Issuu

C urrents

Suwannee Valley

SEPTEMBER 2025

Some of the best fall fishing spots in Florida

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Lineworker graduates, Watts Up Wednesdays and more

A hardworking tradition

Life in the Suwannee Valley always moves at its own pace. We aren’t Orlando or Jacksonville, and I think for many of our neighbors that’s by design. The big cities have their appeal from time to time, but most of our members like to do things a little differently.

Executive VP/CEO

MICHAEL S. McWATERS

You can see it when you drive down the road on any given morning. You might spot a few people having their morning coffee before heading to the office. But you’re more likely to find farmers preparing their equipment or getting a jump on work in the fields. If you cross paths with them at a local lunch spot, their conversations are more likely to be about weather patterns than making plans for the weekend.

That agricultural heart of our community informs everything we do, even if we have never farmed a day in our lives. We all understand that the season can affect our neighbors, the local economy and our whole community’s well-being. SVEC itself was born out of that farming community and the desire to cultivate crucial electric service where it didn’t exist before.

Those local roots are still with us today, whether it’s every member having the chance to speak with cooperative leadership or those leaders themselves. Our Board of Trustees is elected from the community, and many of them have farms of their own to tend when they aren’t busy representing their neighbors’ needs for the co-op.

Board President Mike Adams is just one example. In this issue, you can read about his farming background and how he came to serve on the board. You can also learn more about how the cooperative is governed and how that structure sets us apart from private power companies.

In addition, you’ll find information about Watts Up Wednesdays, one of the many ways SVEC makes doing business with your cooperative easier. Come visit us with any questions you have about your account or just stop by to say hello. And while you’re at it, be sure to congratulate Jimmy Alexander, Cody Blackburn, Calvin Palmer and Kolby Pickles if you see them out on the job. They recently graduated from SVEC’s Lineworker Apprenticeship Program, and we couldn’t be more proud to give them a shoutout in this newsletter.

Those are just a few of the ways we do things a little differently at a cooperative, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We are proud to serve this community because we are a part of it, just like the farmers who came together decades ago to bring electricity to this area. When you wake up early to start working in the fields, you can count on us to be out there making sure the lights are on when you return home. ■

Suwannee Valley

September 2025

As a cooperative, SVEC serves its consumer-members, not investors. The board of trustees works to address the needs the membership, from key hires to how various factors impact rates. Read more on Page 4.

AREA LIGHT OUT?

Start Saving with SmartHub

The SmartHub app is the quick and easy way to save money by:

• Tracking your usage across days, weeks or even months.

• Enabling weather data to see how conditions impact your usage.

LET US KNOW

Let SVEC know if you notice a streetlight or area light that isn’t on or is

• Analyzing your usage to identify habits and common practices that can help you save.

Take control of your energy use and start saving today. Get started at sveccoop.smarthub.coop

Request a repair through the SmartHub app or by calling our Member Services Department at services representatives will respond by the end of the next business day.

No contracts. No data caps. No installation fees.

The voice of the co-op

How the SVEC board represents consumer-members

The cooperative difference is clear every day — if you know where to look for it. It might be the ways Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative participates in community events or even the newsletter you’re holding in your hands that gives you a glimpse into the workings of your electric utility.

But perhaps the most important way cooperatives differ from privately owned power companies is the way they are governed. SVEC does not answer to a group of shareholders living somewhere far away. Instead, we keep decision making local, led by people who understand life in the Suwannee Valley because they live and work here too. Unique to the cooperative business model, this leadership approach keeps cooperatives like ours accountable and aligned with the communities we serve.

Take Board President Mike Adams. Like many people in our community, Mike is a farmer. Growing a variety of crops on his property in Hamilton County helps Mike bring fresh agricultural perspectives to the table. Coupled with a background in finance, the blend of knowledge and personal experience help him better understand the needs of his district and the cooperative as a whole. When an opening for his district happened in 2015, Mike saw the opportunity to contribute his skills and serve others.

“I had served as a county commissioner for 12 years. When the last SVEC trustee for my district made it clear he was leaving, I looked into it and felt like it was something I could do to help because I have a degree in finance,” Mike says. “So, I thought I could represent the people of Western Hamilton County by looking over the finances of the co-op.”

Local representation

SVEC’s system covers more than 2,100 square miles of territory. To make sure everyone in that area has a voice in how their cooperative operates, the service footprint is divided into nine geographical districts. Each of those districts is represented by a trustee, who consumer-members vote for at the annual meeting.

All candidates who run for a seat on the board must live in SVEC’s service area and be consumer-members in

the districts they represent. They are nominated by fellow cooperative members at district meetings before the vote at the annual meeting. Once elected, each trustee serves a three-year term.

That means people who live here, just like you, are involved in every decision the cooperative makes. Furthermore, each district is structured to ensure that everyone who is part of the co-op has equal representation, with each district including roughly the same number of consumer-members.

The board of trustees holds the highest level of authority at the co-op. Through monthly board meetings, trustees hear from each department at SVEC and stay informed on current operations. Based on those reports, they oversee strategic direction, long-term planning, financial oversight, hiring

District 3

BEBE ROBERSON

District 4

TYLER PUTNAL

District 9

FRANCENE FOLSOM

District 1

MIKE ADAMS

and evaluations of the general manager and other policies that guide the co-op. They also make sure everything SVEC does is in line with shared cooperative of Voluntary and Open Membership, Democratic Member Control, Members’ Economic Participation, Autonomy and Independence, Education, Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Concern for Community.

