Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
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JANUARY 2023
T WATTS CEO End-of-Year Update By Juli Orme
This year has been full of challenges, yet it has been full of rewards. We have battled through supply chain issues and to the end of a pandemic, yet somehow have grown not only in size but also in strength. The challenges we have faced have revealed what is rare in society yet common in the co-op world: resiliency within our company. I have witnessed opportunities for personal growth as well as unity within our organization as we have joined together to work through these challenges. There is a quote that says, “To succeed, you have to believe in something with such passion that it becomes a reality.” When I consider the passion of the farmers in 1945 to bring electricity to our rural area, I am in awe of the initial determination and drive that birthed Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, which has allowed us CHEC CEO to continue to grow and expand 77 years later. I am blessed to be part of yet another new chapter of Cookson Hills through the launch of Cookson Hills Connect and our high-speed internet and voice services through a state-of-the-art fiber-to-the-premises buildout. It’s the passion of the Board of Trustees and of our employees to see a need and meet that need in our rural areas – just as our rural farmers did in 1945. In two short years, we have progressed from the
planning stages for our broadband buildout to now offering our gigabit speed fiber-to-the-premises internet services to just under 10,000 homes and businesses — roughly half of our CHEC members. This was quite a task and quite an accomplishment in a short period of time. In addition to this feat, in 2022, we also upgraded poles in over 80 percent of our service territory and have cleared out 350 miles of vegetation, helping increase the reliability of our power grid and improving our outage restoration times. We are also finalizing our four-year construction work plan which targets areas that may need upgrades to ensure the reliability of our grid due to load growth. Although we have worked diligently to improve our electric system and to construct miles and miles of fiber, there is still much work to be done. During 2023, JULI ORME we hope to complete the fiber construction of our broadband project. We will also continue with our vegetation management program and will implement our new construction work plan, with continued efforts to improve reliability for our members. We hope that 2023 will be a year of blessings for you and your family. May you have a happy and blessed new year!
WATTS INSIDE Do You Have a Need for Speed? >> page 2
Unclaimed capital credits — Last names T-Z >> page 4
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. Headquarters Office PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 • 800-328-2368 Branch Office PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive Sallisaw, OK 74955 • 918-775-2211 Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Ogle, President Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer Dan Callahan, Trustee John Dillard, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Mike Rose, Trustee
District 6 District 1 District 7 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5
STAFF Juli Orme, General Manager Chris Morris, Chief Financial Officer Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services Rockey Oldham, Manager of Broadband Services Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering
Russell V. Barber, General Counsel Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article. Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills. Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.
bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)
2 | January 2023
Do You Have a Need for Speed? With reliable high-speed internet service and billions of dollars on the line, every Oklahoman is strongly encouraged to check their addresses for current service availability on a newly released map by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), according to the Oklahoma Broadband Office. The map, available at https:// broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home, allows visitors to look up their addresses and check to see if the information provided is accurate. If not, visitors can provide corrected information by clicking the Availability Challenge link. “We have reason to believe that some of the information listed on the site, especially in rural areas, is not accurate,” said Kirk Martin, interim director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office. “In many cases, the map lists service that is simply not available.” Any Oklahoman, business, school, church, library, or place
with internet service can look at the map and challenge the information. The request to check the map is urgent. The FCC has set a deadline of January 13, 2023, to provide correct information. Martin explained the importance of the FCC having accurate information. After the challenge process is completed, the data in the final version of the map will be used to determine how much grant money Oklahoma will get to improve internet service throughout the state,” he said. “If the final map contains bad information, thousands of Oklahomans could be left out.” [965301] Cooperative leaders are working with the Oklahoma Broadband Office and are calling on consumermembers in their service territories to thoroughly review the map— which is based on data from internet service providers—and get corrections to the FCC quickly.
