Empowered April Edition

Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

PUTTING IT ON THE LINE: LINEMAN APPRECIATION

Working 50 feet above the ground, repairing high-voltage lines and replacing poles is just another day in the life of a Central Rural Electric Cooperative lineman.

During April, we honor the lineworkers who often work in dangerous and challenging situations. These brave men and women repair damaged lines and maintain critical infrastructure for our members, oftentimes during dreadful weather conditions.

For the approximately 114,000 electrical lineworkers nationwide, working around energized power lines takes years of apprenticeship and continuous safety training.

“Our linemen put in a lot of time before they’re ever exposed to a live line,” said Dewayne Drury, Central’s Director of Operations. “Our linemen’s dedication, hard work and sacri ce are what keep the public safe and the lights on for our members.”

Central linemen attend weekly safety meetings and receive crew checks to monitor safety performances. Gloves, for instance, are checked daily for any wear and tear.

“A hole the size of a pinprick in gloves can allow contact with electricity,” Drury said. “Safety checks are crucial to a lineman’s job not only for the cooperative but also the linemen’s lives.”

Overhead lines can carry up to 14,400 volts as it transports electricity from a substation to your home or business. While climbing a pole, linemen can wear up to 45 pounds of gear.

Join Central in showing our appreciation to our linemen for the work they do by using #ThankALineman on social media. Tag @MyCentralCoop, and Central will share your posts with those who light up our communities and our lives.

LEVELS OF A LINEMAN

Apprentice Lineman

An apprentice lineman is employed at the cooperative but is training or attending lineman college. Apprentices receive quarterly reviews where their progress is assessed and training is advanced by exposure to equipment and on-thejob experience. Training typically takes four years to complete.

Lineman

Full- edged linemen have completed 8,000 hours of apprenticeship and are fully trained in their eld. Linemen maintain, repair and install power lines either on the pole or underground.

Line Foreman

Foremen are linemen who have supervisor responsibility over crews, equipment, materials and recordkeeping duties.

Beyond typical and consistent safety training, Central linemen are wellrounded with smart grid training.

23 Linemen work at Central

23 Linemen wear up to 45 45 pounds of gear

4,500 4,500 Miles of line are maintained by Central Linemen

APRIL 2023

Central Board of Trustees:

James Wells, President (District 6)

Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1)

Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3)

Greg Tytenicz (District 2)

Sid Sperry (District 4)

Vacant (District 5)

Bill Davis (District 7)

Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer

Empowered Editors:

Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing

Larry Mattox - Director of Communications

Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist

Day 2023

CO-OP KIDS DAY IS COMING

Have you registered for Co-op Kids Day on April 29th?

For the second year, Central will welcome Co-op Kids and their parents or grandparents to the co-op’s headquarters for a unique experience lled with all things electric co-op.

Children will be able to interact with Willie Wiredhand, the electric co-op mascot, Central linemen and employees, and check out the electrical safety trailer demonstration.

so much more. A bounce house, snacks and coloring station will be available for children as well.

Interested in this fun- lled event? Children can participate in Co-op Kids Day by becoming a Co-op Kid!

www.mycentral.coop

Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist Contact

Co-op Kids Day will take place on April 29 at Central’s Headquarters in Stillwater from 10 a.m. to noon. Interactive stations will be set up to teach children about electrical safety, what happens at Central and

The Co-op Kids program is free and designed to introduce children ages 0-18 to the world of electric cooperatives by providing agespeci c gifts throughout their childhood, invitations to special events and information about scholarship opportunities. Co-op Kids is free, fun, educational and open to Central members’ children or grandchildren!

Photos

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

TRAVEL CENTRAL

Drive along Route 66 in Central’s district 7. Chandler, Davenport and Stroud are the major stops within Trustee Davis’ district. Travel throughout our service area as we visit each district throughout the year.

MEET YOUR DISTRICT 7 TRUSTEE

Bill Davis has been a member since 1979 and joined Central’s board in 2011. He has also served as Central’s board president and on Central’s Community Foundation board. He retired as the superintendent of Stroud Public Schools in 2006.

YOUR STOP: DISTRICT 7

BILL’S PICKS AROUND ROUTE 66

5 Star BBQ

619 N. 8th Ave., Stroud vestarbbqandsteakhouse.com

Family owned and operated, grab all of your favorite BBQ such as the snoop hoggie hog piled with smoked bologna, tender pulled pork and smoked polish sausage.

Destinations

1422 Manvel Ave., Chandler

Find a little bit of everything from this roadside-themed cafe. Grab cheese curds, Kielbasa and Bavarian kraut, rib eye or the DANG quesadilla right off Route 66.

Route 66 Bowl

920 E. 1st St., Chandler rt66bowl.com

Strap on your bowling shoes, grab some pizza and enjoy fun games including putt-putt.

CAN YOU DIG IT?

Nothing ruins a good yard project like hitting a line on your first dig into the ground. As the weather warms and yard projects begin, an underground utility line is damaged once every nine minutes because someone didn’t call 811.

Rock Cafe

114 W. Main St., Stroud rockcafert66.com

A restaurant so good that when Pixar crew member John Lasseter visited, he developed the Cars movie character Sally Carrera after the owner, Dawn Welch.

Scotty Bʻs 1104 N. Broadway, Davenport scottybsok.com

If you enjoy good old fashioned home cooking, you’ll love Scotty B’s calf fries and juicy burger selection.

Tammyʻs Roundup Cafe 1025 Broadway, Davenport tammysroundupcafe.com

Customers come back again and again for the chicken fried steak, cat sh and hand-pinched yeast rolls.

Bell Cow Boil Bell Cow Boil

April 28 • 5-8 p.m. • Craw sh Boil Festival South Pavillion Tilghman Park, Chandler

811 will help you identify where public utility lines are already located by placing colored marker flags. Below are the types of utility markers that are flagged.

� Red Flag - Electrical

� Orange Flag - Communications

� Blue Flag - Potable Water

� Green Flag - Sewer/Drainage

� Yellow Flag - Gas, Oil or Petroleum

� Purple Flag - Reclaimed Water

� White Flag - Proposed Excavation

� Pink Flag - Temporary Survey

All homes contain many types of underground utility lines. It’s important to your safety and the safety of your home and others to ensure lines are marked before starting any dig projects.

When you call 811, you will need to know the address of where you plan to dig, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you’re completing and the exact area on the property where you’re planning to dig. You can also make your request online at call811.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT CENTRAL

April

25th - District 5 Special Meeting

29th - Co-op Kids Day

All month - Lineman Appreciation Month

June

5th-9th - District 1 and 7 Filing Periods Open

15th - Stillwater Kilowatts and Brats

22nd - Chandler Kilowatts and Brats

August

22nd - District 1 Meeting

29th - District 7 Meeting

October

- Annual Meeting

PITTMAN RESIGNS

Central Rural Electric Cooperative district ve trustee, Mark Pittman, announced his resignation from the board of trustees.

Pittman has served the cooperative and its members as a trustee for 11 years.

“Mr. Pittman has been a strong voice for the cooperative during his tenure,” said Central CEO Hunter Robinson. “He represented Central well on the KAMO board and advocated for the members. We will miss his experiences and expertise.”

Pittman represents members in Payne County. Pittman has been a strong advocate of the cooperative, representing Central on the KAMO board for ve years. Pittman achieved the Board Leadership and Director Gold certi cations from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Pittman, District 5

The District 5 trustee seat will be lled in accordance with the bylaws at a special district election on April 25. Members should watch their mail for additional information.

Mark