Today in Mississippi October 2020 Local Pages

FOR MEMBERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI

BISCUITS: A STATE FAIR TRADITION

LONGFELLOW HOUSE SKELETONS

UNDER AN ART GALLERY

PICTURE THIS:

OCTOBER 2020

CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937.

107 E. Main Street Carthage, MS 39051

Carthage: 601-267-5671 • Philadelphia: 601-656-2601 Rankin: 601-829-1201 • Sebastopol: 601-625-7422

Board of Directors election results Due to COVID-19, we were unable to hold our annual membership meeting in March. During that meeting we would have held an election for our board of directors.

In order to provide each Central Electric member an opportunity to vote in a director election, we offered a vote by mail process. There were 3,172 ballots received by mail.

In accordance with the laws of Mississippi and the bylaws of the association, members elected the following three directors for a three year term: Earl Browning, Attala County; Mike Brooks, Leake County; Danny Thornton, Leake County.

Central Electric members who returned their ballots were eligible to win one of the following prizes: slow cooker, coffee maker, clock/radio, electric skillet, electric can opener, toaster, popcorn machine, ice cream machine, coffee percolator or iron.

There were 10 winners drawn from each of our four districts: Carthage, Philadelphia, Sebastopol and Rankin County.

The board, management and staff of Central Electric appreciate the patience and understanding of our membership during these challenging times and remind each of you to be safe.

Download Central Electric’s Mobile App Today!

Monitor your energy use • Make fast, secure payments Receive important alerts and reminders

Scan with your smart phone to get started.

Iphone IOS

Google Play

ENERGY EFFICIENCY The average household owns 24 electronic products, which account for roughly 12% of home energy use.

When shopping for electronics, consider purchasing ENERGY STAR®-certified products, which can be 70% more efficient than conventional models.

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

October is National Co-op Month As an electric cooperative, our top priority is always to provide changing circumstances due to the pandemic have reliable, affordable energy to you, the consumer-members we created both challenges and opportunities. Over the past serve. Because we are a co-op, our mission is to enrich the lives several months, we’ve all been challenged to operate differently, of our members and serve the long-term interests of our local and Central Electric has stepped up to help our members and community — and this mission has never been more critical than in strengthen the safety net for our more vulnerable neighbors. recent months. One of the seven As an essential service, and to principles that guides all co-ops ensure reliability of your power is “concern for community.” This supply, we modified our principle is the essential DNA of operations to safeguard business Central Electric Power Associcontinuity. In the office, we limited ation and it sets us apart from and modified meetings and other electric utilities. gatherings to allow for safe sepaOctober is National Co-op ration. We also adjusted our walkMonth, and electric cooperatives in office availability and in-person across the country are highlightservice calls to ensure the health ing the many ways we “Power and safety of our employees and On.” Keeping this theme in mind, our valued members. For the we recognize the essential role health and safety of everyone, we we play in serving a special comthink these measures were the munity like ours. prudent course of action for the Who would have fathomed in times.

March, that the COVID-19 virus We care about our communities would amount to a test of our — because we live there too.

Central Electric crews working in the Sandhill community in 1978. community and our nation? The

Proud to energize the communities we serve.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

P.O. BOX 188 340 HOPSON STREET • LYON, MS 38645

662-624-8321 FAX: 662-624-8327

www.coahomaepa.com cepa@coahomaepa.com

Coahoma Electric Power supports Cybersecurity Awareness Month Coahoma Electric Power Association is proud to announce its commitment to National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held annually in October. This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart,” aimed to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace.

“By increasing awareness and enhancing understanding of basic cybersecurity practices, we can all work together to combat cyberthreats,” said W. Keith Hurt, Coahoma general manager. “The human element is oftentimes the biggest cybersecurity risk. Each of us has a critical role to play to ensure the security of our personal and professional data.”

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The overarching message of this year’s theme, ‘If you Connect it, Protect it,’ dives into the importance of keeping connected devices safe and secure from outside influence. With more people spending time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever before, connected devices are an integral part of how we communicate and access services essential to our well-being.

Data collected from these devices can include highly specific information about a person or business, which can be exploited by bad actors for criminal gain.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to shed light on these security vulnerabilities, while offering guidance surrounding

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

simple security measures to limit the susceptibility of threats for common devices.

This year, the Cybersecurity Awareness Month’s main weekly focus areas will revolve around: • Understanding and following general security hygiene for connected devices and home networks; • The importance of maintaining the security of connected devices for remote workers; How connected devices play a pivotal role in the • future of healthcare; and, •The overall future of connected devices for consumers, professionals and the public domain.

If everyone does their part — implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences or training employees — our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone.

Now in its 17th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online. Coahoma Electric Power Association is proud to support this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative.

For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month and how to participate, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurityawareness-month/. You can also follow and use the official hashtag #BeCyberSmart on social media channels.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

Where our members have the power Communicators: April Lollar & Merilee Sands For Today in Mississippi information, call 877-7MY-CEPA (1-877-769-2372) www.coastepa.com

A message from your CEO We asked for your votes on broadband this summer and your voice was loud and clear. More than 97 percent of members who cast a ballot voted in support of Coast Electric moving forward with a full-scale high-speed internet network in our three-county area.

When our consumer-members speak, we listen.

Your vote will play a large role in helping us make final decisions about the future of broadband in our area. However, it is still our responsibility to complete our research and ensure that we are able to bring you the kind of service you have come to expect from us for more than 80 years. We are proud to be part of this community and want to make choices that will improve the quality of life for the people we serve. We appreciate your support and encouragement as we consider new ways to serve our members.

We will make announcements in November regarding the potential of service in other areas of our system.

by Ron Barnes President and CEO

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

y e v r su

Today in Mississippi celebrated our 1-year anniversary as a magazine in September and we want to hear what you think! You may receive a call or an email asking your opinion about our publication. This survey is only to gauge your opinions about the publication.

We appreciate your participation!

2020 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Prize Winners

Broadband Vote After the votes were counted and confirmed, it was announced at the 2020 Annual Meeting that more than 97% of the members who voted, voted in favor of moving forward with researching and planning a full-scale broadband project. Coast Electric is using this time to continue research and to monitor the broadband pilot project that is currently under construction in Pearl River County. The project is being funded by a CARES Act grant to bring highspeed internet service to the most underserved areas of our state. We plan to make additional announcements regarding the future of broadband in our area in November.

Director Elections At Coast Electric’s Annual Meeting on Aug. 25, three of the cooperative’s directors were elected for another term of service. William D. Mooney of Pearl River County, James Ginn of Hancock County and Gordon Redd Jr. of Harrison County will serve members for another term.

Did you miss it?

No worries! Our meeting was recorded and is available on our YouTube channel. Search for Coast Electric Power Association.

Since attendance at this year’s meeting was limited to meet recommended CDC guidelines on gatherings, no giveaways or prizes were awarded at the meeting. Instead, all members who attended or registered online were entered into a drawing for electricity credits, ranging from $100 to $1,000. Winners were notified by letter and announced on Facebook.

Congratulations to the following members who won credits: Sarah Kay Moody $1,000 Gracie King William Sines $250 $500 Richard Boutte Forrest

John Daly Jr.

Nancy Spigener

$100

$100

$100

Ronald Miller

Dawn Sherman

William Lumpkin

$100

$100

$100

Tami Munsch

Donna Tyrnauer

North Bay VFW

$100

$100

$100

Kay Palombo

Judy Tricon

Lee Regala

$100

$100

$100

Carroll Holder

Hugo Carbajo

Alton Daughdrill

$100

$100

$100

Jimmy Estes

Doug Weems

Anne Domilise

$100

$100

$100

TOU Time Change Nov. 2 will mark our Time of Use (TOU) rate time change. For those of you who are taking advantage of our TOU rate, please note that our peak times will change from our summer hours (3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday) to winter hours (6-8 a.m.

Monday-Friday). That means that only 10 hours of 168 hours in the week are peak hours.

Is TOU for you?

If you aren’t trying our TOU rate, now is the time! This rate allows you to save if you avoid energy use during peak hours. You have the control to save on your monthly energy costs. Just imagine what those savings can do for you this holiday season! If you are hesitant, don’t worry.

With our six-month guarantee, you can see what your bill would have been on our regular rate.

If you would have saved more on that rate or if you decide TOU isn’t for you for any reason, you can switch back and we will refund the savings you would have seen to your account.

Special Holiday Hours During the holidays, TOU is the gift that keeps giving. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are off-peak prices all day long!

MAKING OUR SYSTEM READY FOR

When Coast Electric officials received news that the co-op received a CARES Act grant in late July, construction began almost immediately in our pilot project area. Not only are we eager to provide high-speed internet service to those in some of the most underserved areas of our state, the CARES Act grant that is funding the project requires a substantial and immediate impact.

According to the Public Utilities Staff Executive Director Sally Doty, “The CARES Act money is required to be spent by Dec. 30, and when you’re talking about a project as complex as running fiber and setting up broadband connections, it takes a while. To have these projects completed by Dec. 30 is a real challenge.”

Even with the quick deadline, Coast Electric and other Mississippi co-ops are up for the task, working quickly to bring high-speed internet to rural residents. What does it take to bring broadband service to our members? There are many steps in the process – from building infrastructure to determining fair

pricing, technical support and so much more. Coast Electric’s engineering team has been working to make sure our poles are ready to support fiber, and it’s quite a process.

Since our pilot project begins at our Derby substation in Pearl River County, prep work is being completed in that area. Prep work will next move to the Crossroads substation, which is phase two of our pilot project.

FOLLOWING REGULATIONS

Installing fiber may seem as simple as putting wire on a pole, but you might be surprised at the number of requirements and regulations Coast Electric must follow. Guidelines from the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), Federal Railroad Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration must all be followed as we build a broadband system.

Power poles are hard workers, holding up high-voltage electrical wires, equipment like transformers and lights, communications lines and now, broadband fiber.

Between each wire and piece of equipment on the pole, there are required clearances. This is to ensure the safety of those working on poles.

For example, when you look at the lines on a power pole, the top two sets of wires are Coast Electric’s primary and neutral lines. Sufficient work space between these sets of wires must be maintained to keep workers safe. There are additional requirements to give those working on communications lines a safe distance from high-voltage lines that only Coast Electric workers can access.

There are also clearances around equipment like transformers and lights.

Additionally, there are regulations about the space between the ground and the lowest wires on a pole. NESC requires a space of 15.5 feet between the highest point on the ground and any given spot and the lowest wire, while MDOT requires 18 feet of clearance from the ground to the wires on state highways and roads.

There are even more requirements and permits when wires are near railroad crossings.

To ensure all requirements are met, a team of workers is measuring all clearances for each item on each pole and Coast Electric must make sure they are following safety guidelines from various state and federal agencies as they prepare Coast Electric’s system for broadband. making corrections where necessary.

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020 They are also determining if a new pole

is needed. Most of the poles on Coast Electric’s system are 45 feet tall, but some are smaller. Those poles are being replaced with taller poles so they have room to house the equipment necessary to serve residents.

A TEST OF STRENGTH We mentioned before that poles are hard workers. They also have to be strong enough to hold the weight of wires and equipment, so before fiber is installed, pole strength must be assessed. Coast Electric regularly tests the poles on our system but before more heavy equipment is added, poles are assessed and replaced if necessary.

THE MESSENGER AND FIBER Finally, after we ensure poles are strong enough and that we have the proper clearances for each wire and piece of equipment, crews can install the “messenger,” a steel cable that supports the weight of the fiber. After the messenger is installed on the pole, the fiber can go up.

The process may seem like a long one, but we are dedicated to taking the right steps to provide reliable internet service, just as we provide reliable electric service.

Even after all this work is completed, there is During the construction phase of the pilot project, crews install hot spots, allowing residents in the Derby area access to high-speed service. more to be done to bring high-speed internet Visit www.coastepa.com for information about hot spot locations. service to your home. We will keep you updated on our progress on what it takes to bring broadband to our communities in next month’s issue.

LET US CONNECT YOU Members in Pearl River County are encouraged to visit www.coastepa.com to show us your interest in receiving high-speed internet service. Two residential packages are available that offer the fastest speeds around with no data cap. Want to know more? Fill out our online pre-registration form and we will be in touch!

HOW THE ENGINEERING TEAM MAKES OUR SYSTEM READY FOR BROADBAND

1

MEASURE

2

POLE STRENGTH

3

MESSENGER

4

FIBER

We measure the distances of every wire and piece of equipment on each pole to ensure compliance with regulations.

We make sure our poles are strong enough to support the weight of additional equipment.

Steel cables that support the broadband fiber are attached to poles.

Fiber goes up!

Coast Electric engineer Kendall Ladner reviews maps of Coast Electric’s infrastructure in the area of the broadband pilot project around Poplarville. Maps help crews know where changes need to be made before fiber is installed.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 17

The Power of Pink One of the seven cooperative principles that drives Coast Electric is showing concern for the communities we serve. When it comes to putting this principle into action, our employees walk the walk and talk the talk both in their personal lives, and as representatives of Coast Electric. From cleaning our adopted stretches of highways to raising funds for local non-profit organizations, our employees are dedicated to giving back to the communities where we live, work and play.

One cause that many on our team are passionate about is breast cancer awareness. Coast Electric’s Biloxi Office Supervisor Ada Dodson has been selected by the American Cancer Society as one of this year’s VIPink Pacesetters in our community. We are proud of Ada’s dedication to raising awareness about preventative screenings and funds for the organization.

She is truly a champion for everyone fighting this disease.

In addition to Ada’s efforts, you can spot our crews sporting pink hard hats this month to bring awareness and show love and support to all those who have been affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer has touched the lives of many and our is hope is that this small gesture will help to bring comfort to those bravely fighting each and every day.

Our employees know the importance of funding further breast cancer research.

Each October, employees and their families are able to raise money and awareness through monetary donations or by participating in the many fundraising events in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties. These events may look a little different this year to allow for social distancing but the passion for research and funding

Coast Electric Biloxi Office Supervisor Ada Dodson is a 2020 VIPink Pacesetter.

remains the same. Our support and love is with those battling this disease now and always, and we believe in the power of pink.

V IPink Pacesetter

Household Hazardous Waste Day Free, safe disposal of your household items.

10/3/2020 8 A.M. - 1 P.M. Hancock County Arena 4184 Kiln Delisle Road Collection day funded by: Coast Electric, The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, The Hancock County Board of Supervisors and Mississippi Power

Coast Electric’s winter power cost adjustment begins Nov. 1.

Here is what you need to know.

• Power costs used to be averaged once each year, however, the price for generating

power changes with the seasons. Costs paid to our power supplier are typically higher in the winter and lower in the summer. Even though we may only have a couple of days of freezing temperatures in the winter, the high demand for electricity on those days affects power costs.

• To ensure that charges are equal to costs, Coast Electric averages power costs twice

each year.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU? • Over a period of 12 months, you won’t see a difference. However, you may notice

slightly higher bills in the winter and slightly lower bills in the summer.

• Since Mississippi typically has milder winters and long, hot summers, you need to be

more aware of your energy use in the winter but will have more opportunities for comfort in the months when you need it the most.

WHO DOES THIS AFFECT? • This affects all member classes except industrial members.

Voters to decide on new proposed

by Steven Ward When voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they will have an opportunity to decide whether a new proposed flag design will become Mississippi’s official state flag.

The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag selected the “New Magnolia Flag” to become the new state flag. The commissioners submitted the design to the governor and the legislature as instructed in House Bill 1796, which established the commission.

The commission voted to brand the flag the “In God We Trust” flag.

The flag was designed by Rocky Vaughan, with design support provided by Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles, Dominique Pugh, Clay Moss and Micah Wilson, according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The design features a white magnolia on a blue banner with red and gold bars on each end. The magnolia is encircled by 20 five-point stars, plus a star representing all the Native American tribes of the state, and the words “In God We Trust.”

“Our flag should reflect the beauty and good in all of us.

