November 2013 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR THE MEMBERS OF WHITEWATER VALLEY REMC Comments from your CEO Why I’m Thankful for My Co-op As we enter the Thanksgiving season each year, Mary Jo Thomas, CEO I find myself reflecting on all that I and my family are grateful for. My list is usually about the same—good health, wonderful family and friends, and a job serving the great people of Whitewater Valley. I’m thankful to be a part of WWVREMC. Our employees are some of the hardest workers I know. Our mission is to provide affordable, reliable, safe electric power, but we also aim to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. It’s a mission we all take seriously. I’m thankful for WWVREMC because it allows employees to live alongside those we serve. The beauty of a cooperative is that it’s locally owned and operated; there are no distant shareholders pulling the strings behind the scenes. Members elect members to serve on the board of directors and govern the co-op. The hidden account number is 15201. We are your neighbors, your friends, your family. I’m thankful for my co-op because it serves as a vibrant force in the local economy—partly because we are local. Questions for Mary Jo Name: _____________________________ Account No.: ________________________ Phone ( ) ________________________ In This Issue Why I’m Thankful for My Co-op....p 1-2 That means WWVREMC is invested in the future of its communities. If you walk in the office this month, you will see barrels filled with food collected through our Shedding Light on Hunger program. November marks the tenth year for our participation in Operation Round Up®. Members currently participating in Operation Round Up® have given back over $374,000 by rounding up their electric bills. WWVREMC employees are collecting supplies for the Ronald McDonald house in Indianapolis. When Response to September Powerlines Responses......................................p 2 Kyle Jobe Joins Whitewater Valley REMC Team..........................p 2 Outages By Cause.......................... p 2 We Need Your Involvement............. p 3 Give to Operation Round-Up® ........ p 4 For up-to-date information, visit us on the web at www.wwvremc.com Liberty Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays To Report an Outage or Emergency: Call 1-800-776-0493 24 hours a day, 7 days a week . Be ready to provide the following information: Melody Ramey and Jennifer Scott putting their donations in the Ronald McDonald House donation barrel. it comes to supporting worthy causes such as Relay for Life, Junior Achievement and United Way, WWVREMC employees really shine. Continued on Page 2 My question or comment is: • The name and account number under which your electric service is listed • Map location number • Your phone number - needed to call back or confirm power restoration • The type of problem you are experiencing –flickering lights, complete power outage, etc. Outage Texting available - register at www.wwvremc.com We appreciate your call and will work promptly to assist you. Whitewater Valley __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ If you have any questions for Mary Jo, please call 1.800.529.5557 or 765.458.5171. You may also e-mail Mary Jo Thomas at [email protected] For up-to-date information, visit us on the web at www.wwvremc.com Rural Electric Membership Corporation ® 101 Brownsville Avenue P.O. Box 349 Liberty, IN 47353 Phone: 765.458.5171 1.800.529.5557 E-mail: [email protected] President & CEO - Mary Jo Thomas Powerlines Editor - Sandy Cason 2 Powerlines I’m thankful for my co-op because we care. From teaching electrical safety to young people and cordinating an annual food drive to reaching out to members with information that will help them save energy and money, we care about the people and the towns we serve. Finally, I’m thankful for you, our members and faithful readers, because without you, there’d be no WWVREMC. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at your electric co-op. Response to September Powerlines Responses In September, our Powerlines issue reprinted articles on the EPA’s proposed regulations and the viewpoints of some employees of Indiana Statewide Association of Cooperatives and some politicians. We received a few responses from that publication that either did not appreciate the political tone or the views shared in that newsletter. Different views and perspectives are what make our cooperatives special. The primary mission of Whitewater Valley REMC is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to the 9,800+ members we serve. WWVREMC along with other member cooperatives in the State support or oppose policies that impact F Kyle Jobe Joins Whitewater Valley REMC Team Kyle Jobe began working at WWVREMC on July 22, 2013. Kyle is a resident of Connersville, Indiana and attended Butler University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 2010, and his Masters in Professional Accounting in 2011. He passed the CPA exam in January of 2012, and received his CPA license in July of 2013. Previously, Kyle worked 2 years as a staff accountant/ auditor for London Witte Group in Indianapolis. In that position, Kyle helped audit, and worked with