Today in Mississippi October 2019 Local Pages by American MainStreet Publications

FOR MEMBERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI

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107 E. Main Street Carthage, MS 39051

Carthage: 601-267-5671 • Philadelphia: 601-656-2601 Rankin: 601-829-1201 • Sebastopol: 601-625-7422

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937.

Are you a leader in your school and community

Our Youth Leadership Program

offers the tools and knowledge that will enable you to sharpen your leadership skills in your classroom, community, church and family. Since 1986, students in Mississippi have competed for the opportunity to participate in this unique leadership program. This program is an educational and fun experience that makes a lasting impact on young people.

Our program is for high school juniors interested in enhancing their leadership skills. Once you are selected as a Central Electric representative, you will attend:

■ Youth Leadership Workshop

The three-day workshop features a true cooperative learning atmosphere. More than 85 students from across the state will experience cooperative team-building exercises, a breakfast with their legislators, a visit to the Capitol, a town hall meeting and motivational speakers. We will also have a time for games and interaction between the students. You will have the opportunity to earn a $500 or $1,000 scholarship.

■

Youth Tour

Each year, Mississippi’s student delegation joins more than 1,800 high school juniors from 43 states across the nation at the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., where they learn about cooperatives and rural electrification from a national perspective. The Youth Tour is a wonderful sightseeing experience that also offers an opportunity for making new friends. The Youth Tour is organized by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

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■ It is an honor to be selected

The group of young Mississippians participating in the program represent electric cooperatives across the state. Students are selected through various forms of competition conducted by the local cooperatives. Annually, more than 1,000 young people are involved in the program selection process statewide.

■ Cost Students’ expenses for both events are funded entirely by Central Electric. There are no hidden costs; Central Electric pays for all travel, lodging, meals, educational materials and admission fees. Our support of the program demonstrates a commitment to our young people and a desire to provide an effective, high-quality leadership program to help prepare them for life’s challenges.

■ How to get involved

Central Electric’s Youth Leadership Program Director will contact an official at each of our local schools and provide program details. If you are interested in being a representative contact your school guidance counselor or fill out and return the application on the following page.

Youth Leadership Program Application STUDENT’S FULL NAME __________________________________________________ Are you currently a high school junior and your parent(s) or legal guardian receives electric service from Central Electric Power Association? If so, you are eligible to apply to represent Central Electric Power Association in the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Youth Leadership Workshop February 26–28, 2020 and the NRECA Washington, D.C. Youth Tour June 20–26, 2020. YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM GUIDELINES 1. Applicant must be a high school junior (11th grade) whose parent(s) or legal guardian receives electric service from Central Electric Power Association. 2. The top applicants will be selected by an independent panel of judges to participate in an interview process for the selection of winners who will represent Central Electric Power Association in the Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson, MS and the NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Interviews will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. 3. If selected, student must commit to attend both the Leadership Workshop February 26-28, 2020 in Jackson, MS and the NRECA Youth Tour June 20-26, 2020 in Washington, D.C. 4. Application must be filled out by the student and postmarked by Monday, October 14, 2019. 5. Please mail to: Youth Leadership Program Attn: Jessica Patterson Central Electric Power Association Post Office Box 477 Carthage, MS 39051

NAME STUDENT GOES BY ________________________________________________ STUDENT’S MAILING ADDRESS ____________________________________________ STUDENT’S 911 ADDRESS _________________________________________________ PARENT(S) OR LEGAL GUARDIAN _________________________________________ NAME CENTRAL EPA BILL IS LISTED IN _____________________________________ ACCOUNT NUMBER ______________________________________________________ DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER ________________________________________________ ALTERNATE NUMBER ____________________________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS ________________________________________________________ SCHOOL _______________________________________________________________ STUDENT’S SHIRT SIZE ________________________________________ STUDENT SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________ PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGNATURE ____________________________________

PLEASE LIST ANY SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/MEMBERSHIPS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:

PLEASE LIST ANY AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

WHAT ARE YOUR COLLEGE AND CAREER GOALS?

WHAT ARE TWO CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LEADER AND WHY?

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Like our Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi youth leadership page www.facebook.com/ECMYLP and follow us on Instagram @msyouthleadershipprogram

Please contact Central Electric’s youth leadership program coordinator if you have any questions.

Jessica Patterson, Program Director Office - 601-267-5671 • jcpatterson@centralepa.com

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

Tips to stay comfortable this winter When we talk about comfort in our homes, we usually think about where the thermostat is set. But, as some homeowners find, there’s more to the picture than just the indoor temperature. An important piece of the comfort puzzle is radiant heat, which transfers heat from a warm surface to a colder one. A person sitting in a room that’s 70 degrees can still feel chilly if there’s a cold surface nearby, like a single-pane window, a hardwood floor or an exterior wall. Covering these cold surfaces can help. Try using area rugs, wall quilts or tapestries, bookcases and heavy curtains to help prevent heat loss and make your home feel more comfortable. Keep in mind, radiant heat can really work in your favor. A dark-colored tile floor that receives several hours of direct sun can retain heat during the day and radiate it into the room during the evening. Another possible cause of discomfort during the winter is air movement. We recognize this when weather forecasts report chill factor, which is a calculation of air temperature and wind speed. Moving air makes us feel colder, which is why we use fans in the summer. But during the winter, cold, outdoor air can infiltrate our homes. On average, a typical home loses about half its air every hour, and that amount can increase when outdoor temperatures are extremely cold and the wind is blowing. In this case, the best way to keep your home toasty is to minimize air leaks. You can easily locate air leaks in your home with a blower door test, which is typically conducted by an energy auditor. These are some of the most common spots air leaks occur: • Penetrations and cracks around windows and doors • Exterior cracks in brickwork and siding • Plumbing and wiring penetrations from the exterior to the interior of the home • Mail slots or pet doors A variety of products like caulk, weather stripping, outlet cover gaskets and dryer vent covers can be used to seal these leaks. A fireplace can also be a major source of air leakage. If you don’t use the fireplace, you can seal the opening or install an inflatable chimney balloon. Before using the fireplace, consider this: unless you have a high-efficiency insert, your fireplace will suck heated air from the room out through the chimney. Always close the fireplace flue when it’s not in use. Your pursuit of comfort should also include a careful look at your home’s heating system. Is it distributing heat evenly and efficiently? Forced-air systems distribute air through supply ducts and registers. Small rooms may only have one register, but large rooms could have several. You may find some supply registers are blowing copious amounts of warm air and others little at all. Ideally, every room should have return air registers. If you see possible shortcomings with your forced-air system, enlist the help of a certified contractor that really knows how to improve ductwork. Ensure your furnace is running at peak efficiency by scheduling an annual inspection. Check your filter monthly and replace or clean it as necessary. If you heat your home with radiators, bleed them at the beginning of the season so they flow more efficiently. Beyond that, you can always warm yourself by wearing heavier clothing, doing some light exercise throughout the day and snuggling with a pet or under a blanket. By taking some of these small steps, we hope you will enjoy a more comfortable winter.

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GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS

ever connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment.

Stationary generator:

An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.

Portable generator:

Plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator. Set up and run your generator in a wellventilated area outside the home. Make sure it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly. Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electric appliances to the outlet on the generator. Start the generator first before connecting appliances.

THINK SAFETY FIRST! A safety message from Central Electric

My Best of The Southern Wild is a collection of Joe Mac’s favorite, and what he considers his best, wildlife and nature photographs taken over the past 35+ years. It is the perfect Christmas gift, and he will be glad to sign and personalize your copy. He hopes you enjoy My Best of The Southern Wild as much as he enjoyed getting “up close and personal” with God’s creatures in His special places. Signed copies $40 + shipping and applicable sales tax Case discounts are available! To order, call or text Joe Mac Hudspeth, Jr. 601-594-2464 To preview, visit www.southernfocus.com

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Tip of the

Month

Cooler weather is on the way! Heating requires more energy than any other system in your home, typically making up about 42% of your energy bill. With proper equipment maintenance and upgrades like additional insulation and air sealing, you can save about 30% on your energy bill. Source: energy.gov

October is National Co-op Month.

Electric co-ops are proud to power more than 20 million American homes, businesses, farms and schools in 48 states. OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

P.O. Box 188 • 340 Hopson Street • Lyon, MS 38645 662-624-8321 • Fax: 662-624-8327

www.coahomaepa.com cepa@coahomaepa.com

Coahoma Electric to return capital credits The Board of Directors of Coahoma Electric Power Association recently annonced the issuing of $254,388.47 in capital credit retirements. These capital credit retirements are for the members who received a bill in the year of 1989. An application process will be in place for those members from 1989 to receive their capital credit refund. Application forms for capital credit returns are available at our main office or on our website W. Keith Hurt at www.coahomaepa.com. See application process General Manager below. All applications must be returned to our main office. All current member refunds will be processed and will be issued in November. If you are a current active member, and were also a member during 1989, you do not need to fill out an application for capital credits. If you were a member during 1989, and have already completed paperwork to receive prior capital credits, you do not need to fill out the application again. All other refunds will be verified through the application process in the month of October with the disbursement of funds in November. The deadline for all applications to be processed this year is November 1. Any application received after this date will be held over until next year.

How do I apply for capital credits? You may go to our website at www.coahomaepa.com and click on the Member Services Tab (at the top), then click on Capital Credits. There you will find the instructions and forms to fill out to apply. You must have been a member in 1989 to be eligible.

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Please contact us at 662-624-8321 or stop by our office to pick up forms.

GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS

ever connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment.

Stationary Generator:

An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.

Portable Generator:

THINK SAFETY FIRST! A safety message from Coahoma Electric OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

Household Hazardous Waste Day is back in Hancock County

Saturday, OCTOBER 19

Where our members have the power Communicators: April Lollar & Merilee Sands For Today in Mississippi information, call 877-7MY-CEPA (877-769-2372) www.coastepa.com

CEO’s Message

October is co-op month Fall is here and it just may be the best time of year at your co-op. October is National Coop Month, a month that celebrates how co-ops impact your daily lives. From the groceries Ron Barnes President and CEO you buy to the men and women who power your homes and businesses, co-ops are an important part of our community. We want you to celebrate Co-op Month by learning about our Annual Meeting and why it’s important for you to take an active role in your cooperative. As a member of Coast Electric, you make

decisions about board leadership and are encouraged to give us feedback. Co-ops are unique in that way. Our end users are the owners of the company, and you are an important part of our democratic process. We hope to see you at our meeting in November. There are details in the following pages about the meeting and about your options for participating in the process, even if you are unable to come. For a co-op to be successful, it takes a knowledgeable board of directors, highly skilled employees focused on member service and engaged members. We hope you will become involved with your local cooperative.

Pearl River County

energy fairs Join us from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, November 1, at our Picayune and Poplarville offices for our annual energy fairs! Energy management specialists will be there to tell you about our programs and services and give you tips on how you can reduce your use this winter!

The Hancock County Board of Supervisors, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and Coast Electric are once again sponsoring a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. When: Saturday, October 19, from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Where: Coast Electric’s Kiln Headquarters Facility at 18020 Highway 603. For more information, call the Hancock County Road Maintenance Department at 228-255-3367.

Collection stations include: n Scrap Metal and Car Batteries • Refrigerators, grills, lawn mowers, washers, dryers, metal fence material, bicycle parts, stoves, ranges • Metal construction material, pipes, AC parts, etc. • Car batteries n Waste Oil Cooking oil, motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid n Household Hazardous Waste • Paint, paint thinner, wood finish, varnish, turpentine, tub and tile cleaners, upholstery cleaners, oven cleaners, bleach, detergents, ammonia, drain openers, silver polish, etc. • Gasoline, lighter fluid, butane, propane • Insecticides, pesticides, rodent poisons, snail/slug killers • Fluorescent bulbs and household batteries n Waste Tires (25 tire limit) n Old Electronics • Computers, monitors, TVs, microwaves, computer mice, keyboards, etc. n Safe Transportation • Leave products in their original containers and make sure the containers are properly sealed. • Transport the containers in the trunk or in the back of the vehicle away from passengers. • Do not transport more than five gallons or 50 pounds at one time. • With the popularity of the event, prepare to wait in line. We ask that you stay in your car at all times. Volunteers will off-load your material safely and efficiently. • No smoking is allowed during the off-loading process. It is dangerous – and illegal – to discard household hazardous materials in the trash or down the drain. We encourage you to bring your products to this event October 19, in Kiln.

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Half Page: 7” x 4.875” October is Co-op Month! Coast Electric is guided by a set of Seven Cooperative Principles all designed with you, our member, in mind. How do these principles make a difference in your life? Autonomy and Independence

Voluntary Open Membership What this means for you: We serve you! We serve the members in our designated service area without discrimination. Coast Electric has served homes and businesses for the people of south Mississippi for more than 82 years. We love being part of this community and serving the people who live and work here.

Democratic Member Control What this means for you: We were founded and are led by members, just like you. It’s members who first came together to form this cooperative to serve the needs of the people and it is members who make decisions about policies at your co-op. When you attend our Annual Meeting to vote on board representatives or voice your opinions, you are having a direct impact on your co-op’s operations.

Members’ Economic Participation What this means for you: When you invest in your co-op, you are investing in a not-for-profit company – your not-forprofit company. Everyone who is a Coast Electric member is an owner of the company. Each year, if there are revenues from electric services in excess of operating costs and expenses, those funds are credited to a member’s capital account based on their patronage. Such funds, which are also called ‘capital credits,’ are the life blood that enables cooperatives to satisfy the future growth and power needs of its members. Capital credits represent a critical source of equity for Coast Electric. Since a cooperative’s members are also the people it serves, capital credits reflect each member’s ownership in, and contribution of capital to, the cooperative.

What this means for you: Coast Electric’s headquarters aren’t in some far away city, with purse strings being controlled by investors who have never been to Mississippi; our headquarters are in Hancock County and our company is led by you. While Coast Electric has relationships with and can take advantage of resources offered by state and national organizations, this is a locally owned and operated company.

Education, Training and Information What this means for you: It is our responsibility to educate our members about programs and services that can make a difference in your lives. From energy-savings programs to safety demonstrations, we want to keep you informed and engaged.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives What this means for you: Co-ops, although independent businesses, often work together for the benefit of their members. Most people know that when storms strike, coop employees from other states come to our aid, just as we help them in times of need, but did you know that isn’t where the cooperation ends? Co-ops work together to share information, best practices and training resources for employees just to name a few.

Concern for Community What this means for you: Coast Electric employees live, work and play in South Mississippi. They are your kids’ little league coaches, their Sunday School teachers, the people you see at the local Rotary meeting or volunteering at the soup kitchen. Our employees are your neighbors. They care about this community. Volunteerism, whether it’s on a corporate level or a personal level, is at the heart of what we do. We love being part of this community. We love being your neighbors and we hope that the work we do brings light to your lives. OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

When: Thursday, Nov. 7 Doors open at 5 p.m. for registration and the business meeting will be called to order at 6:30 p.m.

Why should you attend the Annual Meeting? • Get acquainted with your cooperative’s employees and the board members who represent you. • Learn which programs and services may help you reduce your use and save energy and money. • Vote for board representation. • Hear about the state of your cooperative from our CEO and Board Chairman. • Be eligible for great prizes!

Where: NEW LOCATION: Hancock Performing Arts Center. Your response to our meeting has been overwhelming and we’ve outgrown our current location! To more comfortably accommodate our members, we will be hosting this year’s Annual Meeting at the Hancock Performing Arts Center on the campus of Hancock High School at 7140 Stennis Airport Rd. in Kiln. We hope to see you Nov. 7!

Important note: The member number needed for registration can be found on your bill or your member card. Member cards will be mailed to your homes as part of our Annual Meeting notice and proxy registration card. When you register online, you will use only the numbers before the dash for your member number and your five-digit billing zip code. You can call us from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 877-769-2372 [for assistance] or email call@coastepa.com.

Can’t make it? We’ve got you covered! We hope you can join us for the meeting but if you are not able to attend, you can still participate and register your proxy. Here are all the ways you can register: 1. Mail your registration. You received an Annual Meeting notice that included a proxy registration card in the mail last month. Sign and return your card and you will be registered for the meeting. 2. Register online. You can register online until 10 a.m. November 1. Visit www.coastepa.com and click the “register your proxy” button. You will be able to view information about board candidates and proxy registration. When you click through to register, follow the instructions on the page. 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

Member Service Representative Marisa Clayton registers a member at the Annual Meeting.