It should represent a state that deserves a positive image,” Vaughan said in a MDAH news release. “The New Magnolia Flag represents the warmth and strength of the good people of Mississippi. Now is the time we show the world that we’re from Mississippi, the Magnolia State.”

Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson chaired the commission. Anderson was the first African American justice to serve on the state’s high court.

“No one worked harder to change Mississippi’s flag than

Governor William Winter,” said Anderson, who is also president of the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. “I am thinking of him today as Mississippi takes this historic step toward selecting a state flag that will unify us and make us proud. I am grateful to our state leadership and my colleagues on the commission for their commitment to moving Mississippi forward.”

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann praised both the commission and process of finding a new proposed flag.

“I’m very proud of the commission. They worked so hard.

They reviewed thousands of flags and devoted hundreds of hours to the process. They did it so we all have the ability to adopt a flag as our own,” Hosemann told Today in Mississippi.

Hosemann also said the commission’s decision to hold several public hearings and to give the public a chance to vote online on different flag designs was essential.

“I’m pleased with the way it was all handled,” Hosemann said.

Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn said the new flag sends a message to the world.

“While the rest of the world seems to be dividing over protests and political agendas, Mississippians are setting an example with the “In God We Trust” flag by pointing the rest of the world to the answer to all of our problems – In God We Trust,” Gunn said.

On July 1, 2020, Mississippi retired the state’s 1894 flag — the last state flag in the nation to incorporate the Confederate battle flag. The legislature directed that the new design must include the words “In God We Trust.”

Members of The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag Reuben Anderson - Former Mississippi Supreme Court justice Cyrus Ben - Choctaw Tribal chief Sherri Carr Bevis - Singing River Health System Frank Bordeaux - BXS Insurance property and casualty insurance vice president Mary Graham - Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president

Betsey Hamilton - retired school teacher Robyn Tannehill - Oxford mayor T.J. Taylor - House Speaker Phillip Gunn’s policy director J. Mack Varner - Vicksburg attorney

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 19

Delta Electric’s new IVR phone number is 662-743-4425 – USE IT ANY TIME 24/7

✓GET ACCOUNT INFO ✓MAKE A PAYMENT ✓REPORT AN OUTAGE ✓MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT

October is National Co-op Month As an electric cooperative, our top priority is always to provide reliable, affordable energy to you, the consumer-members we serve. Because we are a co-op, our mission is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the long-term interests of our local community — and this mission has never been more critical than in recent months.

One of the seven principles that guides all co-ops is “concern for community.”

This principle is the essential DNA of Delta Electric Power Association and it sets us apart from other electric utilities.

October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, we recognize the essential role we play in serving a special community like ours.

Who would have fathomed in March, that the COVID-19 virus would amount to a test of our community and our nation? The changing circumstances due to the pandemic have created

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

both challenges and opportunities. Over the past several months, we’ve all been challenged to operate differently, and Delta Electric has stepped up to help our members and strengthen the safety net for our more vulnerable neighbors.

As an essential service, and to ensure reliability of your power supply, we modified our operations to safeguard business continuity. Our line crews and other employees began working on staggered schedules to maintain separation. Some staff worked remotely. In the office, we limited and modified meetings and gatherings to allow for safe separation.

We also adjusted our walk-in office availability and in-person service calls to ensure the health and safety of our employees and our valued members. For the health and safety of everyone, we think these measures were the prudent course of action for the times.

We care about our communities — because we live there too.

7

Delta Electric has a

New Payment Option Delta Electric is excited to announce its newest payment option for its customers. CheckOut by PayGo® is a payment option that utilizes a customer’s unique barcode to process cash payments on Delta Electric bills at any Dollar General, Family Dollar or CVS store.

How do I get my unique barcode?

1. Go to, www.deltaepa.sedccheckout.com/lookup 2. Enter your DE account number without the dash.

3. Click on “Find Your Account”.

4. Verify the account information.

5. Click “Get Your Barcode”.

6. Enter your email address to get the barcode.

7. Save the barcode on your phone or print the page.

B Y PAY G O ®

To make a cash payment on your DE account simply have the cashier at a Dollar General, Family Dollar or CVS scan the barcode from your phone or printed page and tell the cashier how much you want to pay. The system will validate your DE account and your electric account will be immedi-

ately updated for the payment amount. You will receive a printed receipt from the cashier.

If for any reason you are unable to obtain the barcode, please contact your local DE office and we can print and mail the barcode to you.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The average household owns 24 electronic products, which account for roughly 12% of home energy use.

When shopping for electronics, consider purchasing ENERGY STAR®-certified products, which can be 70% more efficient than conventional models.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

CONTACT INFORMATION 601-425-2535 • www.dixieepa.com @DixieElectricMS

@DixieEPA

@dixie_electric

“Powering communities and empowering lives” Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

October is National Co-op Month October is National Co-op Month, and Dixie Electric along with electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Who would have believed before March, that the COVID-19 virus would amount to a test of our community and our nation? The changing circumstances due to the pandemic have created both challenges and opportunities. Over the past several months, we’ve all been challenged to operate differently, and Dixie Electric has stepped up to help our members and expand our services.

As an essential service, and to ensure reliability of your power supply, we modified our operations to safeguard business continuity. Our line crews and other employees began working on staggered schedules to maintain separation. In the office, we limited and modified meetings and gatherings to allow for safe separation. We also adjusted our walk-in office availability to ensure the health and safety of our employees and our valued members. These are certainly different ways of doing business, but we want to make every effort to protect the health of our employees and you.

In addition, we plan to host our annual meeting virtually this year on Saturday, Oct. 24. In person voting will be available by drive-through at our Laurel office, allowing you to stay in your car and vote. The annual business meeting will be available to view online at dixieepa.com. Online voting and mail-in balloting continue to be great options. Please consider these options to elect members of your board of directors and vote on whether or not to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to offer high-speed internet services.

As you may know, Dixie Electric accepted a grant and formed a subsidiary company to offer a small-scale project for high-speed internet services within our service territory. The grant funding, 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

allocated by the state legislature, provided the opportunity for us to offer a pilot project to assess a full-scale deployment for offering high-speed internet across our service area.

Remember to tune into our virtual annual meeting on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. We will announce the winners of our prize drawing, the results of the board election and the results of the vote to amend the Certificate of Incorporation.

In 1938, Dixie Electric was built by the community to serve the community, and that’s what we’ll continue to do – Power On.

by Randy Smith General Manager

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The average household owns 24 electronic products, which account for roughly 12% of home energy use.

When shopping for electronics, consider purchasing ENERGY STAR®-certified products, which can be 70% more efficient than conventional models.

Line crews head to DeRidder, Louisiana after Hurricane Laura

Sixteen linemen from Dixie Electric Power Association left on Thursday, Sept. 3, to assist with power restoration at Beauregard Electric Cooperative, headquartered in DeRidder, Louisiana. On Sept. 12, this group returned home and 10 more linemen were dispatched to the same area.

The line workers restored power to members after Hurricane Laura struck the state on August 27, 2020, as a strong category 4 on the Saffir Simpson scale.

Initially, all of Beauregard Electric’s 42,000 meters lost service. According to the cooperative’s website, restoration will likely take four weeks. Hurricane Laura punched south Louisiana with 150 mph winds, 12 inches of rainfall and 20-foot-high waves. Beauregard Electric’s service territory reaches south to Lake Charles, Louisiana, which was in the

Maintaining reliable service Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way.

Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for both Dixie Electric’s members and personnel.

CLEARING PROJECTS UNDERWAY • West Waynesboro substation: Waynesboro, Big Creek, Dyess Bridge, Clara and Shubuta

• Buckatunna substation: Winchester, Buckatunna, Progress, Chicora and Denham

• Burr Creek substation:

Moselle, Union

and Ellisville

• Eucutta substation:

Eucatta, Sandersville, Pleasant Grove and Evergreen

Front row: Journeyman Lineman Kenny Batte, Line Foreman Guy Shelton, Line Foreman Jason Holder, Operations Manager Pat McCarthy, Serviceman Jonathan Hilbun, Lineman Jack Payne, Serviceman Shelby Ivey, Apprentice Lineman Jacob Welch, Apprentice Lineman Lucas Laird, Serviceman Floyd Herford, Lineman Tanner Walker Back row: Apprentice Lineman Landon Martin, Apprentice Lineman Ben Blailock, Lineman Matthew Spiers, Journeyman Lineman Brian Barkley and Apprentice Lineman Le’Kilo White

path of the eye of Laura.

“Our line crew personnel are proud to help those in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Laura,” General Manager Randy Smith said. “Earlier this year, our area was damaged by four tornadoes, and neighboring cooperatives sent their line personnel to assist us. We are proud to be able to respond when we are called upon.”

Pole inspections are underway Osmose Utilities Services will be performing inspection and maintenance on some of Dixie Electric Power Association’s poles. Inspections began in August and will continue for approximately four months. The general areas to be inspected are the West Ellisville, Sand Hill, Oak Bowery, West Moselle and Sanford areas.

This work will generally consist of excavating a hole about 18-inches deep around the poles to inspect them and applying a preservative and/ or remedial treatment to the poles as needed.

The purpose of the inspection and treatment is to identify poles that do not meet industry strength standards and to extend the useful life of all others.

All Osmose contract workers will be identifiable by their yellow and orange Osmose work vests and hard hats. Osmose vehicles should be marked with Osmose Utility decals as well as Dixie Electric Power Association “Contractor” decals.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

Dixie Electric Power Association Annual Meeting of the Members Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 Drive-through voting 10 to 10:50 a.m.

VOTE $ $ 250 $500

and you could win!

1863 Highway 184, Laurel Virtual meeting online at dixieepa.com at 11 a.m.

OR

Grand Prize: $500 credit on electric bill (one prize awarded) Seven District Prizes: $250 credit on electric bill (one prize awarded per district) Vote Online Prize: $250 credit on electric bill (one prize awarded) Winners do not have to be present to win. Employees and board members of Dixie Electric are not eligible.

Dixie Electric will donate $1 for every vote cast or proxy submitted, divided equally, to the Good Samaritan Center of Laurel, Petal Children’s Task Force, and Samaritan Closet and Pantry in Waynesboro.

Choose ONE of three ways to VOTE!

1 2

MAIL in your ABSENTEE BALLOT or PROXY! You received the annual meeting voting brochure around Sept. 21, 2020. Choose one, either the absentee ballot or the proxy. Return it using the enclosed, postage-paid envelope by Oct. 19, 2020.

3

Use the ONLINE BALLOT. You received access through an email link, so check your email, or visit My Account on dixieepa.com and click Vote Now. Deadline to vote is Oct. 19, 2020.

Vote IN PERSON with drive-through voting held at the Laurel office from 10 to 10:50 a.m. on Oct. 24, 2020.

Dixie Electric Power Association

Board of Directors

CLARKE

Robert M. Smith, President ..............3 Allen M. Sledge, Sr., Vice President ...2 Faye Bonner, Sec.-Treas. ..................6 Sears Ward, Alt. Sec.-Treas. ..............5

JASPER

HWY 11

LAUREL

LEAF RIVER

5

HWY 84

3

7

ELLISVILLE

JONES

2

Mack J. Mauldin...............................4

PETAL

1 RICHTON

PERRY

Dale McKee .....................................7 FORREST

WAYNESBORO

WAYNE

SPURLINE RD. HWY 588

Lucy Cooley .....................................1

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

6

SANDERSVILLE

4

COVINGTON

NEW AUGUSTA

The Credentials and Election Committee certified the following individuals as candidates in their respective districts. The certification includes verifying the qualifications and the petitions submitted by the candidates. The following individuals were the only members who submitted the qualifying documentation:

Meet the

BOARD CANDIDATES Mark Keyl District 2 Mark Keyl of Petal is an attorney and arbitrator who is active in his community. He is a member of the Pine Belt Kiwanis Club, Southern Pines Animal Shelter board of directors and a member of the Mississippi Bar Association. He has served as president of the Trailwoods’ Homeowners Association and is also a member of the American Legion Post 146, Petal Chamber of Commerce and the Petal Community Chorus. Mark and his wife, Barbara, have one child and are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hattiesburg.

Future of broadband service

NEEDS YOUR VOTE.

Allen Sledge District 2 Incumbent Allen Sledge brought years of utility experience to Dixie Electric’s board of directors, having worked for Bellsouth, now AT&T, for the majority of his career. Allen has served on Dixie Electric’s board since 2009. He has been married to Patsy Baylis for more than 50 years, and they have three children and seven grandchildren. He is a member of Petal Harvey Baptist Church and volunteers weekly with the Petal Children’s Task Force.

Ronald Windham District 2 Ronald Windham from Ellisville had a successful career as a businessman before retiring and opening his real estate practice in 2004. Ronald has served as past president of the Laurel Board of Realtors and is currently serving on the professional standards and legislative and regulatory affairs committees.

He also serves as the treasurer of the Ellisville Rotary Club. Ronald and his wife of more than 50 years, Elaine, attend West Ellisville Baptist Church. The couple has one child and three grandchildren.

Dale McKee District 7 Incumbent Dale McKee from the Whistler community in Wayne County has served on Dixie Electric’s board of directors for three years. Dale works in public relations with the Wayne County School District and writes a weekly sports column for a dozen newspapers. He has coached youth sports for more than 20 years. Dale and his wife Teresa are active in their community and members of First Baptist of Waynesboro. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Dixie Electric Power Association received grant funding for a high-speed internet pilot project. The pilot project is only the first step. Dixie Electric members will have to decide to be in favor, or not in favor, of changing the Certificate of Incorporation to allow Dixie Electric to offer high-speed internet.

Your vote will determine whether or not Dixie Electric’s staff continues to develop a plan that includes our entire service territory. If members vote “in favor,” we will continue to move forward, and a decision will be made in early 2021. If members vote “not in favor,” our research and the decision-making process for a full-scale project in our service area will stop. To pass, the resolution requires a 60% majority of voters to mark “in favor.” Every vote counts. The future of deploying broadband is up to you, our members.

The ballot for this vote will be provided alongside the ballot to elect the board of directors, or if you choose to submit a proxy, this vote is included as well. You can vote online, by mail or in person at drive-through voting on Oct. 24, 2020.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 17

Co-op Connections

Business Spotlight

Brave Knights bring a butcher shop to downtown Laurel More than five years ago, Chad and Terri Knight decided to leave Seattle, Washington to find a place to start their own butcher shop. With a business plan in hand, the Knights decided on Laurel, which is Chad’s hometown and where his family still lives.

The Knight Butcher is a local, corner butcher shop with an array of meat selections, fresh-made jerky and delicious, homemade fudge. While working as a butcher in Seattle, Chad learned the culinary side of the meat business, having learned to be a butcher from his father.

“Laurel and Jones County didn’t have anything like this. We knew Laurel needed it,” Terri Knight said. “We knew it, believed it, prayed about it and then moved to Laurel.” The Knight Butcher shop sits between Central Avenue and Commerce Street in downtown Laurel.

A skilled butcher is a dying field because the food industry, like other industries, is turning to automation. Chad has kept the skill alive, and Terri and he have been committed to using a local meat supplier. The combination of Chad’s skill and the availability of fresh products have made their corner butcher shop a success, even during the pandemic. Knight Butcher has continued to keep meat stocked, stay open and meet their customers’ needs.

Terri went on to say that “every town needs good food, so it is good to have the opportunity and availability” to provide it.

In addition to serving fresh cut or ground meats, the Knight Butcher prepares bagged lunches on weekdays that includes a burger and chips. If you present your Co-op Connections Card on Wednesdays, you will enjoy a delicious, well-seasoned burger or sandwich with chips for $5. Lunch prices normally range from $8.50 to $9.50.

Grilling Tip by Chad Knight

Smoked Burgers in an Electric Smoker • 8 oz Burgers • Favorite Dry Rub (Chad recommends the Original Steak Rub, which is made and bottled at the Knight Butcher.)

