and GVEA's involvement, which he then followed. Chena Hot Springs and Chena Power owner Bernie Karl was the featured speaker.
The rally of about 75 was outnumbered 2:1 by Northern Alaska Environmental Center very enthusiastic counter-rally attendees and became quite the happening. (This article isn't exactly correct). A generally friendly event, as the GVEA sponsored rally faded out, people on both sides mixed in the side street to share opinions.
A couple weeks later, the GVEA Board of Directors held a special board meeting at Sophie Station with the one executive session topic - Personnel Matters. A few days later, GVEA issued a press release that Brian Newton had resigned from GVEA effective immediately to 'pursue other opportunities in the Lower 48'.
It seems logical that this resignation is the result of the bungled rally, but more deeply, I believe, the result on escalating board dissatisfaction with Newton's performance on a number of issues of late. There has been lots of negative press besides about his high salary and benefits ($450,000 though that likely includes some travel costs).
GVEA local counsel Cory Borgeson was announced to be acting CEO. Perhaps his long time legal partner John Burns (recently Alaska Attorney General) will be taking Cory's place as local counsel. While John seems a straight up guy, this might be a bit of a conflict of interest. GVEA said they will be doing a nationwide search for a new CEO.
As a side note, Chena Power (see Bernie Karl above) apparently owes GVEA over $56,000 in past due electricity charges. Unlike most consumers, Chena Power has not had their power cut for delinquency as is required by tariff. I would hope that Chena Power can make payment so they don't get cut off.
For the record, this is the first time a head of GVEA has left under such circumstances. It's hard on an organization and the board when this happens. I hope they can find a replacement who is able to work with the various constituencies to bring affordable and environmental sound energy to GVEA members/ratepayers.
