Oneota Co-op elects new board members

The Oneota Community Food Cooperative announced the election of Jon Jensen, Bill Pardee and Steve McCargar as new board members at its annual meeting Thursday night.

Jensen and Pardee were board nominated candidates. McCargar was on the ballot as the only petition nominated candidate. They will replace Onita Mohr (8 years), Georgie Klevar (9 years) and Toni Smith (9 years). Board President Lyle Luzum recognized them for their many years of committed service.

McCargar, a former employee, was at the center of board controversy last December when the board drafted by-law revisions that would prohibit former employees from running for board positions. The board backed off on that plan at its December board meeting amid concerns from membership.

McCargar netted the most total votes, far surpassing any other candidate. Board President Lyle Luzum said he was pleased that the results of the "weighted voting" election (where voters can cast multiple votes for the same person) would have been the same if there had been a regular single vote election, so that there was no question about the voter intent. The membership also voted in the recent election to eliminate the weighted voting system.

New General Manager David Lester was also introduced to the members. He shared multiple new ventures, and was pleased about the current direction of finances and sales.