Load burgers on rack and set the smoker to 225 degrees for 2 hours for a well-done burger.

Chad uses hickory chips and recommends testing the burgers with a meat thermometer, looking for an ideal temperature of 165 degrees. Enjoy with your favorite bun and toppings!

18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

Voters to decide on new proposed

by Steven Ward When voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they will have an opportunity to decide whether a new proposed flag design will become Mississippi’s official state flag.

The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag selected the “New Magnolia Flag” to become the new state flag. The commissioners submitted the design to the governor and the legislature as instructed in House Bill 1796, which established the commission.

The commission voted to brand the flag the “In God We Trust” flag.

The flag was designed by Rocky Vaughan, with design support provided by Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles, Dominique Pugh, Clay Moss and Micah Wilson, according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The design features a white magnolia on a blue banner with red and gold bars on each end. The magnolia is encircled by 20 five-point stars, plus a star representing all the Native American tribes of the state, and the words “In God We Trust.”

“Our flag should reflect the beauty and good in all of us.

It should represent a state that deserves a positive image,” Vaughan said in a MDAH news release. “The New Magnolia Flag represents the warmth and strength of the good people of Mississippi. Now is the time we show the world that we’re from Mississippi, the Magnolia State.”

Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson chaired the commission. Anderson was the first African American justice to serve on the state’s high court.

“No one worked harder to change Mississippi’s flag than

Governor William Winter,” said Anderson, who is also president of the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. “I am thinking of him today as Mississippi takes this historic step toward selecting a state flag that will unify us and make us proud. I am grateful to our state leadership and my colleagues on the commission for their commitment to moving Mississippi forward.”

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann praised both the commission and process of finding a new proposed flag.

“I’m very proud of the commission. They worked so hard.

They reviewed thousands of flags and devoted hundreds of hours to the process. They did it so we all have the ability to adopt a flag as our own,” Hosemann told Today in Mississippi.

Hosemann also said the commission’s decision to hold several public hearings and to give the public a chance to vote online on different flag designs was essential.

“I’m pleased with the way it was all handled,” Hosemann said.

Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn said the new flag sends a message to the world.

“While the rest of the world seems to be dividing over protests and political agendas, Mississippians are setting an example with the “In God We Trust” flag by pointing the rest of the world to the answer to all of our problems – In God We Trust,” Gunn said.

On July 1, 2020, Mississippi retired the state’s 1894 flag — the last state flag in the nation to incorporate the Confederate battle flag. The legislature directed that the new design must include the words “In God We Trust.”

Members of The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag Reuben Anderson - Former Mississippi Supreme Court justice Cyrus Ben - Choctaw Tribal chief Sherri Carr Bevis - Singing River Health System Frank Bordeaux - BXS Insurance property and casualty insurance vice president Mary Graham - Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president

Betsey Hamilton - retired school teacher Robyn Tannehill - Oxford mayor T.J. Taylor - House Speaker Phillip Gunn’s policy director J. Mack Varner - Vicksburg attorney

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 19

For After-Hours Outages, Call 601-581-8600 DeKalb 601-743-2641

Louisville 662-773-5741

Quitman 601-776-6271

Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

2020 marks 82 years of service to east Mississippi This year marks East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s 82nd year to stand with our communities and empower our members with the needed services that improve their quality of life. Each year we seem to face a storm that challenges our employees to reach deep for strength, go forward into the night and restore light and normalcy to our communities. This year has only been different in that the storms have been consistent, sustained and unexpected.

2019 ended with tornados carving paths through the EMEPA system in November and December. That same pattern continued in 2020. Additional tornados damaged our system in January, February, March and April.

The April storms were battled with an additional level of challenge brought on by the pandemic.

In mid-March, COVID-19 began showing up in our communities.

Knowing that we must remain healthy to respond to our members’ needs, numerous measures were implemented to ensure our personnel could socially distance from each other and the public. We varied crew arrival and departure times from our offices. We closed lobbies until both our members and we were confident safety measures were in place to protect each other.

We suspended late payment fees and service disconnections until members could establish manageable payment options following disruptions in their work schedules. We continue to partner with others in our communities to support programs designed to meet member needs resulting from the pandemic.

With the closure of schools and the need for people to work from home came a realization by our state leaders that most rural areas lack access to reliable high-speed internet. Electric cooperatives across the state were asked to formulate a plan to significantly increase access for rural residents. The 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House and our entire state delegation created and passed the COVID-19 Connectivity Act. This legislation encouraged cooperatives to apply for matching grant funds to begin building a fiber-to-the-home broadband system.

The grant funds required that EMEPA match funds dollar for dollar and must be spent in underserved or unserved census blocks as specified by the Federal Communications Commission.

EMEPA applied for and was awarded the maximum grant amount of $6 million. EMEPA will match this amount and construct 463.5 miles of fiber in two areas of our distribution system.

The EMEPA Board of Directors voted at the June meeting to create East Mississippi Connect, LLC. This subsidiary business will be the provider of broadband and phone services to the members of EMEPA. Since the creation of the subsidiary, a lot of foundational work has taken place. Our talented employees have paved the way forward for this new and innovative service offering for east Mississippi residents and businesses.

At our 82nd Annual Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 3, an affirmative vote from our membership will send us forward into a multi-year project to reach every area of our system. It will not be easy, and it will not be as quick as some wish, but it will change the lives of the people that want and need this service.

by Randy Carroll CEO — East Mississippi Electric Power Association

In the early days of the coronavirus outbreak, it was clear that the pandemic would change our perception of normal. As concepts such as “social distancing” first circulated among health officials, East Mississippi Electric Power Association looked ahead to identify and confront the possible impacts of COVID-19.

EMEPA is here to serve you, and as this new type of crisis began unfolding, our leadership team quickly updated our plan with a special emphasis on ensuring we could continue to provide the reliable electric service you expect from EMEPA while still protecting our employees, their families and the communities we serve.

As we responded to local concerns and circumstances, one of the first things we looked at was the projected economic impact of COVID-19 on our members. We temporarily suspended service disconnections due to nonpayment of bills beginning March 15, 2020, through June 1, 2020, in an attempt to reduce stress on our members and provide local families and businesses with certainty during an uncertain time. When service disconnections resumed, we began working with members on extended payment plans to ease the burden and encouraged the use of our numerous online resources.

After a sufficient supply of food and water, electricity is the number one thing you need to maintain some sense of normalcy. Maintaining your electric cooperative system and keeping the power flowing is our number one priority. Even

as we faced back-to-back storms and tornadoes in April 2020, our goal was and continues to be keeping our employees healthy and able to respond to anything that arises while also keeping our members safe. Our lobbies closed during the height of the pandemic and our employees adjusted to staggering shifts to ensure social distancing. We encourage members to use our free smartphone app, online and phone payment options, bank draft, kiosks or drop box to pay bills.

We know you rely on safe, reliable electric service, and we will continue doing our best to serve you.

We are using best practices, good judgment and safety precautions to better serve you. We are also utilizing innovative ways to work together from safe spaces, including video conferencing and more.

With a committed leadership team and an experienced board, the planning we do each week, month and year has proven to be the glue that held everything together through all we faced this year. Our Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi staff, our national association, our state legislature, Governor and the many emergency personnel across the state and nation have worked tirelessly to ensure we have the information needed to face each day safely.

During a crisis situation, EMEPA employees always rise to the challenge and work to make communities and lives better.

The cooperative way of doing business has brought us this far, and the cooperative way will continue to see us through.

Concern for Community One of the Seven Cooperative Principles – Concern for Community – is looming large right now in our minds. It has governed our response to the pandemic from the beginning, and will continue as our primary focus as we seek additional ways to serve our members.

MAKING OUR SYSTEM READY FOR

When East Mississippi Electric Power Association officials received news that the co-op received a CARES Act grant in late July, construction began almost immediately. Not only are we eager to provide high-speed internet service to those in some of the most underserved areas of our state, the CARES Act grant that is funding the project requires a substantial and immediate impact.

According to the Public Utilities Staff Executive Director Sally Doty, “The CARES Act money is required to be spent by Dec. 30, and when you’re talking about a project as complex as running fiber and setting up broadband connections, it takes a while. To have these projects completed by Dec. 30 is a real challenge.”

Even with the quick deadline, East Mississippi Electric Power Association and other Mississippi co-ops are up for the task, working quickly to bring high-speed internet to rural residents.

What does it take to bring broadband service to our members?

There are many steps in the process – from building infrastructure to determining fair pricing, technical support and so much more. East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s engineering team has been working to make sure our poles are ready to sup-

port fiber, and it’s quite a process.

Phase one of the project began at our Vimville substation in south Lauderdale County and our Cleveland substation in Kemper County. Prep work will move next to the Bonita and DeKalb substations, which is the second half of phase one.

FOLLOWING REGULATIONS

Installing fiber may seem as simple as putting wire on a pole, but you might be surprised at the number of requirements and regulations East Mississippi Electric Power Association must follow. Guidelines from the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), Federal Railroad Administration and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration must all be followed as we build a broadband system.

Power poles are hard workers, holding up high-voltage electrical wires, equipment like transformers and lights, communications lines and now, broadband fiber. Between each wire and piece of equipment on the pole, there are required clearances.

This is to ensure the safety of those working on poles.

For example, when you look at the lines on a power pole, the top two wires are East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s primary and neutral lines. There must be a large enough workspace between these two wires to keep workers safe. There are additional requirements to give those working on communications lines a safe distance from high-voltage lines that only East Mississippi Electric Power Association workers can access.

There are also clearances around equipment like transformers and lights. Additionally, there are regulations about the space between the ground and the lowest wires on a pole. NESC requires a space of 15.5 feet between the highest point on the ground and any given spot and the lowest wire, while MDOT requires 18 feet of clearance from the ground to the wires on state highways and roads. There are even more requirements and permits when wires are near railroad crossings.

To ensure all requirements are met, a team of workers is measuring all clearances for each item on each pole and making corrections where necessary. They are also determining if a new pole is needed. Most EMEPA must make sure they are following safety guidelines from various state and of the poles on EMEPA’s system are 45 feet federal agencies as they prepare EMEPA’s system for broadband. tall, but some are smaller. Those poles are 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

being replaced with taller poles so they have room to house the equipment necessary to serve residents.

A TEST OF STRENGTH We mentioned before that poles are hard workers.

They also have to be strong enough to hold the weight of wires and equipment, so before fiber is installed, pole strength must be tested. East Mississippi Electric Power Association regularly tests the poles on our system but before more heavy equipment is added, poles are assessed and replaced if necessary.

THE MESSENGER AND FIBER Finally, after we ensure poles are strong enough and that we have the proper clearances for each wire and piece of equipment, crews can install the “messenger,” a steel cable that supports the weight of the fiber. After the messenger is installed on the pole, the fiber can go up.

The process may seem like a long one, but we are dedicated to taking the right steps to provide reliable internet service, just as we provide reliable electric service.

Currently, we have completed the make-ready work for the areas served by our Vimville and Bonita substations in south Lauderdale and north Clarke counties and are beginning to install fiber in that area. Crews are also performing this make-ready process in the areas of Kemper County served by our Cleveland and DeKalb substations.

Crews install the messenger – a steel rod that holds the weight of fiber — Even after all this work is completed, there is more and then attach fiber to the messenger. to be done to bring high-speed internet service to your home. We will keep you updated on our progress on what it takes to bring broadband to our communities in next month’s issue.

LET US CONNECT YOU Visit eastmsconnect.com to show us your interest in receiving high-speed internet service and view the timeline phases for the project.

HOW THE ENGINEERING TEAM MAKES OUR SYSTEM READY FOR BROADBAND

1

MEASURE

2

POLE STRENGTH

3

MESSENGER

4

FIBER

We measure the distances of every wire and piece of equipment on each pole to make sure are meeting regulations.

We make sure our poles are strong enough to support the weight of additional equipment.

Steel cables that support the broadband fiber are attached to poles.

Fiber goes up!

EMEPA engineers Gary Davidson and Chris Gryner measure distances of wire and equipment on EMEPA poles to ensure that safety regulations are met.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 17

WE OUR COMMUNITY

East Mississippi Electric Power Association is committed to investing in the local communities where we live and work.

We have a responsibility to deliver the energy to empower lives, help our communities grow and improve the quality of life we enjoy.

EMEPA is a strong supporter of education through the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Youth Tour program and the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition program. And, in 2020, we awarded five graduating high school seniors with scholarships funded by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Foundation.

East Mississippi students at the Mississippi Youth We aim to imLeadership workshop in February 2020. prove the quality of life in east Mississippi by supporting our local volunteer firefighters through our Volunteer Fire Department Donation Program, working with economic development leaders to help grow our communities and supporting local charities and organizations. In July 2020, EMEPA partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in awarding the United Way of East Mississippi and the Winston Community Development Partnership each a $5,000 grant through the TVA Community Care Fund. These grants helped support the organizations’ efforts in providing needed resources in direct response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

In an effort to strengthen our community, we sponsor and support employee volunteerism for numerous community organizations such as Care Lodge, Boy Scouts of America and our local schools. Our signature Shoot For A Cure event raised over $25,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Anderson Cancer Center’s Patient Benevolence Fund.

EMEPA provides more than electric service: We strengthen our community, improving our quality of life. Locally owned and operated, we are your friends and neighbors and are committed to working alongside you, our members, to empower east Mississippi.

Cooperation among cooperatives is one of the Seven Cooperative Principles by which EMEPA operates. We support our neighboring electric cooperatives by providing needed restoration assistance following severe weather and natural disasters.

Voters to decide on new proposed

by Steven Ward When voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they will have an opportunity to decide whether a new proposed flag design will become Mississippi’s official state flag.

The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag selected the “New Magnolia Flag” to become the new state flag. The commissioners submitted the design to the governor and the legislature as instructed in House Bill 1796, which established the commission.

The commission voted to brand the flag the “In God We Trust” flag.

The flag was designed by Rocky Vaughan, with design support provided by Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles, Dominique Pugh, Clay Moss and Micah Wilson, according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

The design features a white magnolia on a blue banner with red and gold bars on each end. The magnolia is encircled by 20 five-point stars, plus a star representing all the Native American tribes of the state, and the words “In God We Trust.”

“Our flag should reflect the beauty and good in all of us.

It should represent a state that deserves a positive image,” Vaughan said in a MDAH news release. “The New Magnolia Flag represents the warmth and strength of the good people of Mississippi. Now is the time we show the world that we’re from Mississippi, the Magnolia State.”

Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson chaired the commission. Anderson was the first African American justice to serve on the state’s high court.

“No one worked harder to change Mississippi’s flag than

Governor William Winter,” said Anderson, who is also president of the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. “I am thinking of him today as Mississippi takes this historic step toward selecting a state flag that will unify us and make us proud. I am grateful to our state leadership and my colleagues on the commission for their commitment to moving Mississippi forward.”

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann praised both the commission and process of finding a new proposed flag.

“I’m very proud of the commission. They worked so hard.

They reviewed thousands of flags and devoted hundreds of hours to the process. They did it so we all have the ability to adopt a flag as our own,” Hosemann told Today in Mississippi.

Hosemann also said the commission’s decision to hold several public hearings and to give the public a chance to vote online on different flag designs was essential.

“I’m pleased with the way it was all handled,” Hosemann said.

Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn said the new flag sends a message to the world.

“While the rest of the world seems to be dividing over protests and political agendas, Mississippians are setting an example with the “In God We Trust” flag by pointing the rest of the world to the answer to all of our problems – In God We Trust,” Gunn said.

On July 1, 2020, Mississippi retired the state’s 1894 flag — the last state flag in the nation to incorporate the Confederate battle flag. The legislature directed that the new design must include the words “In God We Trust.”

