ARPA Responds to LUB Meeting Request, LUB Youth Job Program Starts in June

Lamar Light and Power Plant

Area high school students between 18-21 years of age who have completed their junior year of high school can apply to Lamar Light and Power for employment in the company’s summer youth jobs program. 

The annual seasonal program offers temporary employment beginning June 3 for eight to ten weeks through the summer.  The program allows qualified youth a hands-on experience, learning about the various job opportunities available in the electric utility industry, focusing on Lamar Light and Power.  The positions open are:  Apprentice Line Worker Trainee, Plant Maintenance Mechanic Trainee and Plant Operation Trainee.  The deadline application is Friday, May 17. 

The January 2013 financial report for Lamar Light and Power showed total operating revenues for the year are $1,059,501 and total operating costs are $935,970 for a gross operating income of $123,531.  There is a year to date net loss of $18,214 with non-operating revenues and expenses taken into consideration.  Year to date retail sales are down 14%, or $174,972 when January 2013 is compared to last January. 

In a follow-up to the April letters sent between the Lamar Utility Board and Robert Freidenberger, President of ARPA, Arkansas Regional Power Authority, requesting a meeting with ARPA representatives to discuss electric rates, costs and responsibility for the Lamar Repowering Project overruns and information regarding construction bonds, the ARPA message holds firm; the monthly ARPA meetings are open to the public and you’re welcome to attend.    

The April 22, 2013 reply to the Lamar Utilities Board states, “The ARPA Board meetings are open to the public but we rely on our board members to communicate concerns of our members as our agendas do not include a public forum.  We strongly encourage the Prowers County Commissioners or any like group interested in the business activities of ARPA to attend our board meetings.  The meetings are typically held on the last Thursday of each month.  Attendance at our meetings will provide valuable insight into the business activities of ARPA including monthly and year to date operations and ARPA’s financial condition.  

If LUB and its ARPA board members are approached with concerns from these citizen groups we encourage the Board representatives to bring those concerns to the ARPA board where we will do our best to address the issues.”

By Russ Baldwin