Today in Mississippi May 2021 Local Pages by American MainStreet Publications

CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937 CARTHAGE: 601-267-5671 | PHILADELPHIA: 601-656-2601 | RANKIN: 601-829-1201 | SEBASTOPOL: 601-625-7422

107 EAST MAIN STREET • CARTHAGE, MS 39051

These days many of us are spending more time at home and finding new, creative ways to enhance our living space. Tackling do-it-yourself (DIY) projects for the home can be fun and cost-effective, so why not roll up those sleeves and get started! Whether you’re painting the front door with a fresh hue or finally upgrading those patio lights, successfully completing a DIY home project is incredibly satisfying. But many of these projects do not come without risks. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind as you get to work. Start by selecting a designated work area. The amount of space you’ll need will depend on the size and scope of your project, but make sure you have adequate lighting and ventilation (if necessary). Required tools and equipment should be located in your workspace and organized for easy access. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your friend. We know you’re a pro but investing a few bucks in PPE is essential for most home projects. Stock up on safety goggles, dust masks, ear plugs (or noise reduction ear protectors), gloves and any other kind of protection you’ll need for your project. Remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. (Ditch the sandals for this!) Work slowly and clean as you go. When you rush through a DIY project, you’ll likely end up with less desirable results than you intended, or worse, you could make a costly or dangerous mistake. Take your time and remember that you are in control of the project. You should also clean as you go to ensure a safer workspace. Pick up any scrap materials, tools that aren’t in use and any tripping hazards.

Be cautious with power tools. Annually, 8% of electrocutions in the U.S. are attributed to improper use of power tools. The Electrical Safety Foundation International offers the following safety tips: • Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool to protect against electrical shock. • Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes. • Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated. • If a power tool trips a safety device while in use, take the tool to a manufacturer-authorized repair center for service. • Do not use power tools without the proper guards. • When using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or a pressure washer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid electrical shock.

Required tools and equipment for your project should be located within your workspace and organized for easy access.

Remember, you should only tackle DIY home projects within your skill and comfort level. For projects that require extensive electrical work, we strongly recommend you hire a licensed, qualified electrician for assistance. To learn more about electrical safety, visit esfi.org.

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

MONDAY, MAY 31

We honor those who courageously gave their lives. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. To report a power outage, please visit www.centralepa.com and click on Report An Outage or call 601-267-3043.

Have a safe holiday weekend!

Get smart about electrical safety. May is National Electrical Safety Month.

Central Electric needs your

CURRENT phone number! Please call your local Central EPA office and verify/update the telephone number you are most likely to call from when reporting an outage, including cell phone numbers. These numbers will be used by the automated outage reporting system to quickly locate your account and more quickly address your power outage!

Please call today to update your information!

1-866-846-5671

Source: www.energy.gov MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

P.O. BOX 188 • 340 HOPSON STREET • LYON, MS 38645 662-624-8321 • FAX 662-624-8327 • www.coahomaepa.com • cepa@coahomaepa.com

May is a month to by Steven Ward May is a month to thank the heroes in our lives. May 4 is National Teachers Day, May 6 is National Nurses Day, May 9 is Mother’s Day and May 31 is Memorial Day. The first word that comes to mind when thinking about the people we salute on these days is sacrifice. Whether it’s the ultimate sacrifice of giving up one’s life to serve this country in times of war or caring for our friends and family when they are ailing, all of the people we recognize on these special days are exceptional. National Teachers Day came about when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt went to the U.S. Congress in the early 1950s requesting an official day to recognize teachers for all they do. Teachers have one of the most important jobs in our culture — to educate, inspire and prepare our children for the world around us. If anyone has an opportunity in their work to change a child’s life, it’s a teacher. National Nurses Day marks the beginning of National Nurses Week. The week starts on May 6 and ends on May 12, the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. The work, determination and compassion of nurses in our lives is obvious. Since early 2020 when the global pandemic COVID-19 reached our shores, the role of nurses took on a heightened significance that is impossible to overestimate. The men and women of the nursing profession literally risked their lives, day in and day out, to care for the sick and dying. There were times when hospitals were overflowing with COVID-19 patients while nurses — donned in uncomfortable 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

safety gear — manned shifts that went on for hours. The stress was endless at times, but they did their jobs to take care of us. Memorial Day is the day we remember those who fought for this country and lost their lives as a result. A U.S. federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is about remembering the members of the military who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. First known as Decoration Day with origins in the Civil War, monuments and graves of fallen soldiers were decorated to honor their sacrifice. After World War I, the day was expanded to honor those who died in all American wars. Memorial Day is about the ultimate sacrifice of others so we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy as U.S. citizens. Mother’s Day is the day we celebrate the women who gave us life. But it’s so much more than biological — Mother’s Day is the time we honor the women who raised us, loved us unconditionally, taught us their values and protected us. There are plenty of us who would say our mothers are our heroes. Motherhood isn’t easy and, when you think about it, every day should be Mother’s Day. Thanks again to all the teachers, nurses and moms who have made our lives better. And to the families of those who sacrificed their lives for our country, we will never forget.

Required tools and equipment for your project should be located within your workspace and organized for easy access.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

FOR TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI INFORMATION, CALL 877-7MY-CEPA (1-877-769-2372) WWW.COASTEPA.COM

Where our members have the power

Communicators: April Lollar & Merilee Sands

A message from your CEO May is Electrical Safety Month. Safety is important every day of the year, especially at an electric cooperative where our employees work with high-voltage lines. Nothing is more important to me as CEO than to send each employee home to their family at the end of the workday. Electrical safety should be important to you, too, and is something you should be aware of whether you are digging in your yard, getting ready for a weekend out on the water or even just going through daily tasks. I encourage you to do a check of your home. Make sure cords aren’t frayed and outlets aren’t overloaded. Make sure you don’t have electrical equipment near water and, of

course, make sure small children in your home are safe around outlets and cords. These are simple things you can do, and it will only take a few minutes to scan your home for safety. If you need more tips, I encourage you to visit www.beawareeverywhere.com.

by Ron Barnes President and CEO

MONDAY, MAY 31 We honor those who courageously gave their lives. Coast Electric offices will be closed Monday, May 31, for Memorial Day to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Dispatchers will be on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. For fast and easy outage reporting, use our CE on the Go app or text 352667. If you want to text, you must have a mobile number associated with your account. You can also call 877-769-2372 to report an outage and view our live outage map on our CE on the Go app or on www.coastepa.com so you can keep up with restoration efforts.

Have a safe holiday weekend!

BYLAW CHANGES: Coast Electric has recently made updates to its bylaws. Changes were made in the following sections: 1.01, 2.02, 2.07, 3.02, 4.01, 4.03, 4.04, 4.10, 5.01, 5.04, 8.03. Copies of the updates are available on www.coastepa.com or at any Coast Electric office. 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

M AY I S E L E C T R I C A L S A F E T Y M O N T H

Tackling do-it-yourself projects for the home can be fun and cost-effective, so why not roll up those sleeves and get started! Projects come with risks though, so use these safety tips while you work. • Select a designated work area. The amount of space you’ll need will depend on the size and scope of your project, but make sure you have adequate lighting and ventilation (if necessary). • Personal protective equipment is your friend. Stock up on safety goggles, dust masks, ear plugs (or noise reduction ear protectors), gloves and any other kind of protection you’ll need for your project. Remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. (Ditch the sandals for this!) • Be cautious with power tools. Annually, 8% of electrocutions in the U.S. are attributed to improper use of power tools. The Electrical Safety Foundation International offers the following safety tips: – Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool to protect against electrical shock.

To be be SAFE, SAFE, be be AWARE To AWARE EVERYWHERE. EVERYWHERE.

Electrical safety starts with being aware of electrical Electrical safetysafety startsfirst with being of electrical hazards. Think and use aware these tips to stay hazards. Think safety first and use these tips to stay safe at home, on the job and on the go. safe at home, on the job and on the go.

Attention DIYers: Attention There are DIYers: live wires There are live walls. wires behind those behind walls. Use anthose electrical Use andetector electricalto cable locatedetector them before cable to your drill bitbefore does. locate them your drill bit does. Want more electrical safety tips? Sure you do. BeAwareEverywhere.com Just visit Want more electrical safety tips? Sure you.do.

Just visit BeAwareEverywhere.com.

– Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes. – Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated. – If a power tool trips a safety device while in use, take the tool to a manufacturer-authorized repair center for service. – Do not use power tools without the proper guards. – When using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or a pressure washer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid electrical shock. Remember, you should only tackle DIY home projects within your skill and comfort level. For projects that require extensive electrical work, we recommend you hire a licensed, qualified electrician for assistance.

To learn more about electrical safety, visit www.BeAwareEverywhere.com. Electricity from power Electricity from power lines can “jump” to nearby lines can “jump” to nearby objects…including you. objects…including you. That’s why you should That’sstay why always atyou leastshould 10 feet always stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. away from overhead lines.

Before you dig that flowerbed, Before you dig may that be flowerbed, remember there remember there may be underground lines where underground lines where you’re about to dig. Call 811 to you’re about dig.project Call 811 to locate them andto your locate and your project will turn them out just rosey. will turn out just rosey.

Your change is making positive changes This quarter, Operation Round Up has funded $154,450 in grants to local charitable organizations. Since December 2018, Operation Round Up has funded $506,000 in grants to make our community a better place to live.

Grant awards and open applications Thanks to our members’ generous contributions, Coast Electric’s Operation Round Up program awarded $154,450 to local charitable organizations this quarter.

Grants were awarded to: Bethel Free Health Clinic Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast CASA of Hancock County Fixin’ the Coast Spay/Neuter program Friends of the Hancock County Animal Shelter Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence Memorial Hospital Foundation — Safeguarding our Seniors Mercy Housing MS Council for Economic Education MS Gulf Coast Youth Health Coalition Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport United Way of South Mississippi Triumph Church of Gulfport Infinity Science Center Wild at Heart Rescue Elijah’s Closet Pearl River Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Land Trust for the MS Coastal Plains South MS Soccer Club Your change is making positive changes in our community! Thank you for your participation in Operation Round Up.

Grant applications available through May 31 Operation Round Up grants help local charitable organizations fulfill their missions. If you are part of a charity that positively benefits our community, you can apply for an Operation Round Up grant. Visit www.coastepa.com for more information about how to apply. Grant applications will be available on the site from May 1 to May 31.

14 TODAY | MAY 2021

This quarter’s Operation Round Up grant funds went to 19 local charities including the ones shown here from the top: CASA of Hancock County, Friends of the Hancock County Animal Shelter and Triumph Church of Gulfport.

We are proud to partner with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to offer the Operation Round Up program to our community.

Reduce Your Use Contest Coast Electric wants you to reduce your energy use and see savings on your monthly energy costs. Each month, you will have an opportunity to register to win a prize that will help you reduce the energy consumption in your home. To help you manage your use and save, we are giving away a case of LED lightbulbs. All you have to do is visit www.coastepa. com and fill out our entry form. It only takes a few seconds, and you could win a prize that helps you save!

ENERGY EFFICIENCY Tip of the Month Avoid placing items like lamps and televisions near your thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause your air conditioner to run longer than necessary. Source: www.energy.gov

CoastConnect — Making a difference in rural communities CoastConnect is making a difference in our customers’ lives. Sandi, a customer in Poplarville, had fiber installed in her home in late February. That weekend, she streamed church services with her family in Illinois. Sandi hasn’t been able to see her family during the COVID-19 pandemic and had tears in her eyes as she was able to virtually attend mass with her family. Besides being able to connect with her family, Sandi has been able to use her service to send information from her heart monitor to her doctor. Her doctor wasn’t able to receive this potentially life-saving information before Sandi had access to high-speed internet.

Stories like Sandi’s are the reason we are working to bring service to rural residents. If you have a story to tell about what CoastConnect has done for you, we would love to hear it! Message your story to us on our CoastConnect Facebook page or email communications@coastepa.com.

To see if service is available in your area, visit www.coastconnect.com.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

Delta Electric’s new IVR phone number is 662-743-4425 – USE IT ANY TIME 24/7

✓GET ACCOUNT INFO ✓MAKE A PAYMENT ✓REPORT AN OUTAGE ✓MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT

Delta Electric members to receive refunds totaling On May 7, 2021, Delta Electric Power Association will mail refund checks to Members, as the cooperative has done for the past 32 years. These capital credit refund checks will be mailed to all Members who received a bill from Delta Electric during the years 1998 and 2019. The operating margin refund in the amount of $3,000,000 will be 50% of 1998 operating margins along with approximately 17.2% of 2019 operating margins. “In addition, we are pleased to announce that nonoperating margins for years 1991 (100%), 1994 (28.6%), 2006 (10.5%) and 2007 (11.3%) in the amount of $667,958 will be included in this refund,” said David O’Bryan, Delta Electric’s general manager. Delta Electric’s non-operating margins consist solely of margin allocations from

Get smart about electrical safety. May is National Electrical Safety Month. 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Cooperative Energy, Delta Electric’s generation and transmission cooperative, headquartered in Hattiesburg. Any unpaid bills will be recovered prior to issuance of the checks. Since 1989, when the first capital credit refunds were made, and including this year’s refund, Delta Electric has returned to Members a total of almost $70 million. Unlike an investor-owned utility, which is operated for profit, Delta Electric is a cooperative and does not operate on a profit basis. Each bill a Member pays goes toward the funding of the cooperative. All revenue is used to operate, maintain and improve the cooperative for the benefit of its Members. Any revenue received in excess of expenses is allocated back to Members for future retirement.