Members of The Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag Reuben Anderson - Former Mississippi Supreme Court justice Cyrus Ben - Choctaw Tribal chief Sherri Carr Bevis - Singing River Health System Frank Bordeaux - BXS Insurance property and casualty insurance vice president Mary Graham - Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College president

Betsey Hamilton - retired school teacher Robyn Tannehill - Oxford mayor T.J. Taylor - House Speaker Phillip Gunn’s policy director J. Mack Varner - Vicksburg attorney

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 19

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Johnny Johnson, President • Mike Banks, Vice President • Marty Crowder, Secretary/Treasurer • Bill Bell • Kenneth Seitz • Ernest H. “Bud” Tumlinson • John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr.

October is National Co-op Month As an electric cooperative, our top priority is always to provide reliable, affordable energy to you, the consumer-members we serve.

Because we are a co-op, our mission is to improve the lives of all we touch — and this mission has never been more critical than in recent months. One of the seven principles that guides all co-ops is “concern for community.” To me, this principle is the essential DNA of 4-County Electric Power Association and it sets us apart from other electric utilities.

October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, I recognize the essential role we play in serving a VOLUNTARY AND OPEN special community like ours.

MEMBERSHIP Who would have fathomed in DEMOCRATIC March, that the COVID-19 virus MEMBER would amount to a test of our CONTROL community and our nation? The MEMBERS’ changing circumstances due to ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION the pandemic have created both challenges and opportunities. Over AUTONOMY AND the past several months, we’ve all INDEPENDENCE been challenged to operate differently, and 4-County has stepped up to help our members and strengthen the safety net for our more vulnerable neighbors.

As an essential service, and to ensure reliability of your power supply, we modified our operations to safeguard business continuity. Our line crews and other employees began working on staggered schedules to maintain separation. Some staff worked remotely. In the office, we limited and modified meetings and gatherings to allow for safe separation. We also adjusted our walkin office availability and in-person service calls to ensure the health and safety of our employees and our valued members. In addition, we held our annual meeting virtually. For the health and safety of everyone, we think these measures were the prudent course of action for the times.

For our members impacted by COVID-19 who needed help with their electric bills, we waived late fees and worked with those 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

hardest hit to make special payment arrangements. We also offered payment assistance through our Warm Neighbors program, a fund made possible through your kind donations.

And while we certainly missed visiting with you in person, we found new ways to stay connected. We’re continuing to pave the way to deliver broadband in underserved areas of our territory (see article on page 15). The 4-County Foundation is continuing to meet the needs of members with much-needed grants throughout the service area. Our communication efforts continue to be the best in the business: press releases to local media, coverage of our goings ons in Today in Mississippi (the No. 1 source of information for our members), social media EDUCATION, TRAINING AND posts and tons of information on our INFORMATION website, www.4county.org. We’ve even COOPERATION added a podcast, Behind the Lines, AMONG that you can watch and listen to on our COOPERATIVES Facebook page.

CONCERN And, in the midst of everything else, FOR COMMUNITY we continue to embrace this cooperative principle: Cooperation among Cooperatives. At press time, we have two crews in Louisiana assisting Beauregard Electric Cooperative with Hurricane Laura restoration efforts. I tell you about all of these efforts not to boast about 4-County but to explain how much we care about this community — because we live here too.

We’ve seen other local businesses rising to meet similar challenges during this time, because that’s what communities do. While the challenges caused by COVID-19 have been daunting, I’m heartened to see how everyone is pulling together.

In 1939, 4-County was built by the community to serve the community, and that’s what we’ll continue to do — Power On.

by Brian Clark CEO/General Manager

Update

4-County members pave way for broadband lot programs. “The projects will cover parts of north east Choctaw, 4-County Electric Power Association members recently voted west Clay and north Noxubee counties, but I want to point out to amend the co-op’s Certificate of Incorporation, paving the way that not everyone in those counties, or even in the areas covered for the utility to create a subsidiary company that can provide by the pilots will be able to get service,” Clark said. “The grant broadband. requirements are very specific about where we go and who we The co-op’s Certificate of Incorporation was issued in the 1930s can serve. That being said, we do and based on the Mississippi hope that these projects are the law that enabled electric coopstart to bringing broadband to all eratives to operate in the state. members,” the 4-County official That certificate had to be upadded. dated to allow the cooperative Details of the projects, Clark to begin offering broadband. outlined (such as how much the Ballots on the amendment service will cost and when it will process were mailed to membe available to members) have bers in August. Over 90% of yet to be determined. However, those returning ballots voted to those bullet points will be anupdate the certificate. Results nounced as soon as possible. were announced at a Special What’s next? “The bottom line Called Meeting of the Memis that to make these projects bers recently at the Corporate work, we need people to sign Center. up for service,” Clark stressed.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, “So we will be marketing and the meeting was streamed communicating details as soon online and was not open to the public. The accounting firm of Watkins, Ward and Stafford tabulat- as we have them. We are really looking forward to getting started,” he said. ed and certified voting results.

Clark said the pilot project announcement has sparked a lot of 4-County officials announced recently that the co-op will soon interest from members — and a lot of questions, too. “There are bring introductory broadband internet services to three rural parts several questions that keep coming up. First, members want to of its service area. The co-op plans to launch a pilot program in know if every member will have to pay, whether they get internet areas of Choctaw, Clay and Noxubee counties. service or not. The answer is no,” Clark said.

4-County has received a matching grant from the recently While 4-County will be taking out the loans to install the fiber enacted MS CARES grant program that will enable the Association backbone, if the co-op brings internet to the entire service territoto launch the pilot program.

That grant program, established by the Mississippi Legislature in ry, it believes the project will at least pay for itself.

When can members expect to get internet? “We’ll be doing July, earmarked $65 million in potential funding for state electric cooperatives to help deploy broadband to their members. 4-Coun- these three pilots. If they work, then we can hope to move forward with the rest of the service territory.” ty CEO Brian Clark says 4-County was excited to take part in the Members with questions or comments about broadband or the fund distribution and the groundbreaking rollout of these broadvote can call 1-800-431-1544 or email broadband@4county.org. band services to the 4-County territory.

Based in Columbus, 4-County is Capped at $6 million per cooperaa member-owned electric power tive, the grants must be matched by the October is Co-op Month distributor, supplying power from the cooperative and must be used in areas Tennessee Valley Authority to about that are considered unserved or underConcern for Community 49,000 members across all or parts of served. 4-County will put in about $7 nine counties in east central Mississippi. million dollars to kick-start the three pi-

October is Co-op Month Cooperation Among Cooperatives

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

Shady Grove is nuts about pecans

by Brad Barr It’s no secret.

There is a bunch of nuts at Shady Grove Pecan Company.

Just ask anybody, especially owners Craig and Cheryl Schmidt.

“We have a little fun when we talk about our product,” Craig said with a smile.

The local pecan-processing entrepreneurs live on a 62-acre farm in Noxubee County with their four children: Emma, 10; Ava, 8; Carlton, 5; and Cora, 1.

They also run their business there, on the edge of the property’s shady grove. “It kind of fit,” Craig said of the name.

Craig grew up in Noxubee County, working and playing on the family’s row crop and catfish farming enterprise. “We worked hard and played hard,” he said. “There was time to make a few trips to the swimming hole.”

But he never imagined he would grow up to process pecans instead of soybeans, corn or catfish. It happened like this, Craig said. The couple had recently returned to the United States after a five-year mission trip to Nicaragua. They were still developing their plans for the farm when preparation met opportunity. The then Starkville-based Peeples Farm, in business for 35 years, was planning to retire the business and sell their equipment. In 2018, the Schmidt family purchased the business and its shelling and cracking machines.

Today, the Schmidt family has cracked the code to a successful family venture. “We really wanted it to be a family 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

business. Our kids help us,” Craig said. Their four-footed friends — a Border Collie named Shep and a Great Pyrenees called Wild — also help take care of their investment.

Shady Grove Pecan Company does its thing in a cozy, 50-foot by 60-foot building. The pecans, delivered from a wholesaler, are purchased in a variety of states: cracked, shelled or blown free of pecan dust (or all of the above).

The pecan harvesting and processing industry is a growing one, Craig said. Shady Grove sells to individuals as well as retail and commercial customers. They sell the pecans on site and online. Their products have reached as far away as Germany. “We’ve also shipped pecans to California, Oregon and Washington, D.C.” Shady Grove receives its pecan shipments in 1,300 to 1,400 pound totes. For those individuals receiving full service with their orders of larger pecans, the process works like this: • The pecans are weighed.

• They are cracked (up to four machines can work simultaneously, depending on the volume). Up to 200 pounds of pecans can be cracked each hour.

• They are shelled (using a towering machine near the wall).

• The product goes through a blowing process, where debris from the pecans is removed.

• They are packaged and ready to sell, pick up or deliver.

The process differs slightly for medium- and smaller-sized

pecans. And pecans can be ordered in various stages of production. “We’ll do what the customer wants,” he said.

Other homemade products line the shelves of the the comfortable storefront portion of the building.

Coffee, honey, candles, soaps and lotions are on display in brightcolored tins and packages. “We’re looking to add rice from the Mississippi Delta and a variety of other artisan food products,” Craig said. Schmidt says Shady Grove is looking to expand its varieties of nuts and even venture into creating candies.

Shady Grove is expecting a new crop of pecans in early November.

The Schmidt family also raises grass fed cattle and hogs, and sells eggs.

Unlike row crop farming, these farm-selected activities involve direct interaction with customers. “We get to be part of the process from the beginning to the end. It’s rewarding to have interaction with our customers. Sometimes, with row crops you never get to see the customer. But, here, we get to build some good relationships,” he said. “I enjoy all the qualities of living in the country, being able to experience them all with my family. And I’m thankful of the opportunity to work the land with the animals. Producing products that are clean and healthy provides us with a strong sense of accomplishment.”

The Schmidts operate their business on paying attention to detail and quality. “We aim to continue in that tradition.”

They also operate on this tongue-in-cheek customer service principle, “We’re nuts about you.”

And if that all sounds kind of nuts, Craig said, that’s exactly what Shady Grove is looking for.

October is Co-op Month Concern for Community

2020 | TODAY 17 October is OCTOBER Co-op Month Cooperation Among Cooperatives

4-County charges ahead with electric car From sports cars to trucks, Americans love a powerful automobile.

But who says it has to run on gasoline?

With an eye to the future, 4-County Electric Power Association has added a fully electric vehicle to its automobile fleet. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a growing market, with an increasing number of them in the co-op’s service territory.

4-County can’t predict how fast their numbers will grow, but they can plan for their presence and impacts. “This new addition to our fleet will give us some great insight on a technological wave of the future.

We can start formulating a service plan for what we feel is a growing trend. It’s very interesting,” said 4-County CEO/General Manager Brian chargers: Level 1 (200 volts), Level 2 (240 volts) and a DC fast charClark. ger. The colorful Bolt, clearly identified as a 4-County vehicle, and October is Co-op Month Brian Sloboda of the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Associaits charging station are located on the east dock near the Corporate Concern for Community tion (NRECA) describes the new breed of electric cars as powerful and Center building. full of torque. “If you love horsepower, electric vehicles are something Seven States Power Corporation assisted 4-County with the project. you may want to consider,” he stressed.

Seven States is a an energy solutions company formed by and serving The 4-County EV is a Chevrolet Bolt. Members of the local media local power companies (LPCs) in the Tennessee Valley. Brad Rains, October is Co-op Month gathered recently to view the latest vehicular technology. The 2020 director of distributed energy resource deployments for Seven States, Cooperation Bolt can travel nearly 300 miles on a full charge. Chooseev.com estisays EVs are becoming more prevalent. Making sure they have access mates the Bolt gets about 3.5 miles per kWh. ToAmong full chargeCooperatives an empty to chargers will be key to their growing development. “Seven States battery would take about 74 kwh. 4-County’s residential rate is about has helped put chargers in the Golden Triangle. We’re working with $.11/kWh. So, a full charge would cost LPCs, including 4-County to place even about $8.14 or $.03/mile. A conventional more,” said Rains.

October is Co-op Month vehicle that gets 24 miles to the gallon 4-County is also offering a $100 incenEducation, Training would cost about $.08/mile at $2/gallon. tive to builders to make new homes in the and Information The car operates on three types of service territory EV charger ready.

4-County sends storm crews to Louisiana poles and downing power lines.

Beauregard, based in DeRidder, Louisiana, has over 5,000 miles of energized line serving more than 43,000 meters.

4-County initial team members sent to Louisiana were: Tim Adkins, Glen Ledbetter, Wesley Champion, Drew Swan, Cole Morgan, Brandon Worrell, Abe Finley, Tanner Owen, Allen Baty, Tre Samuel and Justin Davis. The crews returned safely Sept. 14.

Rural electric cooperatives throughout the nation share a reciprocal agreement with each other to provide help to sister Two 4-County Electric Power Association crews left Sept. 3 cooperatives in times of crisis. 4-County will send crews and on their way to assist Beauregard Electric Cooperative in Louisi- equipment, if needed, to assist in the restoration of power lines, ana with power restoration efforts after Hurricane Laura swept poles and substations damaged by wind, storm surge and other through their service area Aug. 27. elements of hurricane-related weather.

October is Co-op Month The 4-County crews (11 men total) left early in the morning, “We are glad to be in a position to send this assistance to for Community carrying with them three bucket trucks, twoConcern digger derrick help restore power to Beauregard Electric members in need. trucks and two crew trucks.

Our system and members have been the recipients of assistance In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, all of Beaurefrom other electric cooperatives in the past, and we are always gard Electric’s 31,000 members glad to be able to help others when October is Co-op Month were without power. Hurricane Laura they need assistance. That’s the coopCooperation caused widespread damage with high erative way,” said 4-County Manager Among Cooperatives winds, rain and storm surge, breaking of Operations Anthony Miller.

18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

October is Co-op Month Education, Training and Information

E S

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Andrews building bridges 4-County Staking Engineer Jaron Andrews enjoys building bridges for the cooperative.

While that task may not manifest itself in the literal sense, it certainly does in a figurative one. “I enjoy interacting with our members, building relationships,” Jaron explained. “As staking engineers, we’re often the bridge between our members and 4-County.”

As a staking engineer, Jaron assists with plans for future growth of the distribution system. His 4-County career, however, began by working on John Shumaker’s right of way crew. He then began working for Harold Tallent’s Corporate Center construction crew as an Apprentice Lineman.

Jaron’s life changed in 2007, when an electric contact incident in Choctaw County resulted in severe burns to his arm and foot. The Lowndes County native spent 25 days at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center. “It put everything into perspective,” Jaron said of the incident. “It changed my life. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ because of it. Everything came into its natural order. There were some uncertainties about health, at first. But everything turned out good.”

After a six-month period of healing, Jaron came back to the co-op as a utility locator technician, working under Greg Lewis. Then, in 2010, he returned to line work, becoming a journeyman lineman in 2011. In 2017, he transferred to the staking engineering department.

Jaron is a New Hope High School graduate. He earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts from East Mississippi Community College, where he also played baseball. He later studied at Shorter College in Georgia, where he continued his pursuit of baseball. Were there thoughts of a major league career? “I was so close, yet so far,” he said with a laugh.

Jaron and his wife, Meredith, live in the New Hope community with their three daughters: Neely, 17; Annabeth, 16; and Presley, 14. The Doberman named Ronan, the Walker hound named Idgie and a German Shepherd puppy named Dean round out the group.

His hobbies include refereeing soccer. He became involved in the sport because his children were playing in area youth leagues. “All I knew when I started is that you couldn’t touch the ball with your hands.” Since then, he has learned a little more about it, even earning a reputation as a tough referee. “I’ve been told that I am an angry referee,” he said with a laugh.

Jaron is in the midst of building a new home on his grandparents’ home site. “It’s special to me,” he stressed. “I’ve got a lot of roots there.

And I hope we have our grandkids playing there one day.”

4-County is special to Jaron, too. “The camaraderie, a feeling of extended family, is prevalent here.”

Making your house safer Looking for ways to make your home safer? Check this out.

