To the editor:

It was with absolute amazement that I read Michael Ward’s letter about Pioneer Electric Cooperative in Sunday’s letter to the editor section. At first, I found it humorous. And then, I became a little concerned that some may in fact believe him.

Let’s take Mr. Ward’s allegations one at a time. And I’ll be much briefer than he.

* Mr. Ward says Pioneer paid for the television advertising supporting the Co-op’s current board. These ads were paid for by Friends of Pioneer, an independent organization formed to support our cooperative. We are not financially supported by Pioneer. We are comprised of members who wish all facts be presented, not just Mr. Ward’s.

* A lawsuit in Butler County filed by Mr. Ward’s REMAC group has asked the judge to dissolve Pioneer and sell it. That is a fact that his organization is attempting to hide. They want to take away your rights as members.

* Pioneer Electric will not open its books to anyone not authorized. Nor will your farmer’s cooperative, ALFA or other member owned companies. Pioneer also won’t sell its membership list to anyone including telemarketers. This is for all members’ protection. However, Pioneer is audited by a professional accounting firm each and every year.

* REMAC says it will lower your electric bill. But they haven’t explained how they will accomplish this. How do most companies lower costs? They fire employees. And, should they do that, members will see a significant difference in their electric service.

* A copy of the proposed bylaw changes were sent to each member when the mail ballot issue was proposed. Could Mr. Ward tell us what “sweeping bylaw changes” were made? I imagine he hasn’t even bothered to read them.

* Market Research Insights was hired as an independent, professional firm to oversee the mail ballot referendum. After performing an efficient job, they were retained again to conduct the board election. MRI is an out-of-state company which counts all ballots by hand and enters them into their computers. If Mr. Ward would have attempted to vote twice, the computer would have detected his deceit and tossed his second ballot out.

* Personally, I prefer an independent firm counting the votes. Pioneer shouldn’t do it, nor should REMAC.

Simply put, if REMAC will stop telling lies about our cooperative, Friends of Pioneer will stop telling the truth about REMAC.

Karl Jones