CHEC to give away over $5,000 in scholarships to high school juniors! Learn more and apply at www. cooksonhills.com/youth-tour
Wondering if your account is eligible for Cookson Hills Connect highspeed internet? Our announcements include substation and feeder numbers, both of which can now be found on your bill!
“Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives encourage consumermembers across the state to respond to this request and check their internet service availability. Reliable broadband is a necessity for the growth, development, and economic prosperity in Oklahoma’s rural and suburban communities. Electric cooperatives care about the communities they serve and strive to be difference makers within their service territories. Having access to reliable broadband is crucial to the quality of life in co-op service areas throughout the state,” said Chris Meyers, General Manager of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. Reporting any discrepancies ensures the tens of billions of dollars in federal funding available goes where it’s needed. Simultaneously to the public challenge process, the office, Native American tribes, and other internet-related groups are scouring the map data and will challenge any erroneous entries they find. Oklahoma policymakers are focused on expanding and enhancing high-speed internet due to its many economic, health, and public safety benefits. The broadband office is regularly updating its website at broadband.ok.gov with the most recent information.
New zones open now! Substation Feeder 2 – ENT 4 4 – TEN 1 5 – SAL 1, 3, 4 6 – MUL 1, 2, 3, 4 12 – NIC 1, 2, 3 13 – VIA 3, 4 14 – LIB 1, 2 15 – AKI 1, 2, 3 Substation and feeder numbers can be found on your electric bill.
VIEW COVERAGE MAP AT broadbandmap.fcc.gov
www.cooksonhills.com | 3
Unclaimed Capital Credits If you recognize any of the below names, please have them contact CHEC at 800-328-2368. If you are the surviving heir of any person listed below, TABOR, DARRELL B TACKETT, LARRY D TACKETT, NOLEN W TANGUAY, JACE TARKINGTON, JEFF TATE, A H TATE, STEVE TATKENHORST, HERBERT TAYLOR, CORA L TAYLOR, DAVID G TAYLOR, DORETHA TAYLOR, E L TAYLOR, HARVE TAYLOR, JENNIFER TAYLOR, JERRY A TAYLOR, JIMMY L TAYLOR, LORENE S TAYLOR, MELVIN JR TAYLOR, SANDRA K TAYLOR, STACY TAYLOR, STEPHEN R TAYLOR, THOMAS W TEEHEE, CALVIN E TEEHEE, SAM TELECORP, TENBERG, CHARLES A TENG, THOMAS TERHUNE, DANA TERRELL, BILLY TERRELL, GEORGIE R TERRELL, JAMES TERRELL, LAWRENCE TERRELL, RONNIE TERRY, MARK H TEVEBAUGH, PAUL TEVEBAUGH, PAULA THE, BARBEQUE SHACK