Delta Fiber LLC receives ETC designation On Wednesday, April 7 at 10: a.m., officers and employees of Delta Fiber LLC gathered with board members, local legislators and Mississippi Public Service Commissioners Brandon Presley (Northern) and Brent Bailey (Central) on a historic occasion. Delta Fiber LLC, Delta Electric’s wholly owned broadband subsidiary, had just received its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation from the Mississippi Public Service Commission the day before on April 6. The group gathered together in the Henry C. Waterer, Jr. Training Center in Greenwood to celebrate the momentous event. Receipt of the ETC designation was the last major step for Delta Fiber LLC to receive its federal funding for broadband expansion from the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) reverse auction. Last year, Delta Fiber LLC participated in the RDOF reverse auction as a member of the Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium. In January 2021, the broadband subsidiary was awarded $46.9 million in support over 10 years from the FCC to expand its existing fiber optic network to designated areas of its service territory that cover 10,465 eligible households and businesses. “We sincerely thank our Mississippi Public Service Commissioners Brandon Presley, Brent Bailey and Dane Maxwell for their

support of our efforts to close the digital divide in Mississippi,” said David O’Bryan, CEO of Delta Fiber LLC. Also in attendance at the ceremony were Mississippi State Senators Lydia Chassaniol (R-Winona) and David Jordan (D-Greenwood) along with Mississippi State Representatives Karl Oliver (R-Winona), Otis Anthony (D-Indianola) and Tracey Rosebud (D-Tutwiler). These legislators supported passage of the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act in January 2019 that gave Delta Electric Power Association the legal authority to enter the broadband business. “We greatly appreciate our local legislators supporting this

legislation and the movement to bring fiber optic, high speed internet access at gigabit speeds to the rural areas of Mississippi,” said O’Bryan. You can go to the delightspeed.coop website or find us on Facebook and Twitter to get the most up to date information on its broadband services and its fiber internet expansion plans.

Three options to pre-register for fiber internet service

DELightSpeed.coop 662-477-1975 or info@delightspeed.coop MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

“Powering communities and empowering lives” Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

dixieepa.com | defastlink.net | prepared.dixieepa.com | AFTER HOURS: 888-465-9209 | 601-425-2535 @DixieElectricMS

@DixieEPA

@dixie_electric

Tree trimming improves service and safety One of the things I love best about our community is the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so many trees that offer beauty, shade and a habitat for all sorts of wildlife. We know that you appreciate our community for many of the same reasons. At Dixie Electric, we strive to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping the rights-of-way clear around power lines. A right-of-way is a type of easement or agreement that grants a utility the right to use, access or transit a piece of property according to the terms of the easement. This easement is typically granted by property owners to an electric utility for the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining power lines and other equipment. Whether located on private or public property, it is essential for us to be able to maintain the areas adjacent to and below the power lines. The overall goal of our right-of-way clearing program is to provide reliable power to our members. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three ways: safety, reliability and affordability.

SAFETY First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our employees above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Tree trimming and clearing make power

lines easier to see and help prevent contact with them.

RELIABILITY Tree trimming or clearing also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for line workers to restore power. Power outages are shorter, and are even prevented, when trees are removed from the area around power lines.

AFFORDABILITY As you know, Dixie Electric is a not-for-profit cooperative striving to keep costs in check in order to keep our rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts are preventive maintenance, keeping costs down for everyone. Our community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability of the grid.

by Randy Smith General Manager

Clearing trees and limbs for reliable service Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for both Dixie Electric’s members and personnel.

CLEARING PROJECTS UNDERWAY • Petal substation: Petal, Sunrise, Hillcrest and Macedonia • Clara substation: Clara, Big Creek and Waynesboro • Hoy substation: North Laurel, Hoy, Moss, Shady Grove, Matthews and Springhill Road

Tornadoes strike Wayne County on St. Patrick’s Day Three tornadoes passed through Wayne County on Wednesday, March 17. One of the tornadoes touched down at noon in the Beat Four community causing several broken poles and debris on power lines. In addition to the tornadoes, Dixie Electric members experienced scattered outages throughout the service territory from a severe thunderstorm that passed through at the same time. The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-2 tornado touched down in the Whistler-Strengthford community, destroying a poultry farm located there. More than 800 members lost power in Wayne County on St. Patrick’s Day. The tornadoes caused downed trees, power lines and structural damage. As of 11:00 p.m. that evening, all members who could safely receive power were restored. Dixie Electric’s line crews, servicemen and right-of-way crews worked six separate outage locations on March 17, each with its own challenges.

Apprentice Linemen Jacob Welch and Tanner Walker assist their crew in setting a new power pole in Beat Four after an EF-2 tornado touched down in the area.

Notice of Dixie Electric’s Director Qualification period Candidates seeking election Apprentice Lineman Landon Martin prepares to assist his crew in replacing a broken pole.

to represent Districts 3, 4 and 6 on the board of directors for Dixie Electric must visit Dixie Electric’s headquarters office at 1863 Highway 184, Laurel, Miss., and obtain a Director Qualification Packet during normal business hours between June 1 and July 30. Please contact Melinda Padgett at 601-425-2535 or dixieelectric@dixieepa.com to set up a time. The forms and petitions in the packet must be completed and returned by close of business on

Friday, July 30, 2021. Crews retrieve a transformer from debris on Blaze Overstreet Drive after severe storms battered the area.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

DE Fastlink bringing highspeed internet to members On Friday, April 9, Chairman Dane Maxwell of the Mississippi Public Service Commission joined the team at DE Fastlink, LLC, a subsidiary of Dixie Electric Power Association, to formally sign an order releasing $21.4 million to bring highspeed internet service to over 30,000 member’s homes and businesses in its seven-county service area. “I believe bringing high-speed internet to rural areas is the new historical movement in our part of the area,” Chairman Maxwell said. “We are going to be the ones to make history. In 100 years, we will be remembered as the people who brought high-speed internet to rural Mississippians.” The Chairman went on to say that he is proud of the electric power associations, like Dixie Electric, for their commitment “to bring affordable high-speed internet just as they brought electric power to rural areas many years ago.” Last year, Dixie Electric participated in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I Auction process and was awarded the $21.4 million over 10 years. After the signing, DE Fastlink, LLC is now approved as a designated Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC), which allows DE Fastlink to accept these federal funds. In the coming months, DE Fastlink will work to deploy high-speed internet and phone service to rural homes and small businesses who are currently unserved or underserved. “We are thankful to have received the RDOF funding for our members,” Dixie Electric General Manager Randy Smith said. Currently, DE Fastlink is serving more than 350 members with high-speed internet in south Jones County and northern Perry County. DE Fastlink will continue to install 3,000+ miles of a fiber optic cable network, expanding internet services to Dixie Electric’s members over the next four to five years. Mississippi was the second highest recipient of these funds with a total of 21 winning bidders Dixie Electric’s board members joined PSC Chairman Dane Maxwell and Dixie Electric General Manager Randy Smith for the signing designating DE Fastlink as of RDOF funds who will potentially receive a an Eligible Telecommuniations Carrier (ETC). Pictured right to left: Sears Ward, collective total of more than $495 million. Faye Bonner, Smith, Maxwell, Allen Sledge and Robert Smith

MONDAY, MAY 31 We honor those who courageously gave their lives in military service for the United States. Our business offices will be closed Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. Dixie Electric personnel will be on call throughout the holiday weekend.

Call 888-465-9209 to report a power outage.

Have a safe holiday weekend! 14 TODAY | MAY 2021

DE Fastlink releases map for deploying high-speed internet for 2021 The map provided (right), outlines the next areas where DE Fastlink will provide high-speed internet for the remainder of 2021. Notice that the legend lists the areas on the map by color and gives the target dates when service is expected to be available in that area. Please note that these are target dates. Outside factors, like receiving materials in a timely manner, extreme weather, etc., may affect the projected timeline. If you live within the red or pink target areas for 2021, please sign-up at DEFastlink.net for service. If you have previously preregistered for service, you will need to complete the sign-up process. In order to complete this process, you must set up a SmartHub account, which can be created at dixieepa.com or DEFastlink.net. If you live in an area marked, “coming soon,” please do not sign-up online yet. You will be alerted by mail and email when it is time for you to sign up.

Compare PRICE. Compare SPEED. Compare SERVICE. You’ll see there’s really NO COMPARISON.

DE Fastlink packages start at just $64.95 for 100 Mbps speed! High-speed internet from DE Fastlink is coming soon! Don’t sign a contract with any other service provider without comparing packages. DE Fastlink will give you blazing speed, great rates and a reliable network—all backed by local people you know and trust.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

Required tools and equipment for your project should be located within your workspace and organized for easy access.

16 TODAY | MAY 2021

to save energy at home When it’s time for a new roof, consider a “cool roof” for maximum energy savings. Cool roofs are lighter in color and can use reflective paint, highly reflective tiles or a reflective sheet covering, like the metal roof shown here. Photo Credit: McElroy Metal

by Maria Kanevsky What’s the next best thing to help reduce your energy needs? Many energy efficient technologies for the home are constantly changing and improving. As homeowners are looking for new ways to save energy at home, there are many cutting-edge technologies currently being developed to become the latest way to improve the efficiency of your home. Refrigerators are essential for any modern home, and they typically use a good deal of energy to properly cool your food. Reducing the amount of energy your refrigerator uses can help lower your home energy consumption. One emerging technology that can save energy is the magnetic refrigerator. Most refrigerators use a traditional compressor to cool perishables, but magnetic refrigerators use a magnetic field as an innovative way to cool food. This is possible through a phenomenon called the “magnetocaloric effect” which causes certain materials to cool down when a magnetic field is removed. This creates a more energy-efficient refrigerator, using approximately 30% less energy than traditional refrigerators. Magnetic refrigerators also remove the need for harmful chemicals used in traditional refrigerants, making them more environmentally friendly. There are a few magnetic refrigerators commercially available, however the market is still extremely limited. Researchers and universities are currently working to improve this technology, with the goal to make the commercial market for magnetic refrigerators more widespread. Air conditioners use a lot of energy to keep your home cool, particularly during summer months. When temperatures are highest, choosing the right roofing material can make a huge impact on how much heat your home absorbs. Certain types of roofing can reflect more sunlight than others, which can help to keep your home cooler, therefore reducing your need for air conditioning. These “cool roofs” are specifically designed to absorb less heat and reflect more sunrays than traditional roofs. Cool roofs are lighter in color and can use reflective paint, highly reflective tiles or a reflective sheet covering. There are several types of cool roofs commercially available, and choosing the right type partially depends on the steepness of your roof’s slope. Lowsloped roofs are better suited for reflective sheet membranes, while high-sloped roofs work better with reflective shingles and tiles. Although cool roofs can reduce heat, the overall heat savings you can achieve from roofing depends on home insulation,

climate and a few additional factors. If you’re considering a new roof for your home, a cool roof may be a great option to reduce energy use. If you’re looking to save energy in the laundry room, a heat pump clothes dryer can help reduce energy use by at least 28% compared to standard dryers. Instead of releasing warm and humid air through a vent outside the home, heat pump clothes dryers work by sending humid air through an evaporator that removes moisture without losing too much heat. Heat pump dryers do not require outside ventilation like standard dryers, which is a Magnetic refrigerators are an emerging technology, and major efficiency while they may look like conventional refrigerators, they use a “magnetocaloric effect” to cool food, making them 30% benefit. more energy efficient than their traditional counterparts. Additionally, since these dryers use lower temperatures, they are gentler on clothes. Several commercial brands like Whirlpool and Samsung sell ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump dryers, and the cost typically ranges from $900 to $1,500 depending on additional features. These emerging technologies are among the newest available to reduce your energy use at home, but because they are new, they will come with higher sticker prices than their conventional counterparts. As with any new technology, prices will become more affordable as these efficiency options become more mainstream. When considering new technologies, make sure you fully understand the costs and benefits over time to get the best value. Maria Kanevsky writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. MAY 2021 | TODAY 17

DeKalb 601-743-2641 • Louisville 662-773-5741 • Quitman 601-776-6271 • After-Hours Outages, Call 601-581-8600

MEMBER OWNED. LOCALLY OPERATED. THAT’S THE COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE.

