BRIGHTON – Voters in the United Power service area sent Elizabeth “Beth” Martin to the board last week and re-elected a pair of incumbents.

    Martin, a Realtor and owner of Hudson’s Pepper Pod Restaurant, picked up 2,395 votes in the East District. She outdistanced Mark Davis (2,163), James Vigessa (1,131) and Cheryl Ferne (986).

    Martin said she was “thrilled and humbled” to join the board.

    “Developments in complex emerging technologies and policies – not to mention some very powerful economic and  political forces – are transforming the utility industry,” she said via e-mail. “These forces necessitate I immerse myself in more education and drink from the veritable fire hose of information available in order to help guide United Power through the challenges ahead.”

    Martin said she already began the process toward earning a credentialed cooperative director’s certificate and hopes to follow that with a board leadership certificate.

    “I’ll be vigilant about striking a balance between improving and maintaining our infrastructure while keeping a sharp eye on our costs,” she said. “I also intend to ensure we focus on being the best stewards of our resources possible and that includes both the natural as well as the very valuable human resources involved in bringing us all electricity.

    “Although United Power is not in the business of generating power, we need to maintain a strong voice in that conversation and I intend to add my voice loudly and clearly to that dialogue,” she added.

    In the South District, Susan Petrocco, an incumbent and a former board president, had a total of 4,083 votes. Challenger Shawn Enriques received 2,593 votes. Petrocco is a co-owner of Petrocco Farms in Brighton.

Incumbent Lewis Foster fought off strong challenges from former Dacono Mayor Wade Carlson and real estate appraiser Ursula Morgan in the West District. Foster gathered 2,359 votes, Morgan had 2,346 and Carlson finished with 2,020. The result was so close that votes were recounted.

    The election took place during United Power’s annual meeting April 21 at the Armory at Brighton Cultural Center.