Tri-County Rural Living Newsletter

TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Tri-County Rural Living

Life Before Lights

Also inside:

District Meetings & Trustee Elections Employees: Our Community Connection July & August 2015 Vol. 18 • No. 6

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Employees: Our Community Connection Message from the Desk of General Manager Julius Hackett

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commitment is a pledge or promise to do something. Demonstrating a commitment to the communities we serve is a high priority for Tri-County Electric Cooperative.

Electric cooperatives don’t just power the community by using the latest technology to string lines to homes and businesses and deliver electricity. Your cooperative invests time, money and expertise to build the local economy and strengthen relationships with members.

Across the nation, co-ops improve their member’s quality of life by taking leadership roles in community development projects, educating the youth, and generously donating time, energy, and resources to schools, charities and community events. Located in the communities they serve, electric cooperatives and their members work together to achieve a better life and build a brighter tomorrow.

Members like you created our cooperative 75 years ago to meet community needs. Co-ops work with economic developers to recruit industries that will bring jobs to our area.

These jobs bring good people who participate in community programs that fulfill other community needs; coaches, choir members, civic group leaders — all kinds of volunteers.

It’s these relations that power a community and make it a healthy, vibrant place to live.

In fact, you’ll see many of our employees volunteering their time outside of the office to coach baseball, basketball, soft ball and football teams. You might also see co-op employees in your church choir, helping the local volunteer fire department, participating in local Relay for Life events or at your favorite charity’s 5k run/walk.

You’ll also see our employees educating the leaders of tomorrow — our children — about electric safety by conducting electrical safety demonstrations and providing important safety tips at local schools and other community events.

Sponsoring local events and setting up booths to have a presence a school events, and other community events like the Storm Preparedness Expo in Madison County each spring is another way TCEC demonstrates its commitment to the communities we serve. It’s a great way to show appreciation to our members and to let them know we care about them and what is going on in their communities.

Tri-County Electric employees are also members of local clubs like Kiwanis, Rotary and economic development organizations like the local chambers of commerce.

Involvement in clubs and organizations like these help us stay informed about events and new business ventures located within our service area. Knowing what is going on helps us form partnerships and work together for the good of each community.

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Vacation Bibl

Reading for Kiwanis Dr. S euss Week - Greenville Elementary S chool 2

son Sandra Harri

July & August 2015

Dr. Seuss Week Madison Central School

Jr. Auxiliary Fitness Fair

Relay for Life ACRE

Madison County High School Baseball

Madison Down Home Days

Safety Demo chool Lee Elementary S

Back to School E

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United Way

Relay for Life

Madison 4-H Summer Day Camp July & August 2015

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Poster reprinted with permission of the NRECA

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July & August 2015

Life Before Lights

Tri-County Electric Cooperative is pleased to feature a new video series, “Life Before Lights,” as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. Reflecting on memories of when electricity was first introduced, co-op members graciously share family stories about the wonderful changes they experienced when electricity became available. The entire TCEC family extends their deepest appreciation to all contributors and gratefully acknowledges three of them here: Mrs. Freddie Love Heirs, Mr. Fred Mitchell, and Mr. Robert Agner. Their videos may be viewed on the cooperative’s website, www.tcec.com, on the “Your Community” page.

Mrs. Freddie Love Heirs: “I studied by lamplight,” says Mrs. Heirs, who describes not having running water and teaching students in an old wooden building using the sun for light.

Mr. Fred Mitchell: “I can remember the community coming together with 30–35 men to cut the right-of-way,” says Mr. Mitchell as he details how the men used a single tractor and cross saws to cut the trees by hand so the REA could install the power lines.

Mr. Robert Agner: “It was quite different in the years before we had electricity,” says Mr. Agner as he explains how he carried water to the house for bathing and how his family lowered glass bottles of milk into the well to keep them cold.

July & August 2015

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July & August 2015

DISTRICT 1: Monday, July 27 • 7:00 p.m. • Pinetta Elementary School, Pinetta, FL If you have an electric account in Madison, Cherry Lake, Pinetta or northeast Madison County then you are represented by Mr. Junior Smith. Mr. Smith was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2006. He is the former Manager of Operations for the Cooperative, having retired in 2001 after 44 years of service. He has served as former vice president of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Smith is a Credentialed Director and holds a Board Leadership Certificate through NRECA.

DISTRICT 4: Thursday, July 30 • 7:00 p.m. • Lee Community Center, Lee, FL District 4 consists of members residing in Lee, and the south section of Madison County all the way over to Highway 221 down to Taylor County.

