702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 75, NO 3
Current Light Flashes is the official voice of West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., a member-owned Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. It is published as a service to the Co-op’s members. Periodicals postage is paid at Tallahassee, Florida.
Last month, I discussed the responsibilities of the general manager. This month I will provide the responsibilities of employees.
Employees:
Currently, the organizational chart at West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) consists of 91 employees. Thirty-six of those employees are assigned in Administration, Finance, Member Services, Information Technology and Safety. Fifty-five employees are assigned to Engineering and Operations.
Responsibilities:
• Understanding the purposes and objectives of the cooperative. Employees need to know what cooperatives are and how they compare with other methods of daily business. By understanding cooperative purposes, objectives, operations and their role as employees, they can help improve member relations, the cooperative image, and the general public's understanding of cooperatives.
Employees are informed from management about the cooperative through staff meetings, training programs, and printed materials. Many employees may be hired right out of high school or college and have received little or no education about the cooperative form of business before employment.
• Fully perform duties. In many cooperatives, like other business firms, the largest operating expense is personnel. In addition to salaries and wages paid, these costs include interviewing, hiring, training and fringe benefits. Cooperatives, like other businesses, expect fully performed duties for the invested training, compensation and benefits provided. Cooperative managers know they must pay competitive salaries and provide comparable benefits if they expect to recruit and hold qualified employees.
• Understanding the relationship to member-owners. In a small cooperative, the manager can maintain good relations between the cooperative organization and its members.
• Favorably represent the cooperative. Employees help build the cooperative's image as they serve members and the community - both on and off the cooperative's premises. Employees should keep the cooperative's grounds clean and attractive, make sure equipment and service tools are operating, serve members pleasantly, promptly, and in the order promised, taking the extra steps to give members satisfactory service.
Next month we will cover the responsibilities of a board director.
I pray everyone has a safe month.
Sincerely,
We know how easy it is to lose track of deadlines - whether it's paying a bill, submitting paperwork, or returning an important form. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Sign up for alerts and reminders to stay organized, avoid late fees, and keep your tasks on schedule. Getting started is simple. Here's how to sign up:
Mobile app:
1. Download the mobile app and create a username and password (if you don't have one).
2. Log in and select the Menu button at the bottom of your screen.
3. Select the My Alerts option and select the alerts you'd like to receive via email and/or text message. Online:
Sign into the member online portal or create a username and password if you don't have one.
1. Log in and select the My Account Menu
2. Select Manage Alerts
3. Select any alerts and reminders you'd like to receive via email and/or text message
When you select due date reminders, you can choose how many days before your due date you'd like to receive a notification, which is very convenient. Once you've completed these steps, you'll start receiving reminders and never miss a deadline again.
Benefits: Signing up is more than just convenient - it's a game changer for time management.
• Avoid late fees and penalties. Nothing is more frustrating than missing a deadline and having to pay an extra fee. Whether it's an overdue bill or a missed payment, reminders help ensure you stay on top of all the important due dates on your calendar, saving you money in the long run.
• Better organization. Having all your deadlines and due dates in one place, enables you to organize your time more effectively. Knowing what's coming up makes planning easier and keeps you focused.
• Peace of mind. It's easy to forget things in the hustle and bustle of daily life. Having automated reminders gives you peace of mind knowing you won't miss something important. No more last minute scrambling.
• Increased productivity. With reminders helping you manage your tasks, you'll be able to focus on your work without worrying about deadlines slipping through the cracks. Increased productivity leads to fewer mistakes and better results.
• Customized alerts. You can adjust alerts and reminders at any time. Set up multiple alerts, if needed.
Cold weather in January likely caused your energy use to increase, which may lead to higher-than-normal electric bills. We understand that increased bills can be frustrating, and we want to explain why this happens during extreme cold weather events like those we experienced in mid-January.
Winter weather, especially prolonged cold spells, significantly impacts energy use. Heating systems work harder to maintain indoor comfort, and many households rely on electric resistance heating, which consumes large amounts of electricity. The combination of sustained low temperatures, increased indoor energy use, and longer heating system run times led to higher electric consumption across our service area.
