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Your Electric Co-op
General Manager
Chris Martinez
Address
900 N. Gold • P.O. Box 631 Deming, NM 88031
Telephone
575-546-8838
Toll-Free
800-950-2667
Emergency Outages
800-228-0579
Website
www.columbusco-op.org
Office Hours
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (M-F)
Board of Trustees President
Randy L. Massey, Animas, District 3
Vice President
Nancy Clopton, Hachita, District 1
Secretary-Treasurer
William A. Swift, Animas, District 4
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Joel Nañez, Deming, At-Large
William J. Cloudt
Rodeo, District 4
Joe Johnson
Columbus, District 1
Hal B. Keeler
Deming, District 2
Zane Shannon Nunn
Deming, District 2
Jay Peterson
Animas, District 3
Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. in the Cooperative boardroom.
LIHEAP Protection Notice
Protection from winter shut-off begins November 15, 2020. To avoid potential disconnection of services please contact the human services department at 800-283-4465, or the appropriate tribal or pueblo entity for eligibility information for low-income heating energy assistance program (LIHEAP). Your service will not be disconnected from November 15, 2020, through March 15, 2021, if you meet the qualifications of LIHEAP and have no past due amounts or you remain current on any settlement or installment agreement for amounts due as of November 15, 2020. Members of New Mexico tribes or pueblos who need help with translation or with other matters may contact the Commission’s consumer relations division at 888-427-5772, who will contact the appropriate tribal or pueblo official for assistance. Para informacion en español llame 800-950-2667.
Daniel Lopez, an employee with Columbus Electric Cooperative, has successfully completed one of the world’s most comprehensive training programs for power line personnel. The Merchant Job Training and Safety (MJTS) Program is administered to line personnel in 40 states throughout the United States.
Each utility has an acting Training Coordinator assisting their Trainees by administering “closed book” testing. The coordinators manage and assist the trainees throughout the training process from rules set by MJTS and the statewide association personnel.
Congratulations to Daniel Lopez, who can look forward to a very rewarding, lifelong occupation.
3 Simple Saving Tips
Here are just a few things you can do to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home this summer:
1. Service your air conditioner.
Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s consumption by up to 15%. Replacing your return air filter on a regular basis not only saves you month to month but could extend the life of your air conditioning system. Note: you don’t have to buy the most expensive filter. A good, moderately priced filter should be adequate. Don’t forget your air conditioner’s evaporator coil should be cleaned annually to ensure performance at optimal levels.
2. Cook outside.On warmer days, keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens. No sense in heating up the house when cooking outside is an option. Cooking inside can raise the temperature in the kitchen by as much as five degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the heat outside and cool inside.
3. Install window treatments.
Energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades, films, and/or curtains can slash heat gain when temperatures are on the rise.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR HUNTERS
This hunting season, we encourage all members to be aware of electrical equipment and take necessary precautions while hunting. Keep these safety tips in mind as you enjoy the great outdoors.
Take notice of posted warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment.
Do not shoot at or near power lines or insulators.
Know where power lines and equipment are located on the land where you hunt.
Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible.
Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them, causing shock or electrocution.
Do not place decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Any non-electrical equipment attached to a pole can pose an obstruction and serious hazards to our line crews.
CEC will be closed on September 7, 2020, in observance of Labor Day. Regular office hours will resume on September 8, 2020.
24/7 Outage Response Dispatch & Payment Center 800-228-0579
Dan O'Neill 11th grade, Estancia Valley Classical Academy Edgewood in Santa Fe County Central New Mexico Electrical Cooperative
I’ve been working as an assistant manager for an online company called Contractor Exam Academy. I’ve also been volunteering for Presbyterian Hospice at Kaseman Hospital. I assist in the office with computer and paperwork. I plan to volunteer in the inpatient unit at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital. However, because of the COVID-19 situation, volunteers are not allowed on the hospice unit. I am planning to attend the University of New Mexico after graduation. I am interested in radiology and my goal is to be accepted one day to the UNM School of Medicine.
Eli Terry 11th grade, Floyd High School near Floyd in Roosevelt County Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative
During the COVID-19 quarantine, I have had more time to focus on my FFA and 4-H projects. Since I did not have school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or have track practice or track meets, I have found a lot to do at home. I have been taking dual credit college classes online, refinishing and painting furniture, raising laying hens, and raising 6 Holstein calves as well. Most recently, I have been studying and taking some practice tests for the ACT. All these projects have kept me really busy. Currently, my plans and dreams for the future are to attend and graduate college at Eastern New Mexico University to become a speech therapist. I am interested in a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and a master’s degree in speech therapy. I like the idea of going to college close to home and being able to finish with a master’s degree all at one college. I have looked into the speech therapy program, and I have seen that the program is well respected. Other than higher education goals, I hope to be happy in my life and serve God.
Ella C. Guerro 10th grade, Magdalena Municipal Schools Alamo Navajo Reservation in Socorro County Socorro Electric Cooperative
I have been taking walks with my dog, going fishing at my pond, riding my bike with my cousins, and taking care of my family. My plans for the future are to attend Emory University to become a sports therapist.
Emma Montgomery 12th grade, Artesia High School Piñon in Chaves County Central Valley Electric Cooperative
With the whole family being home, I’ve been able to spend a lot more time with them, which I’m very thankful for. Next year, I will be attending Texas Tech University and majoring in agricultural communications. I hope to serve the agriculture industry by marketing, advertising, and designing for a major agriculture magazine or company.
Heidi Garcia 11th grade, Belen High School Veguita in Socorro County Socorro Electric Cooperative
During this time in quarantine, I’ve picked up new hobbies like writing and making bracelets, but just like everyone else, I’ve been binge-watching my favorite Netflix shows. Once I graduate from high school, my biggest dream would be to study at the Anglo American University in the Czech Republic. I want to travel, meet new people, and learn about different cultures. I want to major in business and come back to the U.S. and go to law school. I want to live in Denver, Colorado, because I love urban cities, especially Denver because it’s close enough to my family.
Helen Bright 11th grade, Quemado High School Between Pie Town and Quemado in Catron County Socorro Electric Cooperative
I have had lots of time to do some of my favorite things, like art and music. On top of that, our ewe had a lamb which she refused to take care of, so I also ended up taking care of a lamb. I also really enjoy the art of cosplay (costume play), when I have felt like quarantine was hard all I had to do was get dressed up, and in some ways, I felt better as it is a way for me to deal with the constant stress of life on my shoulders. For my future, I haven’t completely thought out everything I want; I don’t have some