3. Register at any Coast Electric office. We will have iPad stations in each office where you will be able to quickly and easily register your proxy. Member service representatives will be available

to help if you need assistance. When you attend the meeting or when you register your proxy, you are eligible to win electricity credits of $250, $500 or $1,000! We are guided by members just like you, and we hope you will attend or register for this year’s meeting. Your participation is important to us! What is proxy registration, and why is it important? • Proxy registration exists for members who can’t attend our Annual Meeting. • When you register your proxy, you are not casting a vote but allowing either our board members or another Coast Electric member who is attending the meeting to vote on your behalf. • At this year’s meeting, there are no measures or bylaw changes that members will vote on. Those who register by proxy will only be doing so to elect board representatives. • We are voting at the meeting to reelect three board members: n Hancock County – Gil Arceneaux n Harrison County – Teri Eaton n Pearl River County – Frank McClinton The board members being elected are running unopposed.

Operation Round Up Your change at work in our community Thanks to the generosity of Coast Electric members, 14 local charities received grants totaling $83,850 this quarter. Your spare change is making a difference in your community. The 14 charities that received grants are: United Way of South Mississippi, $5,000 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Mississippi Aquarium, $10,000 Portable Touch Tank and education program that will reach 21 schools in our tri-county area. Extra Table, $10,000 Food Bank – Distribution to food pantries and soup kitchens in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties. Feeding the Gulf Coast, $9,000 Portable Food Pantries (12) – Distribution to food panties and soup kitchens in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties. St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, $10,000 Prescription and Diabetic Care Program to provide free medications/supplies to clients in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties. Rescue 100, $5,800 Gear Up Gulf Coast – Provide furniture and supplies for children in foster care. Hancock Resource Center, $5,000 HYPE – The Harlem Wizards will visit schools as part of a program to encourage healthy choices and educate students about substance abuse. Mississippi Gulf Coast Buddy Sports, $4,000 Fishing with Buddies – Program for on- and off-shore fishing for children with special needs. CASA of Hancock County, $2,450 Sexual abuse prevention training. Ruth’s Roots, $6,000 Ruth’s Roots Educational and Community Garden – Interactive musical garden. Infinity Science Center, $2,000 Kulture City training to help staff members provide a better experience for individuals with sensory needs. Picayune Kiwanis Club, $7,000 Special Olympics, Fishing Rodeo, Buddy Ball for individuals with special needs.

Coast Chorale, $3,500 Music and materials for fall and winter performances. Disability Connection, $4,100 Community Assist – Provide program materials, supplies and food for seniors, veterans and children with disabilities.

St. Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy Executive Director Sam Burke explains how Operation Round Up funds will help patients pay for much-needed diabetes medication.

Thanks to our members: Ruth’s Roots – Elise Deano – I am a Coast Electric member and I have been part of Operation Round Up, and I never appreciated what that meant. Now I do and I thank you. Individually, we may not be much but together we are everything. Your donations are making all of this possible, and I hope you all come and visit the garden. Infinity Science Center – Donna Torres – This funding will allow us to participate in a program called Kulture City, which will train our staff to give better service to individuals with sensory issues and those on the autism spectrum, making their experience at Infinity so much better. We can’t say thank you enough to the members of

Coast Electric because we will be able to make a difference in our community with this grant. Hancock County Resource Center HYPE – Cathy Pitalo – We would like to thank all of the Coast Electric members for rounding up. It will certainly make a difference for the youth in our community. St. Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy – Sam Burke – The Operation Round Up funds will be used to purchase insulin and other diabetic supplies for our clients. This support from the members is huge for us because we’ll be able to supply many vials of insulin for our clients for several months. Members, please understand the difference you are making in your community by participating in Operation Round Up. It’s an investment in your community to help those that are less fortunate. Mississippi Gulf Coast Buddy Sports – Mike Crawford – Buddy Sports provides leisure and sporting opportunities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These funds are going to a charter trip so we can take individuals with special needs on a fishing trip. We really appreciate you rounding up your bills because without your efforts, we couldn’t make all of this happen. We appreciate you helping us help others.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

Connected to our community

Go Red

Lynn Meadows

Cancer Society Donation

From fundraising efforts and Heart Walk teams to wearing red on Fridays, Coast Electric employees showed they have heart this September as they worked to raise funds and awareness for the American Heart Association.

Employees spent time at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center working on various maintenance projects for the children’s museum.

Janell Nolan presented a check for $5,000 to Hancock County’s Relay For Life, beneﬁting the American Cancer Society. These funds were raised through the Coast Electric Ready, Set, Glow Run in June.

Veterans Day

Parade Night Out Employees attended the Night Out Against Crime at the D’Iberville Community Center on August 6, and received a plaque for the best presentation on safety awareness.

Celebrate our nation’s heroes Saturday, November 9, at 11 a.m. in D’Iberville at the Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade. The route begins behind City Hall on Automall Parkway.

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. 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!

October Reduce Your Use prize announcement This month, you have a second chance to win a smart power strip. Smart strips help you manage the appliances in your home that might be using energy, even when you don’t realize it.

August’s Reduce Your Use contest winner! Congratulations to the winner of our first smart strip, Zana Voss.

Visit www.coastepa.com to enter Reduce Your Use! 18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

You can only enter once per month, but you can enter every month for a new prize! If you would like more information on energy savings or to sign up for Coast Electric’s Time of Use program, call 1-877-769-2372.

The Power of

Pink

This October our crews’ uniforms look a little different than they do the rest of the year. Once again, instead of our regular hard hats, employees will be wearing pink ones in honor of those who have battled breast cancer.

McLeod Park

November 1 will mark our Time of Use (TOU) rate time change. For those of you who are taking advantage of our TOU rate, please note that our peak times will change from our summer hours (3-6 p.m., Monday-Friday) to winter hours (6-8 a.m., Monday-Friday). That means that only 10 hours of 168 hours in the week are peak hours.

Tips for the TOU time change: Make sure programmable thermostat settings reflect the new times.

Coast Electric employees and their families spent a weekend cleaning walking trails and waterways in McLeod Park in Hancock County. Environmental responsibility is important to us. As a cooperative owned and led by our members, we want to make sure we are taking care of our community. After the cleanup and a potluck meal, employees held a cornhole tournament to benefit the American Heart Association. Thanks to all of our volunteers for taking the time to maintain the natural beauty of our home and to raise money for a great cause!

Gordon Redd

Make sure those pre-work or school showers aren’t costing you more. Change water heater timers to avoid peak hours.

Still running a pool pump? Make sure you adjust the times your pump runs.

If you want to start the dishes before you leave in the morning, use the delayed start option on your machine.

Special holiday hours During the holidays, TOU is the gift that keeps on giving. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are off-peak prices all day long!

Is TOU for you? Redd Pest Solutions, owned by board member Gordon Redd Jr., recently donated $50,000 to the Mississippi State University Extension Services Termite Technician Training Facility. The donation was made in honor of Mr. Redd’s father and uncles who started the pest control company in 1946. This 5,000-square-foot training facility is the first in Mississippi and will teach termite technicians about different types of construction and safe, effective pesticide application.

If you aren’t trying our TOU rate, now is the time! This rate allows you to save if you avoid energy use during peak hours. You have the control to save on your monthly energy costs. Just imagine what those savings can do for you this holiday season! If you are hesitant, don’t worry. With our six-month guarantee, you can see what your bill would have been on our traditional rate. If you would have saved more on that rate or if you decide TOU isn’t for you for any reason, you can switch back and we will refund the savings you would have seen to your account. OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 19

Delta Electric’s new IVR phone number is 662-743-4425

✓GET ACCOUNT INFO ✓MAKE A PAYMENT ✓REPORT AN OUTAGE ✓MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT USE IT ANY TIME 24/7

By the community, for the community October is National Co-op Month When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and beautiful fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason — it’s National Co-op Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including Delta Electric Power Association, celebrate who we are and more importantly, the members we serve. Cooperatives are different than other types of businesses. When the market declines to offer a product or service, or does so at a very high price, co-ops intervene to fill the need. Similar to how Delta Electric was built by members who came together to bring electricity to our community, cooperatives are conveners for the common good. Your electric co-op exists to provide safe,

reliable and affordable energy to you, the members of the co-op. Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of the members we serve. As a co-op, we are well-suited to meet the needs of the community because we are locally governed. Delta Electric’s leadership team and employees live right here in the community. Our board of directors, who helps set long-term priorities for the co-op, live locally on co-op lines. These board members have been elected to the position by neighbors like you. We know our members (that’s you!) have a valuable perspective. That’s why

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Tip of the

Month

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

October is National Co-op Month.

Electric co-ops are proud to power more than 20 million American homes, businesses, farms and schools in 48 states.

we are continually seeking your input. Whether through community events or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you. We hope you will think of Delta Electric as more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity for the people. We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you — because your electric co-op was built by the community, for the community.

Tips to stay comfortable this winter When we talk about comfort in our homes, we usually think about where the thermostat is set. But, as some homeowners find, there’s more to the picture than just the indoor temperature. An important piece of the comfort puzzle is radiant heat, which transfers heat from a warm surface to a colder one. A person sitting in a room that’s 70 degrees can still feel chilly if there’s a cold surface nearby, like a single-pane window, a hardwood floor or an exterior wall. Covering these cold surfaces can help. Try using area rugs, wall quilts or tapestries, bookcases and heavy curtains to help prevent heat loss and make your home feel more comfortable. Keep in mind, radiant heat can really work in your favor. A dark-colored tile floor that receives several hours of direct sun can retain heat during the day and radiate it into the room during the evening. Another possible cause of discomfort during the winter is air movement. We recognize this when weather forecasts report chill factor, which is a calculation of air temperature and wind speed. Moving air makes us feel colder, which is why we use fans in the summer. But during the winter, cold, outdoor air can infiltrate our homes. On average, a typical home loses about half its air every hour, and that amount can increase when outdoor temperatures are extremely cold and the wind is blowing. In this case, the best way to keep your home toasty is to minimize air leaks. You can easily locate air leaks in your home with a blower door test, which is typically conducted by an energy auditor. These are some of the most common spots air leaks occur: • Penetrations and cracks around windows and doors • Exterior cracks in brickwork and siding • Plumbing and wiring penetrations from the exterior to the interior of the home • Mail slots or pet doors A variety of products like caulk, weather stripping, outlet cover gaskets and dryer vent covers can be used to seal these leaks. A fireplace can also be a major source of air leakage. If you don’t use the fireplace, you can seal the opening or install an inflatable chimney balloon. Before using the fireplace, consider this: unless you have a high-efficiency insert, your fireplace will suck heated air from the room out through the chimney. Always close the fireplace flue when it’s not in use. Your pursuit of comfort should also include a careful look at your home’s heating system. Is it distributing heat evenly and efficiently? Forcedair systems distribute air through supply ducts and registers. Small rooms may only have one register, but large rooms could have several. You may find some supply registers are blowing copious amounts of warm air and others little at all. Ideally, every room should have return air registers. If you see possible shortcomings with your forced-air system, enlist the help of a certified contractor that really knows how to improve ductwork. Ensure your furnace is running at peak efficiency by scheduling an annual inspection. Check your filter monthly and replace or clean it as necessary. If you heat your home with radiators, bleed them at the beginning of the season so they flow more efficiently. Beyond that, you can always warm yourself by wearing heavier clothing, doing some light exercise throughout the day and snuggling with a pet or under a blanket. By taking some of these small steps, we hope you will enjoy a more comfortable winter.

GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS

ever connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment.

Stationary generator:

An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.

Portable generator:

THINK SAFETY FIRST! A safety message from Delta Electric OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

CONTACT INFORMATION 601-425-2535 • www.dixieepa.com @DixieElectricMS

@DixieEPA

@dixie_electric

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

By the community, for the community Half Page: 7” x 4.875” October is National Co-op Month

Randy Smith General Manager

When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and beautiful fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason – it’s National Co-op Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including Dixie Electric Power Association, celebrate who we are and more importantly, the members we serve.

As a co-op, we are well-suited to meet the needs of the community because we are locally governed. Dixie Electric’s leadership team and employees live right here in the community. Our board of directors, who help to set long-term priorities for the co-op, live and work here locally too. Board elections are currently under way, and we encourage you to participate in the election. There are numerous ways to vote, so participation can be easy and convenient for you. You’ll see the details about our annual meeting on page 18. Another feature that sets our co-op apart from a traditional utility is one of our core principles, “Concern for Community.” We partner with local organizations like the American Cancer

Society and Salvation Army to give back to our community. We participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., to experience history and democracy in action. Similar to how Dixie Electric was built by members who came together to bring electricity to our community, cooperatives are conveners for the common good. Your electric co-op exists to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the members of the co-op. Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of the members we serve. We hope you will think of Dixie Electric as more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity for the people. We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you – because your electric co-op was built by the community, for the community.

Maintaining reliable service Right-of-way clearing projects underway 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. 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

Hebron substation: Hebron, Big Creek, Gitano and Soso Sharon substation: North Laurel, Sharon and Hoy

Indian Springs substation: Sunrise and Petal Glade substation: Glade, Myrick and Tuckers Crossing South Waynesboro substation: Waynesboro, Clara, Dyess Bridge, Winchester and Buckatunna

Tips to stay comfortable this winter by Lydia Walters When we talk about comfort in our homes, we usually think about where the thermostat is set, but there is more to the picture than just the indoor temperature. We recognize this when weather forecasts report chill factor, which is a calculation of air temperature and wind speed. Fans work great in the summer because they move air, making us feel colder, but during the winter, cold, outdoor air can infiltrate our homes. Here are some easy, practical ways to stay comfortable this winter while also saving energy: 1. Take advantage of heat from the sun: Open curtains and window treatments during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. 2. Adjust the temperature on your thermostat: When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° or 15° to save electricity. If you have a heat pump, consider installing a programmable thermostat. 3. Find and seal leaks: The most common spots air leaks occur are penetrations and cracks around windows and doors, exterior cracks in brickwork and siding, plumbing and wiring penetrations and mail slots or pet doors. A variety of products like caulk, weather stripping, outlet cover gaskets and dryer vent covers can be used to seal these leaks. 4. Maintain your heating system: Schedule yearly service and maintenance on your heating system and replace your filter once a month. 5. Reduce heat loss from the fireplace: Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like having a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to escape up the chimney. 6. Lower the water heater setting: Turn down the temperature on your water heater to the warm setting of 120°F. You’ll not only save energy; you’ll avoid scalding your hands! You can conduct a home energy audit through our website by clicking energy solutions at dixieepa.com.

GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS

ever connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment.

Stationary generator:

An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.

Portable generator:

Plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator. Set up and run your generator in a wellventilated area outside the home. Make sure it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly. Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electrical appliances to the outlet on the generator. Start the generator first before connecting appliances.

THINK SAFETY FIRST! A safety message from Dixie Electric OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

Youth Leadership University It’s fun and games and so much more

or more than a decade, students from area high schools have attended Youth Leadership University to learn about cooperatives, the electric power industry and to expand their leadership skills. The educational, and extremely fun, activities include get-acquainted games, the KaHoot! Game about cooperatives, a legislative panel discussion, learning about the tough job of a lineman and a presentation and hands-on project on the flow of electricity. Thirty-eight high school juniors, representing 12 high schools, attended the fun-filled day on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Youth Leadership University is the first step in a leadership building process that also include a three-day workshop in Jackson in February and a weeklong, all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for at least two of these students. “This is our eleventh year to offer

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

Youth Leadership University. I continue to be impressed with the students and the excitement they bring to this leadership program,” Community Relations Coordinator Pollyanna Magee said. During the morning session, Magee led the students in several rounds of games, so the students could get to know one another. The students also heard a presentation from Cooperative Energy’s Tonya Williams who explained how power is generated, transmitted and distributed to the members of Dixie Electric. The morning sessions ended just before lunch with a panel discussion from state legislators. Representatives Gary Staples, Noah Sanford and Donnie Scoggins visited with the students and answered questions about the legislative process. Youth Leadership winners from 2018 Lorin Brown and Courtney Lee shared their experiences going to Washington,

D.C., in June and of the Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson. Lorin is from Petal High School, and Courtney is from Northeast Jones High School. This annual event is the first step in the Youth Leadership Program. From the students who attended, 15 were selected for an interview the following day for an opportunity to attend the Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson, which is organized and hosted jointly with the other electric cooperatives in Mississippi. Two students will win an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June 2020. The Washington, D.C. Youth Tour program has given students from across the nation an opportunity to see their nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital since the 1950s. Academic counselors, teachers and officials from the local high schools joined the students for the University. The winners will be announced in next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue of Today in Mississippi.