Mr. George Webb was appointed to the Board of Trustees in February 2015. He is the former Manager of Administration and Member Services having retired from the Cooperative in December 2014 after 41 years of service.

DISTRICT 2: Tues., July 28 • 6 p.m. • Steinhatchee Comm. Center, Steinhatchee, FL Mr. Bobby Dodd represents members in District 2, which consists of Steinhatchee and Jena areas. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in September 2012. He is a lifelong resident of Steinhatchee. Prior to his retirement he was a warden with the Florida Department of Corrections and served in the United States Army. Mr. Dodd is a Credentialed Director and holds a Board Leadership Certificate through NRECA.

About the Tri-County Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees Our service area is divided into nine districts, each with a memberelected representative who serves as a trustee on the Board of Trustees.

Each district has one elected trustee to represent all of the members of that district for three years.

The Board of Trustees meets monthly. They are responsible for setting the Cooperative’s policies and rates, approving contracts, and regularly reviewing the operating performance of the Cooperative and its appointed management. As a representative of the rural community, they communicate the interests of the Cooperative’s membership.

Meetings Scheduled for Districts 1, 2 and 4 Members residing in Districts 1, 2 and 4 will meet in July to each elect a candidate for trustee to represent their district on the Tri-County Electric Board of Trustees.

Junior Smith (District 1) and Bobby Dodd (District 2) are up for reelection in 2015 for another three-year term and George Webb (District 4) is seeking his first election in 2015.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. District Meetings 2015 Members of Districts 1, 2 and 4 are invited to attend their District Meeting to elect a candidate for trustee in their district. Trustees hold office for a term of three years. Each registered member shall be entitled to one vote and no member shall be permitted to vote by proxy or mail.

DISTRICT DATE

REGISTER/VOTE MEETING LOCATION

District 1 District 2 District 4

6:00–7:00 p.m.

5:00–6:00 p.m.

6:00–7:00 p.m.

July 27 July 28 July 30

7:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Pinetta Elementary School Steinhatchee Community Center Lee Community Center

Members of the above districts will receive notification in the mail with additional details.

July & August 2015

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Tri-County Welcomes Three New Employees

Jeremy Tuckey is our newest System Operator at Tri-County Electric. Jeremy is a newlywed and he and his wife, Christy, live in the Madison area. This is not Jeremy’s first time at TCEC; he worked here in 2006 to 2008 before he moved to Gainesville to pursue a bachelor’s in business administration.

Jeremy’s Fun Fact: He was the manager of Gator Mania for three years.

Many of you may have noticed this new face at our Greenville office: Mrs. Sandra Wilson. Sandra began working with us as a Member Service Representative in late March with extensive experience in airline industry customer service. She is married with one daughter and one granddaughter. She loves traveling and camping. Next time you see her in the Greenville office be sure to give her a big welcome!

Sandra’s Fun Fact: She has dogs, cats, a horse, a donkey, goats, chickens, ducks and geese!

Mrs. Patricia Holmes is the newest Member Service Representative in our Perry office. Patricia has been with the Cooperative since March. She is married with children, dogs and cats. Patricia comes to the Co-op with many years experience in banking customer service.

Patricia’s Fun Fact: She has a horse & buggy she drives.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jay Culpepper All of us at TCEC are happy to announce the March 28, 2015, marriage of Jay Culpepper and Kaitlynn Passmore, Community Relations Specialist for Tri-County Electric. After a honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, the couple now resides in Madison.

We wish them all the best in their future.

Your Account Number=a Credit on Your Light Bill!

Located somewhere in this issue of Tri-County Rural Living is a member account number. Look carefully; it might be yours! If you do find your account number exactly as it appears on your bill for electric service, your account will be credited in the amount of $150! You have until Aug. 31, 2015, to claim your credit by calling Carol Timmons at (850) 973-2285, Ext. 203, from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. You must contact the TCEC representative before the deadline to collect the prize! * Total credit on bill will not exceed $150.00. This one-time credit valid only on the current balance. Any balance remaining after the $150.00 applied credit is the member’s responsibility.