Tamper-resistant (TR) electric receptacles function electrically like a standard receptacle but add a built-in safety mechanism that helps prevent electricity from energizing anything that is stuck into the receptacle that shouldn’t be.

What are tamper-resistant electrical receptacles?

These receptacles have spring-loaded shutters that close off the contact openings, or slots, of the receptacles. When a plug is inserted into the receptacle, both springs are compressed and the shutters then open, allowing for the metal prongs to make contact to create an electrical circuit. Because both springs must be compressed at the same time, the shutters do not open if a child attempts to insert an object into only one contact opening, and there is no contact with electricity. is Co-op Month Why October are TR receptacles preferred over products such Concernwith forcaps Community as receptacles or with sliding receptacle covers?

Receptacle caps may be lost and also may be a choking hazard for some ages. Children can learn to October is Co-opcovers Month defeat sliding receptacle when they watch their Cooperation parents. TR receptacles provide security against the Among Cooperatives insertion of objects other than cord plugs into the energized parts.

October is Co-op Month Education, Training and Information

New employees join 4-County team

Tanner Owen

Aaron Woodson

Two new employees have recently joined the 4-County Electric Power Association team.

Tanner Owen of Scooba is an Apprentice Lineman 4, serving on Tim Adkins’ Corporate Center crew.

Aaron Woodson of Maben is an Apprentice Lineman 4, serving on Eric Yarbrough’s Corporate Center crew.

Welcome to 4-County, guys!

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 19

MEP Contact Information: P: 3027 Highway 98 West • Summit, MS 39666 M: P.O. Box 747 • McComb, MS 39649

TO REPORT OUTAGES:

601-684-4011 Visit us online at www.MEPCoop.com Follow us on FaceBook and Twitter

Pay by Phone: 1-877-779-7740

October is National Co-op Month As an electric cooperative, our top priority is always to provide reliable, affordable energy to you, the consumer-members we serve. Because we are a co-op, our mission is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the long-term interests of our local community — and this mission has never been more critical than in recent months. One of the seven principles that guides all co-ops is “concern for community.” This principle is the essential DNA of Magnolia Electric Power and it sets us apart from other electric utilities.

October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, we recognize the essential role we play in serving a special community like ours.

Who would have fathomed in March, that the COVID-19 virus would amount to a test of our community and our nation? The changing circumstances due to the pandemic have created

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

both challenges and opportunities. Over the past several months, we’ve all been challenged to operate differently, and Magnolia Electric Power has stepped up to help our members and strengthen the safety net for our more vulnerable neighbors.

As an essential service, and to ensure reliability of your power supply, we modified our operations to safeguard business continuity. Our line crews and other employees began working on staggered schedules to maintain separation. Some staff worked remotely. In the office, we limited and modified meetings and gatherings to allow for safe separation.

We also adjusted our walk-in office availability and in-person service calls to ensure the health and safety of our employees and our valued members. For the health and safety of everyone, we think these measures were the prudent course of action for the times.

We care about our communities — because we live there too.

New Holmesville Substation

Magnolia Electric Power has recently grown to include a new substation located in the Holmesville area on Matthews Road, just north of Leatherwood Road (Pike County). The facility, pictured here, has been in the works for some time, but was only recently energized.

Eventually, there will be four circuits which will serve approximately 2,500 meters. This is MEP’s 19th substation and it will provide better service and reliability to the people of the Holmesville area.

Earlier in the year, MEP reenergized the East McComb substation after several months of work on it. The East McComb upgrade was completed in April 2020 and doubled the capacity

of that substation. The upgrade will provide for future growth for the McComb/Holmesville area, which includes communities from Union Church to the Love’s Truck Stop/Percy Quin area and several areas in between, too.

Coronavirus update for MEP members Since March, Coronavirus has altered the way Magnolia Electric Power has had to handle numerous business transactions, however, the company has continued to provide safe, reliable electricity for our members with as few interruptions to your electric power as possible.

At that time, we moved our inside work force to half-staff to minimize the number of people in the building, while still providing services to our members. To ease back into a customary way of operation, the staff was brought back to full staff in mid-September. However, our lobby will remain closed to the public at this time.

Another return to reestablishing standard operations, start-

ing in October, MEP will begin reinstating late fees on bills.

Most of Mississippi’s electric cooperatives began adding the late fee in June 2020, after the governor’s Coronavirus order expired, but MEP leadership granted an extension concerning late fees for MEP’s members through September.

Thus, as of October, and the first Billing Cycle, MEP members will see late fees added to bills not paid in a timely manner.

As a critical service provider to our local communities, Magnolia Electric Power is aware of what must be done to provide our service. As always, MEP has appreciated the understanding of our members that the health and safety of everyone is a top priority.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

AMORY – P.O. BOX 300 • 50408 GREENBRIAR ROAD • AMORY, MS CALEDONIA – 746 MAIN STREET • CALEDONIA, MS

662-256-2962 662-356-4100

October is National Co-op Month As an electric cooperative, our top priority is always to provide reliable, affordable energy to you, the consumer-members we serve. Because we are a co-op, our mission is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the long-term interests of our local community — and this mission has never been more critical than in recent months. One of the seven principles that guides all co-ops is “concern for community.” This principle is the essential DNA of Monroe County Electric Power Association and it sets us apart from other electric utilities.

October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, we recognize the essential role we play in serving a special community like ours.

Who would have fathomed in March, that the COVID-19 virus would amount to a test of our community and our nation? The changing circumstances due to the pandemic have created

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

both challenges and opportunities. Over the past several months, we’ve all been challenged to operate differently, and Monroe County Electric has stepped up to help our members and strengthen the safety net for our more vulnerable neighbors.

As an essential service, and to ensure reliability of your power supply, we modified our operations to safeguard business continuity. Our line crews and other employees began working on staggered schedules to maintain separation. Some staff worked remotely.

In the office, we limited and modified meetings and gatherings to allow for safe separation. We also adjusted our walk-in office availability and in-person service calls to ensure the health and safety of our employees and our valued members. For the health and safety of everyone, we think these measures were the prudent course of action for the times.

We care about our communities — because we live there too.

Monroe County Electric supports Cybersecurity Awareness Month Monroe County Electric Power Association is proud to announce its commitment to National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held annually in October. This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart,” aimed to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace.

“By increasing awareness and enhancing understanding of basic cybersecurity practices, we can all work together to combat cyberthreats,” said Barry Rowland, MCEPA general manager. “The human element is oftentimes the biggest cybersecurity risk. Each of us has a critical role to play to ensure the security of our personal and professional data.”

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The overarching message of this year’s theme, ‘If you Connect it, Protect it,’ dives into the importance of keeping connected devices safe and secure from outside influence. With more people spending time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever before, connected devices are an integral part of how we communicate and access services essential to our well-being.

Data collected from these devices can include highly specific information about a person or business, which can be exploited by bad actors for criminal gain.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to shed light on these security vulnerabilities, while offering guidance surrounding

simple security measures to limit the susceptibility of threats for common devices.

This year, the Cybersecurity Awareness Month’s main weekly focus areas will revolve around: • Understanding and following general security hygiene for connected devices and home networks; • The importance of maintaining the security of connected devices for remote workers; • How connected devices play a pivotal role in the future of healthcare; and, •The overall future of connected devices for consumers, professionals and the public domain.

If everyone does their part — implementing stronger security practices, raising community awareness, educating vulnerable audiences or training employees — our interconnected world will be safer and more resilient for everyone.

Now in its 17th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to stay safer and more secure online. Monroe County Electric is proud to support this far-reaching online safety awareness and education initiative.

For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month and how to participate, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurityawareness-month/. You can also follow and use the official hashtag #BeCyberSmart on social media channels.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The average household owns 24 electronic products, which account for roughly 12% of home energy use.

When shopping for electronics, consider purchasing ENERGY STAR®-certified products, which can be 70% more efficient than conventional models.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

For more information about Today in Mississippi, contact Michael Bellipanni at 662.895.2151.

TM

northcentralelectric.com

NorthcentralEC

@Northcentral_EC

@Northcentral_EC

a message from your CEO

Cooperative principles in action As Northcentral’s 70th annual meeting approaches, I’ve always enjoyed the fact that this meeting takes place in October which is National Cooperative Month and Public Power Month. It’s rewarding to see these business models at work as our diverse membership assemble to participate in our annual meeting. Votes will be cast for board representation; reports of the cooperative’s operations will be presented, and members will have the opportunity to make comments and voice concerns.

The cooperative model has also demonstrated its strength in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura in south Louisiana. As soon as assistance was requested, co-op crews from all over the southeast headed to Louisiana to help repair damaged transmission and distribution grids. Living conditions were tough and working conditions tougher, but the overflow of support certainly demonstrates the cooperative principle emphasizing “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.” The principle is further exhibited as we work relief in wake of Hurricane Sally on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Alabama and Florida.

Engineering is complete, contracts awarded and construction of the first phase of Northcentral’s fiber-to-the-home project is beginning. After hearing the concerns of members in our community Northcentral formed a broadband affiliate,

Northcentral Connect, and plans on offering high-speed internet services to certain areas later this month. The areas were chosen based on CARES Act grants made available to Northcentral from the State. The Mississippi Public Utilities Staff used FCC information to select unserved and underserved areas where we could complete a project before the end of 2020. Already having a fiber hut under construction at our Byhalia substation, and considering the approximate three-month buildout, this is the area that will see our first activity. The Byhalia start puts Northcentral in a better position to reach rural communities than alternate locations. This project demonstrates the cooperative principle, “Concern for Community.”

As always, we are pleased to demonstrate our cooperative principles through our actions in the community.

Stay safe.

by Kevin Doddridge General Manager/CEO

Proud to energize the communities we serve.

October is National Co-op Month.

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

Pre-registration Begins for Northcentral Connect Fiber Internet Services

by Michael Bellipanni September 14, 2020 brought about another milestone for Northcentral Electric Cooperative, as they announced the website launch for their telecommunications affiliate, Northcentral Connect. Along with the announcement came a release of the first phases of the fiber-to-the-home construction project, which will bring high-speed internet connectivity to rural areas in Marshall and DeSoto counties.

The initial phases were targeted with Northcentral’s participation in the Mississippi Electric Cooperative Broadband COVID-19 Grant program.

The Mississippi Public Utilities Staff awarded nearly $72 million in grants to 15 Mississippi electric cooperatives, which will in turn provide dollar-fordollar matches in a major effort to boost connectivity in rural Mississippi.

Northcentral’s share of the grant award totaled $2.75 million.

The program is part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Mississippi Electric Cooperatives Broadband COVID-19 Act was enacted to address the immediate need for distance learning, telemedicine and telework amid the constraints of the pandemic. Grant funding was a result of the legislature’s allocation of the state’s $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds provided by the CARES Act. All projects under the grant program were designed to immediately provide increased broadband services to areas determined by the Public Utilities Staff to be unserved or underserved according to the latest Federal Communications Commission broadband data.

In early 2019, Northcentral Electric completed construction of nearly 80 miles of aerial fiber connecting each of their 10 substations, which was designed to improve utility operations and outage response. The unused capacity of that fiber network will be leased to Northcentral Connect for the deployment of high-speed internet throughout the Northcentral service area. The estimated cost of the total fiber project is approximately $125 million.

“We’ve had a strong desire to help close the digital divide in our rural areas for some time. We feel that electric cooperatives are in a unique position to offer a solution, much like we did in the 1930s & 1940s with rural electrification,” states Northcentral general manager and CEO Kevin Doddridge.

Northcentral and the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi achieved a major legislative feat with the passage of the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act in 2019, which gave the cooperatives the ability to offer telecommunication services.

On February 20, 2020, Northcentral announced the formation of their new affiliate, Northcentral Connect, and immediately began working towards the deployment of the fiber-tothe-home project.

The first phases of the project will originate from the co-op’s Byhalia substation. “In our planning, we determined that the Byhalia area was very much underserved with the inadequate connect rates of DSL. This starting point also gives us the best access to serve our most rural areas in future phases,” Doddridge said.

Under the terms of the grant, service must be delivered to the awarded areas by the end of this year. Northcentral Connect is positioned to begin connecting services in the parts of the first phase by early November.

With the launch of the website, Northcentral Connect began pre-registration of subscribers, both in the initial phases and for future phases. Those interested in highspeed internet and phone services offered by Connect are encouraged to pre-register at northcentralconnect.com. By pre-registering, you are under no obligation to sign up for service, but you will be contacted with an offer when service becomes available at your location. Please visit the website for more information on plans and pricing.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

CTC Students Refuse to Stop the Music

by Justin Jaggers The students of Teri Gordon’s Digital Media Class are no strangers to giving back to their community. Throughout the school year, they can be seen at events for Make-A-Wish with a green-screen photo booth, at The Baddour Center’s Dancing for Our Stars event filming, or at Northcentral Electric Cooperative taking photos of children with Santa. They do this because they are learning media production in a way that benefits the community.

These students all go to different high schools across DeSoto County. But for one block of their school day, they meet at the Career & Technical Center West campus to learn everything from graphic design in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, audio production in Logic, to filmmaking in Final Cut Pro. “These kids are learning the things I had to wait until college to learn; and they’re really good at it,” says Teri Gordon, who has been teaching Digital Media Production for just over ten years. “I absolutely love the look on their faces when they see it work for them.”

As parents know, the school year was interrupted just after Spring Break when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools; cutting off many high school milestones and opportunities. One of those opportunities for these students was getting to take part in Musicians for Le Bonheur’s efforts to bring music to the patients and families of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. “It’s sad that I can’t be there and just watch these musicians see their music used to brighten up a kid’s day,” said CTC graduate Tanner Smart, “Just to see that relief from the day-to-day of being stuck in a hospital room, you see transformation and this interaction that you can’t get over a Zoom call.”

Usually, the Musicians for Le Bonheur project bring students local musicians from the Mid-South area to the hospital to perform music for the patients, families and staff, along with a hospital tour and private room visits for families who welcome visitors. A group of CTC students help film a documentary of the visits, and Northcentral employees volunteer their time to deliver goodie bags with coloring books, art supplies, and 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

Northcentral items. Unfortunately, the hospital has been closed off to visitors due to the pandemic. That’s when fourteen students from the class stepped up to work on an alternative project.

“Le Bonheroo” was created in place of the usual hospital visits and annual compilation album. Over a dozen local musicians and bands visited The Grove Recording Studio inside of Hope Church in Cordova, TN, to record and film performances to be sent to Le Bonheur’s private TV channel for patients to watch. The students, who worked with their teachers on eight-to-ten hour days, to record, film and produce nearly four hours of performances and interviews over the summer.

During production, each student remained masked and kept at least six feet away from the performers. The musicians treated it like their performances in the event space of Le Bonheur last year and sent special messages to the kids. Performances include ukelele-toting Ally Wallace, gospel hip-hop artist Malik “MKJ” Johnson, rapper and motivational speaker RobenX, the sibling-front reggae band The Chinese Connection Dub Embassy, alt-rock band Everdeens, indie act Blvck Hippie, rock guitarist Robby Davis, country songwriter Jodie Ross, jam band FreeWorld, hard rockers Skinny Powers, the animated Muck Sticky, songwriting partners Danny Cosby and Garry Goin, and former “The Voice” competitor Savannah Brister.

For some students, they wanted to be around their classmates that they missed. “I wanted to be around the people I care about; that’s my classmates. I love working and learning with them,” said senior Grace Smith. Smith also took time during the performances to draw musicians as they performed and her work was shared via social media immediately after the bands left the studio. For others, it was a big opportunity to give back.

“I see what this project is about now, these [patients] are some of the bravest people I have ever known, and I haven’t even met them yet,” says Betsy Poteau.

Student Spotlight Cassidy Carson

Each student was given the opportunity to rotate duties around production behind the camera or the mixing board.

For students like Jackson Lumpkin, who always volunteered to shoot master shots, it was a chance to find his passion, photography. “I learned how many things go on in setting up a production like this. I learned that I could be the go-to shot while the other cameras were panning or zooming.”

