Report of the Nominating Committee

By David Crane, Chairperson of the Committee

The members of the nominating committee are as follows:

Gaylon Miller, Guin

Tamara Stanford, Beaverton

Dwight Wooldridge, Hackleburg

Jane C Foy, Guin

David Crane, Haleyville

George McCracken, Hamilton

These committee members make the following nominations for trustees to be elected at the 2020 Annual Meeting:

Place No. 1: Jim McRae

Place No. 2: Terry Gosa

Place No. 3: Curt Morris

Candidate Biographies:

Place 1: Jim McRae

Nominated by Committee

Jim McRae has been a member of this board since 1976. He has earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Jim serves on numerous boards including the Alabama Rural Electric Association as well as electric cooperative committees. Jim is a graduate of Hamilton High School and Auburn University. He is married with one son. He is a member of the Hamilton First United Methodist Church.

Place 2: Terry Gosa

Nominated by Committee

Terry Gosa is a current member of the Board of Directors, and he has served on our board since 1977. During this time, he has served as both Vice Chairman and Chairman. Terry is working toward earning his Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. He graduated from Marion County High School, and he retired from 3M in Guin. Terry currently has a farm in Lamar County where he serves on numerous boards and committees. He is married and has one son and two grandchildren. He is a member and serves as a deacon at Antioch Baptist Church.

Place 3: Curt Morris

Nominated by Committee

Curt Morris is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors. He has completed all of his course work and received his Director’s Credentials from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Curt is currently working toward his advanced credentials. Curt is married and has two sons. He works as a service manager of Toshiba Business Solutions, lives in the Vernon area and is a member of the Free Will Baptist Church.

Please remember to use the ballot inserted into this issue to cast your vote. Return it to us in the included self-addressed stamped envelope.

VOTE! IT’S YOUR COOPERATIVE!

Play it safe at the beach this summer

One of the highlights of a beach trip is water recreation. But the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) reminds everyone to be mindful of safety around water this season.

Never swim alone. Stay in groups, and don’t drift too far from shore.

• Don’t swim near piers, pilings and platforms.

• Do not swim in areas being used by fishermen. Avoid swimming in areas where schools of fish are present.

• Use extra caution when water is murky. Avoid being in the water during nighttime hours.

• Rip currents are most prevalent when the waves crash perpendicular to the beach, rather than at an angle. Look for gaps between the waves; a small patch of calm water surrounded by waves is often a rip current. And look for discolored water near the shore. Rip currents tend to drag large amounts of sediment back out to sea; they’re identifiable by a noticeable flow of sand extending away from the shore.

• Heed beach warning flags, which are posted at all public beach areas in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park. For more on summer safety, visit alea.gov.

Alabama launches statewide action plan to eliminate cervical cancer by 2033

Alabama ranks third in the nation in the incidence and deaths from cervical cancer, and the burden is even worse in rural counties. To address the problem, the state Department of Public Health, primary care providers and several other health and advocacy groups have launched “Operation Wipe Out Cervical Cancer Alabama.”

The action plan will use evidence-based strategies to promote vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), encourage cervical cancer screenings, and ensure follow ups when a screening indicates abnormal results.

HPV vaccinations help protect children and adolescents before they are exposed to the virus. Cancer screenings among women ages 21 to 65 detect abnormal cells in the cervix, which can lead to cancer. And appropriate follow-ups improve the chance of recovery from cervical cancer.

For more information on the statewide action plan, and to find out how you or your organization may get involved, visit alabamapublichealth.gov

Take us along!

We’ve enjoyed seeing photos from our readers on their travels with Alabama Living! Please send us a photo of you with a copy of the magazine on your travels to: mytravels@alabamaliving. coop. Be sure to include your name, hometown and electric cooperative, and the location of your photo.We’ll draw a winner for the $25 prize each month.