Lessons learned from a pandemic A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO It is my sincere hope as you read this your life has returned to some normalcy following what has been a truly challenging year. When summer 2020 started, many of us expected the coronavirus pandemic to end with the summer heat. It did not and seemed to just keep building. When summer ended and school began, it continued to increase, finally peaking during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. While I know opinions about the pandemic range from one extreme to the other, one thing is certain, it has impacted us all in some way. It has been a challenging year trying to keep our employees healthy and ready to respond as needed to the storms that continued to impact us. I have seen friends lose loved ones to the virus. I know people that spent weeks in the hospital fighting for their lives. While the pandemic was a challenge, life continues to bring joy. My wife and I became grandparents again with the birth of a new granddaughter. We saw loving couples wed and children excel in their educations. Life has continued, and it is a blessing. And now there is much hope that this summer will be virusfree, filled with lazy summer evenings and fun activities. Many are tuning up the fishing boats and hitting the lake. Others will be heading back to the beach and mountains for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Kids will return to the ballfields to learn teamwork while parents and grandparents cheer them on. One of the things I have enjoyed during the pandemic has been curbside service. I like being able to order something online, park by the curb and have it delivered to my vehicle. It seems to take some of the stress out of mealtime for me. Another positive shift as a result of the pandemic has been

the use of Zoom for meetings. While I miss seeing my fellow utility workers at meetings, I don’t miss driving for four hours for a four-hour meeting and then driving four hours home. It has allowed me to focus more time on the day-to-day work here at East Mississippi Electric Power Association and East Mississippi Connect. The time saved from not traveling has certainly been useful as we created East Mississippi Connect. The development of the fiber project, setup of the business structure, accounting and finance framework and the organization of the buildout has been a time consumer for most of the EMEPA and EMC teams. It is so rewarding to see everyone work to build out the fiber system while still maintaining the EMEPA level of service you have come to expect from us. Much has been accomplished and much will be done in the coming years. Lastly, let me thank each of you for your words of encouragement for both the electric and broadband businesses. During the storms, you have lifted us with your positive comments on Facebook and cards mailed to the office. As we build this new broadband service, you have been patient and understanding with our growing pains. We are proud to be part of the communities we serve.

by Randy Carroll CEO — East Mississippi Electric Power Association

All EMEPA offices will be closed on Monday, May 10, to allow for our employees to attend an all-employee meeting. 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Required tools and equipment for your project should be located within your workspace and organized for easy access.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

Public Service Commission grants East Mississippi Connect Eligible Telecommunications Carrier status Bridging the digital divide in east Mississippi is now one step closer East Mississippi Electric Power Association is excited to announce that its fiber broadband subsidiary, East Mississippi Connect, was awarded Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) status by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. Public Service Commissioners Brandon Presley, Brent Bailey and Dane Maxwell officially signed the order in April, releasing $38.6 million from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) to East MS Connect. East MS Connect will use these funds to guarantee that broadband internet access is made available to rural homes and businesses that are currently unserved or underserved. For more than 80 years, EMEPA has provided reliable electric service to the region. But beginning last fall, the company expanded its services to offer broadband internet under the subsidiary East MS Connect. “The last year has been very difficult for all our members

14 TODAY | MAY 2021

and brought new and unprecedented challenges. Teleworking, telehealth services and remote learning are now essential. With the Commission granting East MS Connect ETC status, we can seek additional funding to offer high-speed broadband access to unserved communities that are in dire need of these services. It is all part of our commitment to empowering lives,” said EMEPA CEO Randy Carroll. East MS Connect is the only provider in the region offering a state-of-the-art, utilitygrade fiber network for its members. Thanks to a $6 million CARES Act grant, the initial buildout of this $113 million project spanning EMEPA’s entire service area is well underway.

For more information about East MS Connect, visit EastMSConnect.com.

STREAMING IS A SNAP with East Mississippi Connect’s lightning-fast internet

With East Mississippi Connect’s fast, fiber internet, you have the speed you need to stream your favorite music, television and games with ease. Our 100% fiber-to-the-home network allows you to stream seamlessly without buffering. With internet packages available up to 1 Gbps, East Mississippi Connect can support all of your devices at the same time. Not sure how to get started? It’s as easy as 1-2-3. First, make sure you have a streaming device. Smart TVs have builtin capabilities without the need for an additional streaming device. If you want to stream on a standard television, you need to purchase a separate device. Streaming devices such

as Roku and Amazon Fire TV Stick make that possible. Each device has different models and features. Second, choose your favorite streaming service. Most streaming platforms offer a free trial of up to 30 days. Beyond that, basic plans for Disney+, Hulu and Netflix are priced at under $10 per month, so you can try the service without a huge financial commitment. Finally, choose your favorite show on your streaming platform and enjoy! And if you get stuck, ask for help. Our friendly staff is ready to offer assistance on navigating this exciting new world of streaming.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Johnny Johnson, President • Mike Banks, Vice President • Marty Crowder, Secretary/Treasurer • Bill Bell • John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr. • Bruff Sanders • Kenneth Seitz

Tree trimming improves service for all One of the things I love best about our community is the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so many trees that offer beauty, shade and a habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife. We know that you appreciate our community for many of the same reasons. At 4-County Electric Power Association, we strive to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights-of-way (ROW). This includes our vegetation management plan. While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there are three main benefits to tree trimming in ROW areas. A right-of -way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Rights-of-way enable the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. The overall goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways. Safety First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power. Reliability Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Affordability As you know, 4-County is a not-forprofit cooperative, and that means we strive to keep our costs in check in order to keep our rates affordable. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. We appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability of the grid. Contact 4-County System Arborist Jonathan Howell, 1-800-431-1544 for more information.

by Brian Clark CEO/General Manager

Efficiency tips for outdoor shops and barns There are many benefits to having an energy efficient outdoor shop or barn. Aside from saving energy, an efficient outdoor building can keep the environment around your structure healthy and safe; save money on your power bill; keep your animals happier and healthier; and save you from costly structural repairs. Whether you are looking to build a new structure, or make changes to an existing structure, there are many ways you can make your outdoor shop or barn more energy efficient. Are you planning to build a new structure on your property? Follow these tips to achieve energy efficiency: • Location matters. If possible, carefully consider where you build your shop or barn. Consider drainage, sun exposure and how the building may affect your neighbors. • Start with a sustainable design plan. • If you are hiring a contractor to help build your structure, make sure you look for companies who specialize in energy efficient practices. • Choose efficient building methods. Follow these tips to make energy efficient upgrades to an existing structure: • Replace indoor lighting with energy efficient LED bulbs. • Ensure your existing structure has adequate insulation levels. • Choose outdoor lighting designed to be energy efficient and install motion detectors to reduce energy consumption when not in use. • Plant trees around your metal shed or barn.

Annual meeting online; gift bags can be picked up

4-County Electric Power Association officials are asking members to participate in the co-op’s annual meeting June 3 by watching the event online. However, co-op officials are inviting members to stop by the Corporate Center, 5265 Frontage Road in Mayhew, from 9 to 11 a.m. that day, to receive information and gift bags (while supplies last). Members must bring a copy of their bill to receive a gift bag. No food will be served this year. Members can tune in to the virtual business meeting at noon. From 9 to 11 a.m., officials will distribute the gift bags and hand out information on FASTnet (4-County’s broadband subsidiary company) and the co-op to members who come to the Corporate Center. Officials are asking members to enter 4-County’s Corporate Center via the center entrance of co-op property. Employees will be on hand to direct traffic and answer questions. Once in the line, members will drive through the directed route, pick up their bags, and exit the 4-County campus without ever having to leave their cars. The meeting will be streamed live on 4-County’s Facebook page/YouTube and on the co-op’s website, too. As the event gets closer, 4-County will continue to provide members via Facebook and the 4-County website instructions on how to participate in the annual meeting. Once again, the annual grand prize truck giveaway will be part of the meeting. All 4-County members will be eligible for the grand prize, the credits and a variety of prizes. Members do not have to participate in the drive-through to win. The business portion of the meeting is set for noon. Financial and manage-

ment reports, along with the election of three Association directors, will be given. Incumbent directors Kenneth Seitz of Starkville for District 2, Oktibbeha County; Bruff Sanders of West Point for District 3, Clay and Monroe counties, and Jay Gilliland of Mathiston for District 6, Chickasaw and Webster counties, are up for reelection. The current board members’ names were placed in nomination by the association’s nominating committee at its March meeting. In accordance with the association’s bylaws, the candidates’ names were placed in nomination for election to three-year terms, beginning June 3 at the cooperative’s annual membership meeting. Ballot/proxies will be mailed by May 4 to all 4-County members. The deadline for returning ballot/proxies is noon, May 28, six days prior to the annual membership meeting, June 3, at noon. Members can return their proxy/ballots by mail or go online to cast votes for board of directors. When the annual meeting notice and ballot arrives at member homes this month, it will include instructions on how to cast a vote online instead of returning a paper ballot. The online voting option will feature easy-to-use instructions and candidate biographies and has the option to alert members when their votes have been successfully submitted for counting. Members may receive an election reminder by e-mail. Members who vote by proxy or online could win one of three $1,000 electric credits. For more information on the 4-County annual meeting, call 1-800-431-1544 and ask for the marketing department.

GRAND PRIZE!

4-County Electric Power Association Annual Meeting Thursday, June 3, 2021

ONLINE Here’s a snapshot of this year’s

ANNUAL MEETING: • Members can pick up gift bags at a drive-through route at the 4-County Corporate Center in Mayhew from 9 to 11 a.m. • Members can view the business portion of the annual meeting online at noon. Three incumbent directors are up for reelection. • Door prizes, including the grand prize truck giveaway, will be announced online. You don’t have to be part of the drive-through to win.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

4-County employees saluted for years of service With 490 years of service in a wide variety of specialized jobs, 18 cooperative employees are being honored this month. The cooperative is honoring those achieving years of service milestones.

Albert Jethrow Columbus Senior Service Coordinator

Bob Edwards Meter Services Supervisor

Al Ellis Lead

Dolly Fulgham

Apparatus Mechanic

Technical Assistant

Gene Holley

Gary Johnson

Dale Reid

Randy Tennyson Area

Substation and Apparatus Supervisor

Manager of Maintenance and Service

Staking Technician

Construction Coordinator

14 TODAY | MAY 2021

Shelia Smith Marketing

Paul Vickers

George Jones

Jeff Welford

Services Specialist

Engineer Technician

Journeyman Lineman

Staking Technician

Brent Lochala

Barry Morgan

Tim Adkins

Brian Clark

Key Accounts Executive

Journeyman Lineman

Heavy Construction Foreman

Chief Executive Officer

Thank you

for your years of service! Dawn Peay Consumer Support Representative

Jason Sellers Journeyman Lineman

MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

shining bright in Golden Triangle 4-County Electric Power Association joins the Golden Triangle in recognizing PACCAR’s Columbus-based engine factory for 10 years of manufacturing excellence and a strong commitment to surrounding communities. The $400-million plant took three years to build and had about 75 employees when it opened in 2010 at the Lowndes County Industrial Park on Highway 82 west of Columbus, plant manager Andy Appel said. Now it has about 550 employees. The factory has produced more than 250,000 PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines to date and produced 12 engines per day when it opened. Now, it produces more than 100 per day, plant communications manager Mike Arzamendi said. 4-County, often in conjunction with the Tennessee Valley Authority, has assisted PACCAR with a variety of energy efficiency and lighting projects, leading to substantial discounts, industrial and commercial rebates and power savings. “We are very thankful for our working relationship with PACCAR,” said 4-County CEO Brian Clark. “PACCAR is a valuable component in our area’s industrial footprint and is an excellent customer. We share a commitment to quality and service for the surrounding communities. Congratulations to a wonderful organization on achieving a monumental milestone of excellence,” Clark added. Appel said good business relationships, like the one PACCAR has with 4-County, are a key for any successful venture. “Thank you 4-County Electric for your support and partnership over the years,” the PACCAR official said. “You have contributed to our success in various plant projects and relationship with TVA. As we continue to celebrate our next 10 years of operation, we know that you’ll be one of our valued partners on our journey.” 16 TODAY | MAY 2021

PACCAR is a global company with about 28,000 employees worldwide and serving roughly 100 countries, he said. Its truck companies, Peterbilt and Kenworth, have manufacturing plants throughout the United States, including Kenworth plants in California and Ohio and a Peterbilt plant in Texas. PACCAR chose to locate the engine plant in Columbus over anywhere else in the country due to what it saw as a promising workforce that was “ready and willing to step up to the plate,” Arzamendi said. Proximity to three institutions of higher education was also a draw. A groundbreaking ceremony in 2007 marked the start of construction for the facility. The innovative factory design and industry-leading operations have resulted in many honors for manufacturing excellence and environmental impact over the last decade, such as zero-waste-to-landfill, and ISO 14000 environmental management and ISO 9001-TS quality management certifications. Additional investments in factory enhancements and production capacity have positioned the plant to meet engine demand over the next decade. PACCAR established close ties with colleges in the area including Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College to help develop a strong local pool of highly skilled employees. “Congratulations to the PACCAR engine factory and its tremendous, dedicated employees who have supported Kenworth fleets and truck operators with PACCAR MX engines for the past decade,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “The factory has played a major role in Kenworth’s growth by providing fuel-efficient engines for our customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

P.J. Hughes makes the right moves All across the country, fathers are taking big steps for their little girls who love to dance. 4-County Electric Power Association’s P.J. Hughes is no different. The IT administrator is high stepping his way to the much-coveted title of Dance Dad. “I’m finding out more about dance than I ever though I would. It’s a great way to bond with your daughter,” P.J. explained. Although P.J. is a dedicated Alabama Crimson Tide fan, he is quick to acknowledge its proper place in the dad hierarchy. “Being a Dance Dad is my most important hobby.” P.J.’s daughter Skylar, 8, began dance training three years ago. Today, she travels around the state, region and nation as part of Wherehouse Dance Company’s competition team. P.J. and his wife, Jessica, are not just along for the ride. “We travel where the competition takes us. The other dance parents and kids have become our second family.” The Ethelsville, Alabama, native joined the 4-County family as a system programmer on June 14, 2004. Prior to 4-County, he worked as a programmer at East Mississippi Community College. P.J. has associate degrees in computer programming and computer networking. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business analysis with an emphasis in project management from Bellevue University. The Hughes family lives in Caledonia. They are members of

Sunday Local Church in Columbus, where he is active in the production and audio/video/lighting ministry. He serves on 4-County’s Wellness Committee. At the co-op, P.J. enjoys everyday challenges. “Technology is always changing. There are always new developments,” he said. “And we interact with every aspect of 4-County on a daily basis.” 4-County, he explained, is on the cutting edge of industry technology. “We offer the technology to employees that they need to perform their jobs better and more efficiently.” P.J. enjoys being part of an organization that shines so bright. “We are a beacon in the community,” he said of 4-County. “4-County has a good name. People respect us and respect what we do. We are looking for ways to give back to the communities that we serve.”

