A newsletter for members of Rural Electric Cooperative
April 2022
Co-op Comments Beware of warm-weather scammers Rural Electric Cooperative will not show up to your house asking if you need work done. When a Line Worker does come for a legitimate reason, they will be in logoed apparel with a truck where the Cooperative’s logo is visible and have valid identification. Springtime is scam season. Do not be surprised if you get telephone calls, uninvited visitors looking for work and loads of door hangers offering landscaping, roofing, painting and home-repair services. Your best bet: Say no to all of them. If you need work done around your house, visit the website of the state agency responsible for licensing contractors or join a contractor referral network who recommends only contractors who are licensed, insured, bonded and experienced. A few other tips: • Be wary of contractors with out-ofstate license plates or detachable, magnetic company signs on their trucks. These could be “travelers,” who follow the warm weather from state to state and hire themselves out as home-improvement contractors. They are almost always unlicensed in your state, and if you discover a problem with their work later, they will be long gone. • Do not pay in cash, and do not pay up front. Instead, work out a payment schedule allowing to pay in increments as the work is completed. • Get bids from three reputable companies before starting. If one offer is way lower than the other two, something is probably amiss. • Do not fall for these two lines: “I just
finished a job at your neighbor’s house and I will give you a good price if you hire me today because I am already in the neighborhood” or “I have leftover materials from a job I just did and I will sell/install
them here for a deep discount because I do not need them.” Hiring contractors can be expensive. But do not waste money on those who are not licensed and legitimate.
CEO’s MESSAGE
The power behind your electrical power
You have likely noticed REC’s crews out and about, working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community. It is no secret a lineworker’s job is tough – but it is an essential job and must be done, often in challenging conditions. This month we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 11. The work can be heavy, in more ways than one. Did you know the equipment and tools a lineworker carries while climbing a utility pole can weigh up to 50 pounds? The same as carrying six gallons of water. Speaking of utility poles, lineworkers are required to climb poles ranging anywhere from 30 to 120 feet tall. Lineworkers must be committed to their career – because it is not just a job, it is a lifestyle. The long hours and ever-present danger can truly take a toll. In fact, being a lineworker is listed in the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. Lineworkers often work non-traditional hours, outdoors in difficult conditions. While the job does not require a college degree, it does require technical skills, 2 Co-op Comments
years of training and hands-on learning. Did you know to become a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training (or about four years)? Mainly because working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience and an ongoing mental toughness. Despite the many challenges, REC’s lineworkers are committed to powering our local community. During severe weather events can bring major power outages, lineworkers are among the first ones called. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their home and families unexpectedly, and not return until the job is done, often days later. Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric lineworkers. Our lineworkers maintain over 3,000 miles of power lines across six counties. In addition to the highly visible tasks lineworkers perform, their job today goes far beyond climbing utility poles to repair a wire. Today’s lineworkers are information experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles away. Line crews now use laptops, tablets, drones and other technologies to map outages, survey damage and troubleshoot problems. Being a lineworker may not seem like a glamorous job, but it is absolutely essential to the life of our community. Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men and women, we simply would not have the reliable electricity we need for everyday life. So, the next time you see a lineworker, please thank them for the work they do to keep power flowing, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. After all, lineworkers are the power behind your power. Please join us as we recognize them on April 11, and follow “#ThankALineworker” on social media to see how others are recognizing lineworkers.
April 2022 Co-op Comments Official publication of Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. CO-OP COMMENTS is owned, controlled and directed by Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. It is printed monthly and mailed to members in Garvin, McClain, Comanche, Stephens, Grady and Carter counties in Oklahoma. Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. 13942 Highway 76 • P.O. Box 609 Lindsay, OK 73052 405-756-3104 • 800-259-3504 Outage Number: 855-399-2683 www.recok.coop
Board of Trustees Gary Jones, President, District 1 Scott Christian, Vice President, District 1 Brent Bacon, Sec./Treasurer, District 1 Larry Anderson, District 2 Johnny Harrel, District 2 Terri Hays, District 2 Charles Crawford, District 3 Mark Finch, District 3 Randy Griswold, District 3 Dan Williams, Attorney Management and Staff Dusty Ricks, Manager/CEO Linda Ray, CFO Kelli Lindsey, Administrative Assistant and Staff Coordinator Elaine Gilreath, Manager of Customer Service and Data Processing Jon Jones, Manager of Engineering Mitch Gilreath, Manager of Information Technology Services Megan Lawrence, Manager of Member Services and Marketing Keith Hailey, Manager of Safety and Loss Control/Facilities David Crull, System Superintendent Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
CO-OP NEWS
Robbins retires after 42 years “Whether it is a good day or a bad day it is up to you,” is not only a favorite quote for Stoney Robbins, but it is also a quote he is known to say. After 42 years of laughter and joking, Stoney Robbins has retired from REC. His story telling abilities and making others around him feel at ease with a smile is something in which he will be remembered. Robbins started as a Groundman in 1980 and worked his way to become a Journeyman Line Worker. He also worked in the Purchasing Department for two years before returning to the Maintenance Crew. In the last 13 years of service, Robbins worked as a Line Locator. 594000 “The one thing without a doubt I will miss is aggravating the guys and trying to get them to loosen up and have fun,” Robbins says. “My whole life I have been part of a team with sports and REC is a team and a family and not being a part of that every day is what I will miss the most.” He plans to stay busy with his cattle, horses and bucking bulls. “I have about 600 acres to keep me busy and it will with my 70 momma cows but if I really need something to do, my bass boat is ready to go,” jokes Robbins. “I will help my wife at her store, if she needs me and spend time with my family.” Robbins also has some exciting things to look forward to with his family including an upcoming wedding for his daughter Tess and spending time with his granddaughter Emma. "My granddaughter is kind of a wild one," Robbins adds. "I think she will want to ride a horse so I will have a horse ready for her."
