2017 February GCEC Florida Currents

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

F E B R UA RY 2017

Employees Complete Safety Course Jacob O’Bryan, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative apprentice line technician, “rescues” a 150-pound dummy from the top of a pole as part of a course required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. See more on page 8.

PHOTO BY KRISTIN EVANS

Annual Meeting is May 6 PAGE 4 Project Helping Hand Program PAGE 26 n

Gulf Coast

Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communications needs of consumer-owned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices.

Saving starts here.

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Inside

February 2017 Vol. 6, No. 4

Unscripted ‘Real Life’ 12

Being cast on a reality television show offers participants a fleeting chance at fame and fortune.

Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18

Travel Journal 20 Festival Roundup 22 Parting Shot 30

Your utility pages: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7

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Gulf Coast

69th Annual Meeting Scheduled Member gathering is Saturday, May 6 Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s 69th Annual Members’ Meeting is just around the corner. We look forward to seeing all of our members there.

The meeting, of course, is yours. The agenda reflects what keeps your electric cooperative in business to serve your community.

Your vote, voice and participation all go into making your cooperative a unique entity. You might say the cooperative way of conducting business is truly democracy in action.

Bring the family, meet and greet your neighbors and friends, and make your annual meeting a memorable moment on May 6. n

District 2 Trustees Up for Election on May 6 As Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative celebrates its 69th Annual Members’ Meeting, it also is a time to elect your representatives.

According to the bylaws, the board must name the Nominating Committee at least 90 days prior to the meeting. The committee must be selected by February 5.

The Nominating Committee must meet and nominate candidates for open trustee positions at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting.

Those not selected by the Nominating Committee, but interested in serving, have until February 28 to present a nomination by petition to have their names on the ballot. A

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petition needs the signature of 15 cooperative members. Interested persons should have no trouble getting their names on the ballot.

District 2 trustees are up for election this year. The incumbents for the three positions are Waylon Graham, Group 1; Doug Birmingham, Group 2; and Eddie Jones, Group 3.

The 69th Annual Members’ Meeting is Saturday, May 6.

Copies of the bylaws and the nominating procedures are available in GCEC’s main office in Wewahitchka or district offices in Southport or Panama City. You also may view the co-op’s bylaws at www.gcec.com.

Right-of-Way Trimming Necessary to Ensure Safety and Reliability Do you live in the Crystal Lake or Fountain areas? Gulf Coast Electric will be clearing rights-of-way in those areas during February.

GCEC has about 2,600 miles of distribution line. If vegetation comes into contact with power lines, it can interfere with your electric service and cause a dangerous situation.

Vegetation must be cleared from power lines to provide reliable electric service and prevent a hazardous condition.

When a person signs up to be a member of the cooperative, there is an agreement between the member and GCEC to allow right-of-way maintenance. The agreement gives GCEC the legal right to remove from the

right-of-way anything that could interfere with safe, reliable electric service for all members.

The co-op realizes most people regard trees as an asset, but if the cooperative’s right-ofway clearance is not maintained, tree limbs and other growth coming into contact with power lines could increase the number of power outages.

GCEC tries to work with landowners to preserve landscaping when maintaining rights-of-way. However, federal law requires GCEC to eliminate hazardous conditions. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to bring you quality, reliable service. n

Meet Your District 2 Trustee

Waylon Graham represents members residing in the White City area.

He began serving on Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees in 2005.

Waylon is a graduate of Frink High School, formerly in Calhoun County, and received his associate’s degree from Chipola Junior College, which he attended on a basketball scholarship.

He attended numerous managerial schools throughout his 41 years of employment with Arizona Chemical Co. He held managerial positions for 25 years, including personnel director for 12 years.

Waylon served 16 years on the Gulf County School Board, five as chairman; four years on the Apalachee Regional Planning Council; 27 years with the Port St. Joe

Volunteer Fire Department, more than 18 as an officer; 20 years as a Little League basketball coach; more than 25 years with the Port St. Joe High School Quarterback Club; and more than 20 years with the Lions Club.

He also has volunteered to run the clock at the Port St. Joe High School basketball games. In appreciation for his dedication to the athletic programs of Port St. Joe High School, Waylon was inducted into the Port St. Joe High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Waylon earned the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Credentialed Cooperative Director certification. The program requires attendance and demonstrated understanding of the basic competencies contained in five core

courses: Director Utilities and Liabilities; Understanding the Electric Business; Board Roles and Relationships; Business Planning; and Understanding Financial Planning.