“I think members don’t always understand that they are also owners of SVEC,” Mike says. “That means they have a voice, they just have to use it. As their board members, we’re happy to listen. All we want to do is make sure they have good service.” ■

PHOTOS

Seasonal Squash Quiche

INGREDIENTS

2 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced

2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

3 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning of choice

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray a standard pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Start by layering some squash and zucchini slices to cover the

bottom, followed by a sprinkle of Parmesan and cheddar, followed by a drizzle of beaten eggs. Season with thyme and a dash of allpurpose seasoning, salt and pepper.

Continue this layering until the pie plate is 3/4 full. Top with the remaining cheese and the cubes of butter.

Bake for 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the squash and zucchini slices, which should be slightly soft in middle. ■

Safety first

Electricity powers modern life, but it is dangerous if not handled carefully. Check back here each month for new tips on how to stay safe around electric power at your home or business.

Before long temperatures will dip, which makes September a good month to protect against potential fall electrical issues.

• Cooler nighttime temperatures can create moisture-related problems. Check outdoor cords, outlets and other electrical components for cracks, fraying and other signs of wear and tear.

• Don’t let fallen leaves or debris accumulate around outside lighting, outlets and other electrical equipment.

• Test smoke alarms and replace their batteries as need. Cooler evenings will mean increased use of devices like space heaters that can be a fire hazard. ■

To learn more about building safe electric habits, click the Outages & Safety tab on the SVEC website, svec-coop.com, and follow us on social media.

/sveccoop @sveccoop

Eight of Florida’s Great RV Parks

BY KEVIN MIMS, VISIT FLORIDA

It’s no secret that Florida is one of the most popular destinations for RVers, especially in the winter months. RV parks in Florida, which are readily available, range from rustic retreats all the way up to high-end private resorts.

1. Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna

We’ve got more than our fair share of natural wonders, but one of the most interesting has to be Florida Caverns State Park. See colorful stalagmites, stalactites and other formations on the cave tour. Hiking, biking, equestrian camping and kayaking on the Chipola River can be done right at the park, plus there is a nine-hole golf course.

2. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Hook up at one of 156 big-rig friendly sites at Gregory E. Moore RV Resort and take a tram down to one of the most unbelievable beaches in the state. Hiking trails showcase Morris and Campbell lakes, two ultra-rare coastal dune lakes that can only be found in a handful of places in the entire world.

3. Fort Pickens Campground, Pensacola

The farther you drive back on Fort Pickens Road in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the further back in time it feels. Two hundred sites are nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay, offering a great location for hiking, beach activities or exploring Fort Pickens and other nearby military gun batteries.

4. St. George Island State Park

It’s located in a section of Florida known as the Forgotten Coast,

but camping here is anything but forgettable. St. George Island always gets great reviews acknowledging it as one of the best RV parks in Florida. Bring boats, swim trunks and plenty of sunscreen for this one.

5. Juniper Springs National Recreation Area, Ocala

Set up camp at Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest, and you’ll learn what the fuss is all about. Don’t miss a kayak or canoe trip down 7-mile Juniper Run, one of the most breathtaking and popular paddling trips in the country.

6. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Orlando

Disney, you say? Yep, RV camping at Fort Wilderness is pretty nice. Of course, it’s about as family friendly as it gets — pet friendly, too — and is an affordable lodging choice if you are planning to visit the theme parks. You’ll have easy access to the Magic Kingdom and the ability to see fireworks right from the campground. Give it a shot. You’ll definitely be surprised.

7. Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg

This mega county park has it all — great beaches, excellent wildlife viewing and tons of history, making it one of the best something-foreveryone RV destinations. See the park by bike, by kayak or by foot on one of several nature trails. Of course, you’ll want to set aside plenty of time for relaxing on the beach or in camp.

Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys

Located at Mile Marker 36.8 on Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda State Park

is one of the most sought-after camping locations in the country. It can be a little tricky to get a reservation — this goes for everywhere in the Keys — so make sure to do some advance planning if you are looking to get a spot in paradise. There’s only one problem. You can’t stay forever. 

St. George Island State Park

Juniper Springs National Recreation Area

Bahia Honda State Park

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Florida Caverns State Park

Have questions about your account?

Congratulations to our apprentice graduates

New permanent tax exemptions for disaster prep items

As of Aug. 1, a variety of items previously tax-exempt only during Florida tax holidays will be exempt all year:

• Batteries — AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt

• Bicycle helmets

• Carbon monoxide alarms

• Fire extinguishers

• Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits

• Insect repellent

• Life jackets

• Portable gas cans

• Portable generators

• Smoke detection devices

• Sunscreen

• Waterproof tarps

For more information or details about tax-exempt items, visit floridarevenue.com.

Congratulations to Jimmy Alexander, Cody Blackburn, Calvin Palmer and Kolby Pickles, who graduated from our Lineworker Apprenticeship Program in August and have progressed to journeymen lineworkers.

The group completed a four-year program through Northwest Lineman College, which included at least 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and multiple examinations.

From left, Cody Blackburn, Kolby Pickles, Jimmy Alexander and Calvin Palmer are the most recent graduates of the Lineworker Apprenticeship Program.