REC Board Members and staff participates in Legislative Day Stoney Robbins retires from REC after 42 years of service.
REC Board of Trustee members and a few staff members met up with approximately 70 other Board of Trustee members and staff from across the state for OAEC's Legislative Day.
While Robbins has things to look forward to in retirement, he will always remember events like ice storms where the employees all come together. “We have always been very close knit and I will always remember even the worst times where we work continuous for multiple days without much sleep, not once would you hear the guys complain about helping each other,” Robbins adds. “We would all come together and help each other and those are the memories that will always come to mind when I think about REC and how we really are a family.” He will continue to hold the memories close and all who he was able to reach with his humor as he moves into retirement and the next chapter of his life, because whether it is a good day or a bad day is up to you. Co-op Comments 3
Classified Advertisement AUTOMOTIVE FOR SALE: Flatbed for a one ton or ¾ ton truck, $500. PH: 405-331-8375. MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE: Adult wheelchair, $280. PH: 405-351-0878. FOR SALE: 2013 Harley Davidson, Heritage Softail Classic FLSTC in pristine condition with 21,281 miles, call for my information or pictures, $12,665. PH: 405-331-9808. FOR SALE: 12-ton overhead feed bin, $3,500. PH: 580-476-3686. FOR SALE: Roping shoot for calves or steers, $650. PH: 580-476-3686. FOR SALE: Two, 3,000 gallon storage water tanks, $1,200 each. PH: 580-476-3686.
FOR SALE: 1,550 gallon storage water tank, $700. PH: 580-476-3686. FOR SALE: Five, 1,500 gallon tank withspray foam, $600 each. PH: 580-476-3686. FOR SALE: Two, 1,100 gallon tank with spray foam, $500 each. PH: 580-476-3686. FOR SALE: 4 Grundfos water pumps, $250 each. PH: 580-476-3686.
PETS & LIVESTOCK LOST DOGS: Black/white female English Bulldog and black male Chow/German Shepherd Mix lost in the Doyle Area, if seen or have information please call. PH: 580-467-7067.
Classified Ads are FREE to REC members to post noncommercial items. Deadline for ads is the 8th of every month. Call the Member Services Dept. at 405-756-3104 ext. 238.
Co-op Connections Use your Co-op Connections Card to save you money on lodging, photographs, oil changes and other items. You can also save on prescriptions, dental, vision, hearing, lab work and imaging and chiropractor services at participating locations. Your card is a discount card. If you have misplaced your card, contact REC for a replacement card and use it to save yourself some money.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month When streaming content, use the smallest device that makes sense for the number of people watching. Avoid streaming on game consoles, which use 10 times more power than streaming through a tablet or laptop. Streaming content with electronic equipment with the earned ENERGY STAR® rating to use 25 to 30 percent less energy than standard equipment. Learn more at www.energy.gov.
Local Co-op Connection Card Deals A-U-Store It, Purcell $5 off first month rent Backroads Boutique, Lindsay 5% off everything excluding special order and sale items Best Western, Chickasha 15% Off Regular Room Rate Blue Moose Outdoor Portable Rentals, Elmore City 5% Off Septic Tank Pumping, Tent Rental and Special Event Toilet Rentals
Chickasha Diesel Services, Chickasha $50 off any big diesel oil change Edwards Canvas, Pauls Valley - 5% Off Jenny’s Pics Photography, Lindsay 10% Off $50 or More Purchase of Pictures Lindsay Tire and Lube, Lindsay $5 Off Any Full Service Oil Change M & M Furniture, Chickasha 10% Off Any Purchase Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, Purcell 10% Off Purchase Photos by Ginger, Pauls Valley 1 Free 8x10 Print With First Order of $25 Pharmacy Discounts Check out the discounts available using your Co-op Connections Card at participating pharmacies throughout our area. For a complete list of pharmacies, visit REC’s website to see if your pharmacy is offering discounts to Co-op Connections Card holders.
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