Letter to the Editor - Huron Daily Plainsman - Tommy Baruth
To the Editor:
Board members of Dakota Energy Cooperative, you were elected by your fellow cooperative members because they had respect for you. We felt you would be knowledgeable in the field and would make decisions beneficial to the cooperative and its members. We trusted you to study the issues and follow the rules established by the cooperative and the state bylaws. We expected you to serve as our representatives on the coop board.
You did serve us well for many years. Suddenly, things seemed to change. In our national scene, the “truth” seems to be whatever you want it to be. It has nothing to do with the rules, the laws, or the facts of the matter. But, in reality that isn’t how it is and our moral principles guide us to follow the truthful path. The legendary principles of a South Dakotan (hard-working, honest, and truthful) show us as an exception to the national norm. We’ve always been there to help our neighbor; we don’t abandon them. We work out our problems together. In this way we get to know and trust each other.
Recently, much of the cohesiveness and trust has been lost between the Board of Directors and the members of Dakota Energy Cooperative. Is it because of lack of communication, a power ploy, or outside influence? Whatever the reason, it is not too late to reverse matters and re-instill the trust and respect that was once evident in this relationship.
However, it must start with communicating truthful information only.
Board members of Dakota Energy, it is time for us to get together and
address the problem at hand. Let’s do it as the cooperative which we
are, not in a courtroom where only the lawyers win. Let’s do it as true
South Dakotans, humbly, respectfully, and together.
Tommy Baruth
Alpena
Note: This letter to the editor originally appeared in the Huron Daily Plainsman
https://www.plainsman.com/arti...
Posted on December 21, 2021