A newsletter for members of Rural Electric Cooperative
September 2022
Co-op Comments REC's 83rd Annual Meeting set Registration for the 83rd Annual Meeting of Rural Electric Cooperative will begin on Thursday, September 29 as a drive-thru only from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m and an in-person only meeting on Saturday, October 1 beginning at 8 a.m. Both the drive-thru and the in-person meeting will be held at REC’s Multi Purpose Center on Highway 76 N in Lindsay. Official notice, prize drawing information and ballot will be arriving in the mail about 10 days prior to the meeting. Please bring this information with you on either day for ease in the voting and registration process. During the early drive-thru registration on Thursday, members will stay in their vehicles and enter the circle driveway of the Multi Purpose Center off of Highway 76 and go through the registration line. For members attending on Saturday, please follow the signs to park and attend in-person. Each member who registers will automatically receive a one-time $25 bill credit in addition to their registration gift. Crossfire will provide the entertainment on Saturday, October 1 beginning at 8:45 a.m. Crossfire has been playing together for over 25 years. They play a wide variety of country music and a few classic rock songs. The band includes Coye Langford on the bass, Mark Byrne on rhythm guitar, Danny Stewart on lead guitar, Monty Mink on rhythm guitar and Greg Peery on drums. Band members Langford, Byrne and Stewart are from Alex. While Mink is from Cement and Peery is formerly from Lindsay but now lives in Blanchard. All
five members are involved with vocals and providing the harmony for which they are known. Crossfire plays for parties, occasionally banquets and several times throughout the year at outdoor events in Blanchard and the surrounding area. Members attending on Saturday will hear reports from Board President Gary Jones and CEO Dusty Ricks updating members of activities from 2021. Members driving through on Thursday can find these reports on REC's website after the meeting. REC will give out seventy-five, $75 gift certificates for electricity during the business session and three grand prize drawings
of $500 gift certificates for electricity. All members registered on either Thursday or Satruday will be eligible for the seventy-five, $75 gift certificates for electricity. During the in-person meeting on Saturday, three members will win $500 gift certificate for electricity. To be eligible to win the grand prize drawings members must be present to win. 69700 Registration gifts include: an REC baseball cap, utility scissors, a magnetic clip, a nail file, LED bulbs, a calendar, 2023 Farmers’ Almanac and an ink pen. For more information about the 83rd Annual Meeting, call 405-756-3104 ext. 238.
Crossfire is scheduled to perform during REC's 83rd Annual Meeting.
CEO’s MESSAGE
Power of preparation
With severe weather events occurring more frequently, now more than ever, it makes sense to be prepared. During a prolonged power outage or other emergency, this means having enough food, water and supplies to last at least a few days. In honor of National Preparedness Month in September, I want to remind members of our community about the power of preparation. While you do not have to achieve a “doomsday prepper” level of preparedness, there are several practical steps you can take to keep you and your family safe. Even at a modest level, preparation can help reduce stress, anxiety and lessen the impact of an emergency event. We recommend starting with the basics. Here are general guidelines recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency: • Assemble a grab-and-go disaster kit. Include items like nonperishable food, water (one gallon per person, per day), diapers, batteries, flashlights, prescription medications, first-aid kit, battery-powered radio and phone chargers. • Develop a plan for communicating 2 Co-op Comments
with family and friends (i.e., via text, social media, third party, etc.). • Have some extra cash available; during a power outage, electronic card readers and cash machines may not work. • Store important documents (birth certificates, property deed, etc.) in safe place away from home (for example, a bank safe deposit box). • Keep neighbors and coworkers apprised of your emergency plans. • Fill your car with gas. • Organize your supplies so they are together in an easily accessible location with family members knowing the location. If you have older family members or those with special needs, make sure they have enough medication and supplies for a few days. If they do not live with you, arrange for a neighbor to check in on them. If a severe weather event is expected, consider having your relative stay with you if feasible, otherwise call them daily. If you have an infant or young children, make certain you have ample formula, diapers, medication and other supplies on hand to weather an outage lasting several days or more. For families with pets, having a plan in place in the event of a prolonged outage or an emergency will help reduce worry and stress especially if you need to make a decision during an emergency. • Bring pets indoors at the first sign of a storm or other emergency. Pets can become disoriented and frightened during severe weather and may wander off during an emergency. • Microchip your pet and ensure the contact information is up to date. • Store pet medical records on a USB drive or in an easy-to-remember location. • Create an emergency kit for pets (include shelf-safe food, bottled water, medications and other supplies). At Rural Electric, we care about your safety. Planning for an emergency situation today can give you more confidence to deal with severe weather and potential outages in the future.
September 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 Lisa Whitman, 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 David Crull, System Superintendent Jason Mays, Operations Superintendent
CO-OP NEWS
REC hires three new line workers Recently REC hired three new line workers. All three are looking for lasting careers where they can live and work around the same area they grew up.