He also earned the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board Leadership Certificate. That program consists of 10 courses focusing in greater depth on specific industry and governance issues. Courses provide advanced study in areas such as risk management, ratemaking and policy development.

In recognition of his commitment to continuing education throughout his service on the board, Waylon also has earned the Director Gold certificate from NRECA. The designation recognizes directors who have earned both their Credentialed

Waylon Graham

Cooperative Director and Board Leadership certificates.

Waylon is president of the GCEC board and serves on the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association Board of Directors. He previously served on the PowerSouth Energy Cooperative board. n F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7

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Gulf Coast

Employee News

Four Take on New Roles At Gulf Coast Electric

Sheila Alston

Lindsay Peak

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F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7

Rebecca Green

Tommy Wood

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative employees have transferred into new positions.

Shelia Alston and Rebecca Green have been promoted to member service representative. Both have worked at the cooperative for a year and previously held the titles of cashier/receptionist.

Lindsay Peak is now work order and purchasing specialist. She has worked for the cooperative since 2011, previously as member relations specialist.

Lindsay has an associate degree from Gulf Coast Community College and a bachelor’s in professional communication from Florida State University.

She has completed the Center for Development of Security Excellence’s JPAS/JCAVS Virtual Training for Security Professionals.

Tommy Wood is the new warehouse clerk. He assumed the position vacated by the retirement of Danny Little.

Tommy has worked at GCEC since 1983 in the right-of-way, underground and overhead construction departments.

The Wewahitchka High School graduate completed the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association Apprentice Lineman Training program. n

Danny Little

Calling It Quits After 33 Years Danny Little retired after nearly 33 years of service to the cooperative.

Danny worked as an equipment operator in the underground department for two years. He began work in the warehouse in 1986 and held the titles of warehouseman, warehouse clerk, senior warehouse clerk and supervisor of purchasing and warehousing. n

New Employee Joins GCEC Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the addition of a new Gayla Burge employee.

Gayla Burge joins the cooperative as accounts payable specialist. She is a graduate of Florida State University. n

GCEC Presents Capital Credit Checks

In appreciation of your patronage, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative returned $500,000 to its membership in late 2016, giving refunds to those who belonged to the cooperative in 1983 and 2015.

Secretary Eddie Jones, left, presents a capital credit refund to Scott Colemore of Eastern Shipbuilding.

Trustee Betty Moore, front center, presents a capital credit refund check to Northwest Florida Reception Center, back row from left, Christine Pippin, Jessica Santiago, Mitchell Brown, Lorie Lykins, Mikel Corbett and David Maddox.

President Waylon Graham, right, presents a capital credit refund check to Assistant Warden Steve Roddenberry of Gulf Correctional Institution.

Vice President Jimmy Black, right, presents a capital credit refund check to Cheryl Flax-Hyman of Gulf Coast State College.

Treasurer Rupert Brown, left, presents a capital credit refund to Beth Biddle, center, and Amy McCormick of Ebro Greyhound Park.

Trustee Gary Cox, left, presents a capital credit refund to Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt.

Trustee Robert Byrd, right, presents a capital credit refund check to Ulysses Carlini, general manager of WJHG.

Trustee Doug Birmingham, left, presents a capital credit refund to Wewahitchka High School Principal Jay Bidwell.

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7

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Gulf Coast

Employees Complete Safety Course Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative employees recently completed a poletop rescue course, which is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The purpose of this training is to teach employees how to save their co-workers in the event of accidental contact with an electric line.

The course consisted of each employee “rescuing” a 150-pound dummy from the top of a pole. The employees learned the proper way to climb a pole, which tools were needed to rescue a co-worker and the type of knots to tie in the straps. n 8

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7

Top photo: Jason Curry, center, “rescues” the dummy from the top of a pole while Will Coatney, left, and T.J. Davis look on. Above, from left: David Syffret, Josh Pitts, Issac Madrid and Chad Brackin tie the appropriate knots in the strap to rescue the dummy. Right: Operations Manager Andy Dick, left, and Vice President of Operations Francis Hinson time employees, as Jason Curry looks on.

Photos by Kristin Evans

Gulf Coast

Trading Post For Rent Horse barn with five stalls, paddock and about 4 acres of pasture in Wewahitchka, one block from the old courthouse. Lease by the stall, with discount for multiple horses. (740) 334-0341.

Three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bath home in Lynn Haven. 1,625 sq. ft. Great room, eat-in kitchen, fireplace, two-car garage, privacy fenced backyard, many shade trees. $1,295 a month, with lease purchase possible. (850) 271-0289.

