Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative
F E B R UA RY 2016
Capital Credit Checks
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative returned $450,000 to its membership in late 2015. Trustees met with representatives of several businesses for photos. Above, Trustee Kinneth Daniels, right, presents a check for $3,245.70 to Ebro Greyhound Park’s Nichole Kennedy, left, and Amy McCormick. See more capital credit check presentations on page 8.
Cooperative Presents Service Awards PAGE 4 Understanding Your Electric Bill PAGE 28 n
Gulf Coast
Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communications needs of consumer-owned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices.
Convenience starts here.
Postmaster: Please send address corrections to 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124. HOW TO CONTACT FLORIDA CURRENTS
Have a problem receiving your edition of Florida Currents? Utility members should contact the local utility office listed on the back cover. Nonmembers should contact Ruralite Services, 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124; (503) 718-3717; email info@floridacurrents.com. Subscription services: Nonmember subscriptions $12 (U.S.) per year; $25 (foreign) per year. Prepayment required. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for first issue. Be sure to identify which local edition you want to receive. Order online at www.floridacurrents.com. Extra copies: $2 each, prepayment required. Supply is limited. Identify edition, month and year. Contact Ruralite Services.
Outage Map | Bill Payment | Open Usage www.gcec.com We value your membership. We value you.
Reprint permission: Direct all requests to Ruralite Services. MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
Please do not send unsolicited materials. If interested in writing for Florida Currents, query first. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for writer’s guidelines. Address requests and queries to Ruralite Services. DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Contact Jessah Willis National Country Market 611 S. Congress Ave. Suite 504 Austin, TX 98704 (800) 626-1181 or (512) 441-5200 www.nationalcountrymarket.com PRINTED IN FLORIDA
Inside
February 2016 Vol. 5, No. 4
The New Age of Rural Health Care 12
Trend Offset Printing Services 10301 Busch Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32218
Innovations allow smaller, remote doctors and clinics to offer a higher level of service.
© 2016 Ruralite Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18
Travel Journal 20 Festival Roundup 22 Parting Shot 30
Your utility pages: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32
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Gulf Coast
Cooperative Presents Service Awards GCEC recognizes contributions of trustees, employees
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Several Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative employees and trustees recently were recognized for service anniversaries, and two employees received special awards named in memory and in honor of two former employees. Member Service Representative Shannon Burton was presented with the Alfredia Owens Member Service Award. Qualities management looked for included providing a high quality of service to members; getting along well with fellow employees; demonstrating empathy and compassion to members; demonstrating integrity and honesty; keeping members, the general public and employees safe; and serving as a role model to others through positive interactions. Mechanic Gary Whitfield was presented with the Tony “T-Bone” Turner Hustle Award. Qualities management looked for included a sustained work and productivity record; exceptional efficiency; superior performance and dedication; keeping members, the general public and employees safe; and serving as a role model to others through positive interactions. Service pins were awarded to Perry Flowers, 40 years; Kinneth Daniels and Eddie Jones, 20 years; Chad Brackin and David Syfrett, 15 years; Robert Byrd, Waylon Graham, Josh Hersey and Lonnie Perry, 10 years; Justin Barnes and Gary Cox, five
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative CEO/ General Manager Michael White, left, presents the 2015 Alfredia Owens Member Service Award to Shannon Burton. Named after a former employee, the award recognizes Shannon’s distinguished service, loyalty and devotion to the cooperative’s ideals.
years; and Cindy Palmer and Luke Vickers, one year. The 13 board members and employees have a combined total of 162 years of service to the cooperative. n
GCEC Trustee Kinneth Daniels received a 20-year service pin.
Gary Whitfield received the 2015 Tony “T-Bone” Turner Hustle Award.
Employees and trustees recognized for service anniversaries included, from left, Eddie Jones (20 years), Cindy Palmer (one year), Luke Vickers (one year), Perry Flowers (40 years) and Robert Byrd (10 years).
Employees and trustees recognized for service anniversaries included, from left, Waylon Graham (10 years), David Syfrett (15 years), Lonnie Perry (10 years), Chad Brackin (15 years) and Justin Barnes (five years).