Luke Gifford Luke Gifford graduated from Lexington High School in 2014. He currently lives in Pauls Valley with his wife Kaci and their two-year-old son Bodie. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son during his free time.
Luke Gifford Before working at REC, Gifford worked at the post office delivering mail. “I have always liked the idea of doing linework and wanted to go to school to pursue it more, however, I wasn’t sure if it would financially work out for me,” Gifford explains. “It was my wife who pushed me to better myself and explore what I have always wanted to do.” Gifford went to OSU-OKC and studied Power Transmission and Distribution Technology and interned at REC for 16 weeks before getting hired full time. “Living and working in rural areas is important to me,” Gifford says. “I like knowing I am helping my community and the families in the communities we serve. This makes me happy and drives me to work harder and learn as much as possible so I can be a good lineman and be someone my coworkers can rely on and trust.”
Gentry Holden Gentry Holden graduated from Lindsay High School in 2020 and still lives in Lindsay. After high school, he mowed yards and was a contract pumper.
High School in 2011 and from East Central University in 2015. He received his bachelor’s degree in Cartography/Geography.
Gentry Holden
Lance Wren
Holden went to OSU-OKC and graduated with a degree in Power Transmission and Distribution Technology in 2022. Holden also interned at REC before getting hired full time. “I wanted to work at REC because I knew it is a great place to work and I could make a career of it,” Holden explains. Holden enjoys hunting, fishing, roping, spending time with family, his girlfriend and friends in his spare time.
Wren worked for the Chickasaw Nation for four years in their Geospatial Information department. He then moved back to work for his family’s business before looking for a career change and starting with Varnell Powerline. “While working for Varnell Powerline I was able to meet many of the employees at REC," Wren explains. "I liked how the Co-op operated and I knew I wanted to be a part of the team." In Wren’s spare time he enjoys spending time at the lake and watching as much football as possible.
Lance Wren Lance Wren graduated from Maysville
Employees recognized with a safety award Recently, Manager of Engineering, Jon Jones and Staking Engineer, Casey Henson were recognized as Continental’s 2nd quarter Brother’s Keeper. Jones and Henson noticed a potential pipeline conflict while they were surveying and staking a job for a commerical member. After returning to the office and comparing the GPS points in the staking software, they notified Continental of the potential conflict and modified the service location to complete the job safely. Co-op Comments 3
Classified Advertisement MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE: Brown rocking recliner, $60. PH:405-222-8391. WANTED: Sand-burr free hay for cattle, 20 to 50 bales, call Belinda for more information. PH: 405-227-4791. FOR SALE: New HVAC equipment including: F6 recovery machine, FRS1 refrigerant scale, nitrogen regulators, supco vacuum gauge, nitrogen bottle, recovery bottle, yellow jacket 4-10 gauges, Victor EFAB torch, $1,200 for all. PH: 405-641-6941. FOR SALE: New Airhawk electric wheelchair, portable, comes with accessories, $1,500. PH:580-736-0799. FOR SALE: Craftsman 2250 psi pressure washer, $150. PH: 405-351-0878.
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 Faucets and appliances use a lot of hot water. Lower your water heating costs by using less hot water in your home. Water heating accounts for a large portion of home energy bills. To save energy (and money) used for water heating, repair any leaky faucets, install low-flow fixtures and insulate accessible hot water lines. When it is time to purchase a new washing machine or dishwasher, look for ENERGY STAR®-certified models. Learn more at www.energy.gov.
FOR SALE: Like new Hoyer electric lift, $500. PH: 580-736-0799.
FOR SALE: Extra nice wheelchair $280. PH: 405-351-0878.
McAlister retires after 32 years of service After 32 ½ years, Randy McAlister retired from REC. McAlister served as District Line Worker for most of his career at REC. Prior to joining the District Line Workers, McAlister served as a groundman, Lineman 2nd Class, Lineman 1st Class and then became a Journeyman which allowed him to move to being a District Line Worker. “I know everyone always mentions co-ops are like a family, but they really are, and I have always enjoyed being able to work with my friends who have also become family,” McAlister adds. “I have spent many years with my friends, and I am going to miss them the most.” McAlister is looking forward to the freedom of his retirement where he can do what he wants and do some traveling. He and his wife Beverly are looking forward to spending time with their children and grandchildren who live in Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona. “I will continue to be a part of the Special Olympics even though I am retiring,” McAlister adds. “I was helping with this event
before I started working at the Co-op and I will continue long after – it is so rewarding. It is one event I encourage everyone to try. I promise you will walk away with a different perspective and glad you volunteered.” As he moves into retirement, McAlister will reflect on friendships made, fellowship shared and the memories.
Randy McAlister
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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