Before they even leave high school, these students have their resumes started. “I have had students that have gone on to college and tell me that they’re doing projects just like they did here. I think that’s wonderful, because now they have a leg up and the time to explore how they can make those project better,” says Teri Gordon, “It’s so rewarding to see [my students] get involved in a project that encompasses all these things: shooting, lighting, audio production, interviewing. And it all helps these amazing patients and their families.

I love getting to spend this time with them and watch them see how they work together.”

“Le Bonheroo” can be seen outside of the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital as well. The film, complete with performances from local musicians and interviews with Northcentral employees is available on Amazon Prime for streaming. The money from each stream is set aside as a donation for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital through the Musicians for Le Bonheur program.

Musicians for Le Bonheur is eager for the hospital to be open again for visitors. Until then, the project will remain socially distant and bring the music any way it can thanks to the efforts of these caring students.

Cassidy was eager to enroll in DeSoto County’s Career and Technical Center after her sister was a student and took her on a tour of the campus. “I just fell in love with the campus and the opportunity to learn about cameras and lighting.” She loved the program so much that she is learning as a thirdyear student in the Digital Media Class.

She has served as an assistant audio engineer for a single by Danny Cosby on 2019’s Musicians for Le Bonheur album, a photographer for The Baddour Center’s Dancing for Our Stars event and 2019’s documentary “Healing Music.” Cassidy is no stranger to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital with visits starting from when she was a baby to her teenage years when she was diagnosed with pneumonia. “This was my chance to give back to the hospital and see a different side to what they do.” On “Le Bonheroo,” she served as a technical advisor and photographer. Cassidy is a senior at DeSoto Center High School and hopes to learn Cosmotology as a career.

Betsy Poteau “I wanted to get out of the house and work on this project I’ve heard so much about,” says Betsy. She handled both audio and video production responsibilites for the film.

“It was a blast meeting up with some of the people that I knew and these musicians. It was a win-win scenario.

I get to help the kids of Le Bonheur and get to learn something new.”

Betsy is a junior at DeSoto Central High School and is focusing on animation, video editing, and audio production as a career.

Her love of hands-on learning brought her to the Career & Technical Center. “I really like learning sound effects in a foley studio. It was really interesting to see the process and bring a movie to life.”

For more information on Musicians for Le Bonheur, please visit www.musiciansforlebonheur.com.

For information on the CTC classes in DeSoto County, visit ctcw.desotocountyschools.org.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 17

Columbia: 601-736-2666 Hattiesburg: 601-264-2458

Purvis: 601-794-8051 Wiggins: 601-928-7277

To pay bills or report outages:

855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference.

Pandemic Exemplifies Cooperative Spirit Every October we celebrate National Cooperative Month and reflect on the set of principles and values that exemplify cooperative businesses. As an electric cooperative our mission is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the interests of the communities in our service area. One way we do this is through the seven cooperative principles, which guide all cooperative businesses (see box). While all of us at Pearl River Valley Electric work to exemplify each principle daily, I’d like to address one particular principle, “concern for community” and its importance in this unique period in our history.

In March, who would have thought that COVID-19 would test us in every way possible. As an essential service we have worked to protect our employees from the coronavirus, because we know that your electric service is vital. We also quickly understood that more of our members would be working and attending school from home, so we immediately implemented a pandemic response plan to VOLUNTARY ensure uninterrupted service AND OPEN MEMBERSHIP and help limit transmission of the virus in our community.

DEMOCRATIC To accomplish this, we had MEMBER CONTROL to address two key areas: the protection of our members and MEMBERS’ the public from the virus and ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION the implementation of safety measures within the compaAUTONOMY AND ny to shield employees from INDEPENDENCE COVID-19.

As a major employer that serves 12 counties, we realized immediately that we needed to limit our interactions with our members and community. This challenged us to operate differently and pushed us to help our communities protect our most vulnerable members. We moved quickly to close lobbies and set up distancing procedures for our inside employees when dealing with the public. In addition, our workforce in the field were told to maintain social distancing of at least 6 to 10 feet from all members and the public.

This first phase of our response was the most difficult since we 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

cherish our relationships with our members.

The second phase of our pandemic response plan involved protecting our employees from exposure. At Pearl River Valley Electric, we have 131 employees, each with a unique skill set and knowledge base. If we were to lose several to the coronavirus, it would cause significant disruption to our workplace. For this reason, we began having employees work in shifts to limit exposure to the virus. Also, some employees worked remotely. In the office, we limited and modified gatherings to allow for safe separation. These measures were implemented based on local and state health and safety guidelines and limited the spread of the virus throughout our local areas.

While the virus has been difficult, the financial effects of COVID-19 on our members have been even greater. As members were laid off or furloughed, the Public Service Commission asked AND all utilitiesVOLUNTARY to MEMBERSHIP suspend collections OPEN for a period of 60 days. It quickly became apparent DEMOCRATIC that the virus EDUCATION, MEMBER CONTROL and its fi nancial devastation TRAINING AND INFORMATION would not end at 60 days, so MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION Pearl River Valley Electric took COOPERATION the suspended collections a step AMONG AUTONOMY AND COOPERATIVES further. We gave members a couINDEPENDENCE ple of additional weeks before CONCERN requiring payment of past due FOR COMMUNITY bills. In addition, we have worked with members to help pay their past due balances.

While we have missed visiting with you in person, we have found new ways to stay connected. In July, we launched our Facebook and Twitter pages to help our members stay up to date. These new tools give us the ability to reach a large audience instantly. Through these platforms we provide updates during outages and will keep you informed about cooperative policy changes due to COVID-19. Please follow us on social media. In addition, we are in the process of developing a new website that will be easier to navigate. The site will still feature areas to pay your bill, view your electric use and offer an online

EDUCATION, TR AND INFORMA

COOPERATION AMONG COOPE

CONCERN FOR COMMUN

application and forms for bank draft and levelized billing. Look for this site to launch later this year.

Since mid-March, concern for our community and our members has played a large role in every decision related to COVID-19 we have made at Pearl River Valley Electric. However, as we celebrate Cooperative Month in October, I challenge each of you to show the same concern for your community and your neighbors. This year has been difficult for our state and our nation with the pandemic, societal unrest and devastating natural disasters. As a cooperative our principles not only form the backbone of a great business model, but a standard of how society should function. Thank you for your commitment to our cooperative and we look forward to serving your needs in the future.

by Randy Wallace General Manager

Pearl River Valley Electric:

FAST FACTS • Organized in May 1938 • Governing body is a 10-member Board of Directors elected by members for staggered 3-year terms • Service area includes all or parts of 12 counties • Serves more than 50,000 meters consisting of residential, commercial, large power and industrial loads • Electric distribution system includes more than 6,100 miles of power lines and 25 substations • Headquarters is located in Columbia, with district offices in Hattiesburg, Wiggins and Purvis • Employs approximately 130 highly skilled, service-oriented professionals • In 1963, PRVEPA was the first cooperative in Mississippi to begin paying patronage refunds (a return on members’ equity

in the Association) … since that time, nearly $58 million has been returned to members over the course of 57 years • In 1988, PRVEPA began returning patronage credits to the estates of deceased members … more than $15.5 million has been returned through that program.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

CONTACT INFORMATION: PONTOTOC P.O. Drawer 718 • 12 South Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863

662-489-3211 • Fax: 662-489-5156 BRUCE P.O. Box 415 • 129 South Newberger Street, Bruce, MS 38915

662-983-2727 • Fax: 662-983-1335

PEPA Offers Assistance to Cooperative Service Area Hit by Hurricane Laura

A team of Pontotoc Electric employees headed to DeRidder, Louisiana on Sunday, September 6, 2020, to assist Beauregard Electric in their recovery efforts. The area was hit hard by Hurricane Laura on Thursday, August 27.

Left to right: Assistant Foreman Jackie Swords, Apprentice Lineman Jimmy Moore, Collector/Meterman Billy Jack Stewart, Apprentice Lineman Dalton Hall, Apprentice Lineman Jacob Beard, Apprentice Lineman Barrett Wooten, and Lineman Sedric Benford.

NOTICE OF

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of members of Pontotoc Electric Power Association will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at noon at the Pontotoc County Agri-Center in Pontotoc, Mississippi.

The purpose of the meeting is the nomination of candidates for the office of Director of the Association from Areas Three, Seven and Eight for the next calendar year and the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting. Candidates nominated during the Annual Meeting will also have their names placed on the election ballot to be mailed out at a later date.

The following candidates have been nominated by committee for the office of Director: Area Three

Allen Simmons (Incumbent)

Area Seven

Jeff Washington (Incumbent)

Area Eight

None

The following candidates have been nominated by petition for the office of Director: Area Three

Jackie Courson

Area Seven

Tim Quarles

Area Eight

Robert Tedford Ken Winter Mark A. Patterson, Secretary

On Sunday, September 13, an additional crew of line workers drove to the area as the first crew returned home.

Left to right: Apprentice Lineman Jake Russell, Apprentice Lineman Brandon Jenkins, Lineman Tyler Parker, Assistant Foreman Robert Mitchell, Lineman Wes Hillhouse, Apprentice Lineman Cody Liles, and Apprentice Lineman Brandon Williams.

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

Where your electric dollar goes 3.2% Maintenance Expense 6.4% Net Income 6.8% Other Operating Cost 13.8% Operation Expense

P

INCOME STATEMENT

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED) YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020

FISCAL YEARS ENDING JUNE 2020 & JUNE 2019

OPERATING REVENUE (What our members paid for services): Electric Sales Revenue: Residential $26,496,795 General Power - 50 KW & Under 4,050,347 General Power - Over 50 KW 13,620,001 Street & Outdoor Lighting 1,140,986 Total Electric Revenue $45,308,129 Unbilled Electric Sales (113,699) Other Revenues 1,452,779 TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE $46,647,209 EXPENSES (What it costs to operate your system): Operating & Maintenance Expense: Purchased Power

$32,562,149 1,430,484

(Cost to operate system)

Distribution Expense - Maintenance

YEAR ENDED

Utility Plant - Net Other Property & Investments Current Assets Deferred Debits TOTAL ASSETS & OTHER DEBITS

YEAR ENDED

6/30/2020

6/30/2019

$63,205,008

$62,019,692

$3,344,111

$1,921,829

$13,080,764

$13,863,825

$174,722

$247,914

$79,804,605

$78,053,260

$69,047,299

$66,692,753

LIABILITIES: Memberships & Patronage Capital

(What we paid TVA for power)

Distribution Expense - Operation

ASSETS:

Conservation Advances - TVA

$153,093

$222,224

Accrued Liability - OPR Benefits

$1,271,127

$1,232,983

Notes Payable Current Liabilities

1,514,628

Deferred Credits

2,032,221

TOTAL LIABILITIES & OTHER CREDITS

-0-

-0-

$9,341,845

$9,909,829

($8,759)

($4,529)

$79,804,605

$78,053,260

(Cost to maintain system)

Customer Accounts Expense (Cost of billing our members)

Customer Service & Info Expense

91,506

(Residential Energy Services Program & electrical development costs)

Sales and Marketing Expense

19,679

(Economic development, promotions, advertising, etc.)

Administration & General Expense

2,872,117

(Gen. admin. expense, insurance, fees, etc.)

TOTAL OPERATING & MAINTENANCE EXPENSE $40,522,784 OTHER EXPENSES: Depreciation Expense (Use of assets over life) Tax Expense

$2,742,994 424,381

(Gross receipts, property & payroll taxes)

Interest Expense - Debt Service Interest Expense - Other

-06,742

(Interest paid on security deposits)

Other Deductions TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES TOTAL EXPENSES MARGINS FROM OPERATIONS Interest Income

9,390 $3,183,507 $43,706,291 $2,940,918 $62,882

(Money earned on short-term investments)

TOTAL MARGINS (Members’ equity for year)

69.8 %

Purchased Power from TVA

$3,003,800

YOUR ELECTRIC CO-OP AT A GLANCE As of June 30, 2020

As a member of Pontotoc Electric Power Association, did you know that:

PEPA serves more than 19,764 consumer/members in parts of six counties: Pontotoc, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Lee and Union.

Your association serves about 11 consumers per mile of line.

PEPA maintains a network of 1,731 miles of line.

The association employs 79 full-time employees.

As a consumer cooperative, PEPA is owned by and operated for the benefit of its members. It is a not-for-profit enterprise.

PEPA is a distributor of electric power generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Association headquarters is located on Main Street in Pontotoc. PEPA’s construction and operations warehouse is located on Highway 41, south of Pontotoc. A district office is located on Newberger Street in Bruce.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

2020 Service Anniversaries thanks for your service 30 Years of Service

20 Years of Service

Richard Morgan Staking Technician

Jackie Swords Assistant Foreman

15 Years of Service

10 Years of Service

John Ivy Journeyman Lineman

Jahew Harrelson Lineman

Park and Russell Advance in Apprenticeship Program

Tom Hill Purchasing Agent

Mary Williamson Manager of Collections

5 Years of Service

Rhianna McClellan Office Assistant

Barrett Wooten Apprentice Lineman

.

Ms. Fair’s Apple Dapple Cake Sandra Fair Cashier 1-1/2 cups vegetable oil 2 cups sugar 3 cups plain flour 1 tsp salt 1 cup chopped pecans Congratulations to Caleb Park and Jacob Russell, who recently moved from Pre-Apprentice to the position of First Year Apprentice Lineman. We appreciate their hard work and dedication.

Great job!

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

3 eggs 2 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking soda 3 cups apples

Mix together oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Sift together flour, soda, and salt. Blend mixtures together. It will be very thick.

Stir in apples and pecans. Bake at 325 degrees for one hour.

Sauce: 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 stick margarine.

Cook three minutes and pour over hot cake. Let cake set in pan for two hours.

by Keri Collins Lewis and Michaela Parker Working with nature instead of against it can help make time spent in your yard more pleasurable. The team behind Smart Landscapes, a program from the Mississippi State University Extension Service and MSU Department of Landscape Architecture, offers practical information and instructions for enhancing the natural features around your home.

A Smart Landscape is one that makes the best use of existing features, water resources, and energy while also reducing the amount of maintenance required. By selecting trees and plants best suited for the soil type, sun and shade in your yard, you best leverage the forces of nature to create a beautiful landscape.

From ways to attract pollinators to information

about the best plants for shady spots, Smart Landscapes has a variety of publications and projects available online at http://extension.msstate.edu/ smartlandscapes. Tips on landscape design, how-to videos and presentations on subjects such as “Creating Biodiverse Landscapes for Mississippi Wildlife” can help you turn your property into a beautiful oasis for birds, bees, and other wild creatures. The Smart Landscapes team also shares inspiring examples of biodiverse habitats, successful plantings, and fun projects on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smartlandscapesmsu/ Keri Collins Lewis is media relations manager and Michaela Parker is a marketing and communications coordinator for the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

How to install a shade sail Shade sails are an inexpensive way to block harmful UV rays from your patio space, and they help cool off the area. You can purchase a sail online or at a home improvement store. Most sails come in a variety of colors, so it’s an easy way to brighten up your yard.

Before purchasing, measure the space you want to shade to ensure you have a sail that properly fits.

• • •

a drill turnbuckles 1/4 -inch chain

• posts • hook screws • concrete

Step 1: Determine your anchoring points. Shade sails are commonly in the shape of a triangle or rectangle. Keep in mind you will need an anchoring point for each corner of the sail. It’s smart to lay your sail where you want it to go and measure before installation. If you have a triangular sail, consider anchoring one end on the eaves of the house and the other two on posts in the ground. For a rectangle, add an additional hook on the eaves.