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Gulf Coast
Earn $25 Credit for Helping Reduce Demand for Electricity H2O Plus, a program available to you from Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, has the potential to dramatically reduce the demand for electricity. But we need your participation. Using energy wisely has never been easier. A device that allows our power supplier to cycle your unit for short periods is installed on your electric water heater. By managing energy use when demand is high—when you and your neighbors are using the most electricity—our supplier can reduce demand when electricity is most expensive, putting off the need to build facilities to generate more power, alleviating or postponing those costs. An added benefit is the reduction of greenhouse gases, which helps our environment. You still will have enough hot water for showers and household chores. In fact, you shouldn’t even notice a difference in the amount of hot water available. For more information, please call GCEC Energy Services Representative Manuela Heyn. She will take your information and, after ensuring the program is a good fit for your household, schedule someone to come to your home and install the device at no cost to you. For your participation, GCEC will make a one-time $25 credit to your electric bill. We look forward to hearing from you soon. n
GCEC Offices XX
Southport 9434 Highway 77 (850) 265-3631; (800) 568-3667
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Wewahitchka 722 W. Highway 22 (850) 639-2216; (800) 333-9392
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Panama City 6243 E. Highway 98 (850) 481-1188
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Considering Solar? Call Us Members interested in solar should be aware that all solar applications must be preapproved and inspected to ensure they meet specific engineering codes and criteria. If you are considering solar, please contact Sid Dykes in Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s engineering department. Sid will schedule a time to meet with you on-site or in one of our offices. Sid Dykes (850) 265-3631 ext. 3013 sdykes@gcec.com
Meet Your District 1 Trustee Gary Cox represents members residing in Calhoun County, east of the Chipola River. He began serving on Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees in 2010. Gary earned the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Credentialed Cooperative Director certification. The program requires attendance and demonstrated understanding of the basic competencies contained in five core courses: Director Utilities and Liabilities; Understanding the Electric Business; Board Roles and Relationships; Business Planning; and Understanding Financial Planning. He has served as vice president of GCEC’s Board of Trustees and on the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association Board of Directors. Gary retired from the Calhoun County school system in 2008. He is a graduate of Blountstown High School, Chipola Junior College and Troy State University. He completed his master of education degree at the University of West Florida. n
Gary Cox
Crews Clear Trees for Safety, Reliability Do you live south of Wewahitchka or the Ebro area? In February, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative crews will clear trees and plants from rights of way that threaten your access and other members’ access to safe, reliable power. GCEC has about 2,600 miles of distribution line. If vegetation comes into contact with power lines, it can interfere with your electric service and cause a dangerous situation. Vegetation must be cleared from power
lines to provide reliable electric service and prevent a hazardous condition. When a person signs up to be a member of the cooperative, there is an agreement between the member and GCEC to allow right-of-way maintenance. The agreement gives GCEC the legal right to remove from the right of way anything that could interfere with safe, reliable electric service for all members. The co-op realizes most people regard trees as an asset, but if the cooperative’s
right-of-way clearance is not maintained, tree limbs and other growth coming into contact with power lines could increase the number of power outages. GCEC tries to work with landowners to preserve landscaping when maintaining rights of way. However, federal law requires GCEC to eliminate hazardous conditions. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to bring you quality, reliable service. n
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Collects Donations to Benefit Children’s Home Society Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative recently presented items donated by its employees and board members to the Children’s Home Society. GCEC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Evans, right, presented toys, clothing and toiletries to Antwanette Sutton of the CHS. Items were distributed to underprivileged children in the Emerald Coast division during the 2015 holiday season.
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Gulf  Coast
GCEC Presents Capital Credit Checks In appreciation of your patronage, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative returned $450,000 to its membership in late 2015, giving refunds to those who belonged to the cooperative in 1983 and 2014.
Trustee Gary Cox, left, presents a capital credit refund to Bay County Commissioner Mike Nelson.
President Waylon Graham, left, presents a capital credit refund to David Rich of Rich’s IGA.
Trustee Robert Byrd, left, presents a capital credit refund to Kasi Nelson of Eastern Shipbuilding.
Trustee Kinneth Daniels, right, presents a capital credit refund to Nichole Kennedy, left, and Amy McCormick of Ebro Greyhound Park.
Treasurer Rupert Brown, right, presents a capital credit refund to Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt.
Vice President Jimmy Black, right, presents a capital credit refund to Gulf Coast State College Vice President of Administration and Finance John Mercer.
