The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1951-06-11
CITY ELECTRIC
MODEL FOR
CUBAN PROJECT
Isle Of Pines
To Be Like
Key Vests
P0aUer Set-Up
BY SUSAN McAvoY

4
The City Electric Sys-
tenn is held up and extOlled
as a model municipality
owned power system by ex-
peris throughout Latin
America, as well as i'm the
states.
This | learned in IA re-
cent interview with DIR.
Ventura Deilunale. repre-
sentative of Havana prov
ince in the Cuban legisla-
lure and the outstanding
public power expert in
Latin-America. t
Dellunde, who has cam
paigned for years 10 re-
duce electric rates in his
native land, is on the eve
of victory.
''My goal is that an is
land south of Cuba, the Isle
of Pines, will one day
match an island north of
Cuba, Key West in its ex.
cellent service TO the peo-
ple.''
Today said Dellunde, the lowest
electric rate in Cuba is double
the highest rate in the United
States.
In the near future, however,
said Dellunde, Cuba may have
'she same kind of public power sys-
lem established in Key West eight
years ago. " Fss n
THE interchange OF ideas and
information between the people
Of Key West and the people OF
Cuba is traditional" said the
handsome, public power leader.
In recent years Dellunde has
made thorough study of the City
Electric system,
&C. A. Van Deursen, MANAGER
Of the Key West system has given
me the benefit of his years OF ex-
perience in advising me about the
electrical problems of your island
| hope we can follow Key West
leadership in establishing public
utility just like it first in the Isle
Of Pines and then throughout
Cuba.
Dellunde who has led the pub
lie power fight in Cuba for more
han a decade said in his Havana
aw office.
For the first time, Cuba can
take step forward to public
ownership Of electrical plants.
We have the money now to buy
the equipment. We have the sur
veys made of where the need IS
greatest for identification. Van
Deursen has been most generous
in sending me answers to my in
numberable questions about how
such a public utility is set up"
Dellunde, a handsome States
educated man in his carly forties
told me that he first became in
terested in lowering electric rates
through public ownership when
he studied in the States.
Il want to see that my people
can obtain the benefits of the
most modern teehniques Of cleo
trification.
For that purposes Dellunde has
become a power expert himself.
He said: The rehabilitation of
Key Vests electric system is a
tribute TO Van Deursen's know
how and hard work. His record is
today recognized as brilliant by
such bodies as the American Pub
lie Power Association, and VIC in
Cuba arc proud that we have had
the benefit of his advice"
Dellunde said that he wants
Utility Board in the Isle of Pines
modelled after City Electrie's BID,
What we plan is that we can
set up public corporation in Isle
of Pines composed of civic lead
ers, citrus growers. packing house
leaders and labor. This group will
serve as docs your Utility Board
in Key West to determine policy,
rates. and service
Dellunde said that public cleo
trification of the Isle of Pines will
mean the rebirth of the Island
as a commercial entity
The gold mine on Isle of Pines
has been shut down since Septem-|
Der for lack of power, said Del
lunde. The grapefruit packit 81
Continued IsA Fags ~ ~