Two new employees join 4-County, FASTnet team Two new employees have recently joined the 4-County Electric Power Association team. Marcus Purnell, originally from Winona, will serve as an Apprentice Lineman 4 on Tim Adkins’ Corporate Center Construction Crew. Prior to 4-County, Marcus worked as an Apprentice Lineman for Irby Construction. He is a graduate of the Holmes Community College Lineman Training Program.

In his spare time, Marcus enjoys spending time with his son, Judah Mac Purnell, 2. Mitch Barrentine of Columbus has recently joined FASTnet, 4-County’s broadband subsidiary company, as a Fiber Technician. He and his wife, Nicole, have two sons, Dax, 13, and Brister, 11. Prior to 4-County, Mitch worked as a service technician for AT&T. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and baseball.

Marcus Purnell

Mitch Barrentine

Apprentice Lineman 4

FASTnet Fiber Technician

Welcome to the 4 County family! MAY 2021 | TODAY 17

P: 3027 HIGHWAY 98 WEST, SUMMIT 39666 | M: P.O. BOX 747, McCOMB 39649

www.MEPCoop.com

| REPORT OUTAGES 601-684-4011 | PAY BY PHONE 1-877-779-7740

and Twitter

Severe weather event leads to major outages A severe storm passed through the MEP service area late Friday night/early Saturday morning, April 9-10, that left the cooperative with well over 8,200 outages. The storm brought devastation with high winds and rain. The National Weather Service in Jackson declared an EF-1 tornado passed through Lincoln County (see story on the next page for more information). MEP crews began responding to the outages in the early morning hours. Additional rain and wind struck southwest Mississippi during the night. The MEP linemen found quite a number of trees, located outside the right-of-way (ROW), had fallen onto power lines due to the high winds. MEP has maintained an aggressive ROW program through the years, however, the cooperative cannot stop a tree from outside the ROW limits if it falls on the lines and causes an outage. An unusual outage for our area was caused by flooding waters washing out a power pole in the Amite county area. Regardless of what caused the outages, MEP linemen and MEP contract crews immediately began working on power restoration efforts. As the reports came in on Day 1, more help was sought and by Day 2, extra help was brought in from Southern Pine Electric, Dixie Electric and East Mississippi Electric. Day 3 started with 46 outages, but from reports MEP knew these outages would take an extended amount of time to get restored, most estimated to take a minimum of three to four hours. An interesting story MEP shared on Facebook included pictures posted from Pillars Trail in the Bogue Chitto area 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

and is now included in this story. The Pillars Trail outage is one of the examples of the Day 3 outage that took extra time due to the area being “swampy,” or underwater. Even after two days of sunshine, the crews were working in water up to their calves as they labored to get the power restored. The power line was initially torn down by a tree, outside the right-of-way, that fell across the power lines pulling down two spans of single phase line. It took the crew three hours to restore power and only then it was to reenergize seven meters. Even so, we do want our members to know that those seven meters were just as important to us as any other outage. The MEP storm team worked long hours on this storm’s power restoration efforts as they do when any kind of storm passes through our service area. At 6:20 p.m. on Day 3, April 12, MEP had all the meters that could receive power reenergized. We want to thank all our members for their patience during this weather event.

The National Weather Service in Jackson has confirmed that four tornadoes touched down in central and south Mississippi during the storms on April 9-10. • An EF-1 tornado touched down in Kosciusko at 8:04 p.m. • A second EF-1 tornado touched down in Lincoln County. This tornado touched down at 11:37 p.m. and was on the ground for nine minutes, traveling 4.4 miles. The peak wind speed was estimated at 95 mph • A third EF-1 tornado touched down after midnight, at 12:31 a.m. in Marion County and was on the ground for 7.77 miles, a total of nine minutes. Estimated peak winds for this tornado were 105 mph. • A fourth EF-0 tornado was reported near Pelahatchie at 8:27 p.m. Damaged caused by strong winds and hail were reported.

2021 board elections held

Due to the continued issues surrounding COVID-19, and for the health concerns of our members and employees, Magnolia Electric Power’s 2021 Annual Meeting was canceled. However, the MEP Board elections were held. Election results The 2021 Annual Meeting proxies, which were returned to Miller and Company, an independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm first, were counted and certified by the firm before being turned over to the MEP Elections and Credential Committee. The Elections and Credential Committee, comprised of one appointed MEP member for the six districts not up for election, met on Monday, March 22, 2021, and validated the proxies for the board elections. “At the April 2021 MEP board meeting, the board voted the proxies assigned to them and John McCabe, District 2, Pat Ard, District 5, Hollis Alford, District 7, were elected for another three years for their respective districts,” said General Manager Darrell Smith. Also at the April board Meeting, Mark Biggs, auditor and

Proxy winners announced On March 25, 2021, the day the Annual Meeting was scheduled to be held, MEP held a drawing for the winners who sent in their proxies. The video of the drawing is on Facebook for anyone who wants to watch the event. The proxy winners, who have been notified by mail, include: $500 winner, J.D. Holmes; and $50 winners, Lee Barkdull, Randall Coker, Margaret Laird, Rutland Farm and Donna Wallace. Each of the proxies’ winners received a credit on their Magnolia Electric Power accounts.

partner at Corbin Biggs PLLC, informed the directors that MEP remains in sound financial condition. “On April 9, 2021, we presented the audited financial statements to the Magnolia Electric Power Association’s Board of Directors. Our opinion on the financial statements was unmodified as was our opinion on Magnolia Electric Power’s compliance with major federal programs. No deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal control were reported,” Biggs said in a statement to the MEP members. “We appreciate everyone’s patience during this difficult time. We have kept the power on through some quite trying times during 2020, including tornadoes in the spring, a hurricane in the fall and an ice storm in February 2021,” Smith said, “We look forward to having a normal Annual Meeting in 2022.”

MEP RECIPIENT OF MISSISSIPPI BLOOD SERVICES AWARD MEP was recently honored to receive the Mississippi Blood Services Top 20 of 2020 for the state of Mississippi in blood drives. Manager of Human Resources Heather Atwood (right), who schedules the local blood drives, holds the award. This award was given for the blood donations of not only MEP employees, but members of our community, also. Magnolia Electric is honored that we can offer local blood drives. MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

VERSION #______________ RON Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested STEVEN Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested CHAD Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested ELISSA Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested CHRIS Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested ARTIST ___________ Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested

April 9-10 severe weather outbreak

AMORY – P.O. BOX 300 - 50408 GREENBRIAR ROAD – 662-256-2962 • CALEDONIA – 746 MAIN STREET – 662-356-4100

Required tools and equipment for your project should be located within your workspace and organized for easy access.

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Revisions Requested Approved

CHAD Date_____ Revisions Requested Approved

STEVEN Date_____ Revisions Requested

VERSION #______________

RON Date_____

One of the things we love best about our community is the can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those natural beauty that surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity many trees that offer beauty, shade and a habitat for all sorts can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen of birds and other wildlife. We know that you appreciate our branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more community for many of the same reasons. complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power. At Monroe County Electric Power Association, we strive to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in RELIABILITY rights-of-way (ROW). Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming are three main benefits to tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines in ROW areas. However, before touchcausing power outages. Generally speaking on the main reasons, let us explain ing, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, what a “right-of-way” is and how it may and clear lines don’t cause problems. impact you. A right-of-way is the land Proactive trimming and pruning keeps we use to construct, maintain, replace or lines clear to promote reliability. repair underground and overhead power We also use data and technology to maximize the efficiency of our operation. lines. Rights-of-way enable the co-op to This includes a vegetation management provide clearance from trees and other plan. obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operaAFFORDABILITY tion. ROW areas are typically on public As you know, Monroe County Electric lands or located near a business or is a not-for-profit cooperative, and that home. Regardless, Monroe County Electric must be able to maintain the power ROW maintenance allows the co-op to control the foliage means we strive to keep our costs in around the power lines that could potentially cause major check in order to keep our rates affordable. lines above and below the ROW. The outages during weather events. This extends to our approach to vegetation overall goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to our members while management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways. and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone. SAFETY Our community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty First and foremost, we care about our members and put their trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to safety and that of our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they weather events and secure the reliability of our service.

Approved

Tree trimming improves service for all

MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

For more information about Today in Mississippi, contact Michael Bellipanni at 662.895.2151. northcentralelectric.com

NorthcentralEC

@Northcentral_EC

A message from your CEO As we ease into May, I look forward to warmer temperatures and longer days. I’m hopeful that the cool spell in mid-April was the last, and the artic freeze of February is a distant memory. I am reminded of how well our distribution system operated during this period and some of the many reasons it did. Keeping our overhead lines free of tree limbs is a prime example of how Northcentral members experienced few outages during the snow, ice and severe weather our community experienced in February and March. As vegetation grows this summer you’ll see our contract crews maintaining these areas. Although it may be frustrating to have these crews trimming trees on your property, we must remember the necessity of this maintenance and how it pays off during rounds of extreme weather. These individuals do a thankless job, and for that I thank them. In May, we also celebrate National Electric Safety Month. While we strive to maintain a culture of safety all year, May is when we place emphasis on keeping not just our employees, but our entire community safe. 100% of the rules, 100% of the employees, 100% of the community, 100% of the time.

While your mind is on safety you may want to consider protecting your home with a home security system. If a lack of high-speed internet is keeping you from considering this technology, check out Northcentral Connect’s website. It won’t be long before we’ll be opening new phases of fiber-to-thehome construction. At Northcentral, we perform a multiple and diverse number of tasks in an effort to enhance the value of our community. Whether it’s reliability, safety or new service, we are constantly attempting to discover those innovative solutions and work with the attitude of continuous improvement to improve the quality of life in our community. Be safe.

by Kevin Doddridge General Manager/CEO

MONDAY, MAY 31 We honor those who courageously gave their lives. Our business office will be closed on Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend.

Call 662-895-2151 to report and outage or to make payments.

Have a safe holiday weekend!

May is National Electric Safety Month, and Northcentral Electric Cooperative wants you to safely enjoy the beautiful spring weather. After a challenging winter for many, it is great to leave the cold weather behind us and enjoy the change in seasons. The mild spring temperatures bring thoughts of beautiful lawns, DIY home improvements or repairs and family vacations. Northcentral Electric Cooperative delivered over 1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity to more than 33,000 members last year. Day or night, in all types of weather and conditions, your dedicated cooperative employees worked over 200,000 hours without a lost-time incident. A culture of SAFETY and a commitment to ZERO INCIDENTS guides our work practices and procedures. Northcentral’s culture of safety extends to our members as well. While working in the yard, improving your home or property, or just enjoying a well-deserved vacation, please consider the following safety tips: PREPAREDNESS — Make sure your family has a plan in the event of an emergency or severe weather. Keep a couple of days’ supply of bottled water, first-aid supplies and be sure to charge those cell phone and laptop batteries! DOWNED POWER LINES — Always assume downed lines are live. Stay at least 35 feet away from any downed line and never attempt to drive over one. Always report a downed line to your cooperative or call 911. GENERATORS — Never operate a generator inside your home, including the garage. Always make sure your generator is properly grounded. Do not attempt to refuel a generator while it is running or hot.

