Editor,
    I am very alarmed about recent actions taken by the United Power board of directors. The board decided to engage in a national search to find my replacement that cost United Power members tens of thousands of dollars. The board also raised my salary by $50,000 in order to attract the best possible candidate.
    In July of 2010, the board president received an anonymous letter that made accusations against one of the possible internal candidates, [United Power’s chief operatons officer]. The board president kept the existence of this letter secret until the COO submitted her application in October (more than 90 days). The president’s actions are in direct violation of United Power Board policies. 
    The board received the accusation letter from the board president the Friday after the COO submitted her application. Becoming aware of the letter, I ordered a review of the accusations using an independent attorney. The review disclosed no evidence substantiating the claims. The board refused to examine the positive review.
    The United Power board’s goal was to find the very best candidate to replace me. The United Power board selected a candidate nearing the end of his career. His experience comes from the generation and transmission side of the industry and has no electrical distribution co-op experience.
    Why did the board of directors spend more than $100,000 in search fees and a salary increase to find my replacement and, why did they overlook the value of more than 40 years of experience, loyalty and dedication presented by the internal candidates? 
    Why did the board president withhold unfounded information until the day after an application was received? 
    Why did the board read the accusation letter and refuse to read the report that refuted all accusations?
    I ask why?
Robert D. Broderick
CEO, United Power, retired