Above: Rep. Donnie Scoggins, Rep. Gary Staples and Rep. Noah Sanford spoke to the students about issues facing their communities.

Bottom Row: Alyssa Ball, MiKhyla McGee, Sharlie Richardson, Kastyn Daughdrill, Keirston Mills, Danielle Day; Second Row: Kallie Dykes, Alexis Hendry, Miller French, Landry Thompson, Khloe Shafer, Christian Swindle, Katelyn Walters, Katelyn Patterson, Lindsey Andrews, Jordyn Thompson; Third Row: Colby Garrett, Loren Wade, Meghan Cosper, Garrett Minchew, Eboni McDonald, Tasia Walden, Gracye Tower, Alexis Walters, Kitty Grace Berry, Caroline Davey; Back Row: Reeves Crowder, Lower Skinner, Campbell Hankins, Brannon King, Jaymar Jackson, Jake Sumrall, Nash Phillips, Will Hodo, Wade Parker, Alex Lawson, Cameron Melendez

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

Dixie Electric Power Association Annual Meeting of the Members Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 Registration – 10 a.m. Meeting – 11 a.m. Dixie Electric’s Auditorium, 1863 Highway 184, Laurel

VOTE

500

and you could win!

250

Grand Prize: $500 credit on electric bill (one prize awarded) Seven District Prizes: $250 credit on electric bill (one prize awarded per district) Vote Online Prize: $250 credit on electric bill (one prize awarded) Winners do not have to be present to win. Employees and board members of Dixie Electric are not eligible.

VOTE and HELP YOUR COMMUNITY! For every vote cast, proxy submitted or person attending, Dixie Electric will donate $1 to the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter of Laurel, benefiting residents in Clarke, Jasper, Jones and Wayne counties.

Choose ONE of three ways to VOTE!

1 2

MAIL in your ABSENTEE BALLOT or PROXY! You should have received the annual meeting voting brochure around Sept. 15, 2019. Choose one, either the absentee ballot or the proxy. Tear it out along the perforation and return it using the enclosed, postage-paid envelope. Deadline to vote by mail is October 14.

Use the ONLINE BALLOT. You’ll receive access through an email link, so check your email, or visit My Account on dixieepa.com and click Vote Now. Deadline to vote online is October 14.

Dixie Electric Power Association Board of Directors

CLARKE JASPER

SANDERSVILLE

COVINGTON

Dist. 4 - Mack J. Mauldin, President Dist. 3 - Robert M. Smith, Vice President Dist. 2 - Allen M. Sledge, Sr., Alt. Sec.-Treas. Dist. 6 - Faye Bonner, Sec.-Treas. Dist. 1 - Mike H. Shows Dist. 5 - Sears Ward Dist. 7 - Dale McKee

Vote IN PERSON at the annual meeting on Saturday, Oct. 19.

HWY 11

LAUREL

LEAF RIVER

HWY 84

WAYNE

SPURLINE RD.

HWY 588

ELLISVILLE

JONES

WAYNESBORO

1 RICHTON

PETAL

PERRY FORREST

NEW AUGUSTA

Meet the candidates here!

18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

The Credentials and Election Committee certified the following individuals as candidates in their respective districts. The certification includes verifying the qualifications and the petitions submitted by the candidates. The following individuals were the only members who submitted the qualifying documentation:

Meet the

BOARD CANDIDATES Lucy Cooley - District 1 Lucy Cooley of Ovett qualified as a candidate in District 1, serving members in southeast Jones County and Perry County. Lucy is married to Tony and retired from the Jones County School District with more than 30 years of service. She is currently working part time as the counselor for the Jones County Learning Center and part time at Landrum’s Homestead and Village. Lucy and Tony have one daughter and are members of Tiger Creek Baptist Church.

Co-op Connections

Business Spotlight In Laurel

The Boutique on Central The Boutique on Central, located in the heart of downtown Laurel, is a trendy boutique selling stylish ladies fashion to fit every budget. With clothing ranging from size small to 3X, the Boutique on Central has something for all age groups and all sizes. Present your Co-op Connections card and receive 10 percent off one regular priced item.

In Ellisville

Karock’s Karock’s, conveniently located close to Jones College in Ellisville, is famous for their chicken on a stick. Whether you are looking for a dining or carry out experience, Karock’s has you covered. Enjoy fresh food that is prepared right in front of you! Present your Co-op Connections card and receive a free drink with your meal purchase.

Sears Ward - District 5 Sears Ward has served the members of northeastern Jones County on the board of directors for the past three years. He lives in the Mt. Olive community and is married to Patricia Ward. Sears is an insurance agent for Humana. He is a Deacon at Judah Missionary Baptist Church and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Sears has three children.

Maintaining reliable service Pole inspection is underway Osmose Utilities Services is performing inspection and maintenance on some of Dixie Electric Power Association’s poles, through the fall. The general areas to be inspected will be the Petal, Runnelstown, Richton, Sunrise, Indian Springs, McSwain and New Augusta areas. This work will generally consist of excavating a hole about 18-inches deep around the poles to inspect them and applying a preservative and/or remedial treatment to the poles as needed. The

purpose of the inspection and treatment is to identify poles that do not meet industry strength standards and to extend the useful life of all others. All Osmose contract workers will be identifiable by their yellow and orange Osmose work vests and hard hats. Osmose vehicles should be marked with Osmose Utility decals as well as Dixie Electric Power Association “Contractor” decals.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 19

FOR AFTER-HOURS OUTAGES, CALL

601-581-8600 DeKalb 601-743-2641 Louisville 662-773-5741 Member owned. Locally operated. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the cooperative difference.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

Meridian 601-581-8600 Quitman 601-776-6271

2019 Annual Report East Mississippi Electric Power Association has been a trusted partner in the communities we serve for the past 81 years. Building trust is hard work, and maintaining that trust is even harder. We at EMEPA do not take your trust for granted as we continue to serve in our communities. In our most recent satisfaction survey, you, our members gave us a 92 percent positive rating for the service and value we deliver to your homes and businesses each day. While that rating exceeds most businesses, we also recognize we have room to improve even more. Trust is strongest when it is built on mutually beneficial relationships. You can see many of the EMEPA relationships as you scan the timeline of milestones and accomplishments from this past year. Our employees volunteered to serve our communities and schools, responded to neighboring CEO Randy Carroll cooperatives when they called for assistance, all while maintaining our system. In September 2018, our crews responded to help restore power following Hurricane Gordon in south Mississippi. Shortly after Gordon, Hurricane Florence impacted South Carolina and we again responded to help those cooperatives. Hurricane Michael followed in October and caused major damage to the Florida panhandle. Over four weeks, 75 of our employees lent aid to the areas impacted. In April 2019, EMEPA was impacted by severe weather twice in a span of only one week. The damage was significant enough that crews from neighboring cooperatives responded to help us restore power to our members. You see, cooperation among cooperatives is one of the seven operating principals that makes cooperatives so special to their communities. In January 2019, Governor Phil Bryant signed the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act into law. This law allows Mississippi electric cooperatives to explore ways of providing high-speed 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

internet access to Mississippi families and businesses. With ATTALA COUNTY 14 Louisville the passage of this law, a WINSTON NOXUBEE COUNTY COUNTY new avenue of service is 15 being explored. De Kalb To date, we have one study 16 completed and a second in NESHOBA KEMPER COUNTY COUNTY 45 progress to evaluate the cost and feasibility of building a fiber network LAUDERDALE COUNTY throughout our service territory. Initial Meridian projections are that it is an expensive I-20 NEWTON project of almost $100 million that COUNTY I-59 could take five to 10 years to comCLARKE JASPER COUNTY plete. While that is a cost that makes us COUNTY take pause, it is not one that cannot be Quitman overcome with enough subscriptions to broadband service. The subscription rate WAYNE COUNTY becomes key. Since subscription rates are the key, we asked the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to perform a statistically valid survey of our members to determine interest in broadband service being provided by EMEPA. Just over a third of our members expressed interest in EMEPA providing broadband service. The response was great enough to continue working on a viable plan. One third is borderline on implementing an affordable broadband system. We will continue to gauge member interest as well as look for lower-cost methods of building the system. As stated earlier this year, please remember the three Ps of broadband. We now have Permission to look at broadband, we are working on feasible Plans for implementing broadband but, we still need your Patience as we travel this new and uncharted path. We value your trust. Be assured, every decision we make will be grounded in maintaining that trust.

2018-2019 TIMELINE OF EVENTS in east Mississippi and the largest all-inclusive playground in the state. • Five local high school students represented EMEPA at the annual Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson.

July 2018 • EMEPA’s newest payment

November • EMEPA’s Board of Directors

option, PrePay, turned two and continues to grow as an easy, convenient payment option.

announced the return of capital credits for the year 1988 totaling more than $2.1 million.

August • Eight EMEPA employees

December • EMEPA recognized 33

participated in the annual Boy Scouts of America Choctaw Area Council Clays For Character fundraiser.

employees and board members for a combined 615 years of service to EMEPA and its members at the annual employee appreciation dinner.

September • EMEPA crews traveled to both Singing River Electric in Lucedale, Miss. to provide aid following Hurricane Gordon and to Florence, South Carolina to provide aid following Hurricane Florence. • EMEPA CEO Randy Carroll presented the Golden Apple Teacher of the Month Award to Danny Alexander, a physics and chemistry teacher at Lamar High School in Meridian. • EMEPA hosted Volunteer Fire Department Appreciation Dinners in Winston, Kemper, Lauderdale and Clarke counties to honor local volunteer fire fighters.

October • EMEPA held its 80th Annual Meeting of the membership on Saturday, Oct. 6 in Meridian. • EMEPA sent more than 75 employees including linemen, servicemen, engineers, rightof-way workers and mechanics to the Florida panhandle to aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.

March • A record setting 77 teams gathered at Camp Binachi in Lauderdale County for EMEPA’s 6th Annual Shoot For A Cure event raising more than $22,000 for the American Cancer Society and Anderson Cancer Center’s Cancer Patient Benevolence Fund.

January 2019 • Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act into law allowing Mississippi Electric Cooperatives ability to explore options of providing high-speed internet access to rural Mississippi. • EMEPA employees donated an afternoon to help organize items at the Hope Village Thrift Store in Meridian. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the store go to Hope Village for Children.

April • Within a span of only one week, EMEPA’s service area was hit twice with severe weather and tornadoes resulting in all-nighters to clear debris, repair damage and

restore power to all members. • A group of employees volunteered to complete landscaping and lawn maintenance needs at Baptist Children’s Home in Louisville.

May • EMEPA employees volunteered to coordinate the lineup of athletes for the Parade of Athletes at the State Games of Mississippi Opening Ceremonies in downtown Meridian. • A group of employees volunteered at Creature Comforts Clarke County building kennels, painting and completing needed outdoor maintenance.

June • EMEPA employees volunteered to provide updates and a fresh coat of paint to areas of East Kemper Elementary. • EMEPA Youth Leadership Ambassadors Shelbie Reid, Khadijah Bell, Judson Moore, Daneel Konnar and Maggie Phillips traveled to Washington, D.C., for the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

February • Forty-three EMEPA employees volunteered to help build Jeannie’s Place at Planet Playground, the only handicap accessible public playground

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

New Solar Farm Complete at Meridian Naval Facility

Silicon Ranch, TVA, EMEPA join state, local and Navy ofﬁcials to dedicate solar project at NAS Meridian The Department of the Navy (DON), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), East Mississippi Electric Power Association (EMEPA) and Silicon Ranch Corporation (Silicon Ranch) “flipped the switch” on a solar facility at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian in September. The celebration formally inaugurated the 6-megawatt solar farm that will provide energy resilience and energy security to the naval base. The project is the result of an innovative public-private partnership that brought together the DON, TVA, EMEPA, and Silicon Ranch with a shared vision to support the naval base and the 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

local community. Nashville-based Silicon Ranch, the U.S. solar platform for Shell and one of the largest independent solar power producers in the United States, installed more than 15,000 solar photovoltaic panels on approximately 38 acres of land leased from the DON. The company will own, operate and maintain the facility for the next 20 years. As part of the lease agreement, NAS Meridian received in-kind consideration in the form of increased energy resilience made possible through Silicon Ranch investments to strengthen the local electrical grid.

The solar power plant will provide clean, renewable power to the electric grid and will be available to TVA and EMEPA customers, including NAS Meridian, at cost-competitive rates for the life of the project. Notable ceremony presenters included Capt. Brian Horstman, Commanding Officer, NAS Meridian; Doug Perry, Vice President Commercial Energy Solutions, TVA; Wayne Henson, Retired Chief Executive Officer, EMEPA; John Kliem, Executive Director, Naval Facilities Engineering Command’s (NAVFAC) Energy Security Programs Office; Brandon Presley, Chair-

man, Mississippi Public Service Commission; and Matt Kisber, Co-Founder and Board Chairman, Silicon Ranch. “Partnerships like this one between the Department of the Navy, TVA, EMEPA and Silicon Ranch strengthen NAS Meridian and enhance our ability to perform the critical function of supporting warfighter capabilities and readiness,” said Capt. Horstman. “This flagship project demonstrates how EMEPA’s CEO Staff Assistant Brent Mabry, Director of Engineering Pat Williams, retired CEO Wayne Henson and NAS Facilities diverse fuel sources Coordinator Brent Lofton attended the “Flip the Switch” ceremony for a new six-megawatt solar farm located at NAS Meridian. ensure an installation’s About Tennessee Valley Authority vision and commitment to bring cost-efenergy security and provide NAS MeridThe Tennessee Valley Authority is a corfective, renewable power to NAS Meridian ian with the power it needs to carry out porate agency of the United States that and Lauderdale County.” its important mission,” said Kliem. The air “Cost-effective solar power projects like provides electricity for business customstation not only serves as an important this one we’re dedicating today are a win- ers and local power companies serving aviation training facility for the Navy and win-win, providing benefits for the people nearly 10 million people in parts of seven Marine Corps, but also serves as a stratesoutheastern states. TVA receives no taxof Mississippi and enhancing the national gic FEMA staging ground for the federal government to respond to domestic hurri- security of the United States while making payer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addimilitary bases in our state more secure,” cane recovery efforts.” tion to operating and investing its revesaid Commissioner Presley. “TVA is committed to being a trusted nues in its electric system, TVA provides The DON continues to improve readienergy partner as part of our mission of flood control, navigation and land manness, combat effectiveness and flexibility service to the Valley,” said Perry. “The agement for the Tennessee River system through initiatives that focus on energy solar installation at NAS Meridian reflects and assists local power companies and reliability, resiliency and efficiency. TVA’s ongoing commitment to provide state and local governments with ecoclean, local, renewable energy generanomic development and job creation. tion as a fully integrated part of the larger About Silicon Ranch Corporation Silicon Ranch is the U.S. solar platform power system to best serve the power About East Mississippi Electric Power for Shell and one of the largest indepenneeds of the nearly 10 million residents Association dent solar power producers in the counof the Tennessee Valley.” East Mississippi Electric Power Associtry. Silicon Ranch develops to own all of “EMEPA has been a partner of NAS ation, headquartered in Meridian, Miss., is its projects for the long-term, a distinction Meridian for more than 60 years,” said an electric distribution cooperative servthat means the company is deeply comHenson. “We are pleased to participate ing more than 37,000 families and busimitted to its partners and communities in this broader partnership that supports nesses in Winston, Kemper, Lauderdale, and stands behind the performance of its both the DON goals and the growth of Clarke, Attala, Neshoba, Newton, Noxfacilities day in and day out. The compaour community.” ny’s operating portfolio includes more than ubee, Jasper and Wayne counties. As a “This innovative energy project is the not-for-profit electric cooperative owned 120 facilities across 14 states from New result of a collaborative effort, and Silby the people served, EMEPA’s core valYork to California, including the first largeicon Ranch thanks our partners at the ues center on delivering the energy to U.S. Navy, TVA, EMEPA and the MS Public scale solar projects in Mississippi, Georgia, empower lives. Tennessee and Arkansas. To learn more, Service Commission for making it posvisit siliconranch.com and follow the comsible,” said Kisber. “Each of our partners pany on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. deserves tremendous credit for their OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

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

Making good decisions for 80 years For 80 years, 4-County has been bringing power to the members of this cooperative. We are rural Mississippi. We are proud of the role we have played in making our service territory a place where people want to live, businesses want to locate and communities thrive. We do that through our job of providing safe, reliable and affordable power and we take that job very, very seriously. We strive to be good stewBrian Clark ards of our members’ CEO/General Manager money — whether we are buying wire and poles at the best prices, working more efficiently to keep costs down or investing in new technology to better serve our members. It’s the same when it comes to broadband. We fully understand how impactful access to broadband can be. And we also see how passionate members are on the subject. But we also understand that it is a huge investment that, as any business venture is, is not guaranteed success. I’d like you to know that I — and our board and staff — are taking the broadband project seriously. We continue to work on this issue, studying what works and what doesn’t, looking for grants and other funding, other possible partners, trying to make sure that if we do go down this road, that we have the best chance of being successful. As you’ll see in the update on page 15, there are many factors we have to take into consideration. Those include cost, regulatory impact, circumstances, competition 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

and technology. There’s no crystal ball that can tell us what will be successful and what will not. We have to weigh a lot of information and a lot of opinion and try to come up with a decision that benefits all of us. We are moving cautiously because a decision this big doesn’t need to be rushed in to. I hope that whether you are a proponent of us getting into the broadband business or not that you respect the fact that this decision will have a huge impact on every member of this cooperative. We have set up an email address so that you can let us know where you stand on the matter. Our Member Advisory Committee (see sidebar list on this page) is also getting input from members and is helping us to form our strategy. Please feel free to let them or your board member know your thoughts. We welcome your input as we move forward, we appreciate your passion on the matter and we hope you understand our intention of being fully informed before a final decision is made. We will also keep you updated as things progress, here in Today, and on social and regular media, too. Thank you for your patience, your input and your support for 4-County.