Trustee Betty Moore, right, presents a capital credit refund to Northwest Florida Reception Center Warden David Mattox, second from left and Major J. Pridgen, Human Resource Consultant H. Clark, CSA L. Lykins, Classification Supervisor J. Marshall, Assistant Warden C. Brannon and Colonel E. Jones.
Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Evans, left, presents a capital credit refund to Gulf Correctional Institution Warden James Blackwood.
Trustee Doug Birmingham, center, presents a capital credit refund to Wewahitchka High School Principal Jay Bidwell, left, and Guidance Counselor Karen Turner.
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Gulf Coast
Trading Post For Rent
Real Estate
Four-bedroom, one-bath, 1,800-sq.-ft. home in Scotts Ferry. Rents monthly. (850) 265-0872 or (850) 674-6409.
Two-bedroom, one-bath home on 100 ft. of Chipola River front. Deck and storage building. $95,000. (850) 674-8746.
Horse barn with five stalls, paddock and about 4 acres of pasture in Wewahitchka, one block from the old courthouse. Lease by the stall, with discount for multiple horses. (740) 334-0341.
Four lots fronting the Chipola River for sale. High and dry. $100,000. (850) 674-8746.
For Sale Shiitake mushrooms. Available Saturdays at the St. Andrews Farmers Market. Wholesale prices available for quantities of 5 lbs. or more. Free delivery available. (850) 303-1460. Pomegranates, figs and lemons. (850) 639-9698. Miniature donkeys. Jacks and Jennys, black, brown, gray and paints. All ages. $300 and up. Make great pets. Also standard donkeys. Betty, (850) 899-7424. Quarter horses. Ride well on trails, gentle, good for lessons. (850) 773-1957. Trees: pomegranate, 10 varieties of figs, Japanese snowball, dwarf sweet lady finger banana and lemongrass. (850) 639-9698. Kenwood TS-570D ham radio with Astron power supply. $500 OBO. (850) 265-4420.
1997 Redmond four-bedroom, two-bath doublewide on private, half-acre lot. Move-in ready with new utilities and many upgrades. Convenient location 9 miles from Tyndall Parkway (739 Alpine Way, 32404). $59,900 cash or pre-qualified buyer. Serious inquiries call (850) 814-4492. 1.5-acre lakefront property in Altha with threebedroom, two-bath mobile home. New metal roof, fireplace, front and back decks, shed and greenhouse. $155,000. (850) 896-3188. Two- or three-bedroom cabin. About 1,200 sq. ft. with large screened porch. 150’ on West Arm Creek in Meeks subdivision. (850) 271-9040. REDUCED. Doublewide with barn and storage trailers. Was $140,000+; reduced 22%. On Highway 167 in Fountain. Court-ordered sale. (850) 896-3633. 24’x32’ modular home/camp with new interior. Must be moved. (850) 209-9299.
Three-bedroom, two-bath mobile home with large kitchen and living area at 7248 Dahlia St. in Wewahitchka/White City. Will consider financing with down payment. (706) 409-2979. ½-acre corner lot. (850) 639-2220. FSBO. Two adjacent lots, about 2.5 acres on paved road, 10 miles north of Wewahitchka, 45 minutes from beaches. Borders the Chipola River and Cypress Creek. Cleared and ready to build. Quiet and peaceful; no neighbors. Deeded restrictions. Underground utilities, deep well and many fruit trees. $69,900. (850) 648-4214. Two beautiful lots in New Hope, one with a singlewide mobile home. In gated community on Holmes Creek with boat ramp and pavilion. Asking $50,000 for one lot, $40,000 for the other or $80,000 for both. (850) 832-2695. Three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home in Lynn Haven. Great room with fireplace, two-car garage, privacy fenced backyard and many trees. Quiet, family neighborhood on low-traffic street. Owner financing possible. $169,900. (850) 271-0289. Three-bedroom, two-bath mobile home on 1 acre of land. Wood-burning fireplace, pool, tool shed, privacy fence and new septic and A/C (2011). As is. $85,000. (850) 265-8023.
Trading Post is a FREE service to members of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative. GCEC reserves the right to edit or reject ads. PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE. Please circle the category that applies:
For Rent
For Sale
Real Estate
Free
Miscellaneous
Trade
Wanted
Items:
Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: Mail your ad to: The Trading Post; Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative; P.O. Box 8370; Southport, FL 32409; return with your electric payment; or email ad information to tradingpost@gcec.com.