Here are the key reasons why electric bills tend to be higher during extreme winter events:
1. Resistive Electric Heat Uses More Energy: Many homes rely on electric resistance heating, such as space heaters, baseboard heaters, or electric furnaces. These systems consume large amounts of electricity compared to heat pumps or gas heating.
2. Consecutive Cold Days Increase Use: When temperatures stay low for multiple days, heating systems must run continuously to keep homes warm. This extended runtime significantly increases electricity consumption.
• January had 18 days with highs lower than 60 degrees.
• January had 4 days with highs lower than 45 degrees.
• January had 19 days with lows of 35 degrees or lower.
• Of the 19 days, 10 were 25 degrees or lower.
3. Heat Pumps Work Harder in Extreme Cold: Even efficient heat pumps become less effective when temps drop too low. When this happens, they switch to backup resistive heating (heat strips), which consumes much more electricity.
4. Heat Loss Through Air Leaks: The colder the outdoor temperature, the faster heat escapes through windows, doors, and walls. This makes heating systems work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.
5. Electric Water Heaters Work
More: In the winter, the water entering your home is much colder, meaning electric water heaters require more energy to heat water for showers, laundry, and dishwashing.
6. Space Heaters Multiply Energy
Costs: A single 1,500-watt space heater running 12 hours a day can use 540 kWh per month, significantly increasing your bills. If multiple heaters are used, the impact is even greater.
7. Shorter Days = More Lighting Use: With less daylight, homes rely more on artificial lighting, which adds to electricity use.
At West Florida Electric, we're committed to helping our members manage energy costs. Our energy services and member service reps are happy to talk with you about options that might help ease the strain of higher winter bills.
Give us a call at 800-342-7400 with any questions regarding higherthan-usual winter bills.
MYTH:
Weather does not affect my electric bill.
FACT:
Heating and cooling your home makes up more than HALF of your electric use.
In cold weather, your heating system works overtime to maintain that the indoor warmth. A 25-degree difference between inside and outside temperatures makes your system hustle - driving up your energy use and your bill.
While the sun shines and before storms head this direction, remember to update your West Florida Electric Cooperative account information.
Most of us don't realize how important maintaining up-to-date account information is - but it can play a role in how quickly your power is restored when those storms do roll in. Why? Because the co-op uses your phone number as an account identifier.
If you've called to report an outage and the automated system answered, it's because the co-op is experiencing an extremely high volume of calls due to those outages. The first thing the automated system does is try to recognize the phone number and link it to an account and location. This helps us with power restoration efforts. If the automated system answers and you happen to be calling from a number that is not listed on your account in the co-op's billing system, it won't recognize your location or link your account. This could lead to delays in power restoration efforts. You don't want that to happen and neither do we.
Updating your account information is extremely easy. The co-op offers several ways to make updates:
1. Online - www.westflorida.coop
2. Using the mobile app (available for download in your phone's app store)
3. Calling the co-op and speaking with a member services representative
Keeping account information updated is also essential for maintaining the security and the accuracy of your electric accounts. No matter if it is updating passwords, contact information, or payment methods, keeping all of this information current ensures that the cooperative doesn't have problems reaching you, that you can access services without interruptions and protects you from possible security breaches. Taking the time to periodically review and update your WFEC account information (and other accounts) is a simple but effective way to safeguard your information.
Safety behind the wheel includes slowing down & moving over when you see crews working along the roadside. You’ll help ensure crews return home safely & continue to be there when you need them.
Congratulations to this year's West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) 2025 Youth Tour participants. Eight local students participated in the Youth Tour program this year: Will O'Bryan, Altha School; Nakayla Peery, Bethlehem School; Isabella Coley, Blountstown High School; Maggie Clifton, Chipley High School; Whisper Jones; Cottondale High School; Kenzlie Hayes, Graceville School; Ian Hatcher, Malone School; and Jack Eaton, Marianna High School.
The purpose of Youth Tour is to get students out of the classroom and familiarize them with the utility that brings electricity to their lives. They also get a first-hand look at the activities of our government at state and national levels. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, experience new things, and travel.