Member Advisory Committee 2019 ■ Chickasaw & Webster Counties Paul and Sherry Crowley Willard and Peggy Easley Jim and Marguerite Miles Jerry and Mary Riggan

■ Choctaw & Winston Counties Trey and Lara Bowman David and Wanda Carter Theodis and Dorothy Francis Benny and Deanie Graves John and Carole Tennant

■ Clay & Monroe Counties Louis and Elizabeth Clay Karl and Sonya Gibbs Lynn and Tina Horton Don and Bonnie Land C.M. and Ann Miller Lyman and Deborah Smith

■ Lowndes County Leslie and Margaret Baucom Frank and Kathy Howell Dwight and Gwen King John and Bonnie Partridge Robert and Bettye Phillips Sammie and Sandra Williams

■ Noxubee County Frank and Lula Bell Draper James and Rhonda Gillespie Grey and Teresa Land Gene and Paulette Moore James and Dorothy Stewart

■ Oktibbeha County Sylvester and Marilyn Davis Russell and Haley Dodds Bubba and Emily Harrington David and Carolyn Oswalt Jack and Pam Rhoades Sr. Paul Yeatman

Co-op Connections Card saves Since the Co-op Connections Card was unveiled in September 2011, 4-County members have saved over $735,009 on prescription drugs through August. Look here each month to see the savings total!

The broadband decision 4-County Electric Power Association understands the importance of reliable high-speed internet (HSI) service. We are working very hard to make the right decision for our members, our cooperative and our future. We have commissioned two separate feasibility studies to help guide us. We have conducted a survey of members in the most underserved areas of our service territory. Those data-gathering efforts have given us a lot of information to work through, so we can make the best decision we can. At 4-County, the major issues that play into our decision-making process are these: n Cost Our studies show that a full roll out of the fiber needed to provide HSI to all our members would be about $115 million. That means with almost 40,000 members, the cost per member is about $3,000. Where would this money come from? 4-County would have to borrow it using our electric plant for collateral. This means our electric system members are ultimately responsible. Why is this an issue? If this project doesn’t pay for itself, then 4-County would have to subsidize it with more debt and potentially higher electric rates. Our feasibility studies have shown that at the very least, 30 percent of our members must subscribe to the service just to break even. n Regulation As you know, The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) regulates 4-County and 153 other power providers in the valley. 4-County’s wholesale power contract with TVA does not allow us to leverage our electric resources to fund non-electric projects such as broadband.

n Density Density is a key factor in broadband profitability. Experts say you should have an average of double-digit potential customers per mile of line to have success, the higher the better. Our density is 6.8 members per mile. n Circumstances One of the key ways that co-ops are able to justify the expense of putting in fiber is they can claim it benefits their electric system. They are then able to finance it as part of their electric plant for potential communication and data uses internally. Several years ago, 4-County invested in a microwave system that allows us to move data and communication quickly, securely and at a cost that is about 90 percent less expensive than a fiber-to-thehome roll out. This microwave system, along with our next deployment of AMI infrastructure, will allow us to safely, securely and with much less cost, do all the things that fiber would let us do, except provide fiber broadband to our members’ homes. If the fiber deployment does take 20 years, what happens if 5G or another technology makes fiber obsolete, stranding the millions of dollars already invested? n Success stories Quite frankly, there are not many real, measurable and definable cases of electric co-ops succeeding in this type of project. Tennessee is a good example. In 2017, co-ops there were allowed to provide broadband. Two years later, only eight of 23 have moved forward. In Mississippi, we have only legally been able to move forward since late January 2019. That’s not a lot of time in which to make such an impactful decision.

n Competition If we announced plans to deploy broadband, existing companies will quickly expand service to areas they deem feasible and will be able to do so with promotional pricing, thereby reducing our potential customer base and making the project even more risky. Existing companies have no intention of serving the most rural and most costly areas, giving them a competitive advantage over us from the start. n Bottom line For more than 80 years, 4-County has been committed to its members and the communities in which they live. From helping bring in new companies such as PACCAR, Yokohama, the Red Hills Coal Mine and many more, to helping existing businesses and farms with hundreds of thousands of dollars in growth incentives, to returning nearly $1 million dollars in member donations to area organizations through our Foundation, we pride ourselves on being committed to improving the quality of life for all those we touch. We understand the importance and the need for reliable HSI for rural Mississippi. We are NOT saying no. Our concern is this project will be financed with loans backed by 4-County and our members. Entering into the broadband business is a gamble that, if it doesn’t pay off, could mean increased rates, lower reliability and other issues for 4-County and our members. If it seems we are not moving quickly enough, we owe it to our members not to rush into a decision of this magnitude. A cautious approach is not a negative. We believe it is the right thing for everyone involved.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

THERE’S JUST NO

PATTeRN to it! BY BRAD BARR

Ann Easley doesn’t folglazes. She also low the pattern of many sewed and painted artists and craft aficionachina. “She taught dos. In fact, she doesn’t us to be ladies,” Ann really use a pattern at all said of herself and — just a vision. siblings. Much like her grandAnn graduated with mother, an elaborate an education degree crochet artist in her own from Henderson right, Ann can be likened State College. She to a creative chef — a and Melvin have one pinch of this and a pinch son, Darrell, and four of that results in an artisgrandchildren. tic dish for all to enjoy. At her mother’s Ann grew up in Mururging, Ann (a busy freesboro, Arkansas, wife and mother) spending much of her took a painting class. time at the family-owned Lowndes County artist Ann Easley lights up a room with her colorful paint“The teacher told me ings, jewelry and collections. The avid artist is always exploring different downtown mercantile. I should be teachways to use color in her work. Ann and her husband ing the class,” she Melvin have lived in the said with a grin. Ann New Hope Community in Lowndes County since 1972. has been painting since 1975. “A blank canvas called my But much of her interest in arts and crafts came name,” she said. Ann paints on canvas, cardboard early in life from her grandmother, who lived just and paper. “I’m an eclectic artist.” down the street from her in Murfreesboro. Why did she start painting and working She crocheted and taught Ann. Every Easin arts and crafts? “I felt like I needed an ter, Ann remembered, her grandmother outlet. I find that through working with gave her gorgeous baskets decorated the arts.” She even takes up a needle “I felt like I needed with handmade dancing dolls. “She was and yarn now and again. an outlet. I find that always into something creative. She had But today, Ann spends much of her through working no patterns. She just made what she time creating jewelry. She took up the wanted.” hobby about five years ago. It works like with the arts.” Ann’s mother created ceramics and this: Ann purchases carved pieces of jade

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

from Asia and Africa, often hundreds of years old, and builds necklaces around them. “Every one of them has a story,” she said. But no story is the same. “I like for them to have their own identity.” She is also a jewelry collector, always ready to display several pieces of colorful accessories. Her work is done in a garage, turned sunroom, turned art studio. “This is where it all happens,” she said of the 25-foot by 25-foot colorful space. “I love colors. They’re my friends. But I do have a little serenity about me,” Ann explained. Her advice for aspiring artists and craftspeople? “Acquaint yourself with colors. Get a color wheel. Remember, opposites attract. Start mixing colors and see what you get.” Ann also recommends familiarizing yourself with tools of the trade — brushes, canvas and different types of paint. Look at other art, she added. “I just like to create something from nothing.” And don’t, she stressed, always rely on a pattern to create something magical. “Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Because there really is no pattern to it.” Easley often uses antique stone work in her jewelry design, like jade pieces. She has a collection of antique jewelery that she displays for others to enjoy.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

4-County awards incentives to farmer

Clay County catfish farmer Warren Giesbrecht recently received cash incentives from 4-County Electric Power Association and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Giesbrecht received the incentives as a result of his participation in TVA’s energyright electrification incentive program. He received incentives of $41,397 and $10,973 for work completed in two phases of adding ponds to his property. 4-County Key Accounts Executive Brent Lochala said the program was influential for Giesbrecht because it offered the farmer and 4-County member an opportunity to offset some of his costs if he moved his timeline up for completing some of the work. Giesbrecht said the application process was a smooth one. “I really appreciate 4-County and TVA. It’s obvious I’m working with good organizations. I’ve heard other people talk about challenges they’ve had with utilities. But I’ve only had good experiences with 4-County. I feel fortunate,” he said.

Lions Club seeing dividends from 4-County Foundation gift Macon Lions Club members are seeing immediate results thanks to a $7,000 plus grant from the 4-County Foundation. The group received the grant (along with a few local donations) in February and purchased a vision-screening device. Club members are using the device to provide free eye screenings to children in Noxubee County.

Foundation hands out big checks Nine area organizations received awards in September from the 4-County Electric Power Association Foundation. More than $46,000 was distributed at the Foundation’s Sept. 16 meeting at 4-County’s Corporate Center. Since the Foundation’s inception in February 2015, more than $940,000 has been dispersed to organizations in 4-County’s service area. These receiving Foundation awards at this latest meeting were: • Town of Ackerman Police Department — $2,654.70 for gear, medical kits and supplies • Town of Ackerman — $7,500 for playground equipment in city park • Golden Triangle Boys & Girls Club — $8,500 for a career launch program • Columbus Municipal School District — $4,500 for software and language arts curriculum • Town of Crawford — $5,121 for playground fencing • YMCA, New Hope branch — $4,372 for playground equipment • Starkville Friends of the Library — $4,280 for desktop computers • Girl Scouts Heart of the South — $2,000 for educational field trips • New Hope Middle School Robotics Program — $8,000 for laptops, motors and other items

For more information on the 4-County Foundation, call 1-800-431-1544. 18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

Marion Gray, site chairman for the Macon Lions Club, says the device has even made a recent mission trip to Kenya and back. Nearly 700 children in Kenyan orphanage/schools were screened, according to Sally Pearson, a local member of the Christian-based David’s Hope mission team. “Their faces were gleaming,” Pearson said. Dozens of children received much-needed eyeglass prescriptions through the endeavor.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Growing up 4-County 4-County receives award

The year was 1987. Keith Monahan wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after graduating from Lee High School in Columbus. All he knew was that he was eager to get started at whatever “it” was going to be. His “it” was a career at 4-County Electric Power Association. Keith got his diploma in May and began working at 4-County in August. “I’ve grown up here. It’s all I know,” the veteran journeyman lineman explained. He began his career as a rights-of-way laborer at 4-County’s Corporate Center. Later, Keith transferred to the Columbus office and began his tenure in the apprentice lineman program, earning journeyman lineman status in 1993. As a new employee, he hit the ground running. “The first year I was here, we had a bad ice storm. Those were some long days. That was my first eye-opener about what it was all about to be a lineman.” A lineman, Keith explained, never knows what the day will bring: breaking his way through ice in the storm of 1994 or floating power poles on the Pascagoula River during relief work in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. “There’s something different every day – a different setting, a different challenge and a different solution,” the maintenance crew leader said. Keith lives in Columbus with his wife,

Emily, and their son, Cole, 14. He enjoys church activities, spending time with his family and hunting (squirrel, deer and turkey). Keith is active in their church, the Columbus Church of Christ. He also serves on 4-County’s Materials Committee. Keith describes 4-County as his homeaway-from-home and as a good, stable place to work. “The co-op treats its employees in the right way. It’s been a good job to help raise a family,” he said. And 4-County has provided a proper avenue to serve the community, Keith added. “I’ve always enjoyed the storm work. You see folks in need and you can help them. Once you have lights, it’s hard to live without them. The members’ eyes light up when we pull in their driveway.” Keith couldn’t do his job, he added, without the support from his family. “The nature of the job is that we are on call. Sometimes we have to miss family things. They all understand,” he said. Being a lineman, Keith stressed, is more than a job. For 80 years, 4-County linemen have answered the call for help. Those early linemen lit the way for others to follow. “I appreciate those linemen that came before us. Technology may have changed through the years, but the dedication to keeping the lights on has not.”

4-County Electric Power Association was honored recently at the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi annual meeting in Biloxi. The co-op received an ACRE award from the Mississippi Action Committee for Rural Electrification. The award is in appreciation of 4-County’s outstanding support, dedication and exemplary devotion to ACRE (a national organization protecting the interests of electric cooperatives and their members).

