2015 May Daviess-Martin REMC Newsletter

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATI www.dmremc.com CONTACT US

Daviess-Martin County REMC TOLL FREE

800-762-7362

GENERAL MANAGER

Ken Frye

OFFICE HOURS

7:30 a.m.– 4 p.m., Monday-Friday STREET ADDRESS

12628 E 75 N, Loogootee, IN 47553 MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 430, Loogootee, IN 47553 SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

To report an outage or emergency, call 812-295-4200 or 800-7627362 day or night.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dean Harrawood, PRESIDENT John Edwards, VICE PRESIDENT August Bauer, SECRETARY Michael E. Arvin, TREASURER Terry Chapman Dale Marchino Steve Streepy BILL PAYMENT OPTIONS

Online bill payment Budget billing Auto bank draft Drive-through window Night depository Credit card payment (VISA, Discover and MasterCard accepted) Pay-by-phone MISSION STATEMENT

“Our mission is to provide dependable electricity and quality services for our members at reasonable cost.”

Like us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/Daviess MartinCountyREMC

TIP OF THE MONTH

Ceiling fans help you save!

Circulate savings! Ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool during summer months and can even allow you to raise your thermostat setting about 4 degrees without affecting your comfort.

— ENERGY.GOV

4

A farewell note from Frye As I enter a new phase of my life — retirement — I would like to personally thank the board of directors, employees and members of Daviess-Martin County REMC for the opportunity to serve as your general manager for the past 15 years.

I have served a total of 27 years at the REMC. I have personally witnessed many changes and improvements at your cooperative. One of my first endeavors as the co-op manager involved a cost-of-service study. As a result, we raised our customer charge rate and reduced the kilowatt-hour charges. This aligned our rates, making the cost of service fair and equitable among all members. A new headquarters building was constructed in Loogootee in 2003 allowing us to provide better service by being more centrally located in our service territory. Our new after-hours call system increased our incoming line capacity and provides more efficient service during outages.

“As a lifelong resident of Martin County, it’s been a blessing and a pleasure to enjoy a career serving Daviess-Martin County REMC members.”

Innovations in metering technology have taken us from using neighborhood meter readers to automated meter reading and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a two-way communication system which allows us to get readings in less than 30 seconds and send commands back to the meter. This allows us to verify meters are energized following an outage and sets the groundwork for several of our billing and energy efficiency programs, such as remote disconnect/reconnect,

ELECTRIC CONSUMER • MAY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

Daviess-Martin County REMC General Manager Ken Frye will retire June 19. He has been at the cooperative for the past 27 years.

pre-pay metering, energy management and SmartHub. These programs have proved very beneficial in controlling costs and providing members with unprecedented access to their electrical use information.

As a lifelong resident of Martin County, it’s been a blessing and a pleasure to enjoy a career serving Daviess-Martin County REMC members. The support and encouragement of both the general membership and the member-elected board of directors have provided the resources and the direction to enable the REMC staff to meet past challenges and prepare for the future.

No one could enjoy a job for 27 years unless he/she was working with wonderful fellow employees who are skilled and dedicated and who also possess great personal qualities. While day-to-day contact with these folks will be sorely missed, they are also the reason that I can take my leave without a moment’s concern about Daviess-Martin County REMC remaining in capable hands.

KEN FRYE is general manager of Daviess-Martin County REMC.

IVE Sign up for budget billing

T

he Daviess-Martin County REMC budget billing program is offered to members who prefer a level payment plan for monthly electric bills.

So, whether your high use is during the hot summer months or the freezing cold winter months, you will pay a fixed amount monthly.

All accounts are balanced with the bill received in May. Overpayment of less than $10 will be applied to your account. Checks will be mailed separately if overpayment is in excess of $10.

If you have used more kilowatt-hours than you have paid for, the bill will reflect the amount due the REMC and that amount must be paid by the due date on the bill.

Budget billing becomes even more convenient when combined with one of our Automatic Payment Plans. With these plans you may choose to have your bank account drafted monthly or a credit card charged monthly.

