Your Electric Co-op

Manager

Charles T. Pinson, Jr.

Address

1403 N. 13th Street P.O. Box 230 Artesia, NM 88211

Artesia/Dexter/Roswell

575-746-3571

Hagerman

575-752-3366

Fax

575-746-4219

Website

www.cvecoop.org

Office Hours

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (M-F)

Se habla español Board of Trustees President

Charles G. Wagner, Jr., North of Roswell, District 6

Vice President

Michael Bennett, Hope, District 7

Secretary-Treasurer

Wesley R. Pilley Dexter/Hagerman, District 4

Larry Benedict

South of Roswell, District 5

Jason Ciempa

Loco Hills, District 2

Rusty Gwynne

Artesia/Lakewood, District 1

Steve Spence

Cottonwood, District 3

Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. at CVE.

Boots on the Ground

with Mario Grado

Central Valley Electric Cooperative has almost 90 employees, and each one plays a special role in making sure the co-op operates in a safe and efficient manner. There are a variety of jobs at CVE ranging from linemen, engineers, and customer service representatives to accountants, mechanics, and dispatchers. But one of the most unique jobs is the One-Call Line Locator. Mario Grado started working at CVE in August 2013 as the Line Locator, and it’s his job to go out and locate underground electrical lines for customers who have contacted 811 the “call before you dig” number. Anyone who is planning a project that requires digging should call 811 a few business days before digging to request the location of buried utilities and have them marked with paint or flags so you don’t unintentionally dig into underground utility lines.

When you call 811, Grado has two business days to go out and mark the approximate location of underground electrical lines. Once all utilities have marked their lines, you can start your digging project. Keep in mind you should not dig within 18 inches on either side of the painted marks or flags.

Grado stated he didn’t know anything about the electric utility business when he came to work at CVE, and with time and on the job training with another employee, he has been able to hone his skills at locating lines. Grado takes his job seriously because he knows that someone can get hurt if they don’t know where underground electric lines are when they start digging. Hitting a buried utility line while digging can disrupt utility service, cost money to repair, cause serious injury or death.

In an effort to keep you safe, call 811 the next time you have a project that requires digging and Mario will come out and mark any underground electrical lines.

For more information call 811 or go to

www.call811.com

Drake Retires with 44 Years

On July 31, Chalk Drake officially retired from Central Valley Electric Cooperative. He started working as a mechanic at CVE in the fall of 1976 and did so for almost 44 years.

In his four decades of service to the co-op, he has seen many things change, from a fleet that had no 4-wheel Robert Lee Chalk Drake drive vehicles, to one with almost all 4-wheel drive vehicles, and an electric car. He has seen vehicles become more computerized and emissions and regulations

increase. But one thing has stayed the same according to Drake, “The one thing that hasn’t changed is that trucks are going to break down, but at least now we have a shop large enough to pull the big trucks into and better equipment to get them back on the road faster.” Drake stated that he would miss the people at CVE the most. “I’ve been here so long that everyone is like family.” When asked what he plans to do in retirement, Drake stated, “Piddle.” He also plans to garden, and play golf.

CVE would like to thank Chalk Drake for his many years of dedicated service to the co-op and wish him well in his retirement. He will be missed.

Public Safety Policy

This policy establishes procedures and conditions that safeguard Central Valley Electric Cooperative’s members and the general public from potentially dangerous electrical conditions.

CVE members and the general public should never come into contact with electrical lines. When potentially hazardous conditions are observed, CVE members and the general public should alert the cooperative to the conditions.

CVE, in the construction, operation, and maintenance of its electrical system, will at all times adhere to the provisions outlined in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), unless specifically required by other authorities to do otherwise.

It is the responsibility of each employee, contractor, CVE member, or member of the general public, upon finding a power line in an unsafe condition, (not in compliance with NESC clearances) should immediately notify CVE of the unsafe condition. CVE employees and contractors should standby to guard against hazardous conditions until they are relieved or until the defect is corrected. CVE members and members of the general public are not expected to standby to guard against hazardous conditions but should notify law enforcement, emergency personnel, and CVE personnel about the unsafe condition.

Members of CVE and the general public should always assume a downed power line or a sagging power line is unsafe. CVE and law enforcement authorities should be notified when such a condition is observed. Contact with power lines, whether downed or not, can result in injury or death and must be avoided.

If any cooperative member or member of the general public inadvertently come into contact with a power line, the incident should be reported immediately to CVE. Also, if there are injuries, emergency medical personnel should be contacted immediately. Further contact with the power line should be strictly avoided, and the incident should be reported immediately to CVE. If the incident occurred on a public right-of-way, law enforcement officials should also be notified.

All accidental contacts involving CVE’s electrical lines, vehicles, or property shall be properly and promptly investigated, with complete accident reports prepared, including photographs and sketches to substantiate written reports. Call CVE for more information.

La Políza de Seguridad Pública está disponible en español a petición.

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