I said almost the exact same thing to someone the other day. I bought 3 things at walmart a few weeks ago and then went to Safeway for groceries and two of the three items were actually cheaper at Safeway. Walmart is not always the best price.

When considering the devistation to communities, businesses, and 3rd World natons, I suggest they are never the best price.

From what little info I've been able to garner, it appears Wal~Mart has made improvements in employee relationships and/or benefits. Price point devistation of competitors and bullying of suppliers continues.

You only need good selection and low prices if there is someone around to compete with you. Once you have destroyed everyone you are free to do what you want.

Do you happen to be a PUD employee?

If it's being run wrong, you need to do a better job. It is, after all, yours.

More correctly it is "ours" and not mine. They have little incentive to do a better job for there is no viable alternative for their product. Unfortunately, IMO, they operate with that very backdrop in mind..to operate as a monopoly. For this to be corrected, we all need to do a better job.

I couldn't disagree more. Your Commissioners understand their role as stewards of "our" public utility. I am aware of many times when each of the employees reiterated that the "customer" was also the "owner" of the system. Your PUD rates are comparable to or lower in most cases than other utilities. Your reliability can be held up against any other utility. Employees, our friends, family and neighbors, are well-compensated and treated fairly.

The financial soundness of your utility is beyond reproach. While some utter feign complaints about the PUD's debt, the long-term debt is less than one year's revenue.
Often people complain about public entities suggesting they "operate like our home has to operate". How many homes have one year's salary or less in long-term debt?

No one is happy when rates go up, and there will always be anomolies and anecdotes of less than expected service, but peeling the onion back reveals our public entity is extremely well run by management and blessed with outstanding employees.

There are times when it appears the tail wags the dog a little too much, and sometimes it does, but that's the nature of the game.

I'm glad this turned into another thread about the PUD.

Don't blame Stash. That was me...Sorry.