May 2017 SECO News

SECO News

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MAY 2017

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tlantic Hurricane season is just around the corner – beginning on June 1. The Old Farmer’s Almanac advises us to watch for tropical storm threats in mid-May, predicts a rainy summer and forecasts the possibility of hurricanes in September. Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology study was recently released and it calls for the number of named storms and hurricanes to be slightly below historical averages. Still, per NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division, the U.S. averages one to two hurricane landfalls each season, so we have to prepare even with a below average hurricane forecast. 009012 “Storm Ready” isn’t just a slogan. We invest in and prepare for the worst, but hope and pray for the best. “Storm Ready” is using social media to update members about severe weather and its possible impact to our service area. “Storm Ready” is SECO’s System Operations Center that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Storm Ready” means that Operations crews and support staff are available for restoration aroundthe-clock. “Storm Ready” means that local Call Centers and Member Service Centers are fully staffed to help you weather the storm.

SECO can help you get your family “Storm Ready” as well. Visit our website at SECOEnergy. com>Safety>Storm Preparation for an

DUNCAN’S DIGEST Jim Duncan, CEO Emergency Checklist. Before inclement weather arrives, bookmark SECO’s Storm Center page on your smartphone or tablet in case you need to report a power outage, and update your primary contact phone number and email address through your online account (called SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com). “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the cooperative on Twitter for weather information and warnings.

It’s time to check your emergency kit – now.

Make sure your supplies are fully stocked and DIGEST cont. on page 3…

“HIDDEN” ACCOUNT NUMBERS

Don’t forget to look for the last six digits of your account number in this month’s SECO News. You can email us at customerservice@ secoenergy.com or call if your number appears. Six winners will be drawn at random from all submissions. Winners receive a $25 restaurant gift card.

ANNUAL MEETING

RECAP Attendance boomed at SECO Energy’s 79th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 25.

Thousands of members, guests, vendors and VIPs enjoyed hot breakfast biscuits, sweet treats, energy efficiency displays, live entertainment, gifts and a chance to win grand prizes and various door prizes.

Members received a copy of SECO’s 2016 Annual Report and a gift bag with two commemorative insulated steel tumblers. SECO and its wholesale power provider Seminole Electric distributed over 6,000 LED bulbs to members.

Members visited SECO’s vendor-partners who were on hand to display their energy-saving products and services in the Energy Showcase.

Margo Rochelle & Rodeo Drive provided live entertainment, playing current country tunes and old favorites while members sang along and line danced. A special character, LED Lucy, brightened the day with her antics and smiles.

Members took home loads of door prizes. The grand prizes up for grabs were four cash prizes, a refurbished Dodge Dakota truck, and a refurbished electric golf cart.

This year’s grand prize winners are: nn Michael Niemiec from Inverness won the refurbished 2005 Dodge Dakota truck. nn Lake Panasoffkee’s Shannon Jessup was the winner of the refurbished electric golf cart from The Villages Golf Carts. nn The Villages resident Edward Maffuccio was the happy winner of the $1,500 cash prize. nn Clark Smith from Webster won the $1,000 cash prize. nn Christine Bartow from The Villages and Edward James from Leesburg both won a $500 cash prize.

Congratulations to all winners, and thank you for attending the event. Mark your calendar, as next year’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2018. Hope you can join us for our 80th Annual Meeting!

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SAVE ENERGY SAVE MONEY Summer is almost here – set your HVAC thermostat at 78 or higher in the summer and always keep your fan setting on “Auto.” Invest in a programmable thermostat and save $180 annually per ENERGY STAR®.

DIGEST from page 1…

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that medicines, water and foodstuffs aren’t out-of-date. Remember, emergency supplies sell out quickly when storms and hurricanes are imminent.

During the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Florida Governor Rick Scott engaged with utility leaders collaboratively and encouraged us across the state to work together to restore all consumers’ power as quickly as possible. “Storm Ready” also applies to SECO’s willingness to lend a hand to assist our fellow cooperatives, as well as state municipal and investor-owned utilities when SECO Energy employees welcomed Governor Rick Scott to their possible. In February, SECO assisted Clay booth at the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association’s Annual Legislative Cookout in Tallahassee.

Electric Cooperative when its members were affected by widespread outages due to a strong storm. Since SECO’s system held up Utilizing SECO’s tried-and-true emergency plan, well in that storm and the few members who the SECO team is a well-oiled machine. Thank experienced outages had their service restored you for your confidence in SECO and our the same day, the SECO team jumped into ability to restore power quickly and safely during action and sent 20 employees to help restore storms and in everyday rare outages as well. power to Clay members.

SAFETY CORNER

DOWNED POWER LINES

Always assume overhead power lines are live and dangerous – even when lines and poles are downed during storms or accidents. Warn children to never touch a downed line with any part of their body or another object such as a stick or bat.

Instruct children to leave the area immediately and call for help if they see a downed line. 400713

BACKYARD: FLORIDA Playing in the water brings out the kid in all of us

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Since Florida is surrounded on three sides by saltwater with 1,197 miles of coastline, 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline and 663 miles of beaches, it is a great place to come play in the water – a natural water park. But, that is just the perimeter. There is a lot of water within the State’s interior.

The interior of Florida has more than 11,000 miles of streams, rivers and waterways with three million acres of freshwater and 27 first magnitude springs – more than any other state in the nation. These are springs that discharge water at a rate of at least 100 cubic feet of water per second. Florida’s longest river is the St. Johns at 273 miles. The state also has 10,000 lakes with 7,700 of them larger than ten acres and the largest, Lake Okeechobee, is 700 square miles. It is the second largest freshwater lake in the U.S. In fact, Florida’s total water area is 4,308 square miles. 150309 Florida’s natural splendor beckons boaters, canoeists, anglers, wildlife and nature observers, as well as water-sports enthusiasts. The goals of Florida’s conservation efforts include the preservation of natural habitats and ecosystems for

wildlife and recreational opportunities for everyone, young and old alike.

Our treasury of clean waterways brings thousands of visitors to Florida annually. The sale of fishing gear and related equipment, licenses and rental fees makes a tremendous contribution to the state’s economy and provides residents with a wonderful place to play, relax and have a good time. Fishing is a fun and wholesome activity that everyone can enjoy.

Boating and other water sports are popular too.

With thousands of registered vessels and personal watercraft, boating safety is a priority in Florida. Both residents and visitors are encouraged to take one of the many boating safety courses offered.

Florida is indeed “a great backyard” and with our excellent weather, it’s no wonder people come from all over the world to play in the water here.

Whatever your preference, fishing, boating, skiing, swimming, operating a personal watercraft, or watching from the shoreline, with so much water in Florida, you’re bound to find something you like.

Column & photo by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ray F. Vick President District 5

Jerry D. Hatfield Vice President District 9

Robin R. Henion

Secretary-Treasurer District 7

Scott D. Boyatt District 1

Dillard B. Boyatt District 2

Richard J. Belles District 3

Richard Dennison District 4

Earl Muffett District 6

Bill James

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, May 22, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville. A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, June 19, 2017.

2 4 / 7 Jo b Ho tl i n e: (855) 483-2673 www.secoenergyjobs.com Report an Outage: (800) 732-6141 www.secostormcenter.com

District 8

SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.