PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Democrats have overwhelmingly voted to endorse Proposition 1, which would grant Jefferson County Public Utility District the authority to provide electrical service.
The action coincides with Puget Sound Energy shareholders having contributed more than $140,000 to encourage voters to shoot down the effort on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
The Jefferson County Democrats voted 40-4 Tuesday night to support the proposition after hearing presentations from Citizens for Local Power and PSE, which now provides electrical power service in east Jefferson County.
The PUD now provides water and sewer service.
“A large number of members just felt it was the right way to go,” said Larry Bonar, Jefferson County Democrats communications officer.
“There weren’t any particular points made that people responded to. They agreed with all points made” by Citizens for Local Power.
Bill Wise, co-facilitator with Citizens for Local Power, and Terry Oxley, PSE director of community services, presented the two sides of the debate.