THOMAS, BECKY THOMAS, CHARLOTTE THOMAS, CLEO THOMAS, DANNY THOMAS, DANNY W THOMAS, GREGORY E THOMAS, HERBERT THOMAS, KIRBY G THOMAS, RAY THOMAS, TROY L THOMASON, MERLE T THOMPSON, BRENT N THOMPSON, CLEMENCE THOMPSON, DONALD THOMPSON, MARY A THOMPSON, MAX THOMPSON, MILDRED THOMPSON, RAY THOMPSON, RICHARD THOMPSON, ROBERT KSR THOMPSON, TERRY C THOMPSON, TIFFANY THOMPSON, YANCY THORNTON, CONNIE THORNTON, JAMES THORNTON, JOHN
4 | January 2023
THORP, DOUGLAS G TIGER, ROCK TILLERY, THOMAS L TILLMAN, LESLIE TIMMONS, JOE TINSLEY, CHARLES C TIPKEN, CLIFFORD H TITTEL, CARL C TOMBUR, INC TOMLIN, JAMES TOMLINSON, DALLAS W TOOTLE, KENNETH TORIX, RAYMOND D TOUNZEN, CAROLIN TOWNLEY, WILLIAM J TOWNSEND, EDDIE JR TRAMMEL, LUCINDA TRAMMELL, BILL D TRAMMELL, JAMES K TRAMMELL, ROBERT TRANTHAM, HOWARD G TREADWAY, FLORENCE TREADWAY, RAY TREAT, DENNIS G TREZZA, ANTHONY TRICE, D Y TRIMM, DENNIS TRUE, JOHN D TRUETT, ROBIN D TUCKER, HADA SR TUCKER, KENNETH TUCKER, MARY TUCKER, ROBERT W TUCKOSH, CHARLES TUGGLE, CURTIS E TURLEY, MICHAEL TURNER, HARROLL TURNER, JAMES M TURNER, JOYCE E TURNER, MARK E TURNER, MICHAEL W TURNER, RONALD L TURNER, TONY TURNEY, JERRY L TURPIN, SAMANTHA R TWIST, VERNON L TYLER, LUCILLE TYLER, RICHARD W ULMER, LARRY D UNDERWOOD, CAROLENE UNDERWOOD, CHARLIE UPTON, DANNY URDY, HUGH D VALDIVIA, RUDI VANMETER, GARY VANMETER, RICK D VANMETER, ROSIE VANN, H L VANN, PAUL D VANN, WILLIAM VANNOY, DENNIS L VANZANDT, GARY D VANZANDT, TREGG
please visit www.cooksonhills.com/capital-credits and complete the Affidavit of Surviving Heirs.
VAUGHAN, ASHLEY WEBB, JUDY VAUGHAN, JOHN III WEBB, LARRY VAUGHAN-ALLEN, SHERRILL L WEBB, LARRY E VENABLE, TRACY L WEBB, LAVERNE VICTORY, BRANDY WEBB, NATHAN VICTORY, JEREMY A WEBB, RALPH V VINCENT, FRED WEBBER, CHARLES VINCENT, LEE WEBER, MICHAEL VINCENT, MERLIN WEBER, PAUL VINSON, AMANDA R WEBSTER, RAYMOND VINSON, MAE WEDDLE, CURTIS WADE, CHARLES WEECE, BOBBY WAGNER, DAVID WEECE, WANDA WAGNON, JAMES D WEEMES, JIMMY WAGNON, KEITH WEEMS, RICHARD G WAGONER, CHARLES L WEIDENHOFT, STACY M WAKEN, SAM J WEISENFELS, MICHELLE WALDEN, PAT Y WELCH, JOE M WALDEN, RICHARD WELLS, CARISH WALKER, BRANDI O WELLS, RANDAL WALKER, DON W WELLS, SHELLY WALKER, DORRIE A WELSH, DYLAN M WALKER, HERBERT WENMAN, ROGER P WALKER, MICHAEL N WEST, FRANK S WALLACE, CHARLEY D WEST, JAMES HII WALLACE, ROBBIE WEST, THOMAS WALLIN, JESSIE WESTCAMP, BURNA WALTERS, B F WHEAT, LEOLA B WALTERS, BOBBY D WHEATLEY, ROY E WALTERS, BOBBY J WHEELER, BROCK WALTERS, D D WHEELER, DALE WALTERS, HENRY JR WHISENHUNT, JERRY JR WALTON, MELINDA WHISENHUNT, MIKE