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 19

MEP Contact Information: P: 3027 Highway 98 West • Summit, MS 39666 M: P.O. Box 747 • McComb, MS 39649

TO REPORT OUTAGES:

601-684-4011 Visit us online at www.MEPCoop.com Follow us on FaceBook and Twitter

Pay by Phone: 1-877-779-7740

Celebrating a 50-year career by Elissa Fulton For half a century, Bill Johnson has worked at Magnolia Electric Power. On September 9, Johnson made the milestone he has been working toward – 50 years! At 71 years of age, he’s finally thinking about the possibility of hanging up his hard hat. When you’ve worked at a place as long as Johnson, and worked in mostly every department, there are many changes that happen through the decades. The most significant changes he has seen is the amount of employees and the convenient equipment and machinery that make the job easier for a workday. “When I started here in 1969, we only had one bucket truck,” said Johnson. “No one trusted it, so it sat under the shed the majority of the time. We dug holes by hand and used an A-frame truck to set poles.” Johnson had not been at MEP for very long when he received the dreaded letter that he would be drafted to go overseas and fight for our country. “I started in September and I worked until December when I got my little letter that said, ‘Your friends and neighbors have selected you!’ and I got drafted,” he said. “And so, I did a 19-month tenure in the service, spending 11 months in Korea.” When Johnson began his career at MEP, he started off on a right-of-way 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

crew. By the time he returned from overseas, the right-of-way program had mostly been abandoned and turned over to contractors. MEP stayed true to their promise of holding a job for him, so he returned as a groundman and worked on construction crews. “I’ve been on the construction crews, I’ve been a senior lineman and had my own crew, I’ve been a foreman, I’ve done a little of all of it,” Johnson said. “In 1988, I got promoted to substation superintendent and I’ve been in this role for 31 years.” Johnson has helped to build nearly a dozen substations. When he started at the cooperative, there were only three substations, and the organization shared three substations with an investor-owned utility. Today there are 18 substations, three of which are still shared with Entergy. As superintendent, Johnson has been tasked with maintaining and caring for those substations he helped to build so many years ago. Johnson has been a south Mississippi resident the majority of his life. When he interviewed for the job in 1969, he didn’t have much experience, but a connection between his grandfather-in-law and the former line superintendent, Warren Wood, got him in the door, and he’s been at MEP ever since. In his time at the cooperative, he’s worked for three general managers, five line superintendents and 3 engineers. A 50-year career has meant a lot to Johnson. “It has just been a wild ride,” he said.

this building,” he said. “Aside from moving to the new building, the new guys coming through the organization have really been the most memorable to me. As a long-timer, it’s been great to see these guys learn and come through the ranks and to be a part of Bill Johnson (left) is pictured with Daniel Evans, engineer. their careers. It’s been really special to me.” “That’s about all I can say. Things have Though it’s been 31 years since Johnchanged. We used to work late hours son has climbed a utility pole, he used and seldom went home at 5 p.m. There to teach the younger ones how to climb. just wasn’t enough of us to keep up with He is still always willing to teach the new everything. After we got more personnel guys what he’s learned over the years, it made it easier on all of us.” The technology has changed drastically and he admits it is his favorite part of the job. over 50 years, but Johnson has kept up “I just try to help every time I can,” with all of the changes. he said. “I just tell the guys if they need something to call me and I’ll help if I can. If I haven’t got the answer, I’ll find it.” Technology, more personnel, trained linemen and a larger workspace has definitely made a significant difference in the later part of Johnson’s career. Going from the beginning roots of an electric cooperative, working with limited equipment and building substations and distribution lines from the ground up, MEP is a very different organization than it was 50 years ago. When Johnson looks at the cooperative Johnson (middle top) honored for years today, he feels a lot of pride knowing that of service with other MEP employees he was a part of building it. during the 1980s. “We participate in many activities in our communities, like Relay for Life, the “The technology has made things easYouth Tour and a lot of our guys coach ier, and everything has gotten a lot more Little League and T-ball and things like sophisticated,” he said. “I’ve had to study that,” said Johnson. “With the positive a lot to keep up with it and it’s been an changes over the last few decades, our evolving process. But I told them when guys are able to do things like that now I started, ‘If you’re willing to teach, I’m without having to work around the clock. willing to learn,’ and I’ve held up my end Our employees are a part of the commuof the bargain for five decades.” nity and I have a lot of pride in that. And Through all the changes and all the our members appreciate us. They feed us storms, the most memorable event has and care for us when we are working long been moving to the new building in 2016. “After working somewhere for 47 years, hours.” With a career spanning five decades, you just get accustomed to a place, so Johnson has made many professional this has been a big change to move into

connections that have benefitted the cooperative when it has have been in need. He’s had a lot of influence when securing supplies during major storms. “You just have a lot of influence when you’ve been building relationships for 50 years,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of people through the years and I just know who to call when we need things.” Johnson has had a special career, and he doesn’t regret a minute of it. But he’s getting ready for retirement and enjoying his later years with his family. His wife has been retired for 20 years, and he has two sons, two grandchildren and just welcomed his first great-grandchild. With a love of hunting and fishing and family, he has plenty to keep himself occupied. And he knows he’s leaving the cooperative in very good hands. “These young guys just have to apply themselves and always be willing to learn and they’ll do fine,” he said. “We have really good people coming on.” Magnolia Electric Power is proud to have had a loyal and dedicated employee like Johnson for 50 years. We wish him all the best in his retirement years.

Johnson works on MEP Friendship substation in 1994.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

McComb Garden Club hosts annual show at MEP by Elissa Fulton It’s a cosmic time of the year for the McComb Garden Club and the Natchez Trace District of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. Each year, the club holds its annual, themed flower show. As this year’s First Vice President, Jordan Porter is responsible for planning a colorful show for the public to present the many talents of its garden club members. The McComb Garden Club does numerous beautification projects in the community. In Jordan Porter First Vice President order to give back McComb Garden Club to the organization, Magnolia Electric Power (MEP) is privileged to welcome the members as they hold their annual event in the MEP Auditorium on Nov. 11 from 2-5 p.m. As a part of the Natchez Trace District of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., the McComb Garden Club has been tasked with hosting the district competition this year. MEP is delighted to have garden club members from all over the region come to the office and display their beautiful work. The theme will be out of this world as the McComb Garden Club presents “Gardens of the Galaxy.” With Porter’s very

creative theme, visitors can expect to be wowed with imaginative displays. “I’m very excited about it,” said Porter. “We are wanting a lot of vibrant and abstract designs. We are going to have some lava rocks for staging, and play space age music. I might even talk my husband into dressing in an astronaut costume.” The garden club members will bring many different horticulture specimens from their homes to display and will compete in a variety of design categories. There will also be educational exhibits, as well as youth exhibits. “This year we will be doing an educational display on how to bring interiorscapes into corporate offices,” said Porter. “It is said that it improves the mood of the people working in offices. We will also have an educational display on night blooming plants and one on upside down gardening.” The event also showcases youth projects from preschool students through high school. The young people participate in different activities throughout the year and submit designs. The collective show is a competition and the exhibitors will be competing to receive points and win awards. There are also national awards the members can apply for with their exhibits. The members must follow a strict set of guidelines that

are outlined in the Handbook for Flower Shows. They are each assigned a design and use florals to create art with flowers. The McComb Garden Club and the Natchez Trace District of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., together with MEP invite you to explore the earthly florals at the “Gardens of the Galaxy” show on Nov. 11.

The Natchez Trace District of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. includes: Brandon GC, Chautauqua GC, Fayette GC, McComb GC, Natchez GC, North Bay-Madison GC, Pine Burr GC, Raymond GC, Richland-Florence GC, Riverside GC, Spring Lake GC, Garden Club of Jackson and Wesson GC. The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. are a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc.

GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS Never connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment.

generator safety ad horizontal

Portable generator:

Plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator. Set up and run your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home. Make sure it’s out and away from your garage, doors, windows and vents. The carbon monoxide generated is deadly.

Stationary generator:

An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.

Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect electrical appliances to the outlet on the generator. Start the generator first BEFORE connecting appliances. 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

THINK SAFETY FIRST! A safety message from Magnolia Electric

By the community, for the community October is National Co-op Month. When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and beautiful fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason – it’s National Co-op Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including Magnolia Electric Power celebrate who we are and more importantly, the members we serve. Cooperatives are different than other types of businesses. Magnolia Electric Power, a rural electric cooperative, came together to bring electricity to our community. We exist to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the members of the cooperative. Cooperatives still work for the common good. Our mission is to enrich the lives of the members we serve. As a co-op, we are well-suited to meet the needs of the community because we are locally governed. Magnolia Electric Power’s leadership team and employees live right here in the community. Our board of directors, who helps set long-term priorities for the co-op, live locally on co-op lines. These board members have been elected to the position by neighbors like you. We know our members (that’s you!) have a valuable perspective. That’s why we are continually seeking your input. Whether through community events, or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you. Another feature that sets our co-op apart

from a traditional utility is one of our core principles, “Concern for Community.” We partner with local organizations for worthy programs. We participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take a group of the community’s young leaders to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors. You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs. We hope you will think of Magnolia Electric Power as more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity for the people. We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you – because your electric co-op was built by the community, for the community.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

Investing in our youth, our community and our future. Magnolia Electricâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth Leadership Program What do you do for young people who demonstrate leadership skills? Simple: Help them refine their skills so they can someday lead our communities to a better future. The Youth Leadership Program identifies local youth leaders and exposes them to a wealth of experiences. This includes trips to Jackson, MS and Washington, D.C. where they take insightful tours and spend time with legislators and other government leaders. See what the Youth Leadership Program is all about. Watch the video at MyElectricCooperative.com/community.

18 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

Why is Magnolia Electric retiring idle power lines? There are several reasons MEP is retiring old power lines.

1. Reduce costs for our members

2. RUS (Rural Utility Services) guidelines 3. Liability

According to RUS and NESC (National Electric Safety Code), MEP has to maintain and upkeep these lines to current safety standards. Because MEP’s right-a-way costs is one of our highest expenses, trimming these unused power lines create additional expenditures. In addition, restoration expenses are increased because these lines have to be patrolled before MEP can restore power to an area. What do you mean when you say you are taking down idle power lines? Retiring idle lines and services means removing all of MEP’s facilities from the property, which includes poles, wires, transformers, anchors, and meters, if they are present. How can I keep an inactive power line that is on my property? If you own property with an idle power line and you want the line to remain on your property, then you need to put in an acceptable meter installation, make an application for service, and begin paying a minimum bill to have the line remain in place.

If you have any questions, please contact Member Services at 601-684-4011.

conducted by an energy auditor. These are some of the most common spots air leaks occur: • Penetrations and cracks around windows and doors • Exterior cracks in brickwork and siding • Plumbing and wiring penetrations from the exterior to the interior of the home • Mail slots or pet doors A variety of products like caulk, weather stripping, outlet cover gaskets and dryer vent covers can be used to seal these leaks. A fireplace can also be a major source of air leakage. If you don’t use the fireplace, you can seal the opening or install an inflatable chimney balloon. Before using the fireplace, consider this: unless you have a high-efficiency insert, your fireplace will suck heated air from the room out through the chimney. Always close the fireplace flue when it’s not in use. Your pursuit of comfort should also include a careful look at your home’s heating system. Is it distributing heat evenly and efficiently? Forced-air systems distribute air through supply ducts and registers. Small rooms may only have one register, but large rooms could have several. You may find some supply registers are blowing copious amounts of warm air and others little at all. Ideally, every room should have return air registers. If you see possible shortcomings with your forced-air system, enlist the help of a certified contractor that really knows how to improve ductwork. Ensure your furnace is running at peak efficiency by scheduling an annual inspection. Check your filter monthly and replace or clean it as necessary. If you heat your home with radiators, bleed them at the beginning of the season so they flow more efficiently. Beyond that, you can always warm yourself by wearing heavier clothing, doing some light exercise throughout the day and snuggling with a pet or under a blanket. By taking some of these small steps, we hope you will enjoy a more comfortable winter. OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 19

Looking before we leap How Monroe County Electric Power Association plans to explore rural broadband expansion Access to broadband internet is no longer a luxury. It is essential. That’s particularly true in Mississippi’s rural communities. At least 21 million rural Americans lack broadband access, according to federal government estimates. In some communities, electric cooperatives are playing a role in making broadband access possible for the first time. That is a point of pride throughout the electric co-op network. But with that pride comes a recognition that no co-op should rush into the broadband business without a well-researched and vetted plan. That’s why the board of directors for the Monroe County Electric Power Association commissioned two broadband feasibility studies – an essential step that co-ops take in the broadband exploration process. These studies help identify the costs, timeline and potential roadmaps to broadband deployment throughout our community. The first feasibility study explored the possibilities of a fiber to the home business model. It projected that a 24-month buildout would cost a staggering $29 million. The Monroe County Electric board launched a second feasibility study as part of our due diligence process. These steps should never be rushed or ignored. While these feasibility studies are in the field, the Monroe County Electric board of directors has also decided to launch a survey of all our members to gauge the interest in signing up for broadband service (see sample survey on following page). Please take the time to make your voice heard in this process by

completing and returning the survey by November 1. If you have not received a survey by October 15, please visit one of our two locations in Amory or Caledonia to pick up a replacement. How can you, as a member of Monroe County Electric, help play a major role in this process? • Fill out your survey truthfully. If your household is willing to purchase the broadband service, please mark YES. You are not required to purchase this service. If you are not willing to purchase at this time, please mark NO. • Don’t let someone tell you how to vote, sway your answers or fill out the survey for you. These actions could possibly skew the survey. • Promptly return the survey in the prepaid postage envelope by November 1. The surveys will be mailed directly from you to an independent auditing firm for tabulation. The success of the broadband provision will depend on the willingness of the members of Monroe County Electric to purchase this service. Providing this service is not without risk to the cooperative; therefore, the board of directors and management must have a reliable source to gauge participation. This survey will be a vital source. Monroe County Electric needs your input. Please be on the lookout for these surveys. Please take the time to complete and return them. Deploying broadband is another way that electric co-ops are supporting their communities. But because these are challenging projects, firing first and aiming later is a recipe for disaster as they consider broadband possibilities.

Join us for the

16th Annual Caledonia Days Festival at Ola J. Pickett Park, Caledonia, Miss.

Friday, October 18 Gates open at 5 p.m. Free concert with Rust Bucket Roadies, Jeff Bates and Doug Stone Fireworks Finale

Saturday, October 19 Begins at 8:30 a.m. Arts and crafts booths • Food booths • Pet parade Car show • Childrens area

For more information, call 662-242-3944 or email caledoniadays@gmail.com 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

PLEASE HELP US BY COMPLETING A BROADBAND SURVEY!

PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAILBOX and be on the lookout for our broadband survey.

The survey will be important as we determine the membershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in high speed internet. This is a sample of what the survey will look like. We would really love to hear from you!

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month For more information about Today in Mississippi, contact Michael Bellipanni at 662-895-2151. www.northcentralepa.com

NorthcentralEPA/

@NorthcentralEPA

@northcentralepa

Make plans to attend the 69th annual meeting As I look forward to Northcentral’s 69th annual meeting on October 23, I am reminded of the challenges facing the service area that led to our formation. Leaders in Kevin Doddridge General Manager/CEO Senatobia were unsatisfied with the lack of affordable electric power in their community. Concerned citizens came forward and discussed the idea of forming an electric cooperative to satisfy that need. A plan was put in motion by a group of caring, unselfish and bold leaders to form this cooperative in February of 1950.

It’s obvious that much has changed in the last 70 years, including our service area and principal office location. Public, cooperative, electric power still stands out as a driving force of our local and regional economy and an overall enhancement to our quality of life. Planning for changes to enhance our community continues to this day as we review all our business and governance processes. We are also in the late stages of making a decision on the establishment of a high-speed internet affiliate. The lack of this service in our area is seen by many as a hindrance to economic growth, enhanced education, healthcare and quality of life. It is a costly venture, but one that we feel could bring great benefit to our communities. We need our members’ assistance in the days leading up to this October

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14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

annual meeting. You should have received a letter from Northcentral in late September regarding changes to the cooperative’s Articles of Incorporation. These changes affect our name, update some old, dated information and allow us to participate in the high-speed internet business if our board approves. We will have a detailed explanation of these amendments on our website. The second cooperative principle is “Democratic Member Control.” Your control is represented through your elected board members. When you receive your annual meeting notice and proxy in early October, please consider attending our annual meeting or assigning your proxy to another member or our board of directors. Articles that properly demonstrate the identity of our cooperative are a necessity as we attempt to move forward.

Notice of requested changes to Articles of Incorporation The annual meeting of the members of Northcentral Electric Power Association will be held at its ofﬁce, 4600 Northcentral Way, Olive Branch, Mississippi, on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 2:00 PM. A major current business task at the Annual Meeting is the election of three members of the Board of Directors. This year, board members are to be elected from District 3, District 5 and District 7 of our system area. Current board members representing these districts are Phil Lachaussee of District 3, Jerry Nichols of District 5 and Joan Childress of District 7. For more details on the board of directors elections, the Annual Meeting or the nomination process, a copy of the Northcentral Mississippi Electric Power Association bylaws can be found under the “Cooperative” section on Northcentral Electric’s website, www.northcentralepa.com.

Another agenda item will be to consider and vote upon the following amendments to the Charter of Incorporation, as approved by the Board of Directors: 1. To change the name of the corporation to Northcentral

Electric Cooperative. 2. To remove Panola County from our certiﬁcated area and add Lafayette County and to correctly spell DeSoto County. These areas have changed since 1950. 3. To change the location of the principal ofﬁce from Senatobia, Mississippi, to Olive Branch, Mississippi. 4. To make the period of duration of the Association perpetual. 5. To permit the Association to perform any and all acts permissible for electric power associations under the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act of 2019.

Safe, Reliable, Affordable Energy

d u o r p e We ar our life. y r e w o to p OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

Y T I R U C E S R CYvBerEyone’s responsibility is e v

We all share responsibility for our organization’s online safety and security, and YOU are our first line of defense. Think Before You Click

Defend Your Computer

Think Before You Click

• Always hover over a link first to be sure it is safe. • Report suspicious emails or emails from an unknown sender to your spam filter and delete them from your inbox.