OVERLOADING OUTLETS — Never plug too many tools or appliances into one outlet. Extension cords should be used temporarily and only for their rated use inside or outdoors. DIY SAFETY — If a project is above your skill level, call a professional. Always turn off the power to the electrical circuit you plan to work on. Test the wires before you touch them to make sure the power is off. POWER TOOLS — Do not use a power tool with an extension cord that exceeds 100-feet. Never use a power tool without the proper guards. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use of the power tool. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) — Always wear the recommended PPE or safety gear for the tool you are using. Also wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the job you are doing. As spring draws to a close, schools will be out for the summer. While we will all enjoy the break in traffic on our roads, our neighborhoods will be active with kids at play. Let’s all be safe and use extra caution as we drive to and from work. If you have any questions about electrical safety or would like to schedule a group safety demonstration, please contact us at 662-895-2151. For more safety information, please go to Electrical Safety Foundation International (esfi.org) or the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (msema.org).

by JD Cox Director, Safety & Loss Control

Our safety extends to you

Protect your home with high-speed internet As we continue to explore the benefits of high-speed internet services offered by Northcentral Connect, I want to get a little personal. On February 28, my son was born. As a first-time parent, I have all the new-dad worries. Am I doing this right? What am I missing in caring for my child? Am I keeping my child safe? My wife and I started discussing home security once we found out that we were expecting. Today, I can say that my home holds five security cameras, always watching over our home. Thanks to high-speed internet, I have the ability to watch any of those cameras at any time, no matter where I am. So, I wanted to share my experiences with you, the Northcentral member. There are a number of home-security systems available to you ranging from $300-$1,500 at major retailers like Best Buy, Target and Home Depot. Thanks to Wi-Fi, most of these cameras and doorbells can be installed with minimal wiring and hardware installation. However, if you are like me and not as handy, many security services will offer installation for a discounted fee or even free with subscription. Our experience was with ADT Home Security. We purchased a $1,000 system, and a professional came to our home twice for installation and a follow-up. Our system includes two exterior security cameras, one Ring camera doorbell, an alarm system with connections to our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, along with sensors on doors and windows on our first floor. The cost from ADT for all of this monitoring? Less than $70 per month. My favorite feature of these camera setups is the ability to connect to Wi-Fi. When at work, I can pull up my smartphone and access any of these cameras. I can also arm and disarm my security system wherever I am. Your smartphone app can also send

you notifications when the system is armed and even if someone is at your door. The Ring doorbell allows you to talk to the person at the door and even unlock the door for them remotely if they’re someone you’re expecting. This comes in handy in case someone is housesitting for you. In preparation for my son’s arrival, my wife and I began the nesting process with our little nursery next to our bedroom. One of the must-have items on our list was a baby monitor. Being the nerd that I am, I found the coolest baby monitor that included two cameras complete with microphones and speakers. For less than $200, we purchased the Vtech Digital Video Monitor system. Not only will these cameras connect to my home’s Wi-Fi, but I can also pan, tilt and zoom each camera from wherever I am and even listen in and talk to my son while he’s in his crib. The video received on my phone is usually in 720p high-definition. The cameras at home required no professional installation, are lightweight and sit on two shelves in the nursery. A quick, funny story: I was showing off this system to a friend and pulled up the video in real time to see my wife’s cat hanging out in my son’s crib. Thanks to the sound capabilities of this system, I was able to “hiss” him out of the crib (see left photo). Security has been the biggest concern for the past week for me (as of this writing, my son is eight days old). So, I wanted to share this experience with those who are just another step closer to improving their internet speeds at home. Northcentral Connect subscribers now receiving services are beginning to realize their capabilities with ultra-fast internet speeds. As we connect more members, we’ll continue to highlight some of these opportunities in the coming months.

by Justin Jaggers Media Specialist

Disclaimer: This article is not an endorsement of a product or service other than those offered by Northcentral Electric Cooperative or Northcentral Connect.

14 TODAY | MAY 2021

Vegetation management improves service for all One of the things we love best about our community is the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so many trees that offer beauty, shade and a habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife. We know that you appreciate our community for many of the same reasons. At Northcentral Electric Cooperative, we strive to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights-of-way (ROW). While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there are three main benefits to tree trimming in ROW areas. However, before touching on the main reasons, let us explain what a rightof-way is and how it may impact you. A right-of-way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Rights-of-way enable the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. ROW areas are located on both public and private lands and may route cross country or be located near a business or home. Regardless, Northcentral must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the ROW. Today, this maintenance is called vegetation management because it is no longer just trimming or removing trees. It now includes the use of a responsible herbicide program to slow or stop invasive vegetation such as kudzu. We also now employ the use of tree growth regulators to slow the growth of trees rather than trimming, which results in fuller foliage and better tree health. The overall goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways.

SAFETY First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to our lineworker, especially at night or during inclement weather. If trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby “conductor” like a tree. A proactive approach also

minimizes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.

RELIABILITY Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines prevent problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keeps lines clear to promote reliability. We also use data and technology to maximize the efficiency of our operation. This is the basis for a vegetation management plan that Northcentral adopted over three years ago with the goal of reestablishing the 10-foot right of way clearance of all lines from the ground to the sky. In the past, vegetation was lightly trimmed, which often led to yearly visits to trim again. Our work today should result in maintenance of the ROW every three to five years.

AFFORDABILITY As you know, Northcentral is a not-for-profit cooperative, and that means we strive to keep our costs down to keep our rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone. Vegetation management is an investment, so it is important to partner with good contractors and negotiate rates that enable them to maintain a reliable and capable workforce. Our community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future weather events and secure the reliability of our service.

by Larry Johnson Director, Engineering & Operations

MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

North East Mississippi ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION For more information about Today in Mississippi, contact Marlin Williams or Tracie Russell at 662-234-6331

nemepa.org

NEMEPA

@NorthEastPower

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER/CEO In my last few CEO articles in Today in Mississippi, I have discussed in much detail about our NE SPARC subsidiary fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) company. We are enthusiastic that we have been able to secure grant funding and begin offering high-speed internet at a much quicker rate than we had originally anticipated. Bridging the digital divide has been a mission of ours since the Legislature passed the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act in 2019, allowing electric cooperatives to build smart grid networks and sell broadband services. Our legislature has recognized that quality internet service should be done in a more cooperative way. Much of the same spirit that allowed us to offer electricity in the 1930s has allowed us to once again provide a quality of life service for our rural residents. Because of these initiatives, many of our residents are already enjoying the same level of internet service as residents in large cities. I’ve been extremely pleased to see how many of our Mississippi cooperatives are entering into the broadband business. Collectively, we serve electricity to more than 75% of Mississippi’s landmass, and we look forward to the day when much of our state will be connected to fiber. The eagerness of cooperatives to be on the precipice of history amazes me. These efforts will give Mississippi residents the ability to compete on a global economic scale. The local businesses in our community are providing much of the jobs and workforce. We have many service companies and products that are being made in our rural areas, and there’s a desire to move more work to these areas. We will highlight several of our small businesses in the next few issues of Today in Mississippi and we encourage you to take advantage of their services by supporting local shopping. We have heard much praise from our communities about our electric and broadband services. We are hearing stories from

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

people that our high-speed connectivity is changing their lives and businesses. Hearing these stories is satisfying and rewarding, but though we have come along way, we know we still have a way to go. With more than 15% of our membership connected, we know the frustrations of those who don’t yet have the service. We want you to know that we are coming, and we appreciate your patience. I would like to remind our membership that even though we are excited about these new opportunities, we must not forget the core of our business — our electric cooperative. I want to thank our linemen, right-of-way crews, servicemen and employees who were involved in making sure that we kept the power on during the polar vortex that we experienced in late February. With extreme cold temperatures, snow and ice, we were fortunate to have had minimal outages. Linemen often work in challenging conditions and they are dedicated to our membership. We recently celebrated Lineman Appreciation Day on April 12. We spent the day as a cooperative family eating lunch together and participating in fun activities. When the day was over, our “Lights Out” softball team won their game 25-4, making the day even more special. We are proud that many of our employees were there to support our team. We have many exciting things happening here at North East Power, but always remember, we are here to serve our membership. YOU are the heart of what we do!

by Keith Hayward General Manager/CEO

With NE SPARC internet you can eliminate your existing home phone service! When you add taxes and service fees most providers charge over $30 per month for basic line telephone service. With NE SPARC’s lightning fast and reliable internet, simply tie your existing cellular phone to your NE SPARC provided wireless router and get excellent cellular coverage throughout your home! No need for those land line fees anymore!

North East Power celebrated

Lineman Appreciation Day on April 12

If you were asked to associate an image or a person with North East Power, we bet you would picture a lineman. Some of the most visible employees of the co-op, linemen work tirelessly to ensure our community receives uninterrupted power 24/7. “Lineman” is listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S. This is understandable as they perform detailed tasks near high-voltage power lines. Regardless of the time of day, having to brave stormy weather and other challenging conditions, linemen must climb 40 feet in the air, often carrying heaving equipment to get the job done. Being a lineman is not a glamorous or easy profession. It takes years of specialized training, ongoing education, dedication, and equally important, a sense of service and commitment. How else can you explain the willingness to leave the comfort

of your home to tackle a challenging job in difficult conditions, when most are sheltering comfortably at home? This dedication and sense of service to the community is truly what sets them apart. Our dedicated and beloved linemen are proud to represent North East Power, and they deserve all the appreciation and accolades that come their way. We recently celebrated our lineman with a Lineman Appreciation Day luncheon and had a full day of fun activities. Our “Lights Out” team also had a victory on the softball field that night. We hope you’ll remember that you have a dedicated team of professionals working behind the scenes at the co-op whose commitment to service runs deep.

#ThankALineman MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

Membership and small businesses are important to cooperatives. It’s the focus of our organization. In the next few issues of Today in Mississippi magazine, North East Power will highlight small businesses that contribute to our communities. We hope that you enjoy reading about some of the business owners in our communities.

Liggins has an entrepreneur spirit Henry Liggins is an Oxford native and attended Oxford High School. After graduation, he attended Mississippi Valley State University, where he played baseball for the Delta Devils. After college, Liggins worked for, and later owned the local Bonanza Steak House. After its closing, he began a new business in the late 1990s and began washing cars. That business grew into Ultimate Auto, which is now located on Highway 7 in Oxford. Ultimate Auto is a full detail car business that sells tires and rims. Liggins still maintains his car detailing business from his storefront and offers on-site detailing. His passion for detail makes his business a huge success with Oxford locals. As a small business owner, Liggins employees five full-time employees and keeps detailers on staff as well. Liggins learned early on about the value of ownership. “I learned a lot about owning a business when I owned Bonanza,” said Liggins. “It was certainly a learning experience to be so young and own a business and have to manage people and learn about financials. But I knew I would always work for myself.” As an avid Ole Miss fan, Liggins’ son recently graduated from the university with a degree in engineering. His family still cheers on the team whenever they have a chance, and he is proud of his local community and the college that has put the community on the map. He’s even adorned his business’ walls with Ole Miss fanfare. One thing Liggins and North East Power share is understanding the value of community. Though Liggins has built a successful business, he knows his local community is what powers his success. “My relationship with North East Power began many years ago,” he said. “I know some of the workers from school and they really helped me out when I was moving my business from North Lamar to Highway 7. We are definitely excited about NE SPARC coming to our area. It will make a huge difference in our business operations. As of now, our customer payments 14 TODAY | MAY 2021

often times don’t reach the bank for a week because of the internet speeds. We just appreciate North East Power and NE SPARC for being community minded.” It is members like Henry Liggins and his local business that drive North East Power to continue working hard at improving our electric cooperative and fiber-to-the-home technologies.

by Elissa Fulton Mississippi-made is a theme we are extremely proud of here in our southern state. Mississippi has some of the most talented artists that sell their products from coast to coast. For Daryl and Brent Weathers of the Etta Community, that is what they are most proud of with their Etta B Pottery. Brent has always been an artist. As a creative person, she had always dabbled with original projects. As a Mississippi transplant, she didn’t really understand the affection that Mississippians have for pottery, until her mother suggested she try making it. After some research into the industry, she decided to make a go of it. She happened to know some church friends who were potters and had decided to retire. She approached them about purchasing some of their equipment. The family was very encouraging and helped the Weathers through the entire process. It wasn’t long before they were perfecting their own unique pottery style. The Mississippi Market, which is held annually at the end of summer, was a game-changer for Etta B Pottery. “I knew that I would never have gone door-to-door to sell our pottery,” said Brent. “That first market our family was grateful for the warm reception by so many stores that began carrying our pottery and some of those stores still sell our pottery today — thirteen years later. We are so appreciative of this opportunity that Mississippi provides to local artists.” Today, the Weathers have vastly expanded their operations. They moved from a small country home once used to house their business, to a 6,000-square-foot-warehouse. Their business has come a long way since the days of bumping into each other in that small house with pottery kilns lining the front porch. But one thing has not changed; every piece of pottery is still handmade and hand painted. In fact, one piece of pottery goes through 21 sets of hands in the warehouse before it is shipped to local distributors. Though the Weathers have built a great business, it’s family that is most important to them. “Family time is super important to us and for

everyone that works for us. We are all like family here and we have such a talented team who are the heartbeat of what goes on here.” Family is the main theme of the business and it’s where the name comes from — the Etta Community where they live combined with both of their children’s names. Both of their children’s talents have played a huge role in the business. It’s a perfect name for a great family business. The Weathers and their Etta B Pottery are proud North East Power members. “My husband can name all of the men from North East who work out here,” said Brent. “They are really good to us. We use a lot of electricity, and without their help we never could have expanded like we have. And the SPARC fiber service has been amazing for our business. We do everything with computers, and it’s made a huge difference. Who would have ever thought out here in this small community that we would have access to fiber?” North East Power is honored to have small businesses like Etta B Pottery who provide economic prosperity in our communities and who offer products to consumers around the country.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

PAY BILLS or REPORT OUTAGES: 855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) COLUMBIA: 601-736-2666 | HATTIESBURG: 601-264-2458 | PURVIS: 601-794-8051 | WIGGINS: 601-928-7277 Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference. • Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com

Big news from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association We are excited to announce our building plans for the first phase of our fiber-to-the-home network! Please be assured that our PRVEPA and PearlComm teams are working tirelessly to complete the necessary design and construction required to deliver these services as quickly as we can. Sometimes weather or other factors may impact our plans, but we will continue to communicate with our membership about any changes to the schedule. With design well underway, construction will soon get started in the first areas of Phase 1. This schedule is intended to provide an outline for the next several months based on the most current assessment of our project and is subject to change. Below are the substations for phase one. The construction areas are highlighted on the map on the opposite page. Foxworth/South Columbia: We are beginning mainline construction in summer 2021. The build phase is expected to be complete by the end of Q4 2021 and the first installations are expected to start in September 2021. Columbia: Mainline construction is expected to begin late summer 2021 and be completed by the end of Q1 2022.

construction process, visit the Help Center at PRVEPA.com to read the Broadband FAQs. As each substation begins makeready construction and fiber installation, you can expect to see crews from Osmose, MDR, Conexon and Ervin Cable Construction, LLC (ECC) on your land and in your area working on the project. How can you let us know you’re interested in our blazing-fast broadband services? The best way to stay in the know is to preregister with PearlComm Fiber at PEARLCOMMFIBER.net to be notified by email of construction updates and when service will be available in your area. Preregistering is not a commitment to subscribe to our service; it just keeps you up to date on what is coming next. Even if your community is not in the first phase of the project, we encourage you to sign up and let us know you are interested. From all of us at Pearl River Valley EPA and PearlComm, thank you for your enthusiasm and your patience as our broadband project unfolds. We are excited to take this step in improving communications and reliability across our electric system and for the opportunities high-speed fiber internet will provide for members. Follow us on social media for more information and feel free to reach out with questions anytime.