For Sale Two-seater spa. Buyer has to remove it. $500.

(850) 381-8900.

Miniature donkeys. Jacks and Jennys, black, brown, gray and paints. All ages. $300 and up.

Make great pets. Also standard donkeys. Betty, (850) 899-7424.

Quarter horses. Ride well on trails, gentle, good for lessons. (850) 773-1957.

New-in-box Fisher Price baby monitor, $20: four channels, 900 ft. coverage, dual portable receivers, nap timer and clock, sound lights both

sides, auto shut-off nightlight option, cordless option. Women’s large snowsuit, worn once for two hours, $20, cost $98: black with hot pink and lime accents. Ladies size 8 boots, worn once to a party, $20, cost $112 new: Metrostyle in red, long lace ups, 3-inch heels. (850) 773-1970.

Vintage beauty shop equipment, including work station and chair; hair dryer with chair; new, unused hair dryer; and cabinet stereo. Vera, (850) 639-2460.

Miscellaneous Home service installations: child protection devices, pet doors, shelving/organizers, TV mounts and surround sound, surveillance equipment, digital thermostats, whole-house water filters, washer/dryer hook-ups, showerheads, weather-stripping, curtain rods and blinds. Home maintenance: replace filters, clean A/C coils, flush water heater, clean dryer vent and drains. Lubricate hinges, locks and doors. Inspect fireplace, fire extinguisher, garage door opener/motor, well pump and sprinkler system. Free estimates. (850) 722-4619 or (850) 596-2788 or proactivems@outlook.com.

Real Estate 0.29 acre lot. Beautiful oak trees, well, septic and power pole. Across the street from Deerpoint Lake. $30,000 cash. (850) 303-9023.

Three-bedroom, one-bath, 888-sq.-ft. home on two lots at 1234 7th St. in Southport. $54,000.

(317) 254-1984.

FSBO. Two adjacent lots, about 2.5 acres on paved road, 10 miles north of Wewahitchka, 45 minutes from beaches. Borders the Chipola River and Cypress Creek. Cleared and ready to build.

Quiet and peaceful; no neighbors. Deeded restrictions. Has underground utilities, deep well and many fruit trees. $69,900. (850) 648-4214.

Two- or three-bedroom cabin. About 1,200 sq. ft. with large screened porch. 150’ on West Arm Creek in Meeks subdivision. (850) 271-9040. ½-acre corner lot. (850) 639-2220.

Wanted Quality elliptical unit for disabled patient. Free or kindly priced. Transportation no problem.

(850) 773-1970.

Trading Post is a FREE service to members of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative. GCEC reserves the right to edit or reject ads.

PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE. Please circle the category that applies:

For Rent

For Sale

Real Estate

Free

Miscellaneous

Trade

Wanted

Items:

Name: Address: City/State/Zip:

Phone:

Mail your ad to: The Trading Post; Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative; P.O. Box 8370; Southport, FL 32409; return with your electric payment; or email ad information to tradingpost@gcec.com.

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Gulf Coast

Project Helping Hand Pledge Name: _________________________________________ GCEC account number: ___________________________ Mailing address: ________________________________ ___________________________________________ Telephone number: ______________________________

In 2016, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members contributed $21,569.14 to the Project Helping Hand program, started in 2004 for use by members who temporarily need assistance paying their electric bills.

While most of those funds were raised through regular contributions—members have the option of adding $1, $3 or $5 to their bill each month—nearly $4,500 was raised between Thanksgiving and Christmas when paper “light bulbs” were sold in GCEC offices. Members bought the light bulbs and inscribed them with a name. They were displayed in cooperative office lobbies during the holidays.

Family Service Agency determines who receives assistance.

“We are proud to be in partnership with the Family Service Agency on our Project Helping Hand program,” says GCEC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Evans.

“Family Service Agency ensures that the funds raised for this program go directly to benefit members who are truly in need.”

Family Service Agency is a nonprofit organization funded by the United Way, private contributions, fundraising projects and in-kind donations. Founded in 1945 under the Bay County Community Chest, which later became United Way, the mission of Family Service Agency is to socially and economically assist and direct disadvantaged families to resolve immediate problems by providing assistance with food, rent, utilities, medication, clothing and referral to other agencies. All services and goods are distributed without cost to the community. n To learn more about how to donate to the Project Helping Hand program, call 265-3631, 481-1188 or 639-2216. To inquire about receiving assistance from the program, call 785-1721.

