current lines In this issue:
Employees Win Statewide Awards page 1
Capital Credits, Survey, Home Weatherization page 2
Christmas Card Contest, Scholarships page 3
Georgia Heat Assistance, Holiday Closures, Recipe Box page 4
Two Employees Recognized by Georgia EMC D uring Georgia EMC’s annual meeting on November 10, Tri-County EMC employees Greg Mullis and Jeremy Arant were recognized and awarded for service to the community.
nization’s mission to improve the lives of low-income residents and inspire teens to be engaged in the community. This year, the group repaired 34 homes of low-income residents.
Mullis, Senior VP of Energy Services, was named Volunteer Employee of the Year and presented the Georgia EMC 2014 Community Service and Volunteerism Award. This award is given to an employee of Georgia’s 41 EMCs that strives to fulfill the seventh cooperative principle – Concern for Community.
“With his help, we’ve been able to provide home renovations for families in our community who are unable to physically and financially afford repairs,” said Rev. Jason Wade, Associate Pastor of Gray United Methodist Church and leader of River of Life. “Many people give support through monetary donations, but Greg was willing to give up a week of work and get physically involved by leading a construction group of teens both in repairs and spiritually.”
Mullis was instrumental in introducing and launching Operation Roundup, a grant program of the Tri-County EMC Foundation that benefits community projects within the service area. In 2014, this program reached a milestone of $1,000,000 in member donations since it began in 2001. Through River of Life, a community outreach mission group, and Gray United Methodist Church, Mullis works to address poverty in Jones County, helping achieve the orga-
He also serves as Chairman of the Jones County Development Authority and was a major part of the effort to pass the Jones County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax – a tax estimated to generate nearly $700,000 over a five-year period to build sewer capabilities in the Griswoldville Industrial Park. In addition, Mullis holds seats on the Jones County Chamber of Commerce Board, the Middle Georgia Workforce Investment Board and the Mercer University College of Liberal Arts Alumni Board. Jeremy Arant, Energy Systems Analyst, was recognized with a Life Saving Award for saving two children from choking. Safety training is integral part of employee education at Tri-County, with safety training meetings held each month at the coop. In May, Arant used his yearly CPR training when his 6-year old daughter began to choke during
Greg Mullis, Senior VP of Energy Services
Jeremy Arant, Energy Systems Analyst dinner at a local restaurant. He quickly put his CPR skills to use and was able to save his daughter, but after the incident was sure to talk with Keith Brooks, Manager of Safety and Training, to review the CPR process for adults and children. “I didn’t ever want to be unprepared again in a situation like that. I was thinking of what I’d do if my son were to choke some day,” Arant said. “We spent time going over the procedure for a child.” The review of training was put to use faster than Arant anticipated. Two weeks later at a church service he noticed a boy jump down a few stairs and then grab his neck. The boy’s grandmother immediately brought him to the bathroom to get a drink, but Arant followed them. He saw the boy’s complexion began to turn blue and he quickly began to perform the Heimlich maneuver. “These situations helped me to understand the importance of being aware and prepared,” said Arant.
Tri-County Retires $241,689.22 in Capital Credits One of the main differences between a cooperative and a for-profit business is your ability to receive “capital credits.” Electric cooperatives exist to provide a service and meet a need - not to make a profit. Any money collected in excess of the costs to provide electric service is refunded to the member in the form of capital credits. (5924001) “Instead of distributing profits to investors through stock dividends, cooperatives return capital credits,” comments VP/CFO Dawn Haskins. “If your power bill is one percent of the cooperative’s total revenue, your portion of the capital credits would be one percent of TriCounty’s margins, the equivalent of profits for a regular business.” Tri-County EMC has retired $241,689.22 in capital credits for patronage in 1989. Checks were mailed to inactive members. Active customers receiving capital credits for 1989 will have the amount credited to their bill. Unclaimed capital credits go to fund educational and economic development efforts within the Tri-County service area.
Bring One for the Chipper Overland Way Convenience Center 153 Overland Way, Gray, Georgia Saturday, January 3 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Bring your Christmas trees and natural wreaths to the Overland Way Convenience Center on Saturday, January 3. Tri-County’s right-of-way contractor, Alplundh, will be chipping trees 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mulch chipped from trees will be available for you to take home. Sponsored by: Keep Jones Beautiful Commission Tri-County EMC Asplundh
Member Satisfaction Survey Thanks to all of our members that participated in the Member Satisfaction Survey. The 271 responses collected gave us valuable member input regarding the program. All members that participated in the survey were entered into a drawing to win a $100 bill credit. The winner of the bill credit is Kristin Davidson of Putnam County.