Maxie: Mainline construction is expected to begin in early 2022 and be completed by the end of Q3 2022. The process of building a fiber-to-the-home network is complex, and all areas to be served go through several phases of design and construction. To learn more about the fiber 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

by Matthew Ware CEO/General Manager

MONDAY, MAY 31 We honor those who courageously gave their lives. All Pearl River Valley Electric offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers will be available. Report outages by calling 855-2PRVEPA.

FIRST PHASE

Fiber-to-the-home service area map 0

2.5

10 Miles

Pearl River Valley EPA 2021 Fiber Service Area- Phase I

49 £ ¤

Columbia

Foxworth

South Columbia

49 £ ¤

Maxie

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

Required tools and equipment for your project should be located within your workspace and organized for easy access.

14 TODAY | MAY 2021

over the course of more than The Mississippi Departtwo years. MDAH sought guidment of Archives and History ance in preparing the remains (MDAH) has transferred for reburial, which will take the remains of 403 Native place this year. Americans and 83 lots “The Chickasaw Nation has of burial objects to the developed a strong working Chickasaw Nation. relationship with MDAH as This is the largest return a result of this repatriation,” of human remains in MissisAmber Hood, director of Historic sippi history, and the first for MDAH, according to a news Photo courtesy of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Communications and Commu- Preservation & Repatriation, nity Development. The Chickasaw Nation, said in release. “This repatriation is a huge milestone for our institution and the release. “Caring for our ancestors is extremely important to us, and we appreciate the dedication and transparency their our Tribal partners,” MDAH Director Katie Blount said in the restaff has shown throughout the consultation process.” lease. “We are committed to the repatriation of human remains and cultural objects in the department’s “It is important to remember that these are people, buried with items with strong cultural archaeological collections.” ties to their communities, the same way that Since the 19th century, archaeological people today might be laid to rest wearing excavations have unearthed hundreds of a wedding band,” said Meg Cook, MDAH the ancestral remains of people who once director of archaeology collections. “While inhabited the state and whose cultures these artifacts inform the archaeological continue today. The passage of the 1990 record, it is our ethical and legal obligation Native American Graves Protection and to see that they are returned.” Repatriation Act gave Native American MDAH is thankful for its volunteers, who populations the right to claim ancestors hand sewed muslin bags that were used and cultural objects in the care of institutions to carefully wrap each individual with their receiving federal funds. belongings. This material was purchased Working closely with Tribal representatives and partly with funds from a National NAGRA the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act program, the transfer of these human remains took place Program grant.

Visit www.nps.gov/nagpra to learn more about the program or email info@mdah.ms.gov MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

PONTOTOC 662-489-3211 • Fax: 662-489-5156

BRUCE 662-983-2727 • Fax: 662-983-1335

P.O. Drawer 718 • 12 South Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863

P.O. Box 415 • 129 South Newberger Street, Bruce, MS 38915

Pontotoc Electric employees saluted for years of service

YEARS

YEARS Michal Pennington General Accounting Clerk

Phillip Brackett

Bruce District Foreman

Sandra Clark

Head Cashier Bruce District Office

Lavonia Lackey

Manager of Customer Accounts

YEARS John Fleming

Journeyman Lineman

Mark Patterson

Former Director of Acccounting and Finance (retired 2021)

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Anthony Staten

Data Entry/ Processing Clerk

The cooperative is honoring these employees who have a combined total of 300 years of dedicated service to our company.

4 oz. cream cheese, softened 3/4 c. powdered sugar 3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

B.J. Farmer

Assistant Foreman, Right-of-Way

Benny Moorman Meterman

Jeanna Sorto

Director of Accounting and Finance

YEARS

8 oz. cool whip 1 graham cracker crust chocolate syrup

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter with electric mixer until well mixed. Add whipped topping and beat until smooth. Pour mixture into graham cracker crust. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Freeze six hours or overnight. Serve frozen. Serves 8.

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Revisions Requested Approved

Mike (PEPA Retiree) and Shirley Montgomery

CHAD Date_____

Peanut Butter Pie

Revisions Requested

YEARS

Revisions Requested

Apprentice Lineman

MONDAY, MAY 31 Walker

Westmoreland Apprentice Lineman

Brandon Williams

Apprentice Lineman

We honor those who courageously gave their lives. Pontotoc Electric Power Association will be closed Monday, May 31, 2021, in observance of Memorial Day. To report power outages or emergencies, please call 662-489-6711 (Pontotoc) or 662-983-2727 (Bruce). A Pontotoc Electric dispatcher is on duty 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Have a safe holiday weekend! MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

Approved

Apprentice Lineman

Byron Steen

RON Date_____

Apprentice Lineman

Cody Liles

Mix cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1 stick melted margarine. Press in 9 x 13 pan. Cream 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 stick margarine, 2 eggs, and vanilla. Add to powdered sugar and put on top of cake mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until cake is set (40 -50 minutes or longer if needed.) Do not dry out.

VERSION #______________

Brandon Jenkins

2 sticks margarine 4 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla

STEVEN Date_____

1 pkg. German chocolate cake mix 1 box powdered sugar 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Approved

Betty Armstrong (PEPA Retiree)

A BRIAN HUGHEY

Bringing power and energy services to local communities

Public Relations Specialist

LORRI FREEMAN, APR

STEPHANIE CHISHOLM

For more information, call 601-947-4211 or 228-497-1313.

www.singingriver.com

@singingriverelectric

Manager of Public Relations

@SRECooperative

Planning for future growth and reliable service

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Public Relations Assistant

SRE is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

Planning for improvements and additions to Singing River Electric’s distribution system is essential for maintaining reliable electric service to Brian Hughey our members. The General Manager planning process & CEO starts years in advance to ensure our electric system is ready to handle expected load growth and future extreme temperatures. Singing River Electric’s engineering team develops and implements a Construction Work Plan every four years. This is the key to fulfilling an integral part of our mission — to provide safe and reliable electric service to our members. Planning begins five to six years in advance as our engineers evaluate our existing electrical system. After a projected growth rate is applied to the system, computer models reveal to our engineers any potential deficiencies. This information is what determines the large projects included in our Construction Work Plan. Each year our construction crews implement the plan by safely replacing undersized lines, upgrading transformers and building new substations. In addition to the Construction Work Plan, Singing River Electric must maintain an aggressive right-of-way

AMANDA PARKER

General Manager & CEO

clearing schedule to successfully fulfill our obligations to you, our members. Clearing and re-clearing the rightof-way around our power lines enhances service reliability and assures safety for our members, wildlife and the general public. The re-clearing of trees, limbs and underbrush along our more than 7,000 miles of power lines occurs every four to five years. Singing River Electric will soon take yet another step to improve reliability to our members as our team begins installing a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system. This project requires the use of fiberoptic cable installed along our distribution system to provide real-time information from SRE’s 44 electric substations to our three offices. In addition to providing real-time information, thus minimizing outage response time, the SCADA system also allows the capability to control SRE substations, power distribution and voltage from our office. This system-wide project is being done in conjunction with our fiber-tothe-home internet pilot project and is expected to begin within the next few weeks. With careful planning and skilled employees, Singing River Electric remains committed to providing our members the most reliable electric service at the most economical cost.

@singingriverelectric

Energy Tips

Gabe Robbins Energy Services Representative robbins@singingriver.com

Time for pool maintenance As summer and warm weather approach, it’s time to start planning for days in the pool, and with that, pool maintenance. Skimmers and filters should be cleaned regularly to maximize the efficiency of your pool system. Clogged or dirty filters will cause the pool system to work harder which leads to increased load on the pump and higher energy costs.

If you need to replace your pump, be sure to replace with the same horsepower as your existing unit. Installing a higher rated pump will use more energy and require a larger load to run the pump. Dual speed pumps will operate more efficiently in the low-speed mode; high speed can be used while cleaning or under other conditions. To maximize your energy savings, consider placing your pump(s) on a timer. Most pumps can be operated for eight hours a day to achieve the same results. For additional energy tips, visit singingriver.com/ways-to-save.

ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR JUNE 24 Watch for proxy/notice in the mail

Singing River Electric’s 2021 annual membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 24. At this time, we are planning to hold an in-person meeting; however, that could change if COVID-19 restrictions are changed. Please monitor our website at singingriver.com and our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.

Credential and Election Committee members Phil Busby and Obie Wells supervise in-person voting for director elections at the 2019 SRE Annual Meeting. (Not pictured are C&E committee members Milton Driskell, Linda Eckford and Richard Fleming.)

The membership meeting will be held at our headquarters office located at 11187 Old 63 South in Lucedale. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. The meeting’s business section will include the cooperative’s financial, management and board reports, as well as the board of directors election. SRE has a 10-person board of directors elected from the membership in three geographic districts. Each year, one director post from each district is up for election. Every three years, District 3 has two director posts open. Directors are elected for a three-year period. Directors are listed along with the geographic district descriptions at singingriver.com/my-coop. Nominations for election to the board of directors are made by petition. Interested members must acquire signatures of 25 SRE members on a form provided by the cooperative. Applicants must complete and return a director candidate packet to the Lucedale office and be certified by the Credentials and Election Committee before being placed on the ballot. The deadline for nomination by petition to be placed on the 2021 Annual Meeting notice was February 26, 2021. This deadline and a notice for nominations was placed in the January 2021 and February 2021 issues of the Today in Mississippi member publication.

This year’s candidates include: District 1, Post 3 — Cary Williams; District 2, Post 3 — Travis Baxter; District 3, Post 3 — Eddie Thornton; and District 3, Post 4 — Mark LaSalle. The slate of nominees was approved by SRE members serving on the Credentials and Election Committee. According to the cooperative bylaws, the candidates’ names will be placed in the nomination for election to a three-year term beginning June 24 at the cooperative’s annual meeting. To conduct business at the annual meeting, a quorum of at least 10% of the membership is necessary. The quorum is derived by adding the number of members present at the meeting, the valid online votes, and the number of valid proxies received. Annual meeting notices and proxies will be mailed on Monday, May 10, to all members. The deadline for voting online and returning proxies is Tuesday, June 15, at close of business. Your participation in director elections counts toward the quorum needed to hold and do business at the meeting. It is crucially important that we receive your online vote or proxy in order to reach our quorum this year. The meeting will comply with current COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Any member may vote in person at the June 24 membership meeting. Members can also vote online or by proxy. Each member is entitled to one vote regardless of the number of accounts in the member’s name. A proxy may be assigned to either another SRE member, including a member of the current board of directors, or appointed to the board as a whole. A member can vote up to 200 assigned proxies at any membership meeting. The presence of a member at the meeting, or in the case of a joint membership, the presence of a spouse shall revoke the proxy. All proxies must be received by SRE’s Lucedale office by close of business on June 15. Members returning their proxy, voting online as well as those who attend the meeting, will qualify to win up to $500 cash. Those attending the annual meeting will be eligible for attendance prizes. T PRESOR ASS FIRST CL GE U.S. POSTA

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THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

IN PERSON, BY PROXY AND ONLINE Six members who vote online or return their proxies by the June 15 deadline will be selected to receive a $250 CASH prize. One member who votes online or returns the proxy by the deadline will receive a special grand prize of $500 CASH!

FIBER UPDATE SRE Project Engineer Brandon Welford speaks with prospective substation site foundation and rock work contractors. Fiber huts will be built at substations to house routers and other fiber equipment.