Signature: _____________________________________ I pledge to have the following amount added to my utility bill each month and deposited into the Project Helping Hand account. I understand this is a perpetual agreement, and I must notify Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative by phone or mail to remove this recurring donation from my bill.

Select donation amount: ____ $1 ____$3 ____$5 Cut out, complete and return this form with your electric payment or mail to: Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative; Attn. Kristin Evans; P.O. Box 8370; Southport, FL 32409.

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F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7

GCEC Vice President of Member Services Justin Barnes, left, presents a gift card to Member Service Representative Shannon Hill in appreciation of her hard work on the Project Helping Hand light bulb promotion. Shannon collected the most contributions during the 2016 holiday season fundraiser.

Gulf Coast

Death Row Visit Foreshadows Ted Bundy-Inspired Mystery Novel It seems inevitable New York Times best-selling crime novelist Michael Lister would write about Ted Bundy. When the award-winning author was still a full-time prison chaplain with the Florida Department of Corrections, he visited the death chamber and electric chair where Bundy was executed.

“Standing there where he died, actually touching the instrument of his death, was a surreal experience for me— one that I won’t ever forget,” Lister said. “Even back then, as I stood just a few feet away from the Gainesville Ripper, Danny Rolling, and felt the collective, oppressive darkness of death row, I knew one day Ted Bundy would make an

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Notorious serial killer Ted Bundy plays a prominent role in Michael Lister’s latest book.

appearance in my novels. I’ve alluded to him in at least four previous books, but “Blood Work” is the first in which he plays a prominent role.”

Lister’s connection to Bundy goes back farther than the death chamber prison visit where Bundy died.

He was born in Tallahassee to parents attending Florida State University just 10 years before the nightmare Ted Bundy visited on FSU’s Chi Omega sorority house.

Lister said he has always been fascinated by this most notorious of American serial killers. He believes the charismatic killer is responsible for even more murders than typically believed.

“Just this past year, one of Bundy’s former defense attorneys, John Henry Browne, wrote that Bundy had confessed to him to having killed over 100 people—not just the 35 or so often attributed to him,” Lister said. “I have no idea what the actual number is, of course, but I do believe it’s many more than is known.”

That is where the true crime facts of Bundy’s case merge with the mystery fiction of Lister’s new mystery thriller, “Blood Work.”

In his novel, Lister explores

the question of whether America’s most notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy, killed Janet Leigh Lester. That was the conclusion of character John Jordan’s father, Jack, when he first investigated the case, but now John is not so sure.

On the same weekend Janet was crowned Miss Valentine at the pageant and queen at the Sweethearts Dance, she disappeared, her car found in an empty field, its interior covered in blood.

The case—known as the Broken Heart Murder—is decades cold, but a new clock is ticking and Jordan has one last chance to help his father get it right. With no jurisdiction, no support and no real hope of solving such an old, cold case, Jordan is not taking no for an answer.

“I really enjoy reading and studying true crime, and find it fascinating and inspiring to incorporate it into my fiction,” Lister said. “This is something I’ve done previously with Wayne Williams and the Atlanta child murders in ‘Innocent Blood’ and ‘Blood Cries.’ And based on the response, I really think my readers like it, too.”

Asked how he does it, Lister said, “I find an

intersection between reality and fantasy, fact and fiction.

I keep everything true and accurate about the real-life cases—all the details about Bundy or Williams—but then find what I believe to be the perfect place for the two to merge in a way that I hope is both credible and thrilling.”

Lister’s new John Jordan mystery thriller was released on November 24, 2016—Ted Bundy’s birthday. “‘Blood Work’ came out on the day Bundy would have turned 70,” Lister said. “It’s hard to imagine him as an old man. If he were still alive, he’d be roughly the same age as my father.

“Bundy was one of the most organized, exacting and vicious serial killers we’ve ever seen. I’m glad he’s no longer raping and murdering young women in Florida or anywhere else. But the tragic truth is, if law enforcement officials in Colorado had done a better job managing his imprisonment, he wouldn’t have escaped, he wouldn’t have come to Florida and I wouldn’t have been able to write this book, which would be just fine with me.” n Find “Blood Work” at a local bookstore or www.MichaelLister.com.

Co-op Offers Various Payment Options For your convenience, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative offers a number of ways to pay your electric bill.

Automatic Withdrawal Each month, you can have payment for your bill automatically drawn from your bank account or credit card (Discover, MasterCard or Visa). This way, you do not have to worry about due dates. To enroll in this program, please stop by one of our offices for a form, or print the form from our website, www.gcec.com.