For those of you already taking advantage of this convenient billing option, your new budget amount will automatically be recalculated. There is no need to contact us unless there are changes in your household that will affect your electric use in the coming 12 months.

Contact our billing department for more information. …

‘Win! Win! Win!’ Each month, Daviess-Martin County REMC asks our readers three questions to which the answers can be found in the articles of Electric Consumer. Follow these simple rules: 1.) Clip the coupon along the dotted line. 2.) Fill it out. 3.) Return it to our office with your monthly payment before the 20th of the month. (Delinquent payments are not eligible.)

Each month a winner will be drawn from the entries submitted.

Make sure you bring or mail in your most recent coupon, as the coupons are dated monthly. Members with automatic payment accounts will be entered in the contest as well. Copies will not be accepted, and coupons are not available at the office! Winners will be notified and their names published in the following monthly issue of Electric Consumer.

MARCH WINNER: Orpha Stutzman, Montgomery

$50 MONTHLY DRAWING (FOR BILLS DATED MAY 5; PAID BY MAY 20)

1. The Daviess-Martin County REMC ___________________ ____________________ program is offered to members who prefer a level payment plan for monthly electric bills.

2. The deadline for second quarter Operation Round Up applications is ______________________________________.

3. Ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool during summer months and can even allow you to raise your thermostat about ___________ degrees without affecting your comfort.

NAME: _____________________________________________ ADDRESS: ____________________________________________ ACCOUNT NO.: ______________________________________ PHONE NO.: ___________________________________________

The Daviess-Martin County REMC office will be closed Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day. The employees and directors wish all our members and their families a safe holiday.

Mother’s Day is May 10!

Happy Mother’s Day from the employees and directors of DMREMC.

ElectricConsumer.org • MAY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 5

Daviess-Martin County REMC News

Meeting HIGHLIGHTS T

28

he 75th annual meeting of the Daviess-Martin County Rural Electric Membership Corporation was held Thursday, April 9, in the Shoals High School gymnasium. There were approximately 590 members who registered for the meeting. The meeting marked the electric cooperative’s 76 years of service to its members.

Upon registering for the meeting, REMC members received a $10 electric bill credit, insulated cup, an LED lightbulb, refrigerator magnet and bag.

Board Chairman Dean Harrawood presided over the business meeting, while board member John Edwards gave the invocation. The Washington High School NJROTC presented the colors and August Bauer led the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Board secretary August Bauer read the secretary’s report. All directors were introduced by district.

Meeting highlights included the manager’s annual report from retiring General Manager Ken Frye, which included an electric industry update video and an informative presentation on the changes that have taken place at the cooperative during his 27-year tenure. Frye commented that he was thankful for the opportunity to serve as general manager and thanked those that have supported him throughout his career. Frye also spoke about the passing of Senate Bill 309 — Service Territory Preservation — and thanked the Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ government relations team; Sen. Eric Bassler; Reps. Mike Braun, Matt Ubelhor and Eric Koch; and the members for supporting the bill.

Frye was bid farewell and Dave Sutter was introduced as his replacement as the general manager at Daviess-

Martin County REMC, effective June 19.

Rita Baldwin, Daviess-Martin County REMC attorney, announced director election petitioning results and officially reported that Harrawood, representing District II, and John Edwards, representing District VII, were uncontested. Both were re-elected by voice vote. Director Michael Arvin, representing District V, was contested by Travis Summers, and a ballot election was held. Voting results were announced by Baldwin, who stated incumbent director Arvin would remain in office.

Members enjoyed hot dogs, polish sausages, popcorn and soft drinks prepared and served by the Shoals High School Band Boosters. Musical entertainment was provided

by Mountain Harmony Group during registration. Door prizes were awarded at the meeting’s conclusion. …

Young members keep busy with arts and crafts projects during the 2015 Daviess-Martin County REMC annual meeting.

Members in attendance were treated to hot dogs, polish sausages, popcorn and soft drinks prior to the start of the business meeting.

ELECTRIC CONSUMER • MAY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

Daviess-Martin County REMC General Manager Ken Frye addresses the members of cooperative at his last annual meeting. He will retire June 19 after 27 years at the REMC.

