Honest, Open and Fair I will work hard for you!
billion CAMPAIGN 2024
Implement Board Improvements
Assure Fair Rates for all Members
Assure Fair Rates for all Members
- Strengthen the democratic nature of the Dakota Electric Board by eliminating cronyism in the Board Room.
- Require that all actions by the Board be transparent, honest, open, and fair.
- Record Monthly Board Meetings, and record votes of individual Board Members .
- Require Board members to disclose all payments received from the board and other positions they hold based on board membership.
Assure Fair Rates for all Members
Assure Fair Rates for all Members
Assure Fair Rates for all Members
- Review electrical rates from top to bottom to make sure all members are charged fairly.
- Monitor what we pay for wholesale energy from our supplier (GRE) to make sure we pay the same price as other co-ops.
- Review the residential, commercial and industrial rates for fairness.
- Let's be fair especially in this time of inflation!
Continue Reliable Service
Assure Fair Rates for all Members
Continue Reliable Service
- Make reliability of service the primary consideration in long-term growth plans and when solving problems faced by Dakota Electric Association.
- Enable the employees of Dakota Electric to continue their excellent work of supplying reliable, abundant, affordable and sustainable energy to the members of the coop.
- Encourage development of solar power and wind power.
I need your help
To win an election, especially against an incumbent, I need votes. Your vote is greatly appreciated and a great help. Help me a bit more by telling your friends, family, and neighbors about me. Call them on the phone, email them or post this website to your social media platforms. Thanks for your help.
Endorsements
Specific Comments
Jerry Brown, 2024 Nominating Committee* and former candidate
"I wish voters had the opportunity to listen to the interview answers. Since this isn't possible , I will share my opinion of those who I perceived to be highly qualified for the director role. They are: Clay Van de Bogart, Richard Billion, Donald Vasatka, and Ian Benson." Dakota County Tribune, March 15, 2024 .
Derik Dautel , Dakota Electric Assn Board Watch Dog, former Nominating Committee Member*
He endorsed myself and the candidates with "courageous integrity" on the first page of his website https://deawatchdog.com/
Laura Lee Berger, Former Candidate, Longtime member, Coldwell Banker Realator
"I am pleased to endorse Rich Billion for the Dakota Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. With a profound commitment to service, Rich embodies the principles of transparency and accountability, essential for the governance of our cooperative. His dedication to securing optimal service and rates for members is commendable. Importantly, Rich advocates for a balanced approach towards sustainable energy solutions, championing the development of solar and wind power. This is done with a keen awareness of current technological capabilities and financial practicality, ensuring that progress does not come at an unreasonable cost. In Rich Billion, we find a candidate who aligns with both our immediate needs and long-term environmental responsibilities. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy and strongly encourage fellow members to cast their vote for Rich Billion – a choice that represents the best interests of our district."
Raymond Yarwood
"I ask Dakota Electric members to vote for Richard Billion in the director election on April 25 (ballots go out April 8).
Richard is knowledgeable, capable and dedicated to upholding democratic principles. Richard is fair, open and honest. He promises to work had to implement board improvements and assure fair rates for everyone. However, he is running against an "incumbent" and history shows that the incumbent almost always wins.
But in this case I have a problem with the way the incumbent became the incumbent in the first place--another reason I'm supporting Richard.
After Director Bill Holton died las December, the Dakota Electric Board declared that his seat would remain vacant until 2024, when it was to be filled by member election, in accordance with the decades long tradition and as provided for in the by-laws. Suddenly, during the July board meeting, without notice or warning, a bare majority of the board reversed course and appointed someone to the vacant board seat--a deely flawed and undemocratic action. This process, while allowed by the bylaws, was in contraction to the previous declarations and didn't provide the opportunity for others to apply.
I think this action smacks of political gamesmanship and should by rejected by the members.
Join me in voting for Richard Billion for Dakota Electric Director in DEA's District 3 (Seat 2) and send a message to the powers that be."
*Dakota Electric sets up a nominating committee of 8 members that question all of the candidates and who nominate only the candidates they feel are qualified.