• The best defense against viruses, malware and other online threats is keeping your

to date.it is safe. • Always hover over a link firstequipment to beupsure • Work with our IT staff

(or provider) to keep your • Report suspicious emails or emails from an software, including your web browser, and operating unknown sender to systems current. your spam filter and delete them from your inbox. Protect Sensitive Information Lockdown Your Log-in • Create long and unique passwords. Use familiar phrases or song lyrics you’ll remember. • When possible, use 2-factor authentication as a second layer of defense. • Change passwords regularly, and do not share them.

• Use encryption to protect sensitive data. • Limit the spread of any attack by only accessing files and folders you need.

Lockdown Your Log-in

data and will often mimic a known sender.

Practice Good Cyber

as a security risk, and don’t make financial or other sensitive transactions over public networks.

• When possible, use 2-factor authentication as a second layer of defense.

Look for red flags:

KEEP YOUR DEFENSES UP!

KEEPING YOUR DATA SAFE

1. the email is unexpected; 2. there is a sense of urgency conveyed; 3. there is an offer that seems too good to be true; and/or 4. there are typos and misspellings.

• Change passwords regularly, and do not share them.

Watch for Red Flags to Identify Potential Phish Attacks • Phishing attempts seek to steal or compromise data and will often mimic a known sender. Look for red flags:

1. the email is unexpected; 2. there is a sense of urgency conveyed; 3. there is an offer that seems too good to be true; and/or for our organization’s 4. there are typos and YOU are our first line of defense. and misspellings.

• When possible, use 2-factor authentication as a regularly, andof dodefense. not second layer share them. • Change passwords regularly, and do not share them.

Electric co-ops take every precaution to protect your data. Northcentral ElecWatch Red Flagstrends to Identify tric keeps up for with current in the Potential Phish Attacks industry to better protect our members Watch Redseek Flags toorIdentify • Phishingfor attempts to steal compromise data andthreats. will often mimic a known sender. from security Potential Phish Attacks Look for red flags: seek to steal or compromise • Phishing attempts Whether keeping your data safe at and will often mimic a known sender. 1.data the email is unexpected; home, Look at the workplace or on the go, 2. there is a sense for red flags: of urgency conveyed; 3. there is an offer remember: You the first line of de1. the email isare unexpected; that seems too 2. there is a sense of urgency conveyed; good tocybersecurity be true; fense against threats! 3. there is an offer and/or that seems too 4. there are typos good to be true; and misspellings. and/or 4. there are typos and misspellings.

• The best defen and other onli equipment up

• Work with our (or provider) t software, inclu web browser, systems curre

Protect Sen

• Use encryption

• Limit the sprea files and folde

• Do not put confidential information in emails, or insta Want more tips to improve your cyber hygiene? and text mess Visit www.staysafeonline.org.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DON’TCYBERSECURITY FALL FOR A PHISH!IS NATIONAL OCTOBER • Be on the lookout for emails, phone AWARENESS MONTH CYBERSECURITY calls and other messages that try to get We all share responsibility for our organization’s to secure data.safety If it sounds too good AWARENESS MONTH online and security, and YOU are our first line of defense. to be true, is. If something Weitallprobably share responsibility online safety and security, seems off, trust your instinct and Think Before You Click convey your concerns to a manager or • Always hover over a link first to be sure it is safe. member of the security team. Think • ReportBefore suspiciousYou emailsClick or emails from an unknown sender to • Don’t click on links or attached • Always hover over a link first to be sure it is safe. your spam filter and • Report suspicious emails or emails from an files in emails or from text messages from delete them unknown sender to your inbox. senders your youspam don’t Even if you do filterknow. and delete them from know the sender, hover over the link your inbox. before you click as they may have been hacked or someone could be spoofing them! Lockdown Your Log-in • Create long and unique passwords. Use familiar There are many ways to spot a phish, phrases or song lyricsLog-in you’ll remember. Lockdown Your •• When possible, use 2-factor authentication as a and you can visit www.staysafeonline. Create long and unique passwords. Use familiar second of defense. phraseslayer or song lyrics you’ll remember. org to •see them all. Change passwords

Defend You

• Do not put confidential information in emails, or instant and text messages.

passwords. familiar Hygiene OnUse the Go phrases orsteal song lyrics you’ll remember. • Phishing attempts seek to or compromise • Treat all public Wi-Fi networks

• Treat all Wi-Fi networks as a potential security risk. Encrypt sensitive data when using a public Wi-Fi network. And never check financial or other sensitive accounts when using public Wi-Fi.

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

We all share responsibility for our organization’s

AWARENESS MONTH online safety and security, and YOU are our first line

Watch for Red Flags to Identify • Create long and unique Potential Phish Attacks

echnology breaches – think customer credit card data being stolen from Target, or consumer data being stolen from Experian – have become more commonplace, ushering in a new reality of increased security measures and constant monitoring of organizational and personal data to ensure our identities, credit card numbers or bank accounts have not been compromised. This new reality has made many realize that keeping systems secure is not solely the responsibility of information technology employees. Rather, it is incumbent on every individual to help keep critical personal data safe from potential breaches. It can seem a little overwhelming at times, and the idea that the next threat is always lurking around the corner can be stressful. But there are things you can do to protect your personal data, along with Northcentral Electric’s data.

• Make sure all your computer software – including your web browser – is updated with the latest software. Keeping software up to date ensures security patches being deployed by our security team can succeed in blocking security threats. • Create a strong password and keep it private. It could take up to two centuries to crack a password consisting of 12 characters or more!

OCTOBER IS NATIONA CYBERSECURITY OCTOBER IS NATIONAL AWARENESS MONTH CYBERSECURITY

Defend Your Computer • The best defense against viruses, malware and other online Computer threats is keeping your Defend Your equipment up to date. • The best defense against viruses, malware • Work with online our IT threats staff is keeping your and other (or provider) equipment upto tokeep date.your software, including your • Work with our IT staff web browser, and operating (or provider) to keep your systems current. software, including your web browser, and operating systems current.

Protect Sensitive Information • Use encryption to protect sensitive data.

Protect Information • Limit the Sensitive spread of any attack by only accessing filesencryption and folderstoyou need.sensitive data. • Use protect

•• Do not put Limit the spread of any attack by only accessing confidential files and folders you need. information in • Do not put emails, or instant confidential and text messages. information in emails, or instant and text messages.

Practice Good Cyber Hygiene On the Go Practice Good Cyber • Treat all public Wi-Fi networks as a security andGo don’t make Hygiene Onrisk, the financial or other sensitive • Treat all public Wi-Fi networks transactions over as a security risk, and don’t make public networks. financial or other sensitive transactions over public networks.

Want more tips to improve your cyber hygiene?

Visit www.staysafeonline.org.

Want more tips to improve your cyber hygiene?

Visit www.staysafeonline.org.

Practice Go Hygiene On

• Treat all public as a security r financial or oth transactions o public networ

Want more tips

Visi

A little piece of history in a

bottle

me that if picked a bale by Brad Barr of cotton, he’d get one for What’s the best way me. I started at sunup and to immerse yourself in worked until sundown. I history? picked my bale of cotton Find a little piece of it, and he got my tricycle.” according to Earl McIlwain His father, a farmer and of Oktibbeha County. carpenter, turned over the Earl has done his part to farming and responsibility uncover a little bottled-up to a 15-year-old Earl. “It piece of history, excavating was a full-time job,” he said, a collection of bottles that adding that he was still godates to the 1800s. ing to Maben High School. The 87-year-old retired He also drove a school bus 4-County Electric Power his senior year. Association meter reader “I tell people all the time has always enjoyed colthat it’d be nice to go back lecting historical items. He to the old days when we started with stamps, collectcould leave the door open. ed coins and then switched We didn’t have much, but to bottles. In his travels, Earl I tell people all the time that it’d be nice we were happy,” he said. would sometimes come to go back to the old days when we After high school, Earl across old, abandoned could leave the door open. We didn’t served in the Navy and houses and property. After was stationed in California. gaining permission from have much, but we were happy. He later worked in the the owners, he would look Earl McIlwain San Diego area as a plant around and, more often than nursery supervisor for eight years. not, find hidden treasures. “I found some fabulous stuff through California was nice, Earl said, but it wasn’t home. He returned the years,” he said. Bottles of all shapes, sizes and colors. His to Mississippi, settling in Oktibbeha County and went to work collection, at times, has numbered in the thousands. for I.G. “Big” Daniels at 4-County Electric Power Association. The history hunter even joined a group of archaeologists from He also worked closely with early 4-County pioneers Louis Mississippi State University, traveling around the state exploring Wise and Chloe Miller. abandoned dumping sites. The result? Stone jugs, stone bottles, Today, Earl and his wife of 41 years, Juanita, live on 60 acres medicine bottles and a bevy of soda bottles. “I’m fascinated of family land in the Self Creek area of Oktibbeha County. His with history,” he said. wife is a collector, too, keeping an eye out for antique glass and A self-admitted jack of all trades, Earl made a little history china bells. The couple are members of First Baptist Church of of his own in his 43-year association (1966 to 2009) with Mathiston. Earl has four children, nine grandchildren and 4-County. “I really enjoyed it,” he said. Through the years as a 17 great grandchildren. meter reader, Earl was often asked his name by children. “I’m Earl said he stays away from doctors (other than an annual Earl the Squirrel,” he replied, drawing giggles from his young checkup at the VA Center) and doesn’t take any medicine. audience. The name stuck. “Years later, this tall fellow with a “I do what I want to do,” Earl said with a twinkle in his eyes. big grin came up to me at Wal-Mart. He wanted to know if I “I just have to do it a little slower than I used to.” was Earl the Squirrel. He was one of the kids I saw on my Collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby, Earl said. routes. That was kind of neat.” “I’ve made a lot of friends through this hobby. I’ve learned a lot As a child, Earl grew up working 30 acres of cotton and corn about history. And, most importantly, I’ve had a lot of fun.” on the family farm. Hard work was a way of life in those days. At five years old, Earl begged his father for a tricycle. “He told OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

CONTACT INFORMATION: PONTOTOC P.O. Drawer 718 • 12 South Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863

662-489-3211 • Fax: 662-489-5156 BRUCE P.O. Box 415 • 125 South Newberger Street, Bruce, MS 38915

662-983-2727 • Fax: 662-983-1335

Pontotoc Electric mourns the loss of former general manager NOTICE OF

construction of the Bankhead Substation was Retired Pontotoc Electric General begun in 1981 and placed in service in 1982. Manager Bill Jackson passed away on The McGregor’s Chapel Substation, located Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Born in the west of Pontotoc, was completed in midTroy community in Pontotoc County, he 1998, shortly before Jackson’s retirement. attended the first four years of elementary The annual meeting of members of During Jackson’s tenure as general school in Pontotoc and later graduated Pontotoc Electric Power Association manager, a computerized billing from Tupelo High School. He will be held on Wednesday, October 9, system was installed at both attended Itawamba Junior 2019 at Noon at the Pontotoc County the Pontotoc and Bruce offices, College and graduated from Agri-Center in Pontotoc, Mississippi. and a new warehouse facility Mississippi State University The purpose of the meeting is the was built in Bruce in 1983. In with a degree in electrical nomination of candidates for the office of Director of the Association from 1988, the downtown Pontotoc engineering in 1960. After Pontotoc.qxp_Layout 1 9/18/19 11:51 AM Page 2 Areas One, Four, and Five for the next office building was renovated working over one year for calendar year and the transaction of with additional office space and Mississippi Power Company, Pontotoc.qxp_Layout 1 9/18/19 11:51 AM Page 2 any other business that may properly the addition of a conference he returned to Pontotoc in come before the meeting. Candidates room. Jackson also coordinated October 1961 to become nominated during the Annual Meeting the Association’s restoration an electrical engineer with will also have their names placed on efforts following the Ice Storm of Pontotoc Electric. After the the election ballot, to be mailed out at February 1994. Jackson retired required examination and a later date. from Pontotoc Electric on June 30, 1998. experience, he later became a Registered Professional Engineer in Mississippi. On May He was a member of the First The following candidates have been 9, 1969, he was appointed to the position of Baptist Church of Pontotoc where he was nominated by committee for the a deacon and served on many committees assistant general manager. office of Director: as long as he was able. He also was very Jackson was appointed general active in the Pontotoc County Chapter of manager of Pontotoc Electric on July 1, Area One Terry Oaks 1977. Under his leadership, the Pontotoc the Habitat for Humanity, the Itawamba (Incumbent) Community College Foundation and ICC and Ecru Substations were purchased from Area Four Rev. David High Alumni Association. He received the TVA in 1978, and the Bruce Substation (Incumbent) Itawamba Community College ‘Alumnus was purchased from TVA in 1982. In 1981, Area Five Bobby F. Duke of the Year’ award in August 2010. He a transmission line was constructed by (Incumbent) is survived by his wife of 65 years, Katie Pontotoc Electric’s crews to enhance service Jackson, and children Bill Jackson, Jr. and to the Weyerhauser Lumber Company, The following candidates have been nominated by petition for the office Hillary Wise and their families. the Association’s largest customer. The of Director:

ANNUAL MEETING

71.1 %

Purchased Power from TVA

Area Four Nickey Browning

Where your electric dollar goes

Area Five James William (Bill) Duke

2.6% Maintenance Expense

Mark A. Patterson, Secretary

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

7.3% Net Income 6.7% Other Operating Costs 12.3% Operation Expense

Where your electric dollar goes 2.6% Maintenance Expense 7.3% Net Income 6.7% Other Operating Costs 12.3% Operation Expense

Pur

INCOME STATEMENT

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS FISCAL YEARS ENDING JUNE 2019 & JUNE 2018

(UNAUDITED) YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019

ASSETS:

OPERATING REVENUE (What our members paid for services): Electric Sales Revenue: Residential $27,344,767 General Power - 50 KW & Under 4,407,481 General Power - Over 50 KW 14,228,968 Street & Outdoor Lighting 1,135,253 TOTAL ELECTRIC REVENUE Unbilled Electric Sales Other Revenues TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE EXPENSES (What it costs to operate your system): Operating & Maintenance Expense: Purchased Power

$47,116,469 132,057 1,402,698 $48,651,224

Other Property & Investments Current Assets Deferred Debits TOTAL ASSETS & OTHER DEBITS

$34,567,620

6/30/2018

$62,019,692

$60,082,344

$1,921,829

$2,129,070

$13,863,825

$13,294,392

$247,914

$371,525

$78,053,260

$75,877,331

$66,692,753

$64,581,982

Accrued Liability - OPR Benefits

$222,224

$332,228

$1,232,983

$1,081,063

-0-

$9,909,829

$9,881,289

$(4,529)

$769

$78,053,260

$75,877,331

Notes Payable

1,515,838 1,292,164

YEAR ENDED

6/30/2019

LIABILITIES: Conservation Advances - TVA

(Cost to operate system)

Distribution Expense - Maintenance

Utility Plant - Net

Memberships & Patronage Capital

(What we paid TVA for power)

Distribution Expense - Operation

YEAR ENDED

Current Liabilities Deferred Credits

(Cost to maintain system)

Customer Accounts Expense

1,871,026

TOTAL LIABILITIES & OTHER CREDITS

(Cost of billing our members)

Customer Service & Info Expense

92,517

(Residential Energy Services Program & electrical development costs)

Sales and Marketing Expense

20,554

(Economic development, promotions, advertising, etc.)

Administration & General Expense

2,487,461

YOUR ELECTRIC CO-OP AT A GLANCE

(Gen. admin. expense, insurance, fees, etc.)