Director Terry Chapman awards a Bose radio to lucky members at the annual meeting, held on Thursday, April 9, at Shoals High School.

ANNUAL MEETING PRIZE WINNERS Bose Wave Radio II William and Jowana Tritle, Mitchell Jerry and Rosa Earl, Shoals

First Alert Fire Resistant Safe Joseph and Susan Strange, Loogootee Karen Schnarr, Montgomery

$100 Bill Credit Dale and Carol Richer, Loogootee Katie Edwards, Mitchell

$50 Bill Credit Helen Swartzentruber, Montgomery R.E. Force, Shoals Marcus and Donna Wagler, Loogootee Mark and Stephanie O'Brian, Cannelburg Phillip Goodpaster, Loogootee Ronnie and Jennifer Yoder, Loogootee Charles and Donna Hamilton, Loogootee Mark and Marla Graber, Odon Betty Raber, Montgomery Greg and June Stutzman, Cannelburg

$25 Bill Credit Larry Payne, Shoals Robert Horsting, Shoals K & K Industries (Lyons Bldg), Montomery Robert and Virginia Batemen, Shoals Donald and Bonita Johnson, Shoals Norma Baker, Shoals Kendall and Mary Ilene Wagler,

Loogootee Douglas Harder, Shoals Minnie Baker, Shoals Daryl and Karen Graber, Loogootee John and Martha Wagler, Cannelburg Melvin and Markeeta Albright, Shoals Michael Harker, Shoals Larry and Rachel Wagler, Cannelburg Arthur and Lydia Stoll, Montgomery Uria and Marita Wagler, Montgomery Sharon Garett, Loogootee Galen and Barbara Wagler, Loogootee Debra Dye / Bonnie Dye, Loogootee Martha Chestnut, Odon

$50 Cash Prizes Doris Buzan, Loogootee James and Patricia O'Connor, Montgomery

Marion-Kay Spice Set Norman and Deborah Cole Jr., Loogootee

Ferns William and Sue Waggoner, Shoals Melissa Woolsey, Loogootee Kathy Collins, Shoals

Harlem Wizard Tickets

Round Up trustees elected

T

he Daviess-Martin County REMC Community Fund, Inc. recently elected two new board trustees and officers.

Outgoing trustees are Danny Compton and Marsha Boyd.

New trustees are Gary Mundy and Ruth Frette. Board officers elected are Jerry Osmon, president; Gina Toy, vice president; Sherry Wade, secretary; and Jean Corbin, treasurer.

Operation Round Up® is a voluntary, convenient and effective way for electric co-op customers to help the community in which they live. Participants consent to have Daviess-Martin County REMC round up their electric bills to the next whole dollar. Operation Round Up then puts the customers’ nickels and dimes to work in their community.

The latest allocation of $7,500 was presented to recipients chosen by the community fund’s board of trustees for the first quarter of 2015. Recipients were: k Mitchell Church of Christ Bread of Life: $2,500

k Southwest Indiana Meth Alliance/Daviess County Strengthening Families Program: $2,500 k Griffith Elementary: $1,000 k City of Loogootee Pool Fund: $1,000 k Senior and Family Services, Inc.: $500 Groups in the community may submit applications to the Operation Round Up program.

The board of trustees evaluates those applications and distributes funds. The funds are allocated according to the program’s bylaws to benefit organizations for community service projects, economic development, education and youth programs, environmental projects, and emergency assistance or disaster relief.

For more information on the Operation Round Up program or the application process, contact Theresa Showalter at the REMC at 812-295-4200 or 800-762-7362. The deadline for second quarter applications is May 29. …

(Donated by In His Hands Daycare)

Jim and Cyndy Williams, Mitchell David Wagler, Montgomery Fairview Baptist Church , Shoals

The Southwest Indiana Meth Alliance/Daviess County Strengthening Families Program was awarded a $2,500 Operation Round Up grant. The program provides family meals for the Strengthening Families Program in Daviess County. Program Director Hope Heffernan, left, accepts the check from Theresa Showalter, Daviess-Martin County REMC administrative assistant.

ElectricConsumer.org • MAY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 29