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July & August 2015

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TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. BOARD MEETING NOTES - apr. 13, 2015

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all trustees except one (who joined via phone), key Cooperative personnel, the attorney and guests present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, April 13, 2015, in the Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. headquarters office building located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the city of Madison, Fla. Reports to the Board included those of the Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. March Board meeting, Florida Electric Cooperatives Association March Board meeting, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Building and Land Committee, General Manager and Attorney. The Policy Committee recommended and the Board approved revised Policy 503, “Personal Leave.” The Board was asked to take proposed revised Policy 524 “Bereavement Leave” home for study for possible action at the May 2015 Board meeting. Other action taken by the Board included the following: approval of the April 13, 2015, Board Agenda and the March 9, 2015, Board Meeting minutes; and approval of items as written and recommended by the General Manager which included Amendment No. 6 to the Wholesale Power Contract with Seminole Electric Cooperative and the accompanying Resolution; close out documents for Sumter Utilities and RUS on the Boyd substation upgrade project; the WPCA for April 2015 as established by resolution; RUS Form 7 for February 2015; the list of new members for Feb. 16–March 22, 2015; and the Safety and Accident Report for February 2015 along with the System Outage Report. The General Manager presented and reviewed data on Director Liability Insurance for Florida electric cooperatives; and the territory agreement maps between the Cooperative and Duke Energy were discussed. The attorney updated the Board on pending legal matters.

Malcolm V. Page Albert Thomas, Jr. President Secretary-Treasurer

TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. BOARD MEETING NOTES may 11, 2015

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all trustees except one, key Cooperative personnel, the attorney and guests present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, May 11, 2015, in the Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. headquarters office building located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the city of Madison, Fla. Reports to the Board included those of the NRECA Legislative Rally, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Building and Land Committee, General Manager and Attorney. The Policy Committee recommended and the Board approved revised Policy 524, “Bereavement Leave.” The Board was asked to take proposed revised Policy 528, “Social Media,” and Policy 802, “Use of Co-op Business Equipment & Telecommunications Systems,” home for study for possible action at the June 2015 Board meeting. Other action taken by the Board included the following: employee wage and salary plan for 2015–2016; approval of the May 11 Board Agenda and the April 13, 2015, Board Meeting minutes; and approval of items as written and recommended by the General Manager which included the WPCA for May 2015 as established by resolution; RUS Form 7 for March 2015; the list of new members for March 23–April 23, 2015; and the Safety and Accident Report for March 2015 along with the System Outage Report. Miscellaneous information presented included a review of the Federated Insurance Safety & Loss Prevention Assessment; events leading up to the 2015 Annual Meeting; the Ancient Oaks airstrip extension and Tri-County’s involvement in various community activities. The attorney discussed the drafting of language to amend the bylaws concerning the Trustee election process.

Malcolm V. Page Albert Thomas, Jr. President Secretary-Treasurer

This Publication’s Inspirational Moment “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) 10

BOARD MEETINGS The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri‑County Electric Cooperative will be held the second Monday in each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two (2) miles west of the city of Madison.

July & August 2015

Frosted Lemonade Ingredients 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (Sunkist brand is recommended) ½ cup sugar 2½ cups water Edy’s Slow Churned Vanilla Ice Cream Instructions Add lemon juice and sugar to pitcher.

If you are using bottled lemon juice, increase amount to 1½ cups.

Stir until sugar is dissolved.

Add water and stir until well mixed.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour to chill.

Add 1 cup chilled lemonade and 2 cups (about 4 scoops) ice cream to blender.

Pour into cup and garnish with lemon slice.

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Tri-County Rural Living Vol. XVIII No. VI July & August 2015 TRI-COUNTY RURAL LIVING, the voice of your member-owned, taxpaying electric utility, is published bimonthly—more if necessary—through the auspices of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. as a service to its member-owners. Postage is paid at Blountstown, FL.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Junior Smith D-1 Bobby Dodd D-2 Neal Brown D-3 George Webb D-4 Catherine Bethea D-5 Gary Fulford Vice President, D-6 Albert Thomas, Jr. Secretary-Treasurer, D-7 Malcolm V. Page President, D-8 Elmer Coker D-9

EDITORIAL OFFICES 2862 West US Hwy. 90 Madison, FL • (850) 973-2285 PUBLICATION COMMITTEE Julius Hackett General Manager Eileen Herndon Executive Assistant Kaitlynn Passmore Community Relations Specialist Michael Curtis, Madison Media Group Writer STAFF Jeff Brewer Manager – Engineering Darrell Tuten Manager – Operations Wendell M. Williams Manager – Finance Stephanie Carroll Manager – Corporate Services

Send CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICES to: Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. 2862 West US Hwy. 90 Madison, FL 32340

July & August 2015

By cleaning your air conditioner’s air ducts, you can lower your energy consumption by between 5 and 15 percent.

Source: EnergyStar.gov

To Report Electrical Problems or Outages Please Call:

850-973-2285 or 1-800-999-2285 24-HOUR SERVICE THANK YOU

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ATTENTION Districts 1, 2 & 4 Cast Your Vote FOR Your Next TRUSTEE See inside for details.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. 2862 West US Hwy. 90 Madison, FL 32340