TOTAL OPERATING & MAINTENANCE EXPENSE OTHER EXPENSES: Depreciation Expense (Use of assets over life) Tax Expense

$41,847,180

As a member of Pontotoc Electric Power Association, did you know that:

$2,718,390 564,354

(Gross receipts, property & payroll taxes)

Interest Expense - Debt Service Interest Expense - Other

-0812

(Interest paid on security deposits)

Other Deductions

12,403

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES

$3,295,959

TOTAL EXPENSES

$45,143,139

MARGINS FROM OPERATIONS Interest Income

$3,508,085 $61,496

(Money earned on short-term investments)

TOTAL MARGINS (Members’ equity for year)

71.1 %

Purchased Power from TVA

As of June 30, 2019

$3,569,581

PEPA serves more than 19,464 consumers/members in parts of six counties: Pontotoc, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Lee, and Union. Your association serves about 11 consumers per mile of line. PEPA maintains a network of 1,722 miles of line. The association employs 79 full-time employees. As a consumer cooperative, PEPA is owned by and operated for the benefit of its members. It is a not-for-profit enterprise. PEPA is a distributor of electric power generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Association headquarters is located on Main Street in Pontotoc. PEPA’s construction and operations warehouse is located on Highway 41, south of Pontotoc. A district office is located on Newberger Street in Bruce. OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

PRVEPA Contact Information: Columbia: 601-736-2666 Hattiesburg: 601-264-2458

Purvis: 601-794-8051 Wiggins: 601-928-7277

To pay bills or report outages:

855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference.

THE GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

Why we celebrate YOU in October Every October, we celebrate National Cooperative Month. But what are we really celebrating? What makes Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association different, and why should that matter to you? National Cooperative Month is a time to celebrate you, our members — the real POWER in the communities we serve! Cooperative businesses are based on a common set of principles and values such as Randy Wallace member-ownership and General Manager local control. Each cooperative exists to meet the needs of its members, as well as to enhance the quality of life for members and the communities where they live and work. Especially now, when there are national economic challenges to overcome and our faith in conventional business institutions has been shaken, it is the perfect time to remember what electric cooperatives like Pearl River Valley have accomplished over the years — all with a spirit of working together. More than 80 years ago, our service area in south Mississippi didn’t have access to electricity. Rural America was literally in the dark and struggling. But instead of waiting for someone else to fix the problem, local farmers turned to each other and established their own utility. They laid the foundation for what we have today. By our very nature, locally-operated, member-owned and -governed coopera14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

tives like Pearl River Valley Electric empower members to improve their lives. And while bringing electricity to rural Mississippi was a big first step, our members certainly didn’t stop there. We have built an electric distribution system that now spans parts of 12 counties and serves more than 50,000 members. Across Mississippi today, 26 electric cooperatives serve more than 780,000 total members. The country’s first rural electric cooperative was founded near Corinth in Alcorn County and now, more than ever, electric co-ops maintain their commitment

to ensuring a brighter future for rural families and communities throughout the state. Nationally, there are nearly 900 rural electric cooperatives operating in 47 states. One aspect that sets our co-op apart from a traditional utility is one of our core principles, “Concern for Community.” We partner with local organizations and support other community programs. We participate in the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Youth Tour, where two of our area’s young leaders are selected annually to attend a Youth Leadership Seminar in Jackson to learn leadership skills and then attend the

October is National Co-op Month.

Electric co-ops are proud to power more than 20 million American homes, businesses, farms and schools in 48 states.

National Rural Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., for a week-long trip to experience democracy in action. For the past seven years, Pearl River Valley Electric has offered scholarships to members and their immediate families to attend any Mississippi community college through the Round Up for Education program. Supported by members who round up the bills to the nearest dollar each month, the program has provided financial assistance to nearly 1,500 students to date. This is truly a wonderful reflection of the strength and spirit of the cooperative business model. Ultimately, the overall community benefits from these programs because of the support and participation of you and your neighbors. We hope that you will think of Pearl River Valley Electric as more than an energy provider, but rather as a local business that powers economic development and prosperity for the members we serve. As we celebrate National Cooperative Month, we want to thank you for being a member of Pearl River Valley Electric. We want you to continue to stay involved as we build a better future together. The cooperative business model is a time-tested philosophy that contributes to an improved quality of life for all of us.

Pearl River Valley Electric: FAST FACTS • Organized in May 1938 • Governing body is a 10-member Board of Directors elected by members for staggered 3-year terms • Service area includes all or parts of 12 counties • Serves more than 50,000 meters consisting of residential, commercial, large power and industrial loads • Electric distribution system includes more than 6,100 miles of power lines and 25 substations • Headquarters is located in Columbia, with district offices in Hattiesburg, Wiggins and Purvis • Employs approximately 130 highly skilled, service-oriented professionals • In 1963, PRVEPA was the first cooperative in Mississippi to begin paying patronage refunds (a return on members’ equity in the Association) … since that time, more than $48 million has been returned to members over the course of 55 years • In 1998, PRVEPA began returning patronage credits to the estates of deceased members … more than $13 million has been returned through that program

YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2020

If you’re an 11th grader served by Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, make this year memorable by participating in the 2020 Leadership Workshop in Jackson, Miss., and Youth Tour of Washington, D.C Essay deadline October 31. Visit www.prvepa.com for more information.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

Tips to stay comfortable this winter When we talk about comfort in our homes, we usually think about where the thermostat is set. But, as some homeowners find, there’s more to the picture than just the indoor temperature. An important piece of the comfort puzzle is radiant heat, which transfers heat from a warm surface to a colder one. A person sitting in a room that’s 70 degrees can still feel chilly if there’s a cold surface nearby, like a single-pane window, a hardwood floor or an exterior wall. Covering these cold surfaces can help. Try using area rugs, wall quilts or tapestries, bookcases and heavy curtains to help prevent heat loss and make your home feel more comfortable. Keep in mind, radiant heat can really work in your favor. A dark-colored tile floor that receives several hours of direct sun can retain heat during the day and radiate it into the room during the evening. Another possible cause of discomfort during the winter is air movement. We recognize this when weather forecasts report chill factor, which is a calculation of air temperature and wind speed. Moving air makes us feel colder, which is why we use fans in the summer. But during the winter, cold, outdoor air can infiltrate our homes. On average, a typical home loses about half its air every hour, and that amount can increase when outdoor temperatures are extremely cold and the wind is blowing. In this case, the best way to keep your home toasty is to minimize air leaks. You can easily locate air leaks in your home with a blower door test, which is typically conducted by an energy auditor. These are some of the most common spots air leaks occur: n Penetrations and cracks around windows and doors n Exterior cracks in brickwork and siding n Plumbing and wiring penetrations from the exterior to the interior of the home n Mail slots or pet doors A variety of products like caulk, weather stripping, outlet cover gaskets and dryer vent covers can be used to seal these leaks. A fireplace can also be a major source of air leakage. If you don’t use the fireplace, you can seal the opening or install an inflatable chimney balloon. Before using the fireplace, consider this: unless you have a high-efficiency insert, your fireplace will suck heated air from the room out through the chimney. Always close the fireplace flue when it’s not in use. Your pursuit of comfort should also include a careful look at your home’s heating system. Is it distributing heat evenly and efficiently? Forced-air systems distribute air through supply ducts and registers. Small rooms may only have one register, but large rooms could have several. You may find some supply registers are blowing ample amounts of warm air and others little at all. Ideally, every room should have return air registers. If you see possible shortcomings with your forced-air system, enlist the help of a certified contractor that really knows how to improve ductwork. Ensure your furnace or heat pump is running at peak efficiency by scheduling an annual inspection. Check your filter monthly and replace or clean it as necessary. Beyond that, you can always warm yourself by wearing heavier clothing, doing some light exercise throughout the day, and snuggling with a pet or under a blanket. By taking some of these small steps, we hope you will enjoy a more comfortable winter. Visit www.PRVEPA.com for more energy efficiency tips. 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS

ever connect a standby generator into your home’s electrical system. There are only two safe ways to connect a standby generator to your equipment.

Stationary Generator:

An approved generator transfer switch, which keeps your house circuits separate from the electric co-op, should be installed by a professional.

Portable Generator:

THINK SAFETY FIRST! A safety message from Pearl River Valley Electric

A little piece of history in a

bottle

BRIAN HUGHEY

General Manager & CEO

Energy Tips

LORRI FREEMAN, APR Manager of Public Relations AMANDA PARKER Public Relations Specialist

Bringing power and energy services to local communities

For more information, call 601-947-4211, 228-497-1313 or visit our website at singingriver.com. SRE is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Nick DeAngelo Manager of Energy Services deangelo@singingriver.com

Schedule routine AC maintenance

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

Power cost reduction passed to members Singing River Electric’s wholesale power provider, Cooperative Energy, recently Brian Hughey announced General Manager & CEO a $1.3 million member credit applied to our September, October and November billing. Cooperative Energy worked with its power reliability coordinator, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), to provide the required energy for its members and

performed successfully in the market over the past year. The results were higher than expected margins for our wholesale provider that are now being returned to its members, including Singing River Electric. As in past years, Singing River Electric will pass this credit straight through to you, our members. Beginning in September 2019, Singing River Electric billing statements reflected a power cost adjustment decrease of 0.36 cent/ kilowatt-hour (kWh). The decrease in the power cost adjustment was applied to bills rendered in September

and will also be applied to October and November billing. This mirrors what we are seeing on the wholesale side. The three-month adjustment will reduce all member bills by $3.60 for every 1,000 kWh of energy used. In December, the power cost adjustment will revert back to its previous factor. Singing River Electric’s goal is to meet our members’ energy needs while providing electric service at the lowest possible cost and enhancing the lives of the members and communities we serve. We strive to meet and exceed these goals daily.

Storm season runs through November. Don’t lower your guard.

Take action, have a plan, be prepared. Download our newest storm preparedness document or pick up a copy at any SRE office, and stay ready for severe weather.

The heat of summer certainly tested our air conditioning (AC) systems. Contractors size residential AC units to operate at around 91 degrees outside and 72 degrees inside. When either of these two conditions are exceeded or not met, it results in extended runtimes and higher electric bills. Heating and cooling generally make up over 55 percent of residential power bills. That’s why it is important to ensure your unit is operating at peak. One simple way to verify the efficiency of your unit is to measure the temperature at the AC supply register closest to your indoor unit. Then record the temperature of the return air grill. It is often located beneath the indoor unit. The test should be done on a mild day (7080 degrees) and there should be a 15-20-degree temperature difference between the two readings. If they are the same or there is less than 15 degrees difference, your AC system is not cooling effectively. This is especially important to heat pump owners since it will impact your winter savings as well. Scheduling a maintenance visit for your AC unit or heat pump can ensure comfort and savings. For more tips, visit singingriver.com.

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

Considering broadband Singing River Electric’s board of directors and management team continue to spend extensive time conducting research for a multi-million dollar decision on whether to offer high-speed internet service to members. Broadband service is truly an asset to local communities for the purposes of health, education, and quality of life. Furthermore, your cooperative understands this service has become essential and recognizes the lack of broadband availability in parts of our service territory. A member survey was recently completed as part of the research phase. SRE members overwhelmingly participated and we thank you. The survey is part of thorough research being completed to help guide the decision. Survey participants who provided comments or asked for a call back have been contacted to answer questions and receive feedback. Survey results showed an overall satisfaction rating of 9.07 on a ten-point scale for SRE’s electric service. Regarding broadband, more than two-thirds of those surveyed indicated having high-speed internet access at their location served by SRE and were fairly satisfied with their current provider. The majority of SRE members (77 percent) believe highspeed internet is an essential household service; however, only 29 percent indicated they would definitely or probably sign up for a premium service ($100) and only 30 percent expressed interest in a mid-range package ($75).

The survey reached across the entire service territory which varies greatly in population density. SRE understands you eagerly await the cooperative’s decision on providing broadband service. SRE’s board of directors has now completed a feasibility study and a member survey. One of many important considerations involved with providing this service has to do with the potential cost affects which hinges on several factors. It is imperative that SRE’s board and management team take the necessary time to give this process its due diligence so that a sound business decision can be made. They have worked carefully in considering this matter since the enactment of the Broadband Enabling Act in January of 2019. Your board will continue to study the possibility of offering high-speed internet to the membership as we move forward. Singing River Electric has provided electricity to local members and communities for more than 81 years, and we assure our members this will continue to be our greatest priority.

For more info:

Visit our website at singingriver.com for more information, and email us at contactus@ singingriver.com to share your comments or concerns.

Upcoming right-of-way projects

Singing River Electric clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing helps decrease the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Here are the substations and surrounding areas that are either currently being cleared or where clearing will begin soon:

• Sand Hill Substation – Hwy 42, Hwy 63, Lovewell Road and surrounding areas. • Martin Bluff Substation – Martin Bluff Road, Hickory Hills area and surrounding areas. • Vancleave Substation – Hwy 57, River Road, Jim Ramsey Road and surrounding areas. • Hickory Hills Substation – Gautier-Vancleave Road, Hwy 90 and surrounding areas.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

NHN Grant JC Tech Center, Vancleave, Miss.

Supporting STEM education

SRE NHN Community Grant assists JC Tech Center 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, $278,149 has been awarded to local non-profits in local communities.

Singing River Electric recently awarded a Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) Community Grant to the Jackson County Technology Center. The grant was used to purchase a solar bundle kit with solar panels, battery charger and seven starting batteries. The students will learn to repair electric cars, about solar panels and to diagnose electrical problems. They will also use the new parts to restore their car. It is currently a rough shell that will serve as an excellent teaching mechanism. The Jackson County Technology Center serves students from Vancleave, St. Martin and East Central High Schools. Instructor Nic Wages hopes to use the solar car for learning and for school parades and local events.

For more information on SRE NHN Community Grants or 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. 16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

October is Cooperative Month Since 1930, October has been designated as National Cooperative Month. As an electric cooperative, Singing River Electric is well-suited to meet the needs of our communities because we are locally governed. Our management team and employees live right here in our communities. Our 10-member board of directors lives on co-op lines and understands and listens to our communities. These board members have been elected to represent the membership by neighbors like you. We know our members have a valuable perspective. That is why we are continually seeking your input. Whether through community events, member surveys, social media channels or the annual membership meeting, we want to hear from you. We want to be more than your energy provider, but a trusted partner providing energy services and powering our local communities and economic development. Singing River Electric will continue to learn from our members about their priorities, such as solar, electric vehicles and technology or service upgrades, to better serve you. For more information, visit our website at singingriver.com.

Why choose a

co-op career? • Local, community-focused employer • Dynamic and exciting industry • Competitive wages and excellent beneﬁts • Challenging roles and community involvement

Member services

Technical roles Thinking about a career in energy? Have you ever paused to think about what’s behind the light switch on the wall or charger to your cell phone? Singing River Electric employs line workers, construction personnel, accountants, human resources and public relations professionals, as well as computer and GIS technicians, member service representatives, fleet maintenance technicians and more. Community service opportunities and benefits make Singing River Electric a great place to work. For more information, a link to job openings, applications, brochures and frequently asked questions, visit singingriver.com/my-coop.

Utility operations

Professional services

For information on a co-op career and how to join our Singing River Electric family, visit our website at singingriver.com/my-coop. It is located under the “Careers” section.