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Gulf Coast
Hypocrisy of President Obama Webster’s Dictionary defines hypocrisy as “a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not.” It further defines it as “the false appearance of virtue or religious belief.” When unveiling his Clean Power Plan in August 2015, President Barack Obama said, “No challenge presents a greater threat to our future and future generations than a change in climate.” President Obama has stated numerous times—even within the last 60 days—that climate change is a greater threat than ISIS or terrorism. World leaders met in Paris at the end of last year for the United Nations 2015 Conference on Climate Change to discuss an agreement for the global reduction of carbon emissions to ensure a better future for the world. The tag line for the conference was, “Long Live the Planet. Long Live Humanity. Long Live Life Itself.” A bold theme for bold people. President Obama attended the conference, as did China’s President Xi Jinping and other global leaders. They were there to express deep concern for the planet’s future, the seriousness of reaching an agreement on carbon reductions and to resolve the world’s greatest threat. It is ironic the conference was convened in Paris, where—just a month before— an orchestrated ISIS terrorist 26
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Commentary By Gary Smith President and CEO
attack killed 158 people and injured dozens more. It is ironic President Obama attended the meeting and expressed his belief climate change is more of a threat than terrorism, despite the attack in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people and wounded numerous others. What is more important to you? The increasing number and intensity of terrorist attacks or the undefined, speculative and uncertain threats of climate change? My bet is that victims’ families would consider terrorist violence a far greater concern. Nevertheless, world leaders express more distress about climate change than terrorism. The climate change debate takes different shapes. Some
leaders attended the conference to make their claim for a portion of, and to secure a binding commitment for, the $100 billion a year in climate aid for developing countries promised by President Obama at the United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen in 2009. China and India pressed their position that they are still developing countries and entitled to their portions of the climate aid to continue economic development. In the meantime, China expands its coal consumption 2.6 percent a year, and India expands its coal use 5 percent a year. Of course, China promises to reduce its carbon intensity in 2030, but that is a commitment of energy efficiency— not necessarily a commitment to reduce coal use as President Obama is pledging. While world leaders gathered in Paris to posture about the threats of climate change, 1.4 billion children worldwide live in poverty and are malnourished, 2.6 billion people lack clean drinking water, billions of children are deprived of adequate medical care and billions of people lack reliable electric service. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has found the politically correct movement of climate aid actually diverts money from feeding the hungry and providing medical care in developing countries. Apparently our plan is
to help people prepare for the future ravages of climate change, but deny them the basic necessities of life in the current time frame. Author and humorist P.J. O’Rourke refers to issues such as climate change as “fashionable worries.” Climate change is sexier than feeding starving children, providing medical care in poor countries or providing affordable energy for developing countries. Success in resolving climate change is not as objective, measurable or transparent as providing food and health care to the poor. For politicians, climate change is the perfect problem. The threat cannot be solved in the near term, the danger is difficult to predict and measure, and politicians are less accountable in resolving the problems. All they need is for us to trust them to do the right thing, not question their motives or actions, provide billions of tax revenues to fund their efforts, and they will solve the problem in about 80 years. To hold such a superficial, do-nothing meeting and declare climate change as the most important issue in today’s world in a city still recovering from terrorist attacks and to proclaim climate change more important than people killed by terrorists at times when children lack food, clean water and health care is hypocrisy. But such is our world. n
Gulf Coast