“The fiber ring connecting SRE substations and offices will be the backbone of the fiber system,” said Project Engineer Brandon Welford. “We will also have three pilot projects, one each in Greene, George and Jackson counties. Engineering work for the pilot locations is being finalized, and an announcement of the locations and SR Connect website/preregistration portal is coming soon in an issue of the Today in Mississippi magazine.” The fiber ring or backbone will not only support SR Connect’s fiber project but also SRE’s effort to install SCADA or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition technology. Access to SCADA will provide real-time data and allow control of SRE substations, power distribution and voltage in the main dispatch center.

Singing River Connect SRE launches broadband affiliate he fastest fiber-to-the-home internet service is just around the corner for many Singing River Electric members. Welcome to Singing River Connect (SR Connect). After two years of research, including input from our members and feedback from consultants and feasibility studies, we are ready to launch fiber service in southeast Mississippi. As you know, the project will first consist of a 400-mile fiber ring connecting all SRE substations and offices, as well as three fiber-to-the-home pilot projects with potential further broadband expansion. Building a fiber ring and fiber-to-the-home projects takes time to design, construct and deploy. The seven construction phases include make-ready engineering, make-ready construction, fiber construction, splicing, service drop construction, drop splicing and home or business installation. SR Connect is currently completing make-ready engineering and entering into the make-ready construction phase. 14 TODAY | MAY 2021

“SCADA will compliment existing technology in our dispatch centers and allow for more effective communication with our generation and transmission partner, Cooperative Energy.” said General Manager and CEO Brian Hughey. “This addition will result in even faster outage response times for our members.” Keep reading Today in Mississippi magazine for more information and updates on SR Connect and this fiber project.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECRETARIES OF STATE

Medallion Award The NASS Medallion Award was created to honor individuals, groups and organizations that support the national association’s goals, including service to state government, specifically as it relates to the elections and the duties of the office of the Secretary of State.

inging River Electric Cooperative was awarded the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion Award on Wednesday, April 7, in recognition of SRE employees’ hard work following Hurricane Zeta to ensure polling sites had power in the midst of working to restore electricity to local communities. The electric co-op was hit hard by Hurricane Zeta with 82% or 62,388 of its 75,798 meters without power following the storm on Wednesday evening, Oct. 28, 2020. The co-op worked to replace more than 1,100 power poles, 322 damaged transformers and 21.73 miles of power lines following the storm. “Hurricane Zeta was unique in many ways, including the

intense damage that was concentrated north of our coastal communities and the timing, making landfall just six days prior to a presidential election,” said General Manager and CEO Brian Hughey. “We thank Secretary Michael Watson for working to ensure Singing River Electric linemen and visiting crews had an opportunity to vote in the midst of their long hours working to restore power in southeast Mississippi.” Only five medallions can be awarded by the Secretary of State annually. In addition to Singing River Electric, the award was also presented to Coast Electric Power Association, Mississippi Power Company and Entergy for their efforts restoring power to polling sites following Hurricane Zeta. MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

Singing River Electric energy services representatives met with Cooperative Energy representatives and contractors to discuss the installation of a Level 2 EV charging station at Singing River Federal Credit Union in Lucedale.

Charge me up Bringing Level 2 EV charging stations to South Mississippi

To be SAFE, be AWARE EVERYWHERE.

Electrical safety starts with being aware of electrical hazards. Think safety first and use these tips to stay safe at home, on the job and on the go.

Attention DIYers: There are live wires behind those walls. Use an electrical cable detector to locate them before your drill bit does.

Want more electrical safety tips? Sure you do. Just visit BeAwareEverywhere.com.

Community members will soon have a way to charge electric vehicles (EVs) thanks to a partnership between Singing River Electric, Cooperative Energy and Singing River Federal Credit Union. Plans include a two-vehicle electric charging station located at Singing River Federal Credit Union’s Lucedale branch. “The Lucedale electric vehicle charging station is expected to be complete by late summer, and plans are in the works to provide additional locations in Jackson County,” said Singing River Electric Gautier District Manager Nick DeAngelo. “The planned charging station for George County will be a Level 2 - able to fully charge an EV in just a few hours, or less for a boost charge,” explained DeAngelo. Electric vehicle charging stations range from Level 1, which is a basic or slow charge, a Level 2 and a Level 3 fast charge, which can charge a vehicle fully within minutes. With vehicle manufacturers across the country shifting toward EVs, the advantages are increasing. “Cooperative Energy is committed to promoting electric cars and trucks in Mississippi because of the benefits they provide to our members and communities,” said Sara Peterson, Cooperative Energy corporate communications manager. Programs like this demonstrate a co-op’s commitment to improving access to environmentally-friendly technology for our members. For more information about EVs, visit myelectriccooperative.com and follow our conversations on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Electricity from power lines can “jump” to nearby objects…including you. That’s why you should always stay at least 10 feet away from overhead lines.

Before you dig that flowerbed, remember there may be underground lines where you’re about to dig. Call 811 to locate them and your project will turn out just rosey.

Supporting career-focused education SRE NHN Grant beneﬁts George County High School horticulture program NHN Community Grants Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) Community Grants help Singing River Electric merge efforts with the hard work of those within our communities. Since the program’s inception in 2001, $312,178.15 has been awarded to local non-profits in local communities.

George County Career and Technical Education program received a $2,500 Neighbors Helping Neighbors Community Grant. Funds helped build a pole barn to store horticulture materials, protect soil and equipment and provide a sheltered area for outdoor learning. The horticulture program introduces students to basic plant and soil science and focuses on horticulture structures, plant propagation, pest management, container and field crop production and landscape design. According to instructor Rick McMullan, students enjoy having the working space with a roof and make the best of their outside learning time.

For more information on SRE NHN Community Grants and how to apply, visit singingriver.com/my-community. Grants for up to $2,500 are awarded to nonproﬁts in SRE’s service area three times a year in January, May and September.

May is Electrical Safety Month Whether you are at work or staying connected from home, it is important to always think safety first. Staying clear of downed power lines may be an obvious danger, but there are many other tips including carrying ladders and other equipment horizontally, calling 811 before you dig and checking for live wires behind walls when completing DIY projects. For more information visit our website at beawareeverywhere.com for tips on power line, DIY, severe weather, water and seasonal safety. We also have a section designed especially for students! Download safety guides and have a family meeting to discuss what is most important – protecting you.

MAY 2021 | TODAY 17

BRINGING THE POWER WWW.SOU THERN PIN E.COOP | P.O. BOX 60 | 1349 1 H WY. 28 | TAYLO R SVIL L E, MS 39 16 8 | 800.231 .524 0

BRINGING THE POWER IS A CONSTANT STATE OF MIND As the days get warmer, May is a time for anticipating all that is to come during the summer months. Kids are gearing up for that last day of school. Families are planning those summer vacations or even just a brief escape from work and the daily grind of life. Summer fun is just around the corner. May at Southern Pine is a time, like all others, where our focus is on one thing — providing safe, reliable and affordable electric power to you. In fulfilling our mission, many moving parts must all work together. Our team of skilled employees includes engineers, accountants, linemen, member service representatives and a gamut of other professionals all working together to bring the power. Maintaining rights-of-ways, replacing older equipment, upgrading software, revising policies, and maintaining existing lines and poles are all continuous efforts at Southern Pine, and these things never stop. Seeking out new and more innovative ways to serve you, our members, is ongoing as well. We are constantly striving to provide the most reliable and affordable electric power with the best possible service. Whether it’s our website, MyPower, our new texting for outages service, or countless other programs and services, our focus is always on you. At Southern Pine, we know that without you, we wouldn’t be

here. Formed in 1938 to serve rural Mississippians in our 11-county service area, we have grown as our communities have grown. We’ve changed with the times, added new technologies along the way, but the bottom line is that our mission is the same now as it was over 83 years ago. As we enter the days of summer, you can be assured that we will be here day in and day out to serve you. It’s just a constant state of mind for all the Southern Pine employees that drives everything we do for you. As we have experienced recently, storms will definitely come our way. Still, we’ll face and surmount them by bringing the power as safely and quickly as we can. It has been our pleasure to serve our members for the past 83 years, and we look forward to serving you for the next 80 years. It is what we do best — bringing safe, reliable, and affordable power to you with the most outstanding member service possible.

by Chris K. Rhodes President / CEO Southern Pine Electric

Texting for Outages Now Available Save 800-231-5240 in your contacts to use to report outages in the future. When you use this option, there is no waiting or busy signals. This number allows members to quickly call or text an outage — provided their mobile number is associated with their account in our system.

HOW TO REPORT AN OUTAGE To Report an Outage: Text OUT to 800-231-5240 For Status Updates: Text STATUS to 800-231-5240 To Un-enroll: Text the word STOP to 800-231-5240 12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Any member that does not want to remain enrolled should simply text STOP to 800-231-5240 to opt out.

Revisions Requested

G R Tommy Blackwell and his mother, Margie

Oakley, Henleigh, Hannah and Cindy

Tommy Blackwell and his wife, Lisa

James, Elizabeth and Stacy Holder

Lanna, Cindy, Dena (mother), Deanna and Jonette

Josh Keys and his mother, Billie

Front row, L to R, Jo Ponder (grandmother-inlaw), Kayla Ponder, Beverly Buie (mother); back row, L to R, Donna Harpole (husband’s aunt), JoAnne Ponder (mother-in-law), Brittaney Jones (friend) and Linda Mullins-Buie (Stepmother)

Josh Keys and his wife, Andrea

MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

VERSION #______________

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Approved

Mrs. Flora Moffett (deceased) with her children, Darnell, Sandra, Adrain and (not pictured) Keith

Revisions Requested

STEVEN Date_____

Approved

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY FROM SOUTHERN PINE

Revisions Requested

Amanda Matson and son, Deuce (Ritchie Matson’s family)

CHAD Date_____

Approved

HELPFUL MEMBER SERVICES MyPower There are not many options that offer you the ability to save money these days. However, Southern Pine’s MyPower provides you with the tools to make wise, energy-efficient decisions that will impact your power bill. MyPower gives you the opportunity to view your billing history, daily kilowatt-hour use, and past bills. In addition, MyPower makes it easy to report outages, pay your bill and sign up for paperless billing. To sign up for MyPower, visit southernpine.coop and click on the MyPower icon on the home page. You will need your Southern Pine account number and the service address. Once you enter the information and complete the process, you will receive an email with a link to continue the registration process and choose a password. Please check your spam and junk mail folders. If you do not receive an email, please contact us at 1-800-231-5240 or info@southernpine.coop.

Bank Draft Payments Southern Pine Electric’s Bank Draft program is the most convenient way to pay your power bill and it gives you the security of knowing your power bill will be paid on time. There are many benefits to the program. • No processing charges — Pay by bank draft and your account will never become past due which means no processing charges for a past-due balance. • No more stamps — Eliminate postage costs and save time by never having to mail a payment. • Keep your money longer — The bank draft program allows money to stay in your checking account until midnight on the final due date. This allows your money to work for you longer and it provides plenty of time to make those last-minute deposits. • You benefit from cost-cutting — The bank draft program reduces labor and bookkeeping costs. By using bank draft, you help Southern Pine operate at the least cost possible, thus helping maintain stable electric rates.

Levelized Payment Plan The levelized payment plan is a service for residential members that allows payments of approximately the same amount on your electric bill each month. Under this plan, the amount you pay each month is based on an average of your actual monthly consumption for a one-year period. To qualify you must meet the following criteria: • Residential member or tax-free status. • Meter must have at least 12 months of billing history at

14 TODAY | MAY 2021

current place of residence with no tampering, no disconnects, and no returned checks during that time. • The account must be current.

The levelized amounts must be paid prior to the delinquent date to avoid removal from the plan. Accounts removed from this plan may re-enroll only after 12 months of good payment history. Members are responsible for all amounts due when their participation in the program ends. To apply for levelized billing, stop by any Southern Pine Electric office and complete the short application.

MEET SOUTHERN PINE EMPLOYEE:

RUSTY BLAKENEY Rusty Blakeney will celebrate his 43rd year with Southern Pine next month. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down in his role as a serviceman at the Hattiesburg Branch. Rusty serves our members in Covington, Forrest and Jefferson Davis counties and worked in the area even before the branch was in existence. He has seen many changes over the years but said the most significant difference has been with new technology. “We used to have to do a lot of additional things that are now automated,” Rusty said. “The role of serviceman has changed a lot, but I still love my job and working with Southern Pine has been great.” One of the best things about working at the co-op has been

“The role of serviceman has changed a lot, but I still love my job, and working with Southern Pine has been great.”

fellowship with the employees and interacting with members. I’ve got some really great members,” said Rusty. “They’re just really nice people.” His co-workers love Rusty. Mandy Stanley, who has worked with him for 13 years, said he is one of the most caring and giving people she’s ever met. “He will give you the shirt off his back if you need it,” Mandy said. “I have always thoroughly enjoyed working with Rusty.” DeDee Taylor says that Rusty is a one-of-akind man. “He’s always the voice of reason during storms, and he will help anyone that needs a hand. He’s devoted his life to Southern Pine and our members, and he’s an outstanding employee and friend,” she said. “Rusty loves his family, including his beloved boxer dogs,” DeDee added. Members in his service area recognize Rusty on the spot. He’s easily identifiable in his Southern Pine shirt and his overalls, which have become his signature look. The overalls started quite innocently after a bout with cancer and surgery to remove part of his colon. The overalls were the only thing he could wear for a while as he recovered, and by the time he recovered fully, they had become his calling card. When anyone asks if Southern Pine has been out yet in Rusty’s service area, the first question someone will ask is, “Did he have on overalls?” Raised in River Flats in Smith County, Rusty and his wife of 25 years, Sandy, live in Rawls Springs. Together, they are parents to Sabrina, Stephanie, Starla, Tommy and Melissa and they have 15 grandchildren. Rusty loves to farm, fish and hunt in his time away from Southern Pine. MAY 2021 | TODAY 15

HATTIESBURG BRANCH:

MAKING LIFE BETTER BY SERVING

by Karen Moseley, Branch Manager In the early 1980s, the Hattiesburg Branch began humbly. Its first home was a small mobile office on Highway 49. Soon, a log cabin was constructed behind the mobile office and the Hattiesburg staff moved in by the mid-1980s. During the time in the log cabin, a flood occurred, and the office took on 16 inches of water.