Step 2: Install wooden, steel, or metal posts in the ground. Make sure the poles are sturdy enough to hold the sail and endure wind. Secure the posts with concrete to ensure they are sturdy. Install hooks on each anchoring point and lace a chain with turnbuckles on the shade sail grommets. Install the turnbuckles to all hooks and tighten until there is no slack in the sail. Sit back and enjoy the shade!

Visit http://extension.msstate.edu/blog/how-install-shade-sail to watch a video demonstrating shade sail construction.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 17

BRIAN HUGHEY

General Manager & CEO

Energy Tips

LORRI FREEMAN, APR Manager of Public Relations AMANDA PARKER Public Relations Specialist

Bringing power and energy services to local communities

For more information, call 601-947-4211, 228-497-1313 or visit singingriver.com. @singingriverelectric @SRECooperative SRE is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

Rising to the challenge this hurricane season Living along the Gulf Coast is always stressful this time of year. As south Mississippi residents, we are accustomed to keeping an eye on the Gulf of Mexico and adjusting our schedules as storms Brian Hughey threaten our area. August General Manager & CEO ended with Hurricane Laura taking aim at the northern Gulf Coast.

If you recall, Laura was originally predicted to make landfall in Alabama, but as the storm entered the Gulf of Mexico, Laura’s path shifted west and made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm left behind over 100,000 outages for our neighboring Louisiana electric cooperatives. Singing River Electric responded by sending 22 employees over a two-week period to help Beauregard Electric in southwest Louisiana with the restoration process. Unfortunately, the trip was cut short after another storm rolled off the southern tip of Florida.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, Singing River Electric linemen were called home from Louisiana due to the threat associated with Tropical Storm Sally. At the same time, our management team activated the cooperative’s Emergency Storm Plan which has proven to be very effective through the years. The slow-moving storm took on a mind of its own as the forward speed decreased to less than 5 mph as it moved 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

closer to the northern gulf. Initially, Sally was expected to make landfall near the Mississippi/Louisiana line as a Category 1 hurricane. As it inched closer to the northern Gulf Coast, Sally steered more eastward than originally projected. Singing River Electric’s employees were prepared to respond, and additional help was secured and ready to assist as we patiently awaited Sally’s landfall. The storm grew to a Category 2 hurricane, eventually making landfall at 4:45 a.m. on September 16 near Gulf Shores, Ala. While Singing River Electric’s distribution system did not take a direct hit, we did have 9,522 meters out as a result of the storm. The biggest challenge for our linemen was safely and efficiently working through the day while winds were still in the 30-40 mph range. Our linemen stepped up to the challenge as power was restored to all meters by 8:00 p.m. the same day, with the exception of houseboats and river camps only accessible by boat.

This is not the first time our employees have shown unwavering dedication during times of extreme weather conditions. It is times like these that exemplify the cooperative way in our member-owned, locally operated, not-for-profit organization.

I hope our membership is as proud of our employees’ tremendous efforts as I am. As we continue to keep those who experienced major damage and flooding in our thoughts and prayers, we look forward to the end of the 2020 hurricane season.

Nick DeAngelo Manager of Energy Services deangelo@singingriver.com

Decrease A/C runtime and increase fall savings As fall approaches, we will begin to see cooler temperatures move into our region. With the cooler temperatures, be sure to set your thermostats back so your air conditioning system is not running while it is not needed.

As humidity and temperatures drop, the need for A/C lessens.

By cutting your air conditioner’s run time, you should see substantial savings on the cooling portion of your electric bill. This is a simple yet effective way to save on your bill not only in the month of October but also throughout the fall.

For more tips like this, visit singingriver.com and check out 101 more ways to save energy and money.

Sally makes her presence known in South Mississippi.

A

s a Category 2 hurricane, Sally made landfall over Gulf Shores, Ala., in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. Effects were felt as far west as southeast Mississippi.

The storm began causing power outages beginning late on Tuesday. Crews worked to restore power until around 11 p.m. and were called back to the offices and sent home due to high winds and unsafe working conditions.

Lucedale and Sand Hill office crews began working at first light on Wednesday. However, Gautier crew members left for their assigned areas around 7 a.m.

“Winds must decrease below 35 miles per hour for it to be safe for crews to make repairs in bucket trucks, and areas along the coastline

were still experiencing significant wind gusts at first light,” said SRE General Manager and CEO Brian Hughey.

At the peak, SRE had 9,522 meters out on Wednesday due to the storm. Our linemen and crew members aided by contract and right-of-way crews were able to restore power to all meters accessible by land that same day. Remaining members along the river were restored the next day.

“I’m proud of the exceptional effort from our team of employees and partners. I also appreciate the patience and support of Singing River Electric members,” said Hughey.

For photos of restoration progress, visit Singing River Electric’s Facebook page at facebook.com/singingriverelectric.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

Answering the call for help SRE crews help Beauregard Electric in Louisiana

I

t’s hard to wait and watch as a all 26 Mississippi electric cooperatives.

Category 4 hurricane nears an area.

“Our linemen were anxious to head It’s even harder to wait to respond to Louisiana and do what they do best,” and help a fellow cooperative after said SRE General Manager and CEO Brian devastating reports of property Hughey. “We let them know that the housing damage and large-scale power conditions might be hard, but they didn’t outages, but the bottom line is care. They just wanted to help.” the affected cooperative must be At the time of publishing, Singing River ready to receive your help.

Electric had sent two separate crews to Beauregard Electric, headquartered in Beauregard Electric including 22 crew DeRidder, serves 43,000 meters in rural members and 10 vehicles. They joined 1,200 southwest, central Louisiana. They were crew members from 12 states working to one of two Louisiana electric cooperatives restore power. decimated by Hurricane Laura. Following “Beauregard Electric believes it will take the storm, all members were without power. four weeks to complete repairs and energize Singing River Electric prepped for the their communities,” said Hughey. “They have storm but as we realized it was headed linemen on every circuit and are making west, we notified the Electric great progress. We are proud SRE crews worked Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM) to help, not only Beauregard in Glenmora, La, that we were ready to answer the Electric, but these communities while assisting call for help. ECM provides support and families in Louisiana.”

Beauregard Electric. services, including mutual aid, for

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

Flashback Give back after Hurricane Katrina.

One the evening of August 28, 2005, SRE prepared for a monster storm. We had no idea that the next day would re-write the history books on storm response and preparation or just how truly devastating a monster storm could be. Our fellow cooperatives in Louisiana have sadly now lived this nightmare. SRE employees swelled to more than 1,000 following Katrina. We were ever so grateful to all who came from near and far away.

We will always answer a co-op’s call for help.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 17

2020 Broadband Drive-in Vote and Meeting WE NEED YOUR VOTE TO AMEND SRE’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Your Co-op. Your vote.

EARLY VOTING DEADLINE: OCTOBER 5 Drive-in vote to amend

SRE’s Certificate of Incorporation

THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

IN PERSON, BY MAIL AND ONLINE

9 Friday, Octobuecerdale uth, L

11187 Old 63 So

ins at 3:00 p.m.

Registration beg 5 p.m. and ends at 3:4 Meeting begins

at 4:00 p.m.

Participate by voting in person, online or returning your ballot by mail. Co-op bylaws require a 10 percent quorum of the membership in order to conduct business.

Your participation is crucial to our success, and with it you will be eligible to win prizes including $500 in cash!

Voting in person can be done at the drive-in vote meeting on Friday, October 9, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held at the SRE Lucedale office at 11187 Old 63 South and will be held

outdoors to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.

Return your completed ballot by mail using the enclosed selfaddressed, postage-paid envelope by Monday, October 5. You may still attend the meeting.

Voting online is easy! Members can vote online beginning Tuesday, September 8, through Monday, October 5. Simply click on the “Vote Here” icon on either the SmartHub app or website at singingriver.com. By entering your membership ID and zip code, you can view the ballot and cast your vote.

Eight members who vote online or return their ballots by the October 5 deadline will be selected to receive a $250 CASH prize.

One member who votes online or returns the ballot by the deadline will receive a special grand prize of $500 CASH!

Upcoming right-of-way projects

Singing River Electric clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing helps decrease the number of outages and reduces the risk of

• • • •

someone coming in contact with the power lines.

Here are the substations and surrounding areas that are either currently being cleared or where clearing will begin soon:

Agricola Substation – Highway 613, Barton-Agricola Road, Highway 612 and surrounding areas.

Leakesville Substation – Knobtown Road, Highway 63, Highway 57, Hillman Crossing and surrounding areas.

Lucedale Substation – Highway 26, Twin Creek Road, Highway 63 and surrounding areas.

Harleston Substation – Highway 613, Hurley-Wade Road, Highway 614 and surrounding areas.

18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

Supporting our neighbors SRE employees participate in Habitat for Humanity Women Build in Gautier As electric cooperatives, we belong to the communities we serve.

We adhere to a set of seven cooperative principles, and the seventh is concern for community. It is a part of all that we do.

Seven Singing River Electric employees signed up at the first of the year to participate in the early summer 2020 Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Gulf Coast Women Build. Teams were scheduled to help build a home in Gautier.

Funds were raised and the home was built, but team participation was limited by COVID-19. Two team members participated in a wallsigning event, and all remaining team members worked to raise awareness for HFHMGC on the scheduled Virtual Build Day in September.

Visit singingriver.com/my-community for more information on community donations.

Protecting women Singing River Electric employees recently donated health and hygiene items to Adrienne’s House, a domestic violence shelter for women and families in Jackson County associated with Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence. For more information about Adrienne’s House, visit www.gccfn.org.

Agricola Elementary receives NHN Grant Students at Agricola Elementary have an opportunity to check out new audio, chapter books from the school’s library to improve reading scores. The book sets have playaway devices to assist struggling readers and are available for all students. For more information, visit www.singingriver.com/nhn.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 19

BRINGING THE POWER WWW.SOU THERN PIN E.COOP | P.O. BOX 60 | 1349 1 H WY. 28 | TAYLO R SVIL L E, MS 39 16 8 | 800.231 .524 0

Chris Rhodes Named President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Pine Electric Cooperative “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as your CEO and to Southern Pine Electric’s Board of Directors is pleased to work together with the knowledgeable team of people at welcome our new President and CEO, Chris Rhodes, to the Southern Pine as we serve our members,” said Chris. “This is truly Southern Pine family. a remarkable cooperative with a long history of growth and service Chris has a long and distinguished career working with coopto the members and the State of Mississippi. I am grateful for the eratives. He joined Cooperative Energy in 1996 and has served in strong foundation established by those who came before me and various engineering, supervisory, and management roles including offer my sincere thanks to the board of directors for their confiplant engineer and then plant manager at the J.T. Dudley, Sr. dence in me. I appreciate Mr. Don Jordan and all the employees at Generating Complex. He also served as the director of external Southern Pine for their dedicaaffairs managing economic tion and determination to make development and the delivery Southern Pine one of the best of Cooperative Energy’s co-ops in the country. With their narrative and position on positive energy and commitment technical, legislative, and to the membership, our goals political issues to internal align to bring excellent memand external audiences. ber services while continuing to In his most recent role with provide reliable and affordable Cooperative Energy, Chris electricity.” served as senior vice-president Southern Pine serves approxof administration and over“We are happy to have Chris leading imately 68,560 meters across saw economic development, our team and look forward to the great eleven counties and has 220 external affairs and managed employees, who are eager to the wholesale services and things we can accomplish together welcome, and work with, their business information system for our members.” Billy M. Berry, new CEO. Though serving at groups. Chris is a 1995 graduate chairman of the board different type cooperatives, one of Mississippi State University a generation and transmission with a degree in mechanical cooperative and one a distribution, Chris and the Southern Pine engineering. team have shared many work experiences that enable us to serve “We are happy to have Chris leading our team and look forward our members and make a difference in the communities and state, to the great things we can accomplish together for our members,” joining forces to bring about legislative change, better jobs and said Billy M. Berry, chairman of the board. “His work experience on more educational opportunities for our children. “Chris has a vision behalf of cooperatives in Mississippi will be invaluable to Southern Pine, and I am confident he will lead us with wisdom and integrity.” and plan for Southern Pine and has the courage to follow through, with integrity, honesty, and humility,” said Ryan Robertson, manChris and his wife of 28 years, Laurie, make their home in Petal. ager of accounting. “Chris, the board of directors and employees They are the proud parents of three children, Olivia, 24, Jacob, 19, and Bella, 10. Chris is an avid runner and enjoys golf in his free time. share the same values and are committed to working together to achieve common goals,” added Robertson.

An active member at First Baptist Church in Petal, Chris has a We look forward to this new chapter in the life of Southern sincere warmth and concern for people and a strength that Pine and to Bringing the Power to our members for many years promotes a sense of camaraderie and common trust. to come.

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

G R

2020 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING TO BE HELD ONLINE

0

Charles Lowe

Greg Sullivan

Richard Thoms

Southern Pine Electric’s Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Nov. 12 at 2:p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will be streamed online. You may visit https://www.southernpine.coop to view the meeting.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 health restrictions will prevent us from hosting the on-site meeting. While there will not be any booths, on-site door prizes, or refreshments provided this year, our members will still have the opportunity to win awesome prizes by returning proxies or voting electronically.

Southern Pine members will receive a notice in the mail providing them with the opportunity to vote for directors either by mail or electronically. For your vote to be counted, proxies must be received by Monday, November 9.

The 2020 Nominating Committee has, pursuant to the bylaws, nominated three cooperative members to serve for a period of three years as a member of the board of directors of Southern Pine. They are Charles Lowe from Copiah County, Greg Sullivan

from Covington County and Richard Thoms from Newton County.

These candidates are members in good standing and are your friends and neighbors.

All three are very well qualified and meet the qualification guidelines established by the cooperative. All members of the board of directors are bound by the mission to enhance the quality of life of our members and community by safely providing electric energy at an affordable price.

Members that return their proxy, either by mail or online, will be entered into a drawing for the following prizes: $1,000 of electricity, $750 of electricity, $500 of electricity, $250 of electricity and a GRAND PRIZE of a retired Southern Pine pick-up truck. Winners will be notified by telephone, email, or mail.

Please take an active role in your cooperative by voting! We love visiting with our members and are looking forward to seeing you in person next year.

Any questions or concerns may be sent to voice@southernpine.coop.

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH

Our top priority at Southern Pine Electric is always to provide reliable, safe, and affordable energy to you, the members we serve.

Because we are a co-op, our mission is to enrich our members’ lives and serve the long-term interests of our local community — and this mission has never been more critical than in recent months. Seven principles guide all co-ops, and one of these is “concern for community.” This principle is the essential DNA of Southern Pine Electric.

October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across Mississippi and the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, we recognize the essential role we play in serving a remarkable community like ours. We know that your families, neighbors, and local businesses depend on Southern Pine for reliable, safe, and affordable electric power. We do not take that responsibility lightly.

Who would have fathomed in March that the COVID-19 virus would amount to a test of our community and our nation? The changing circumstances due to the pandemic have created both challenges and opportunities. Over the past several months, we have all been challenged to operate differently. Southern Pine Electric has stepped up to help our members and strengthen our more vulnerable neighbors’ safety net.

As an essential service, and to ensure your power supply’s reliability, we modified our operations to safeguard business continuity. For everyone’s health and safety, we think these measures were the prudent course of action for the times.

For our members impacted by COVID-19 who needed help with 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

their electric bills, we waived late fees and worked with those hardest hit to make special payment arrangements. We are working with additional safety measures to protect you and our employees, the backbone of Southern Pine.

We have certainly missed visiting with you in person, but we found new ways to stay connected. We’ve increased our social media engagement efforts, collaborated with TEC to bring fast fiber internet to many of our members, and socially distanced as we continued community outreach with school districts and law enforcement offices in our communities. We care about the communities we serve — because we live here too.

We have seen other local businesses rising to meet similar challenges during this time because that’s what communities do.

The difficulties caused by COVID-19 have been daunting. Still, it is inspiring to see how everyone is pulling together in our communities to ensure life continues to be lived, joy continues to be experienced, and work continues to happen.