Understanding Your Electric Bill Match the numbers on page 29 with the descriptions below to decipher various charges 1. Member ID: This is your membership number and is used for capital credit allocations. 2. Account Name: The name the account is listed under. This person is responsible for the bill. 3. Cycle: The cooperative has multiple billing cycles. This number determines when a meter is read and when an account is billed. 4. Route: The cooperative has multiple electric routes. Routes are assigned based on the physical location of the service. 5. Type of Bill: Distinguishes among types of bills. 6. Pull: Special handling code for official use. 7. Bill Date: The date a bill was created and mailed. 8. Statement ID: Number assigned to each bill to distinguish it in the billing system. 9. Service Address: The physical location where service is provided. 10. Map Number: Number in the co-op’s internal mapping system that helps line technicians locate an electric service. 11. Account Number: The number used by the cooperative to identify accounts. 12. Previous Balance: Amount on the previous bill. 13. Payments: Payments posted to an account prior to the current bill date. 14. Charges: Charges on the current bill. 15. Adjustments: Adjustments made to an account prior to the current bill date. 16. Amount Due: Amount owing and when. 17. Type Service: Distinguishes among types of service. 18. Meter Number: The number assigned to the meter the co-op placed at a location. 19. Service Date: Shows last month’s and this month’s meter-reading dates; dates for which electricity use is being billed. 20. No. Days: Number of days for which use 28
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is being billed. This number may vary slightly from month to month depending on the number of days in the month and holidays. 21. Meter Readings: Indicates the meter reading from the previous month compared to the meter reading for the present month. 22. Multiplier: The multiplier is programmed into the meter. Readings are multiplied by this number to calculate the total use. The normal multiplier for residential electric service is 1. 23. Meter Usage: The amount used during a billing period. To calculate: (Present Meter Reading – Previous Meter Reading) x Multiplier = Use. Use is applied to the rate to determine a monthly bill. 24. Rate Code: Indicates the rate schedule applied to the service location. Rate code “A” means residential or general service. 25. Demand and Energy Charge: A charge to help GCEC cover the operating expense of delivering energy to members. Currently, each residential customer pays .1071 cents per kilowatt-hour used. 26. Facilities Charge: This fixed monthly charge of $30 for residential members covers costs associated with ensuring electricity is accessible to members on demand. This charge has been a part of our rates for years. 27. Helping Hands: If you contribute to the Project Helping Hand program each month, you will see your donation here. You may contribute $1, $3 or $5 a month. 28. Surge Protection: This charge is for surge protection. You may lease surge protection for $5 a month. Please contact the co-op’s marketing department if you are interested in leasing surge protection. 29. 1 to 175 Watt Existing Energy – Residential @ $11: This charge is for an outdoor light. Please contact the co-op if you are interested in an outdoor light.
30. Gross Receipts: This tax is assessed to every bill from the state of Florida. 31. Bay State Sales Tax: This is where you see county sales tax reflected on your bill. 32. Florida State Sales Tax: This is where you see state sales tax reflected on your bill. 33. Message Center: GCEC uses this section to communicate with members. This section often includes important information about your bill, so be sure to check this area every month. 34. Your Electricity Use Over the Past 13 Months: A quick reference that shows the past 13-month history of your electric account. 35. Amount Due Now: This is the amount due to the cooperative by the due date. 36. Amount Due After: This is the amount due to the cooperative if paid after the date indicated. 37. Delinquent Reminder: This is a reminder that if the cooperative generates a delinquent reminder notice for you, an administration fee of $1 will be charged to your account to offset the cost of the reminder. 38. Write in the amount paid and check appropriate payment method. Detach this portion of the bill and return it with your payment. Refer to the back of your bill for additional payment methods.
We hope this answers any questions you have about your bill. For more assistance, please call our Panama City office at 481-1188, our Southport office at 265-3631 or our Wewahitchka office at 639-2216. One of our member service representatives will be happy to help you.
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8 11 17
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3
29 32
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Member ID Account Name Cycle Route Type of Bill Pull Bill Date 830907002 GARY 5 E11 REGULAR N 11/10/2014 JOHNEQ.GILCHRIST PUBLIC 123456789 Statement ID Map Number 10 9 987654321 3344550 26609010 RD 3956105 12347120 MAINFONZA ST Account Nbr Previous Balance Payments Charges Adjustments Amount Due 123456700 136333 .00 12 373.29 13 ( 375.00) 14 314.43 15 16 312.72 Type Meter Service Date No. Meter Readings Meter Multiplier Rate Service Number From To Days Previous Current Usage
20 31 33333333 Electric 18 115318803 09/30/20141910/31/2014
51768
21
Current Charges
25
4
10/28/14 Payment -- Thank You 11/10/14 2384 KWH @0.1071 26 11/10/14 Facilities Charge 11/10/14 Surge Protection 11/10/14 Helping Hands $5 27 11/10/14 1--175 Watt New Energy - Residential @ 11.00 11/10/14 Gross Receipts 11/10/14 Bay State Sales Tax 31 11/10/14 State Sales Tax
54152
22
1.00
2384
23
A
24
13
( 375.00) 255.33 30.00 5.00 5.00 11.00 7.48 0.05 0.57
28 30
If you're aware of a malfunctioning streetlight on our lines, let us know. Simply inform us of the location, and we'll make sure it's repaired.