WFEC has participated in Youth Tour since 1979, sending students almost every year since. For more information about the Youth Tour program, visit www.westflorida.coop.
Look for the announcement about our Youth Tour winners, who will represent West Florida Electric Cooperative on the National Rural Electric Youth Tour in next month's issue.
WFEC Youth Tour participants enjoyed a variety of experiences on the trip to Tallahassee - from a behind the scenes tour of the Florida Supreme Court and its law library, to an electromagnetic demonstration at the Challenger Learning Center to watching the Florida Senate hold debates and ultimately pass a bill on immigration. They also got to have a little fun bowling and playing games with over 100 students from other Florida co-ops.
Wind and rain, tornado to hurricane, we are prepared for severe weather. We harden our system to help prevent outages. We keep vegetation trimmed to minimize debris. And we train – all year – to respond as quickly and safely as possible when a storm strikes. Rest assured, we’re ready.
8 8:30-10:30 8:54-10:54 2:57-4:27 3:21-4:51 WED. 9 9:18-11:18 9:42-11:42 3:45-5:15 4:09-5:39 THU. 10 10:06-12:06 10:30-12:30 4:33-6:03 4:57-6:27
WFEC Trustee Election Ballots Mailed: March 10
WFEC Trustee Election Ballots Due Back: April 16
WFEC Annual Meeting/Member Appreciation Day: April 26 Graceville Civic Center (details below)
Ingredients:
WFEC Right-of-Way Crews will be cutting & trimming in the following area(s) during
When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure or other unforeseen circumstances.
Submitted by: Mrs. Amos Morris
11/4 lbs. chicken thighs 1 large egg, separated 2 tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 cup plus 1/2 tsp. sugar 3/4 tsp. salt pinch of black pepper
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. corn starch 2 large green peppers 1 small garlic clove
1/2 cup chicken stock or broth 3 tbsp. distilled white vinegar 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups vegetable oil
3 tbsp. peanut oil 1 tbsp. sesame oil
11/2 cups fresh or canned, drained pineapple chunks
Directions: De-bone chicken thighs, remove & discard skin. Cut chicken into 3/4" pieces, mix egg yolk, 1 tsp. soy, 1/2 tsp. each sugar, salt & black pepper in medium bowl. Stir in chicken. Sprinkle w/ 1 tbsp. corn starch & mix well. Marinate at room temp. for 30 mins. Cut green peppers into 11/4" pieces. Lightly pound garlic. Mix 1 tbsp. corn starch with 1/4 cup sugar & 1/4 tsp. salt in small bowl. Stir in stock, vinegar, rice wine vinegar & 1 tbsp. soy. Whisk egg white in medium bowl until foamy and doubled in volume. Whisk in 1/2 cup corn starch & flour until smooth - reserve batter. Heat wok over high heat 20 seconds; add vegetable oil & heat to 350. Using 1/3 of chicken pieces at a time, dip each in batter and add to wok. Stir gently. Fry until crisp & cooked through - 4 to 5 mins. Remove chicken with strainer; drain on paper towels. Reheat oil to 350 degrees & repeat with remaining chicken. Remove oil from wok; wipe clean. Heat wok over high heat 15 seconds; add tsp. peanut oil & heat until hot. Scatter in green peppers & garlic. Stir fry 2 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon & discard garlic. Add tbsp. peanut oil to wok & heat. Reduce heat to medium. Add pineapple, stir fry for 30 seconds. Stir in stock mixture, increase heat to high, cook & stir until sauce thickens & bubbles (one minute). Drizzle with sesame oil, stir 2-3 times; return chicken & peppers to wok. Stir until coated with sauce. Serve immediately.
Black Australorp chickens & chicks, all sizes; eggs, $3/dozen w/o carton; $2.50 w/carton; 850-841-2023.
Department 56 Village
Collections, hundreds of pieces, prefer to sell all together, $7,500 OBO, serious inquiries only; 850-849-1514.
Barbie collection, late 1980s, 6 are designer branded, new in box, would like to sell together, serious inquiries only; 850-849-3441.