WALTON, RONDA WHITAKER, KENNETH E WALTON, T W WHITAKER, LAWRENCE B WALTZ, JOHN M WHITAKER, ROBBIE WARD, BETH A WHITAKER, ROBERT WARD, JEANETTE WHITE, DONALD WARD, JEREMY D WHITE, GARY W WARD, JIMMY WHITE, J W WARD, TERESA WHITE, JAMES G WARD, WELDON C WHITE, JAMES H WARDEN, LINDA WHITE, JAMES W WARE, MARVIN E WHITE, KENNETH E WARNER, CARL J WHITE, L A WARNOCK, BARBARA WHITE, LEWIS D WARREN, CRAIG WHITE, NEIL WARREN, ROBERT D WHITE, RITA WARRICK, AUDRY E WHITE, TONYA WARRICK, ROBERT WHITE, F W WATERS, GEORGE WHITEKILLER, DAVID WATERS, RONEY WHITFIELD, DONALD WATKINS, JOHN A WHITLEY, BOB WATKINS, KATY E WHITLEY, ROBERT WATTS, AMANDA WHITMER, CLEM W WATTS, DAVID B WHITMIRE, RAYMOND WATTS, NATHAN WHITSON, DAVID L WATTS, SAM WICKETT, JACK L WATTS, STAN L WICKETT, KENNETH WAYLAND, ERNEST H WICKS, AUSTIN WEABER, KIMBERLEE WIGHT, MONTEA JIII WEATHERFORD, CHRISTOPHER WILDER, TROY WEATHERFORD, RONI WILDWOOD, COUNTRY
CHURCH WILDWOOD, COUNTRY CHURCH WILKERSON, DELLA WILL, DOUGLAS M WILLET, MICHAEL WILLEY, ROBERT EJR WILLIAMS, ANGELA WILLIAMS, CALVIN M WILLIAMS, CHRISTOPHER K WILLIAMS, DON D WILLIAMS, DOYLE D WILLIAMS, GEORGE E WILLIAMS, HAROLD WILLIAMS, JASEN WILLIAMS, JERRY M WILLIAMS, KENT WILLIAMS, MELINDA G WILLIAMS, RALEIGH JR WILLIAMS, TERRY WILLIAMS, THURMAN WILLIAMS, VINSON WILLIAMS, WALTER WILLIAMS, ENERGY SERVICE WILLIAMSON, DARLENE WILLIAMSON, GLENN P WILLIAMSON, JAMES D WILLIAMSON, RAYNELL E WILLIS, CATHERINE WILLIS, REBECCA L WILLISON, JAMES WILSON, CHARLES R WILSON, COLEEN WILSON, DOW WILSON, E J WILSON, EDWARD WILSON, FRED A WILSON, HAROLD JJR WILSON, JEREMY T WILSON, JOHNNY R WILSON, KENNETH L WILSON, MATTHEW WILSON, MICHAEL WILSON, RON SR WILSON, RONALD G WILSON, RONALD HJR WILSON, SHANE WILSON, SHANNON WINANS, RONALD WINKLEPLECK, GEORGE WINSTEAD, GLEN S WISE, WILMA J WISWELL, JESSIE J WITT, BARNES L WIYNINGER, KEVIN WOLF, JOSEPH WJR WOLF, MANUEL J WOLFE, GWENETH WOOD, DANNY WOOD, DIANE WOOD, DOYLE WOOD, F D WOOD, MICHAEL
WOOD, TOM WOOD, TONI A WOOD, ROY L WOODALL, L T WOODARD, HOWARD WOODRUFF, H E WOODRUFF, MAXINE WOODS, BONNIE S WOODWARD, CASEY WOODWARD, HERSHEL WOODWARD, RICHARD WOODY, MELVIN D WOODY, RAY WOOLWORTH, DIANA J WOOTEN, GARVIS JR WORLEY, JAMES H WPX, ENERGY WRIGHT, A G WRIGHT, BILLY WRIGHT, GENIE WRIGHT, JESSE WRIGHT, JUANITA WRIGHT, THELMA J WYLIE, DONNA YANDELL, LISA D YEAGER, DANA D YOTHER, KIMBERLY A YOUKNA, CHARLES J YOUKNA, CONNIE M YOUNG, BYRON F YOUNG, DAVID YOUNG, DEBRA YOUNG, JIMMY YOUNG, MARY ZACHARIAE, JAMES L ZELLER, STEVEN D ZIEMBA, JOSEPH D ZIGELER, RALPH E ZINN, DOMBY L ZUCKERMANDEL, JIM