The Hattiesburg Branch serves members from Forest, Covington and Jefferson Davis counties. Hattiesburg is home to businesses, schools and medical facilities that employ thousands of people. With many of our members commuting to Hattiesburg to work, our location is very convenient. The Hattiesburg team likes a good laugh, and with all the hardships 2020 brought for everyone, it also brought a little comic relief through an escaped goat. That’s right, a goat escaped from the Livestock Auction just north of the branch and made his home outside our office. In the reflective glass of the windows, the goat found a competitor and decided he would take him on. He shattered windows in the process, but that did not stop him. While we may take some ribbing from time to time about the goat, we take it in stride because in the end, a smile between us and our members is what serving is all about.

DeDee Taylor, Member Service Representative

In 2007, the current building was constructed a little farther north on Highway 49 and was renovated in 2018. The little log cabin still exists and is occupied today. It serves as a reminder of how far the Hattiesburg Branch has come over the years. The employees of the Hattiesburg Branch have over 68 years of service with Southern Pine. This depth of knowledge and experience ensures our members are getting the best service from people who know them and can work with them during even the most difficult times. Keeping service in mind, the Hattiesburg team set a goal for 2021 — “Making Life Better by Serving.” More than taking payments and creating service orders, serving members is all-encompassing. Sometimes it is simply listening. Often, members are not quite sure what they need, so we work hard to determine what their needs are and how we can help. Helping our members is the most rewarding part of working at Southern Pine.

Hattiesburg Branch Team

16 TODAY | MAY 2021

Mandy Stanley, Member Service Representative

Karen Moseley, Branch Manager

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

SHADY ACRES – A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WITH SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

When you drive up to Shady Acres Village, you know you are in for a unique experience just by the exterior. There is so much to take in that you linger as you walk to the door looking at all the beautiful plants, funny signs and other amusing things. Once you make it inside, sensory overload kicks in, and it takes a few minutes to get acclimated to all the wonders. The smell of fresh-baked cookies, cakes and pies fills the air. The shelves are stocked with all kinds of goods — candies, honey, canned goods, boiled peanuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, and on and on. Everywhere you turn, there’s more to see. Along with all the year-round staples, each season brings new surprises like crawfish, muscadines, strawberries and pumpkins. This fantastic little village really does have it all. The restaurant serves a blue plate special from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily and has a full menu. “The best hamburger around” can be found at Shady Acres, said Matt Pierce, Shady Acres’ owner. Matt, and wife, Julia, have owned Shady Acres for a little over a year, but the place has become a local icon over the years. Located on Highway 49 North, just south of Seminary in Covington County, travelers from all over the country have visited the little village.

Matt and Julia have one goal for all visitors, and it’s simple. They hope every guest leaves happy and remembering a unique experience. Guests do not have to worry. Shady Acres is one of the most unique places around. This little village has a beautiful gift shop, fresh vegetables and fruits, homemade baked goods, a beautiful garden center, a full-service restaurant and much more. “We get people from all over the country, and some people tell us they plan their vacations to make sure we are open when they

come through. That really means a lot to us,” Matt said. Besides so many gift items and fantastic food, what makes Shady Acres special is the wonderful employees. “We have some really great associates,” he said. Shady Acres Village has a little bit of everything for everybody, and the Southern hospitality will ensure you remember your visit for years to come. A unique, one-of-a-kind experience for everyone who visits. MAY 2021 | TODAY 17

Adams • Amite • Claiborne • Copiah • Franklin Hinds • Jefferson • Lincoln • Wilkinson Southwest Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 | 601-437-3611 | 800-287-8564 | Fax: 601-437-8736 | Email: info@swepa.coop southwestelectric.coop

Southwest Electric

SWElectricCoop

sw_electric_coop

May is By understanding basic electrical safety principles and adhering to safety practices, many electrocutions and home fires can be prevented. Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, electrical safety should be a top priority in your home. Always follow these easy, common sense safety practices. NEVER use power tools in the rain, wet conditions or near water sources.

NEVER use an extension ladder near overhead power lines.

NEVER dig around buried electrical conductors.

NEVER overload an electrical circuit.

ALWAYS make sure power tools are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).

ALWAYS stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

ALWAYS call 811 before you dig so electric lines can be located.

ALWAYS make sure the load you are using doesn’t exceed the circuit’s amperage rating.

By following these simple practices, you could save your or your loved one’s life by preventing electrical shock and could even prevent a home fire. Remember, Safety #1.

MAINTAIN YOUR HVAC SYSTEM 5 ways to extend the life of your cooling system

Give it a check up every spring

Replace the Clear outside filter ever month debris

Know the best temperature

Clean the drain line

Have a professional do a preventative maintenance check in the spring to look for motor or electrical failures.

Change it out, even if it doesn’t look dirty. Any buildup reduces the amount of air the system draws in.

According to the Department of Energy, the optimal temperature for cost savings is 78o during the summer.

During summer months, pour a solution of 1 cup bleach and 3 cups water down the condensate drain tube to keep it clear of algae and other debris.

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Cut or remove plants that are encroaching on your condenser so it can pull in fresh air from all sides. Allow for at least 12 inches of space around the coil.

EMPLOYEE Tony Bell, Right-of-Way Operator

Leah Ross, Member Services Representative

Tony started his career at Southwest Electric in January 2006. He has been working in our Right-of-Way Department for over 15 years. Tony operates the Jarraff, which is an all-terrain vehicle with a round saw blade on the end of a 70-foot boom. Keeping tree limbs trimmed back from our power lines is a critical part of maintaining reliable service for our Members. Tony and his wife, Michelle, live in Port Gibson. He has one daughter.

Leah started working at Southwest Electric in March 2006. For 15 years, she has answered the phones and helped our Members establish new service and meet service specifications. Leah also explains our bills and payment options, as well as enters outage tickets after storms so the dispatch team can relay information to the crews. She and her husband, Bud, divide their time between Port Gibson and Mize. They have four daughters and 12 grandchildren.

Happy

to all of the mothers in our communities

SUNDAY, MAY 9

MONDAY, MAY 31 We honor those who courageously gave their lives. Our offices will be closed May 31. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday. Use the SmartHub app or call 800-287-8564 to report an outage or other emergency.

Have a safe holiday weekend! MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

SERVING MORE THAN 12,600 ELECTRIC METERS IN SEVEN DELTA COUNTIES Hollandale - 662-827-2262 | Belzoni - 662-247-1909 | Greenville - 662-334-9543 | Rolling Fork - 662-873-4233 | REPORT OUTAGES 866-897-7250

Required tools and equipment for your project should be located within your workspace and organized for easy access.

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

Revisions Requested Revisions Requested Approved

STEVEN Date_____ Revisions Requested Approved

RON Date_____

also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during One of the things we love best about our community is the severe weather events that make it more complicated and natural beauty that surrounds us. We are fortunate to have so dangerous for lineworkers to restore power. many trees that offer beauty, shade and a habitat for all sorts of birds and other wildlife. We know that you appreciate our RELIABILITY community for many of the same reasons. Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation At Twin County Electric Power Association, we strive to management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and rights-of-way (ROW). clear lines don’t cause problems. While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there Proactive trimming and pruning keeps are three main benefits to tree trimming lines clear to promote reliability. We also in ROW areas. However, before touchuse data and technology to maximize the ing on the main reasons, let us explain efficiency of our operation. This includes a what a “right-of-way” is and how it may vegetation management plan. impact you. A right-of-way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace AFFORDABILITY or repair underground and overhead As you know, Twin County Electric is a power lines. Rights-of-way enable the not-for-profit cooperative, and that means co-op to provide clearance from trees we strive to keep our costs in check in order and other obstructions that could hinder to keep our rates affordable. This extends to the power line installation, maintenance our approach to vegetation management. If or operation. ROW areas are typically on trees grow too close to power lines, the popublic lands or located near a business tential for expensive repairs also increases. or home. Regardless, Twin County Electric must be able to maintain the power ROW maintenance allows the co-op to control the foliage Effective tree trimming and other vegetaaround the power lines that could potentially cause major tion management efforts keep costs down lines above and below the ROW. The outages during weather events. for everyone. overall goal of our vegetation manageOur community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty ment program is to provide reliable power to our members while trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation provide reliable energy. Through vegetation management, we management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways. are better able to keep the power lines clear, prepare for future SAFETY weather events and secure the reliability of our service. First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our lineworkers above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach

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Tree trimming improves service for all

CHAD Date_____

Approved

John W. Mosley, former Twin County EPA general manager, passed away on April 6, 2021. Mr. Mosley was employed at Twin County from 1989 to 2017 upon his retirement. Please keep his wife Rosie and their family in your prayers.

TWITTER

662-746-4251 — OFFICE & REPORT OUTAGES • 866-484-4277 — PAY BY PHONE

VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.YAZOOVALLEY.COM

These seven women serve Yazoo Valley Electric in vital roles and we celebrate them for their daily contributions. Rebecca Yeates is a lifelong resident of Yazoo County. She began answering the telephones at Yazoo Valley Electric while she was in college REBE CCA and has worked her way through the organization. When Rebecca completed her degree at Mississippi College, she began her career as the Member Services Specialist under the direction of Ron White. When White was promoted to General Manager in 2012, after the untimely death of Charles Henry Shelton, Rebecca moved into her current role and is now the Manager of Human Resources. She oversees all employee benefit plans, health insurance, retirement, hiring processes and offers administrative support to the board of directors and the general manager. Rebecca has served Yazoo Valley Electric for 20 years. She is married to Wade Yeates and they have two children.

12 TODAY | MAY 2021

M A MIE

Mamie Howell is the Consumer Accounting Supervisor and has been with Yazoo Valley Electric for 12 years. Mamie’s role is to manage the customer service representatives. She also manages all billing aspects of the organization and handles accounts payable and vendor relations. Mamie is married to Zach Howell and they have two children, Anna Bailey, who is in the ninth grade and Amory, who is in the seventh grade at Tri-County Academy in Flora.

Emily Cresswell is the Human Resources Coordinator. She has served in many roles during her 14-year career at Yazoo Valley Electric. Currently, Emily manages payroll, prepares for open enrollment in the fall for all employee benefits and serves as the liaison between the employees and the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi credit union. Emily also manages the travel calendar and makes all EMILY flights and hotel accommodations. She makes sure the financial needs are met for employees who travel for Yazoo Valley Electric. Emily handles human resources functions and she loves her job. She is married to James Cresswell and they live in Satartia with their dog Sally, who is known as the Queen of Satartia. She even attends Sunday church services. In her off time, Emily and James have their plate full with family. They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

DONNA

JANICE

Donna Harper is a 14-year employee and serves as the Accounting Specialist for Yazoo Valley Electric. She balances the bank accounts and enters all financial business into spreadsheets for the Chief Financial Officer. She handles all questions from consumers on capital credits and manages capital credit allocations. Donna manages all account adjustments and balances the organizations financials with the bank financials. Donna was married to the late Tommy Harper. She has two children, Jason Harper and Kim Kerr, and three grandchildren. She loves spending time with her grandchildren who are ages two, three and four.

JESSICA

Janice Roark and Jessica Fielder are the Customer Service Representatives (CSR) for Yazoo Valley Electric. The CSR’s are responsible for mail service, working the payment window and acting as liaisons between the members and Yazoo Valley Electric employees. Janice has been with Yazoo Valley for eight years and Jessica has been with the organization for seven years. Both Janice and Jessica are residents of Yazoo City. Janice enjoys spending time with family and friends and Jessica is a brandnew mother. MAY 2021 | TODAY 13

ION #______________ RON Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested STEVEN Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested CHAD Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested A Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested CHRIS Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested ARTIST ___________ Date_____ Approved Revisions Requested

Rebecca McWilliams is the Network Operations Specialist and acts as a liaison between the inside office staff and the line crews and servicemen. She REBE CCA is affectionately known as “Becca Mac.” Rebecca handles all trouble calls and manages the outside crews and their daily tasks. She is instrumental to the organization and plays a large role, specifically during storm work and outage restorations. All active work that the linemen and servicemen do in the field is routed through Rebecca. She must know where all outside crews are located in case of an emergency and is the central point of contact from the office staff to the crews. She is a 14-year employee at Yazoo Valley and her role is vital to the organization. When she is not working or on call, her favorite pastimes include driving Delta backroads and spending time at the lake and/or with friends and family. She has a rescue cat named Willis.