numerous REMC’s around the state, including WWVREMC. Kyle also interned with WWVREMC in the summer of 2009. The employees and directors welcome Kyle to the cooperative. ind the Hidden Account Number! R. Crowe of Greens Fork found his hidden account number in the September Powerlines and won a $25.00 bill credit. Keep reading your Powerlines each month or browsing our website – the next hidden account number could be yours! November Due Dates During November the due dates for payment of your electric bills are November 19th and 26th. Remember, we recommend that you allow five business days for the mail to reach the payment processing center. That way, you’ll never run the risk of being late. Payment Options US Mail: Send your payment to: Whitewater Valley REMC P.O. Box 3199 Martinsville, IN 46151-3168 SmartHub: Log-on at www.wwvremc.com Liberty Office: In person or in the drop box Automatic Withdrawal or Smart Hub: Simply request a form and submit it to our office FCN or Franklin County National Bank: In person or in the drop box (Please bring your payment stub with you) First Merchants Bank Richmond Location: In person or in the drop box (Please bring your payment stub with you) If you would like more information about payment options, call 765-458-5171 or 1-800-529-5557. our ability to carry out our mission. We recognize and appreciate that everyone may not agree with our position on a given issue. Ultimately, Indiana Statewide Association is responsible for representing Indiana’s cooperatives’ view as a whole, and provides avenues for cooperatives and their members to engage those in government. That engagement adds volume to our continual call for our government leaders to work with cooperatives to find practical solutions for the future. We encourage members to be engaged about new laws, policies, and regulations that affect their monthly bills. This is essential to our electric cooperatives’ democratic process. 3 November 2013 Grassroots Advocacy Grassroots Advocacy Grassroots Advocacy Grassroots Advocacy When President Richard nixon tried to pull the plug WhenWhen President Richard nixonnixon tried totried pull the plug When President Richard nixon pull the plug President Richard tried toto pull the on the REa loan program in late 1972, theplug nation’s on the REa loan program in late 1972, the nation’s the REa loan program late 1972, the1973, nation’s onon the REa loan program in in late 1972, co-ops rallied support and by the Maynation’s nixon co-ops rallied support and by May 1973, nixon co-ops rallied support and by May 1973, nixon co-ops rallied support and by May 1973, nixon signed a bill that revamped the REa program but signed a billathat revamped the REa program but but signed a bill that revamped the REa program but signed bill that revamped the REa program assured funding to support co-op growth. assured funding to support co-opco-op growth. assured funding support co-op growth. assured funding toto support growth. We Need your We Need your We Need your We Need your Involvement Involvement Involvement Involvement by Matt Randall by Matt Randall Matt Randall bybyMatt Randall consumers benefitted by controlling more of the power theybenefitted used. consumers by controlling moremore of the power consumers benefitted controlling more thepower power consumers benefitted bybycontrolling ofof the or Indiana’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives, In the 1970s, co-ops enlisted the help of consumers to theythey used. theyused. used. providing members with safe, reliable and affordable In the petition the Statehouse tothe enact territorial protection pre1970s, co-ops enlisted help ofhelp consumers to to or Indiana’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives, In the1970s, 1970s, co-ops enlisted the consumers Indiana’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives, In the co-ops enlisted the help ofofconsumers toto ororIndiana’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives, electricity is priority number one.and But you, as co-op ventStatehouse investor-owned from skimming the petition the to enact territorial protection toindustrial preproviding members with safe, reliable and affordable petition theStatehouse Statehouse toenact enact territorial protection preproviding members withsafe, safe,reliable reliable andaffordable affordable petition the toutilities territorial protection totopreproviding members with members, also havenumber an important role toyou, play toco-op that end —vent and other large, stable energy users beneficial toindustrial all convent investor-owned utilities from skimming the industrial electricity is priority number one.one. But you, as co-op vent investor-owned utilities from skimming theindustrial electricity priority number one. Butyou, investor-owned utilities from skimming the electricity is is priority But asasco-op through grassroots advocacy. and engaged members sumers from co-op lines. That was another other large, stable energy users beneficial to allbattle members, also have an important role role toActive play to that end —end and otherlarge, large,stable stable energy users beneficial toallallco-ops conmembers, alsohave have important role play tothat thatend — and other energy users beneficial toconconmembers, also ananimportant totoplay to —and are grassroots the key to keeping lawmakers aware of howmembers laws and eventually won with some compromises. from co-op lines.but That was another battle co-ops through grassroots advocacy. Active and and engaged members sumers fromco-op co-op lines. That was another battle co-ops through advocacy. Active and engaged sumers from lines. That was another battle co-ops through grassroots advocacy. Active engaged memberssumers regulations affect co-ops — and, ultimately, the bill youeventually pay. eventually More recently, in thecompromises. late 1990s, our co-op leaders and won but with some are the key to keeping lawmakers aware of how laws and won butwith with some compromises. are the key keeping lawmakers aware howlaws lawsand and eventually won but some compromises. are the key totokeeping lawmakers aware ofofhow Theco-ops federal— government, rural electricity and electric Moreyou vigorously fought and defeated Statehouse attempts recently, in the late 1990s, our co-op leaders and and regulations affect and, ultimately, the bill you pay. More recently, in the late 1990s, our co-op leaders andto regulations affect co-ops — and, ultimately, the bill you pay. More recently, in the late 1990s, our co-op leaders regulations affect co-ops — and, ultimately, the bill you pay. cooperative consumers have been linked for generations — deregulate the state’s electric utilities. These attempts would vigorously fought and and defeated Statehouse attempts to toto The The federal government, ruralrural electricity and and electric youvigorously vigorously fought anddefeated defeated Statehouse attempts Thefederal federal government, ruralelectricity electricity andelectric electric you you fought Statehouse attempts government, from the birth of rural electrification through today. have created more uncertainty in the electricity marketderegulate the state’s electric utilities. These attempts would cooperative consumers havehave been linked for generations — —— deregulate thestate’s state’s electric utilities. These attempts would cooperative consumers havebeen beenlinked linked generations deregulate the electric utilities. These attempts would cooperative consumers forforgenerations Government, as it turns out, was instrumental in bringplace and could not guarantee lower rates to consumers. In havehave created moremore uncertainty in the electricity marketfromfrom the birth rural electrification through today.today. havecreated created moreuncertainty uncertainty theelectricity electricity marketfrom theof birth ruralelectrification electrification through inin the marketthe ofofrural ingbirth power to rural Americans. through today. the end, 60-plus years of co-op equity and strong grassroots place and could not guarantee lower rates to consumers. In InIn Government, as it as turns out, was in bringplaceand andcould could notmembers guarantee lower rates consumers. Government, asit itturns turnsout, out,instrumental wasinstrumental instrumental bringlower totoconsumers. Government, ininbringBy the mid-1930s, onlywas 10 percent of the nation’s rural placesupport fromnot ourguarantee sparedrates all Hoosiers the nightthe end, 60-plus years of co-op equity and strong grassroots ing power toresidents rural Americans. the end, 60-plus years of co-op equity and strong grassroots ingpower power rural Americans. the end, 60-plus years of co-op equity and strong grassroots ing totorural Americans. had access to electricity. Private power companies mare of brownouts, price fixing and skyrocketing rates seen support from our members spared all Hoosiers the nightBy the mid-1930s, only 10only percent of the nation’s rural support from our members spared Hoosiers the nightthemid-1930s, mid-1930s, of the nation’s rural support from our members spared allallHoosiers the nightByBy the only 1010percent ofand the nation’s rural who supplied electricity topercent towns cities argued it was in states like California that experimented with deregulation. maremare of brownouts, priceprice fixing and and skyrocketing ratesrates seen residents had access to electricity. Private power companies mare brownouts, pricefixing fixing andskyrocketing skyrocketing ratesseen seen residents had access electricity. Private power companies ofofbrownouts, residents access toto electricity. Private power companies toohad expensive to construct lines to sparsely populated rural new regulations call for a new in states like California that that experimented withfight deregulation. whowho supplied electricity towns and cities argued it was states like California that experimented withderegulation. deregulation. whosupplied supplied electricity towns andcities cities argued was ininstates like California experimented with electricity tototowns and argued it itwas areas. But the to Franklin D. Roosevelt administration believed too expensive to construct linescouldn’t tolines sparsely populated rural tooexpensive expensive toconstruct construct sparsely populated rural too toenterprise lines totosparsely populated rural Today, the landscape is changing in the energy indusif private supply power, the governnewnew regulations