Customized Billing Cycles To better serve our Social Security and disability recipients, we can place members on billing cycles based on the dates they receive their checks. If you are a recipient of government funds and are interested in this option, please call our office today for more information.

Flex Pay Tired of paying late and disconnect fees?

GCEC now offers Flex Pay—a prepaid metering solution that could lead to savings of $141 in monthly fees. With this program, there are no delinquent fees ($1), no late fees ($15), no disconnect fees ($60) and no reconnect fees ($60 plus an additional $15 for after hours).

The deposit for this program, if required, is $50, which is a savings of up to $350.

Contact one of our offices for more information.

In Our Offices You may pay your bill in person using cash, check or credit/debit card (Discover, MasterCard or Visa) at one of our office locations listed at right. Offices

are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. If you need to bring a payment by outside of these hours, we have a drop box at each office.

Online We offer online bill pay. Simply go to www.gcec.com to enroll for this service.

Payment may be made using a credit/ debit card (Discover, MasterCard or Visa) or through your bank account. You can even do this through your smartphone. You need to type our web address into the phone’s browser.

Over the Phone Our member service representatives accept payments over the phone using Discover, MasterCard or Visa. Members also can use our 24-hour automated system to pay with one of those credit card types, as well as pay by e-check using their bank routing and account numbers.

There is no service charge for making a payment over the phone.

Gulf Coast Electric Offices XX

Southport

9434 Highway 77 (850) 265-3631; (800) 568-3667 XX

Wewahitchka

722 W. Highway 22 (850) 639-2216; (800) 333-9392 XX

Panama City

6243 E. Highway 98 (850) 481-1188

Through the Mail You may mail your payment. Return the portion of the paper bill that tears off, along with your check, in the envelope that is provided. n F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7

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FL-154

Offices 722 West Highway 22 P. O. Box 220 Wewahitchka, FL 32465 (850) 639-2216 or (800) 333-9392

9434 Highway 77 P. O. Box 8370 Southport, FL 32409 (850) 265-3631 or (800) 568-3667 6243 East Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32404 Phone: (850) 481-1188 www.gcec.com

CEO/General Manager Michael E. White

Trustees President Waylon Graham Vice President Jimmy Black Secretary Eddie Jones Treasurer Rupert Brown Doug Birmingham Robert Byrd Gary Cox Kinneth Daniels Betty Moore Trustees normally meet the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. CST. The board meets at the Wewahitchka office in even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October and December) and the Southport office in odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September and November).

The mission of GCEC: Fulfilling the changing needs of our membership and communities by providing cost effective, reliable and safe utility services through a dedicated and responsive workforce.

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GCEC President’s Message

Saving Starts Here An energy-efficient home will keep you comfortable and save you money. Whether you take simple steps or make larger investments to make your home more efficient, you will see lower energy bills. In time, those savings typically pay for the cost of improvements.

Your heating and cooling system is your largest energy expense, accounting for nearly half of your energy budget. To make the biggest difference in your energy bill, follow these simple energy strategies:  Adjust the thermostat. This is the simplest way to save money on heating and cooling. You can save as much as 10 per- Waylon Graham cent a year on heating and cooling simply by turning back your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day. When you are home, set it to 68 F in the winter and 78 F in the summer.  Buy a programmable thermostat. This offers even more control of your system.  Leave the thermostat’s fan switch on “auto.” This makes the fan run only when the unit runs. Setting the fan to “on” causes it to run all the time, whether or not heating or cooling is needed.  Seal cracks and gaps. Caulk and weatherstripping around windows, doors and siding prevents the loss of heated or cooled air.  Cover up. Carpeting and rugs add to comfort and heat retention, especially if there is little or no floor insulation.  Unblock it. Keep furniture, carpeting and curtains from blocking vents and air return ducts.  Take it slow. Raise the temperature slowly to keep your bill lower. Quickly raising your heat pump’s temperature activates the heat strip, which uses additional energy.  Limit the use of portable space heaters. They are great for spot heating, but less efficient than heat pumps. If you use portable heaters, keep them away from flammable materials. Never use an oven to heat your home.  Let the sun shine in. Open drapes during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.  Keep in the heat. Prevent cold drafts by closing attic, basement, garage and exterior doors.  Change your filter. A dirty filter makes your heating system work harder, using more energy. Replace your disposable filter or clean your washable one every month.

As a bonus, clean filters cut down on dust.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative works with our members to maximize your energy dollars. For us, saving starts here. We value your membership. We value you. n