Window Upgrades Are they worth the cost?
As the temperature drops, many members are looking for energy efficient fixes to keep their homes warm and lower their heating bill. While replacing older, single-pane windows with newer energy efficient windows would save money over time, the payback is not immediate. “While double or triple-pane windows are more efficient than a single-pane window, there are more cost effective ways to insulate a home and see immediate savings,” said Jonathan Stewart, Energy Services Representative. “With windows costing at least $150 a piece, you could easily spend a few thousand dollars replacing the windows in your home, so the energy savings payback could take years.” Weatherization is a low cost alternative to making your home more energy efficient. For example, a 2600 sq. ft. home-owner could save up to $300 per year in energy costs just through sealing air leaks in doors, windows, electrical outlets, plumbing and other penetrations using caulk, weather stripping and insulated materials— a $25-$50 cost. For more energy tips or to schedule an energy audit, contact Tri-County’s Energy Services Department at 478.986.8119 or 1.866.254.8100 ext. 8119.
This above infographic is based on data for a 2600 sq. ft. house, with double-pane windows and R-13 attic insulation.
3rd Place
Tyler Clemons
2nd Place
Ashlyn Alford
Christmas Card Art Contest Winners
Amy Kong,1st Place Students in grades Kindergarten through 5th living in the Tri-County EMC service area were invited to participate in the Tri-County EMC Christmas Card Art Contest. A total of 58 entries were submitted. The top three submissions are shown above. The first place artwork will be featured on the Tri-County EMC Christmas Card. Congratulations to our winners!
Find us on Facebook or visit tri-countyemc.com to view the winning artwork from each grade level!
Operation Roundup Scholarship Winners
I
n addition to awarding grants each quarter, the Tri-County EMC Foundation also awards scholarships to two deserving students in the service area twice per year. The scholarships, judged anonymously, are worth $1,000 and are awarded based on academics, financial need and service to others. Special consideration is given to non-traditional students who are working full or part-time and have returned to school. Congratulations to our recipients! (80942001)
Cory Gattie of Jones County is a student at the University of Georgia. He plans to graduate in 2015 and attend medical school to become a pediatrician.
Did you find your account number?
Justus Wood of Baldwin
County is a student at Georgia College & State University. He plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Find your complete account number in this issue of Current Lines and win a $50 bill credit. Call 478.986.8126 to claim your bill credit.
LIHEAP: Georgia’s Heating Assistance Program The Georgia Department of Human Services provides assistance on heating bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to low-income families, the elderly and other applicants who qualify. When applying for assistance, be sure to have your proof of income from the last 30 days available, as well as proof of Social Security numbers for each household
member, your last month’s heating bill, and proof of citizenship or legal immigration status. (40734003) For local heating assistance, contact the community action agency that coincides with the county in which you reside listed to the right. For more information about the LIHEAP program, call 1-800869-1150 or visit www.liheap.org.
Merry Christmas
For heating assistance call...
Bibb County Macon-Bibb County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. 478-738-3240 Jones & Twiggs Counties Middle Georgia Community Action Agency, Inc. 478-922-4464 Baldwin, Jasper, Morgan, Putnam & Wilkinson Counties Overview, Inc. 478-453-4111
Holiday Office Closures: December 24-25 January 1
Recipe Box Caramel Apple Salad Thanks to Maria Gordon of Baldwin County for submitting this recipe! Did you know that your recipe is worth $20 if chosen? Send your best recipes to kimb@tri-countyemc.com or mail to P.O. Box 487, Gray, GA 31032. Ingredients: •1 can crushed pineapple, 20 oz – Do not drain. •1 tub cool whip •1 small box butterscotch pudding mix (Note: Do not mix the pudding. Use the dry mix.) •3 large or 5 medium apples, chopped
Directions:
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate several hours before serving. If you are trying to cut calories, use fat free cool whip and pudding mix.
Owned By Those We Serve
P.O. Box 487 Gray, GA 31032 478.986.8100 FAX 478.986.4733 www.tri-countyemc.com
C. Hill Bentley, CEO
Board of Directors Tom Thompson Jr., Chairman Brenda P. Green, Vice Chairman Thomas Noles, Secretary/Treasurer Dan Greene, Sammy Hall, Chester Mercer, Marion Nelson, Cecil Patterson, Mike S. Rainey III
current lines Monthly Publication for Tri-County EMC Members Kim Bonner, Editor Communications Specialist