Home/Farm
Legend Force rear tine tiller, forward-reverse, used 3 hours, like new, $550; 850-272-2208.
Bahia grass hay, 4x5 rolls, net wrapped & twine wrapped available, barn stored; 850-638-6778 or 850-849-8624, text.
Two burial plots at Winterville Church, Hwy. 177A, $600 for both; 448-226-2467.
Florida map, made of 3/4 plywood, 36x18/38 w/all light houses & markers, 5 coats of poly resin; 850-547-0448.
Gasoline generator, excellent condition, 6250/8500W, 30A 120/240V w/30A power cord, always stored inside house; 850-573-5117.
3-horse slant trailer; barrel, roping, pleasure saddles; tack; 2 Treeing Walker registered coon dog puppies; grain wagon; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.
CLF Free Ad Policy (Limited to one ad per household)
WFEC publishes free classified ads in the Current Light Flashes as a service to its members. The following limitations apply: 1) Ads must be 20 words or less and must be legible, with an active electric account number at the top. 2) Ads exceeding 20 words are subject to elimination. 3) Submit ads to the Graceville office by the 5th of the month to appear in the following month’s issue. (Example: An ad arriving by Jan. 5 will appear in the Feb. CLF) 4) Ads for services & businesses are not free. Service businesses include, but are not limited to, pet or livestock breeders or stud services, rentals, baby-sitting, etc. 5) Any buying or selling on a regular basis will be considered a business. On-going garage sales & the sale of similar items on a repeated basis do not qualify for free advertising. 6) WFEC may refuse to publish any ad . 7) You may submit your ad online at www.westflorida.coop WFEC will not accept ads over the phone.
Grass hay, 5x5 rolls & sq. bales; peanut hay sq. bales; 12x36 cooler; 850-263-3427.
Homemade/handmade quilts, lap, baby, twin, full or queen; two used bathtubs, to be used for water or feed troughs, great price; 850-547-3649.
16 acres of land, in the Graceville area, portions farmable; 727-403-4463.
2004 Fleetwood class “A” motor home, 96,000 miles, Cummins diesel, 7.5-kilowatt generator, powers all, Michelin tires, more info available, $25,000; 850-526-8027.
14’ Xtreme boat & trailer, Mercury 30 hp four-stroke, Motor Guide trolling motor, $6,000; 850-569-2416.
CLF Free Ad Form Please Type or Print Neatly.
Someone to cut 4 acres of 40-year-old pines; 850-547-0448 or 850-373-3709.
Marlin, Winchester or Savage lever action high power rifle; 850-569-2916, James.
Horses; ponies; mules; donkeys; round pen panels; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.
150-500 acres of pasture land, in Holmes or Washington County area; 850-234-7070.
1958 Chevrolet Impala, motor and transmission not needed, must be a roller; 850-272-5211.
Penny through dollar coins, loose, in jars, collections, estates; 850-326-3437.
License plates from any state, mainly Florida, prior to 1980; old motorcycles or parts, prior to 1960; 850-557-7030, Greg.
Registered quarter horse mares for brood mares; pasture land to rent, close to Campbellton, Florida; 850-703-5450.
March is an ideal time to service your home's cooling system, ensuring it runs efficiently when the heat of summer arrives. Routine maintenance, like cleaning or replacing filters, checking refrigerant levels, and inspecting parts, can improve your system's efficiency & lower energy bills. Scheduling service in the spring helps you beat the peak rush, giving you faster access to qualified techs.
Notification Statement
Notice is hereby given that the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Board of Trustees regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, unless special circumstances warrant a change.
Main Business and Publications Offices 5282 Peanut Road
Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 (850) 263-3231 or 1-800-342-7400
Subscription Rate
Cooperative members, $2.50 per year Non-members, $6.00 per year
Change of Address Notices
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current Light Flashes
P. O. Box 127
Graceville, Florida 32440-0127
DISCLAIMER: Although paid advertisements may appear in West Florida Electric (WFEC) publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, WFEC does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. WFEC reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish any advertisement, article or information.
This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