callcall for afor new fight new regulations callfor newfight fight regulations a anew areas. But the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration believed areas. But the Franklin D.Roosevelt Roosevelt administration believed areas. But the Franklin D.rural administration try once again. Government regulation through the ment should help communities provide itbelieved for themif private enterprise couldn’t supply power, the governthe landscape isProtection changing in the energy indusprivate enterprise couldn’t supply power, the governToday, thelandscape landscape changing theenergy energy indusif ifprivate enterprise couldn’t supply power, the governToday, the is ischanging inin the indusEnvironmental Agency significantly impacts selves instead. So, in 1935, as part of the New Deal, theToday, Rural mentment should helphelp rural communities provide it foritthemtry once again. Government regulation through the the mentshould should helprural rural communities provide itfor themonceagain. again. Government regulation through the your electric bill. Electrification Administration was created tofor bring electriccommunities provide themtrytryonce Government regulation through selves instead. inSo,So, 1935, as part ofpart the New Deal, the Rural Environmental Agency significantly selves 1935, theNew NewDeal, Deal, the Rural Environmental Protection Agency significantly impacts OurProtection co-op leaders believe wesignificantly need toimpacts helpimpacts the EPA and ityinstead. toSo, rural America. With low-cost loans from the REA, rural selves instead. inin1935, asaspart ofof the Rural Environmental Protection Agency our lawmakers residents were able was to work cooperatively to form electric Electrification Administration created to bring electricyouryour electric bill. bill. Electrification Administration was created bring electricyour electric bill. understand the pressure certain regulations Electrification Administration was created totobring electricelectric put onco-op theleaders cost of providing energy to our members. We cooperatives and finally electrify thefrom countryside. ity toityrural America. With low-cost loansloans from the REA, rural co-op leaders believe we need to help the EPA and itytotorural ruralAmerica. America. With low-cost loans from theREA, REA,rural rural Our Our Ourco-op leaders believe weneed need help theEPA EPAand and With low-cost the believe we toto help the want tounderstand keep your electrical service affordable. But we need residents werewere able toable work cooperatively to form electric the pressure certain regulations residents wereable workcooperatively cooperatively formelectric electric our lawmakers ourlawmakers lawmakers understand thepressure pressure certain regulations residents totowork totoform our understand the certain regulations Fighting for government support your help toofhelp us energy serveenergy you. cooperatives and and finally electrify the countryside. put on the cost ofcost providing to our members. We We cooperatives andfinally finally electrify thecountryside. countryside. put on the ofproviding providing energy ourmembers. members. We cooperatives electrify the put on the cost toto our In 1974, almost 40 years after the REA was born, direc-wantwant to keep your electrical service affordable. But we need want tokeep keepyour yourelectrical electrical service affordable. But weneed need to service affordable. But we How can you help? Fighting for and government support Fighting forCEOs government support tors from America’s electric cooperatives hityour theyour Fighting for government support help tohelp help us serve you. yourhelp help serveyou. you. totohelp ususserve First, know who your elected officials are. Find yours by nation’s capital en after masse toREA lobby against Richard In 1974, almost 40 years after the REA was born, direc1974, almost years after the REAwas wasborn, born, direc-Nixon’s InIn1974, almost 4040years the direcHow can you help? How canyou youhelp? help? visiting District.IGA.IN.gov. You can also sign up at administration’s threat theelectric end thecooperatives REA loan ThisHow can tors tors and CEOs fromfrom America’s electric cooperatives hitprogram. the torsand and CEOs fromAmerica’s America’s the CEOs electric cooperatives hithitthe www.action.coop toelected receive alerts when your help isby effort evolved into thetoNational Rural Electric Cooperative nation’s capital en masse to lobby against Richard Nixon’s know whowho your elected officials are. are. Find yours by by nation’s capital masse lobby against Richard Nixon’sFirst,First, First, know whoyour yourelected officials are.Find Findyours yours nation’s capital enenmasse to lobby against Richard Nixon’s know officials needed on important issues that affect your cooperative. Association’s annual legislative conference. Each spring administration’s threat the end the REA loan program. This visiting District.IGA.IN.gov. You can also sign up at administration’s threat the end the REA loan program. This visiting District.IGA.IN.gov. You can also sign up at administration’s threat the end the REA loan program. This visiting District.IGA.IN.gov. You can also sign up at Be alert for updates from your