Letter to the Editor: "Decorah Power's Loss by Only Five Votes Considered Success in David vs Goliath"

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Bob Puffer of Decorah):

"Alliant, a 'deep-pockets' energy conglomerate, outspent Decorah Power, a grassroots volunteer organization, by over 3-to-1, resulting in a difference of only five votes out of 2,765 total votes cast. That is less than 1/5th of one percent.

If a few dollars less had been been spent by Alliant Energy, we'd likely be proceeding to discover if a public utility could be benefit the Decorah community. If three people had changed their votes from 'no' to 'yes,' we would have proceeded to discover if a public utility could benefit the Decorah community.

The issues surrounding this referendum were complex and very confused at times by well-meaning people. But I believe Decorah is smarter than this -- they are just as smart as Waverly, Osage, Spencer, Atlantic... and on and on and on. A recount may or may not bring about a change. If not, four years from now surely will."