In 1938, several community members came together and established Southern Pine Electric to provide reliable electric power to rural areas in need. That is our singular focus, even today, and what we continue to do. Over the years we have faced many obstacles and challenges, but we always rise to the occasion and overcome whatever may stand in the way of our mission.

As we celebrate National Co-op Month, we honor the men and women who have served you for 82 years, and we celebrate you, our members, for allowing us to bring the power for many years to come.

THE 7 COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES 1. VOLUNTARY AND OPEN MEMBERSHIP

3. MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION

5. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INFORMATION

­

2. DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL

6. COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES

4. AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE

7. CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 17

MEET SOUTHERN PINE EMPLOYEE:

JOHN BARNES

John Barnes has been a part of the Southern Pine Electric family for 35 years. A hard worker, dedicated to the co-op and his work, he has no intention of leaving his second family any time soon.

Even when he takes a couple of days off, he is always ready to get back to work because he misses everyone and enjoys what he does each day.

Growing up on his family farm, John learned the value of hard work from his parents. During his early days, he learned to appreciate the value of farming and always enjoyed the work. According to his supervisor, Bobby Thompson, John is great to work with and has the best attitude. “He is friendly to everyone, you couldn’t ask for anyone with a better attitude, and he treats everyone the same,” said Thompson. “He is a hard worker, easy to work with, and will do anything that he can to help someone; all you have to do is ask.”

John started his career with Southern Pine as a warehouse worker before moving to the mechanic shop as a mechanic helper. John is a perfect fit for his job as he has always loved working on cars, even as a hobby. Now he gets to do it as a career. Cheerful and friendly to his co-workers, employees know and respect John and the work he does.

John has been married to his wife, Elsie, for 46 years and is quick to point out that he is blessed to have her. Together, they have raised four wonderful daughters, and even though it was not always easy, he is so thankful for his wife and partner. His daughters, Eleshia, Shalanda, Wynique, and April have blessed them with eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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“Humility will open more doors than arrogance ever will.” Zig Ziglar Spending time with his children and grandchildren is what John enjoys the most when he is not at work and they always have a good, noisy, time at family gatherings. He also finds pleasure in bushhogging, cutting grass and spending time outdoors when he can.

When in his company, you recognize almost immediately that John, a strikingly humble man, is not used to “tooting his own horn.” What comes across most is his humble, kind nature and a friendly smile. Although he is not used to being the center of attention, he lights up when speaking of his family and life’s blessings. “Where do I start? There are so many things to be thankful for,” said John. He is extremely grateful for his parents, who helped him become the man he is today, and is so thankful for his wife and family. He acknowledged that each day when he can get out of bed is a day to be grateful, and another day to be there for friends and family.

John and his wife are members of New Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church and live in Taylorsville.

OCTOBER 2020 is a Time to Reset

life. There is no better time to appreciate life and all its wonders We could all use a “reset” right now. There is just no getting than October. With the cool, crisp air after a long, sweltering around it. It has been a tough year for everyone. We have strugMississippi summer, comes anticipation of better days. October gled with how life is right now, some more than others. Many is kind of magical if you think about it. The heat begins to vanish, of our members have faced what seems to be insurmountable challenges because of the pandemic and the fallout it has caused. the trees begin to shed their summer leaves, the excitement in Many have lost their jobs and had a hard time making ends meet. the October air is palpable as everyone feels the thrill of anticipaChildren have had to adjust to a new reality that includes distance tion that comes with the impending holiday season.

Our thoughts seem to shift in October to thankfulness, more so learning, wearing masks, social distancing and so many new ways than most times. It is also traditionally an exciting and busy time of living. Small businesses are hanging on as best they can to be there for our communities.

Things are just not normal this year.

Even so, we have persevered in making life as good as we can. Attending church — drive in, online, socially distanced — has been a blessing for many of us during 2020. Spending more time with our immediate family has helped millions genuinely get to know each other better. We have used technology to find new ways to communicate with friends and family when we cannot physically be together, and we have reached out to old “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” friends from the past. Many F. Scott Fitzgerald are fortunate to have work but are getting accusin Mississippi. This year will be different. Not quite as busy, but tomed to the new ways of working and the new safety precaunevertheless it can be exciting. We can still use October to reset tions required. We are all simply trying to adjust, and we could all our thoughts if we need to. We can focus on our many blessings use a reset right now. as Mississippians like our communities, our friends and family, our Traditionally, October is one of the most exciting months of neighbors and our faith. the year — football games with packed crowds, the state fair, Instead of focusing on the numerous challenges we have faced Halloween, fall festivals, and so many fun things to fill the days. and continue to face in 2020, focus on how we have dealt with In 2020, there will still be fun to be had, but it will be different for them and kept moving forward. Be thankful for life starting over sure. That is ok, because we will adapt, life will continue, and the each day and resetting us. Be grateful for changing seasons and seasons will still roll through. October can still be a time to focus hopes of the future and stop long enough to appreciate all the on the fun in life and reset because as F. Scott Fitzgerald once benefits and beauty of each passing one. Southern Pine Electric said, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” is always thankful for you, our members, and for being allowed to What a beautiful thought! Life does start over every day that serve you another day. Each day, the employees of Southern Pine we are blessed to wake up, and we especially feel that during wake up and start anew serving you to the best of our ability by this season of gratitude. Each day holds new opportunities to do bringing the power to you. something good, help someone, smile at someone, or just enjoy OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 19

P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 601-437-3611 • 800-287-8564 • Fax: 601-437-8736 • Email: info@swepa.coop

Adams • Amite • Claiborne • Copiah • Franklin Hinds • Jefferson • Lincoln • Wilkinson Southwest Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

southwestelectric.coop

Southwest Electric

SWElectricCoop

sw_electric_coop

is National Co-op Month As an electric cooperative, our top priority is to provide reliable, affordable energy to you, the Members we serve. Because we are a cooperative, one of our seven guiding principles is Cooperation Among Cooperatives.

Cooperatives serve their Members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures. October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, we recognize the essential role we play in cooperating with other cooperatives.

Hurricane Laura brought about disruption to our Members’ electrical service across our nine-county service area. At one point, as many as 7,500 meters were without power. Our crews and management team had prepared for the worst before the storm’s arrival by strengthening communications and stocking trucks.

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Once it was safe for crews to go to work, we immediately began the restoration process. This process involves starting at the substations, focusing on three-phase lines and working to the individual homes and businesses in an effort to restore power to as many people as fast and as safe as possible.

It was evident that repairing over 29 broken poles could not happen overnight, so assistance was requested from four sister cooperatives to expedite the restoration process for our Members.

A special thank you to Magnolia Electric Power, Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, Singing River Electric Cooperative and Southern Pine Electric Cooperative for their quick response in assisting us after the storm. It is appreciated by all of our employees and especially our Members, as we strive to provide reliable, affordable energy to every meter in our service area.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Marcus Durrell, GIS Technician

Brett Davis, Service Supervisor Brett started his career at Southwest Electric in 2001 as a Serviceman’s Helper. He has been a Lineman on a construction crew, Member Service Representative, Service Clerk in the Accounting Department, Collector when we still collected money for bills out in the field and a Staking Technician. He was promoted to Service Supervisor in December 2016. His job is to supervise and assign the work of six servicemen and four dispatchers, as well as maintain our outage management system. Brett lives in Brookhaven and has two sons.

Marcus began working at Southwest Electric in 2002 in the Engineering Department when we were transitioning our maps from paper to computer. He has also worked as a Staking Technician, assisted crews during storm restoration and served as a weekend on-call Dispatcher. Marcus’s job is to maintain the geographical information for our entire electrical system including location of poles, transformers, breakers and fuses and how they connect to the 4,200 miles of power lines in our system. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Roxie. They have four children and three grandchildren.

STANTON

HAMBURG

FENWICK

IN CASH THROUGH

CRANFIELD

EDDICETON

ROXIE JEANNETTE

MEADVILLE WHITE APPLE

KINGSTON

BUDE

HOW IT WORKS

CLEAR SPRINGS LAKE KNOXVILLE

BUNKLEY

Find a MoneyGram location

GARDEN CITY

• 800.926.9400 • moneygram.com/billpaylocations Cranfield Substation Coverage Area

Roxie Substation Coverage Area

Southwest Electric has contracted with Volt Power to perform an audit of the poles in our nine-county service area. This month, you may see them in the Roxie and Cranfield areas as indicated on the map. Their vehicles are clearly marked with both Volt Power and Southwest Electric signs. If you have any questions, please call us at 800-287-8564.

Bring these with you • Cash - enough to pay your bill, plus the fee of $1.50 • Your account number • Receive code: 16381

Pay the amount and the fee at the cash counter Available at these locations

FALL BACK

Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour on November 1 for daylight saving time!

OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

FOR AFTER-HOURS OUTAGES, CALL

866-897-7250 HOLLANDALE

BELZONI

(662) 827-2262

(662) 247-1909

GREENVILLE

ROLLING FORK (662) 873-4233

(662) 334-9543

SERVING MORE THAN 12,600 ELECTRIC METERS IN FIVE DELTA COUNTIES

Twin County Annual Meeting October 20, 2020 Twin County’s Annual Meeting of Members will be held on October 20, 2020 beginning at 2:00 p.m. In order to provide for more social distancing, the Annual Meeting will be held at the South Washington County Multiplex Center located at 911 East Avenue North in Hollandale.

All Members in good standing of Twin County as of August 18, 2020 (Record Date) will be allowed to vote at the meeting either in person or by proxy.

The configuration for the meeting will comply with any and all federal, state and local laws, regulations, and orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, this means that all Members attending the meeting will be required to practice social distancing and wear face masks.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Twin County encourages it Members to consider voting by proxy. A formal Notice of Meeting and a Proxy was mailed to all of Twin County’s **Proxies must be on the document provided by Twin County, signed by the Member whose name appears on the Proxy and delivered by such Member personally to one of Twin County’s offices in Hollandale, Belzoni, Rolling Fork or Greenville, or mailed to Twin County’s office in Hollandale, Mississippi.

Proxies must be received by Twin County at 5:00 p.m. on October 14, 2020.

Members in good standing as of the Leland Record Date by Greenville Inverness August 18, 2020.

In addition to electing Isola three Directors at Belzoni ✪ Hollandale this year’s annual meeting, the Members will also be asked to consider Louise Rollingfork ratifying a proposed Mayersville Amendment to Twin TWIN COUNTY EPA County’s Articles Cary ✪ MAIN OFFICE of Incorporation to BRANCH OFFICES permit Twin County to SUBSTATIONS perform any and all acts allowed under the WARREN COUNTY Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act and any amendments thereto.

Additional information regarding Twin County’s meeting will be provided in the Official Notice of Meeting and also available on Twin County’s website. www.twincoepa.com SUNFLOWER COUNTY

LEFLORE COUNTY

WASHINGTON COUNTY

HUMPHREYS COUNTY

HOLMES COUNTY

SHARKEY COUNTY

ISSAQUENA COUNTY

Mark your calendar for October 20, 2020

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The configuration for the meeting will comply with any and all federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, this means that all Members DISTA the E H attending THE DISTA R YOUR M P P T meeting A will be required to practice social Mark your calendar, October 20, 2020 beginning at 2:00 p.m. distancing and at the South Washington County Multiplex Center located at wear face masks.

911 East Avenue North in Hollandale.

Twin County Youth Leadership

Leading through Senior Year!

For the 2020 class of Youth Leadership students, it’s been an unusual year to say the least.

The Mississippi Co-op Youth Leadership Workshop convened in Jackson in February with 88 young people to learn about state government and participated in three days of leadership training activities. Then…COVID-19 happened.

Twin County’s 2020 class, Mollie Warrington and Louise Word – Washington School, Simar Thomas – St Joseph High School, and Christian Martin – Riverside High School, did not have the opportunity to attend the annual Washington D.C. Youth Leadership Tour in June.

As these students are now busy into their Senior year at their respective high schools, Twin County is proud of our four 2020 recipients and want to highlight each one over the next several issues of Today in Mississippi. They are each outstanding and deserve some special attention through this pandemic. Each of Twin County’s youth leadership students are implementing the leadership skills and knowledge obtained in February in their schools for their Senior year.

Twin County’s first Youth Leadership recipient is Mollie Warrington of Washington School Briefly describe your experience at Youth Leadership.

My experience at Youth Leadership was great!

I really enjoyed getting to meet new people and learn new things. I enjoy talking to my friends I made on the trip! I am looking forward to using the skills I learned this year at school!

What are you involved in this year?

This year I am Washington School Student Council President. Along with WSSC, I also participate in Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, Fellowship of Christian Students, and Beta Club! I am a cheerleader, and I do track and field!

Which colleges/major are on your horizon right now?

As of right now, I am hoping to go into the field of medicine!

Do you have a favorite scripture or quote that helps keep you grounded and focused during this unusual senior year?

Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”

We need to hear from

YOU!

Twin County is surveying its members’ opinions concerning broadband in the Delta. Each member household should submit one survey. Please remit survey by the QR code, with your payment, at your local Twin County office, or bring to the annual meeting. If you have an email address associated with your account, you received an email to complete through Survey Monkey.

Twin County Electric Broadband Survey • Do you currently have access to reliable internet at your home or business? ❏ Yes ❏ No • How satisfied are you with the internet speed from your current provider? ❏ Very satisfied ❏ Very dissatisfied ❏ Somewhat satisfied ❏ Not applicable ❏ Somewhat dissatisfied • If you are dissatisfied with your current internet service, why? (check all that apply) ❏ Bill amount is too high ❏ Poor Customer Service ❏ Not applicable ❏ Service is unreliable ❏ Service is too slow • What is the likelihood you would consider obtaining internet service from Twin County Electric if the cost is reasonable? ❏ Definitely Consider ❏ Probably Not ❏ Probably Consider ❏ Definitely Not ❏ Maybe • What is the likelihood you would consider obtaining internet service from Twin County Electric for $49.95/month (at the speed and cost of 100 mbps symmetrical)? ❏ Probably Not ❏ Definitely Consider ❏ Definitely Not ❏ Probably Consider ❏ Maybe • What is the likelihood you would consider obtaining internet service from Twin County Electric for $79.95/month (at the speed and cost of 1 Gig mbps symmetrical)? ❏ Probably Not ❏ Definitely Consider ❏ Definitely Not ❏ Probably Consider ❏ Maybe OCTOBER 2020 | TODAY 15

P.O. BOX 8 • 2255 GORDON ST. YAZOO, MS 39194 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

TWITTER

662-746-4251 — OFFICE & REPORT OUTAGES 866-484-4277 — PAY BY PHONE VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.YAZOOVALLEY.COM

October is National Co-op Month As an electric cooperative, our top priority is always to provide reliable, affordable energy to you, the consumer-members we serve. Because we are a co-op, our mission is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the long-term interests of our local community — and this mission has never been more critical than in recent months. One of the seven principles that guides all co-ops is “concern for community.” This principle is the essential DNA of Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association and it sets us apart from other electric utilities.

October is National Co-op Month, and electric cooperatives across the country are highlighting the many ways we “Power On.” Keeping this theme in mind, we recognize the essential role we play in serving a special community like ours.

Who would have fathomed in March, that the COVID-19 virus would amount to a test of our community and our nation? The changing circumstances due to the pandemic have created

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2020

both challenges and opportunities. Over the past several months, we’ve all been challenged to operate differently, and Yazoo Valley Electric has stepped up to help our members and strengthen the safety net for our more vulnerable neighbors.

As an essential service, and to ensure reliability of your power supply, we modified our operations to safeguard business continuity. Our line crews and other employees began working on staggered schedules to maintain separation. Some staff worked remotely. In the office, we limited and modified meetings and gatherings to allow for safe separation. We also adjusted our walk-in office availability and in-person service calls to ensure the health and safety of our employees and our valued members. For the health and safety of everyone, we think these measures were the prudent course of action for the times.

We care about our communities — because we live there too.

.

M

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