You’re a part of something bigger As a member, you have a say in how we efficiently deliver affordable, reliable and safe energy. We work to power your community, your life and the lives of a more than 74,800 of your friends and neighbors. For more information, visit singingriver.com or join our conversations on social media.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17

Contact Information: P.O. Box 60 • 13491 Hwy. 28 • Taylorsville, MS 39168 BRANDON • 3215 Louis Wilson Drive, 601-824-7070 or 800-698-9574 NEW HEBRON • 2504 Ferguson Mill Road, 601-694-2711 or 800-698-9571 NEWTON • 1400 South Main Street, 601-683-2200 or 800-698-9573 HATTIESBURG • 7848 Highway 49 North, 601-264-0185

TO REPORT OUTAGES:

1-800-231-5240

Visit us online at www.southernpine.coop Follow us on social media @MySouthernPine

What is a cooperative? “A group of people united voluntarily to meet their common needs through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled business.” October is the month of harvest. It is a month dedicated to preparation for the cold winter that is just around the corner. Here in Mississippi, we understand the importance of preparing for the months to come and for unexpected events. At home, we stock our freezers with peas and beans, preserve tomatoes and make homemade jellies and jams. Though many of us recognize it may be easier to buy at the wholesale club, it gives great satisfaction to know we are taking care of our families the same way our parents and grandparents took care of us. When the dog days of summer have finally subsided, our employees at Southern Pine are also busy planning for the Jason Siegfried colder months and the demands President/CEO that will be placed on the system. As engineers project how much electricity will be needed to take care of our members through any winter weather event, the operations department stands ready to upgrade lines, restore outages and meet unexpected needs. Projected costs are evaluated, and steps are taken to control all possible variables that affect our members. October carries even more significance at Southern Pine because it is National Cooperative Month. In 1964, United States Secretary of Agriculture, Orville Freeman, chose October to recognize the efforts of co-ops across the nation. In celebration, we reflect on what makes our co-op and co-ops everywhere special. As you know, co-ops are joint-owned and people-centered in a way that corporations and larger companies are not. They are built for and by hard working 14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

people. Southern Pine’s founding mission was to bring power to rural areas in Mississippi, not just electric power but power to citizens over the future of their own communities. At Southern Pine, we also know a co-op is only successful with true cooperation. True cooperation, like a bountiful harvest, means constant teamwork. Southern Pine has upheld its founding principles through steadfast cooperation with our members, our generation and transmission cooperative, our state-wide cooperative and ten of our sister cooperatives. Together, we have provided electricity at an affordable price to approximately 432,000 homes and businesses across Mississippi. We also believe that true cooperation is the product of a giving spirit, so during National Cooperative Month, we also focus on community events that help people in our service area. Whether delivering socks to nursing homes or school supplies to children in need, we recognize that we have a duty tocontribute above and beyond providing electricity. When we stop and think about the work that Southern Pine and other cooperatives have accomplished, we feel it is no coincidence that October, the month known for hard work and life-sustaining harvest, should be selected to represent a co-op. However, while reflecting is important, we know the best way to celebrate National Cooperative Month is to continue the work we set out to do. So, as your family is welcoming the harvest and preparing for the winter as generations before you have done, know that Southern Pine is alongside you, “Bringing the Power” all year long.

New Taylorsville District Ofﬁce Opens Southern Pine’s Taylorsville District Office has opened at its new location at 13491 Highway 28 in Taylorsville. The state-of-the-art office has greater convenience with a three-lane drive-through and a more spacious and comfortable lobby for members. The new office has been in the planning and development stages for several years and puts a highlight on Southern Pine’s new headquarters campus. The district office also features more convenient parking for members.

ANNUAL MEETING to be held

Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. Southern Pine Electric will hold its Annual Meeting at its new headquarters on November 14 from noon to 3 p.m. The day will include booths showcasing our linemen, member services and supporting our veterans. In addition, games, prizes, and food along with safety demonstrations and tours of our new headquarters facility will highlight the event. A Southern Pine truck will also be raffled off. We look forward to seeing you there.

Youth Tour Applications Available Soon, area high schools throughout Southern Pine’s service territory will choose representatives, who are juniors and on Southern Pine’s service lines, for our Cooperative University on November 5. The event will be held at Southern Pine’s headquarters in Taylorsville. Every year, participating high schools send two students to attend our Cooperative University to learn

about electric cooperatives and develop leadership skills. At Cooperative University, students participate in hands - on activities. During the event, two students are chosen to represent Southern Pine at the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Youth Tour in Washington D.C., an all expense paid trip. Please check with your high school’s junior counselor for more information.

Visit www.southernpine.coop/youth-leadership-program for more information. OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

CONTACT INFORMATION P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 601-437-3611 or toll-free 1-800-287-8564 Fax: 601-437-8736

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

www.southwestelectric.coop

Southwest Electric

SWElectricCoop

sw_electric_coop

By the community, for the community October is National Cooperative Month When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and beautiful fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason – it’s National Cooperative Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including Southwest Electric celebrate who we are and more importantly, the Members we serve. Cooperatives are different that other types of businesses. Southwest Electric, a rural electric cooperative, came together to bring electricity to our community. We exist to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the Members of the cooperative. Cooperatives still work for the common good. Our mission is to enrich the lives of the Members we serve. As a cooperative, we are well-suited to meet the needs of the community because we are locally governed. Southwest Electric’s leadership team and employees live right here in the community. Our Board of Directors, who helps set long-term priorities for the cooperative, live locally on cooperative lines. These board members have been elected to the position by neighbors like you. We know our Members (that’s you!) have a valuable perspective. That’s why we are continually seeking your input.

Whether through community events or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you. Another feature that sets our cooperative apart from a traditional utility is one of our core principles, “Concern for Community.” We volunteer at local events such as the Hog Wild Family Festival and Woodville Deer & Wildlife Festival. We teach safety and energy efficiency at our local schools and community organizations. We also participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take a group of the community’s young leaders to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors. You empower the cooperative through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs. We hope you will think of Southwest Electric as more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity. We will continue to learn from our Members about their priorities so that we can better serve you – because your electric cooperative was built by the community, for the community.

Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday, November 3 : Fall Back 1 Hour

October is National Co-op Month.

Electric co-ops are proud to power more than 20 million American homes, businesses, farms and schools in 48 states.

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

EMPLOYEE

Spotlight

Chris Dunn, Work Order Clerk

Ralph Emﬁnger, Serviceman

Chris began his career at Southwest Electric in 1997 as a Collector. Some of our Members may remember a time when Collectors drove around the service area collecting payments. In 1998, he moved to his current position of Work Order Clerk in the Engineering Department. Chris ensures the plans for new service meet specifications and maintains the inventory of the materials used. Chris and his wife, Wanda, live in Port Gibson. He enjoys photography and operating his amateur (ham) radio.

Ralph started working at Southwest Electric in 1996. He worked in the Right-of-Way Department for three years before becoming a Serviceman. Ralph takes care of our Members in the northern section of our service area by installing meters for new service, working on security lights and restoring power after outages. He and his wife, Katie, have two daughters. He enjoys hunting.

Children’s book drive Every child that experiences Camp Kamassa will be invited to take his/her favorite book home with them. Donations can be made in memory or in honor of a loved one by completing the form at the drop-off sites. Visit Southwest Electric’s website for a list of drop-off sites.

Calling all artists! Do you love to paint or draw forest animals? Camp Kamassa is ready to start decorating the first cabin where twenty campers will sleep while enjoying Mississippi’s first camp dedicated to kids and adults with special needs. They are asking for artwork on canvas to hang above each bed and be approximately 18” x 20”. If you would like to donate, please contact Jeremy Smith at 601-437-1359 for more information.

Do you need a convenient place to pay your bill in cash?

TRY Just follow these simple instructions: 1. Find a MoneyGram location at moneygram.com/paybills or call 1-800-926-9400, and select option 4. 2. Bring these with you: • Cash to pay your bill and the $1.50 MoneyGram fee • Account number • Receive code: 16381 3. Pay the amount and the fee at the cash counter.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

FOR AFTER-HOURS OUTAGES, CALL

866-897-7250 HOLLANDALE

BELZONI

(662) 827-2262

(662) 247-1909

GREENVILLE

ROLLING FORK

(662) 334-9543

(662) 873-4233

SERVING MORE THAN 12,600 ELECTRIC METERS IN FIVE DELTA COUNTIES

Old Lodge at Leroy

Percy Park, built in

1935

Visit the oldest state park in Mississippi

Photos provided by Leroy Percy State Park

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

by Elissa Fulton

For many Delta residents, Leroy Percy State Park is imprinted in their childhood memories. As the oldest state park in Mississippi, it is known for its artesian springs wells and ancient oak trees with their lush Spanish moss. In the days before modern entertainment, the park regularly enjoyed families camping, fishing and appreciating wholesome, traditional outdoor activities. As a part of the Civil Conservation Corps, the park was completed in 1935. It is located off of Highway 12 west of Hollandale, and is named after former U.S. Senator Leroy Percy. A resident of Greenville, he was a progressive state leader in the early 1900s. Through the years, the park has seen its fair share of changes. Jamal Burnside, maintenance supervisor, has worked at the park for more than 20 years. He has seen the 8-acre park go from a weekend hotspot to a seasonal recreation facility. “When I started working here we had 13 employees and now we have three,” said Burnside. “We had a swimming pool and we regularly served food. Even though we no longer have the pool or serve food, it’s still a wonderful facility. It’s just the ways that families are entertained have changed. We don’t have televisions or Wi-Fi onsite. Some people like the quiet but some people don’t. It’s hard to get some kids outdoors for a whole weekend.” For those who do like the outdoors and peace from a technology driven world, Leroy Percy State Park offers a quiet place to enjoy nature. The park has nature trails, a boat launch for fishing, a playground, a pavilion and picnic area and overnight accommodations with screen porches at reasonable rates. Spring and fall visitors are lucky enough to see the daylilies that have been blooming on the grounds for decades. The park has eight cabins, two that are original log cabins from the 1930s, and five duplexes built in the early 1990s. For those who prefer to camp, there are RV slips with utility connections and a primitive camp ground area. For larger groups, the group camping building sleeps 48 in twin bunk beds. Boy Scout groups and family reunion groups are frequent visitors to the park.

The park is also unique in that it is one of two state parks in Mississippi with a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Hunting is open to visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis for those with a hunting permit. The permits can be purchased at the park for $17.29 by hunters with a valid Mississippi hunting license, and are good for one year.

it when the people start coming around because I like meeting interesting new people and it keeps you busy. It’s also nice to see some of them come back.” Burnside maintains the grounds and does all of the maintenance work and manages a two-person housekeeping staff. There’s a lot of work for a threeperson staff to maintain, but we all take pride in the property and would love to see more visitors enjoy the oldest state park in Mississippi. As an outdoorsman himself, Burnside would love to see more people support the park by enjoying the beautiful Delta outdoors, and to see the park return to its former glory.

Cabin 1, original log cabin built in 1935

Burnside, who is a native to Hollandale, looks forward to hunting and fishing seasons because he likes to see visitors come to enjoy the park he works so hard to maintain. “When it cools down and the bugs disappear, we will see a lot more people come through,” he said. “Hunting season starts soon and we will get busier. We’ve had a lot of one-night campers through the summer.” According to Burnside, the bike trail and the Blues Trail keep business flowing through the park. “During the summertime we have cyclist groups that stop through,” he said. “Recently, we had a group that was riding through from South Carolina and headed across the country to California. Most times, they’ll stay overnight and proceed to their destination the next day. In March we get a lot of folks from the Midwest that fish on Lake Washington, but stay here. I like

the old cabins have recently been updated

For more information on the park, cabin rentals or lodge rental, call 662-827-5436 or visit www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations.

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

Contact Information: 2255 Gordon Avenue • Yazoo City, MS 39194 Mail: P.O. Box 8 • Yazoo City, MS 39194

TO REPORT OUTAGES:

662-746-4251 Visit us online at www.yazoovalley.com Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Pay by Phone: 1-866-484-4277

Right-of-way maintenance assures reliable service

by Dennis McFee Imagine this: It’s a nice 75 degrees outside, the sun is shining, a slight breeze is blowing out of the north and the sweet tea is sweetened to perfection. You’ve just sat down to binge watch your favorite guilty pleasure on Netflix and then, the power goes out. There are numerous reasons a power outage could happen; animals, storms, car accidents, lightning and one of the most common causes, trees. Falling trees, tree limbs, brush and kudzu are often the cause of blinking lights and power outages, even on a beautiful sunny day. How does Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association work to prevent this? Yazoo Valley Electric maintains an aggressive right-of-way program. Right-of-way is a strip of land that we use to construct, operate, maintain and repair our powerline facilities. This strip of land is typically 15 feet on both sides of a single phase powerline and 20 feet on both sides of a threephase powerline. This area is kept clear of trees and brush from

14 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

ground to sky. Right-of-way maintenance is essential to keeping the lights on and making sure our members have peace of mind when it comes to service reliability. In the event of a power outage, a clear right-ofway makes powerlines easily accessible to our line crews. This allows crews to quickly and efficiently restore power. More importantly, a clear rightof-way helps prevent power outages all together. Yazoo Valley Electric contracts right-of-way crews who are trained to safely and efficiently apply herbicides. The herbicides used effectively control right-of-way growth, and are environmentally friendly. In areas where herbicide application is not appropriate, the clearing is done by hand. Yazoo Valley has an in-house right-of-way crew that work to clear right-of-way for new service connections, preventive maintenance, and special right-of-way projects. “Maintaining the rights-of-way is a never ending process,” said Brett Cerda, network operations coordinator. “It is important that we continue exercising the current maintenance cycles and processes of our system. We also encourage our members to report any issues they might see that could interrupt our power service such as dead or leaning trees, limbs on lines, vines on poles or guy wires and any underbrush that might be a threat to growing into the line.” Please allow three-five days for our contractors to clean up any debris that may be left in maintained areas. Maintained areas are defined as any areas that are currently cut with a lawn mower or a bushog. It’s not always a clean process; but it has to be done in order to provide reliable service. We ask for patience and understanding from our members as we go through these processes. Feel free to contact us with any issues that might arise.” Dead trees and limbs can spell disaster for a powerline structure. If you notice a dead or dangerous tree in the right-of-way, please contact Brett Cerda by calling 662-751-8057.

By the community, for the community When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and beautiful fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason – it’s National Co-op Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association celebrate who we are and more importantly, the members we serve. Cooperatives are different that other types of businesses. Yazoo Valley Electric, a rural electric cooperative, came together to bring electricity to our community. We exist to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the members of the cooperative. Cooperatives still work for the common good. Our mission is to enrich the lives of the members we serve. As a co-op, we are well-suited to meet the needs of the community because we are locally governed. Yazoo Valley Electric’s leadership team and employees live right here in the community. Our board of directors, who helps set long-term priorities for the co-op, live locally on co-op lines. These board members have been elected to the position by neighbors like you. We know our members (that’s you!) have a valuable perspective. That’s why we are continually seeking your input. Whether through community events, or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you. Another feature that sets our co-op apart from a traditional utility is one of our core principles, “Concern for Community.” We partner with local organizations for worthy programs. We participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take a group of the community’s young leaders to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors. You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs. We hope you will think of Yazoo Valley Electric as more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity for the people. We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you – because your Half 7” the x 4.875” electric co-op wasPage: built by community, for the community.

Half Page: 7” x 4.875”

First responders protect us. We’re helping protect them.

First responders work to keep us safe. At Yazoo Valley Electric, we’re returning the favor. See how our First Responder Safety Training protects these real-life heroes from electrical hazards they may encounter on the job. Watch the video at MyElectricCooperative.com/community.

October is National Cooperative Month OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 15

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With the recent passing of the Mississippi Rural Broadband Enabling Act, we want to know your thoughts about your electric cooperative providing high-speed broadband internet. Please take the short survey on page 17 and return it to us. For your convenience, please use the pre-paid business reply envelope located between pages 8-9 and 24-25 of this magazine to mail back the survey.

We appreciate your time and we would love to hear from you!

16 TODAY | OCTOBER 2019

Yazoo Valley Electric Broadband Survey

The purpose of this survey is to determine if there is enough interest within Yazoo Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service area to further pursue the study of providing broadband internet access. Completing this form is not a contract for actual service and is not a promise service will be provided. Only one survey per household is admissable, and you must be a current, active member. Name:

6. If you answered yes to question 5, how much would you be willing to pay per month for new or alternate service?

Address: Member Number:

o $31-$40 o $61-$70

(must be included)

1. What type of internet connection do you have at home/business? o Satellite o DSL o Cable o Wireless mobile card or cell service o I do not have internet service (skip to question 5)

2. Which company provides your service? o Cableone o AT&T o Verizon or other satellite service? o Other ____________________

o Hughsnet

3. Are you satisfied with your current internet service? o Yes

o No

4. What are the primary uses for internet in your household? Check all that apply.

o $51-$60

7. If you answered no to question 5, what are the primary reasons? Check all that apply o Dial-up access meets my current needs o Cannot afford high-speed internet o Satellite is my only option, but installation and monthly service costs are too high o Cannot afford computer equipment o Do not need or use computer equipment o Other 8. Are you happy with the current price point of your internet services for the amount, usage and internet speed you receive? o Yes

o No

9. Do you pay for a bundle service including phone service through your ISP (internet service provider)?

o Work o School o Entertainment

o Yes

5. If new or alternate high-speed internet service were available to your home, would you be interested in signing up for service?

o1 o6

o Yes

o $41-$50 o $71 or more

o No

10. How important is internet bundled service to you? (1 minimal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 critical) o2 o7

o3 o8

o4 o9

o5 o 10

o No

Cut here

Additional comments:

OCTOBER 2019 | TODAY 17