Compare
34
This Month Last Month A Year Ago
No. Days
Total KWH
Avg KWH
31 32 31
2384 3105 1807
77 97 58
35
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE NOW Amount due After 12/8/2014
36
33
$312.72 $327.72
Your Electricity use over the past 13 Months
3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0
2013 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 2014
“If you elect to pay your bill after the due date below, a delinquent reminder notice will automatically be generated, and a delinquent administration fee of $1.00 will be applied to your next bill to offset the postage, printing and handling cost of this notice.”
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Please Detach and return this portion with your payment. Please do not staple or paperclip.
GULF COAST ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. P.O.GULF BOXCOAST 610 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ,INC. P.O. Box 220 PANAMA CITY, FL 32402-0610 WEWAHITCHKA, FL 32465-0220
3
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Service Address 7120 1234 MAIN STRD FONZA
7
9
Account No 11 123456700 136333 Route Cycle
5 Billing Date
11/10/2014 Total Due
7 - 1755
JOHN GARYQ.EPUBLIC GILCHRIST 1234 ST RD 7120 MAIN FONZA YOUR TOWN, FL 000000000 PANAMA CITY FL 32409-1231
4
Statement ID 987654321 26609010 Map Number 3344550 3956105
E11
8 10
Amount Due By Amount Due After
11/30/2014 $312.72
Payment Cash Check Method
35
Other
12/8/2014 $327.72
Amount Paid
36 38
GULF COAST ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. GULF COAST ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ,INC. P.O. P.O.BOX Box610 220 PANAMA CITY, FL 32402-0610 WEWAHITCHKA, FL 32465-0220
ATTTTAFTDTADFAAAFDTTFTTADADAAFAATADDDTDDDFFFFATTFDTTFDTTADDAFTDTT
11102014000002660901000000312720
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FL-154
Offices 722 West Highway 22 P. O. Box 220 Wewahitchka, FL 32465 (850) 639-2216 or (800) 333-9392 9434 Highway 77 P. O. Box 8370 Southport, FL 32409 (850) 265-3631 or (800) 568-3667 6243 East Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32404 Phone: (850) 481-1188 www.gcec.com
CEO/General Manager Michael E. White
Trustees President Waylon Graham Vice President Jimmy Black Secretary Eddie Jones Treasurer Rupert Brown Doug Birmingham Robert Byrd Gary Cox Kinneth Daniels Betty Moore Trustees normally meet the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. CST. The board meets at the Wewahitchka office in even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October and December) and the Southport office in odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September and November). The mission of GCEC: Fulfilling the changing needs of our membership and communities by providing cost effective, reliable and safe utility services through a dedicated and responsive workforce. 32
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GCEC President’s Message
Convenience Starts Here In today’s mobile society, information is literally at our fingertips. At Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, we know our members are busy and sometimes need us outside of normal office hours. That’s why we offer online tools that allow you to make payments, monitor your use of electricity, track outages and more. We are taking advantage of technology to connect with members. Manage Your Bills and Payments Visit our website to access your account and make payments. Rest assured that our payment system is safe and secure.
Waylon Graham
Get Email Updates Sign up to receive important notifications from us. Monitor Your Use Observing and controlling daily electricity use can help keep your costs down. Open Usage is a free tool for you to analyze your use by comparing it to weather data. To access the program, log on to our website at www.gcec.com and click the “Account Access” link on the left side of our home page. Track Outages We work hard to make sure you have reliable service, but sometimes outages occur. Our website allows you to track our progress toward restoring your power via the online outage map. Visit www.gcec.com and look for the link on the left side of the screen. Once you click on it, a map of our service area will appear. You will be able to look at the map and see where outages are, where outages have been restored and where crews have been dispatched. We hope this will be especially helpful during times of severe weather. Connect With Us Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay informed about Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative news and events. Social media is another avenue for us to connect with you. Remember, these outlets are not outage reporting methods. To report an outage, please call our toll-free line at (800) 333-9392. We value your membership. We value you.