co-op on changing issues. ever since, your co-op leaders have headed to Washington to receive alerts when youryour help ishelpis is efforteffort evolved into into the National RuralRural Electric Cooperative effort evolved into theNational National RuralElectric Electric Cooperativewww.action.coop www.action.coop receive alerts when yourhelp evolved the Cooperative www.action.coop totoreceive alerts when Expect information on social media, flyers in your monthly to advocate for your interests. Association’s annual legislative conference. EachEach spring on important issues that that affect youryour cooperative. Association’s annual legislative conference. Eachspring spring needed needed onimportant important issues thataffect affect your cooperative. Association’s annual legislative conference. needed issues Consumer and more.cooperative. bill, on articles in Electric But Capitol Hill has not been the only battle ground for for updates fromfrom your co-op on changing issues. everever since, youryour co-op leaders have headed to Washington eversince, since, yourco-op co-op leaders have headed to Washington Be alert alert updates fromyour yourco-op co-op changing issues. leaders BeBealert forforupdates ononchanging issues. We need your involvement to encourage our lawmakers Indiana’s electric co-ops.have headed to Washington ExpectExpect information on social media, flyersflyers in your monthly to advocate forThrough your interests. advocate your interests. information social media, flyers yourmonthly monthly totoadvocate forforyour interests. information ononsocial media, ininyour to help us keep costs low. … the 1960s, Indiana’s electric co-ops fought Expect But Capitol Hill not been the only battle ground for forforbill, bill, articles in Electric Consumer and and more. Powerlines But Capitol Hill has not been theonly onlybattle battle ground bill,articles articles Electric Consumer andmore. more. But Capitol Hill has not been the ground ininElectric Consumer legal andhas legislative battles with the state’s investor-owned Indiana’s electric co-ops. your involvement our lawmakers Indiana’s electric co-ops. in an attempt to build our own We need Weneed need yourinvolvement encourage our lawmakers Indiana’s electric We your totoencourage our lawmakers Matt Randall isinvolvement managertoofencourage legislative advocacy at Indiana utilities andco-ops. lawmakers Through the 1960s, Indiana’s electric co-ops fought to help us keep costs low. …low. Through the1960s, 1960s, Indiana’s electric co-ops fought help keep costslow. Statewide Association of RECs. Through the Indiana’s electric co-ops fought totohelp ususkeep costs …… generating station. Co-ops ultimately won the battle and legallegal and legislative battles withwith the state’s investor-owned legaland andlegislative legislative battles with thestate’s state’s investor-owned battles the investor-owned Randall is manager of legislative advocacy at Indiana Matt Randall manager legislative advocacy Indiana Randall is is manager ofof legislative advocacy atat Indiana utilities and and lawmakers in aninattempt to build our own utilities andlawmakers lawmakers inananattempt attempt build ourown own MattMatt utilities totobuild our 18 station. ElEctric consumEr • octobEr 2013 • ElectricConsumer.org Association of RECs. Statewide Association RECs. Statewide Association ofof RECs. generating Co-ops ultimately wonwon the battle and and generating station. Co-ops ultimately won thebattle battle and Statewide generating station. Co-ops ultimately the FFFF 18 ElEctric consumEr • octobEr 2013 2013 • ElectricConsumer.org ElEctric consumEr • octobEr 2013 • ElectricConsumer.org 1818 ElEctric consumEr • octobEr • ElectricConsumer.org Our office will be closed for the following holidays: Veterans Day November 11 Thanksgiving November 28 and 29 If you’re expecting guests for holiday festivities, consider giving your heating unit a break. With the oven cranked up and the house packed with people, the temperature will rise on its own. Also make sure it has a clean filter so it can work as efficiently as possible all winter long. Find more ways to save at TogetherWeSave.com Source: TogetherWeSave.com For Your Information OUTAGES BY CAUSE August 2013 CauseOutages #% Animals 28 28.57 Trees 17 17.35 Decay 13 13.27 Material/Equip Failure 11 11.22 Lightning/Weather 7 7.14 Unknown 6 6.12 Power Supplier 5 5.10 Member 3 3.06 Other 3 3.06 Construction/Maint 3 3.06 Vehicles/Public Activity 2 2.04 Total 98100 4 Powerlines November 2013 Fall Pledge Drive Continues for Operation Round-Up® Sign-up during the months of October, November and December and be entered for a chance to win an iPad Mini, plus other prizes. Submit your pledge before December 10, 2013 to be eligible for prizes. Give to Operation Round-Up® Yes! Sign me up for Operation Round-Up®. Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: _______________________Account Number: _____________________ M New participant, round-up my monthly bill. M I want to contribute $_________ each month to Operation Round-Up®. (fill-in dollar amount to be added to monthly electric bill) M I want to make a one-time contribution. My check is enclosed. Thank You Notes! t Members, nation/gran Dear REMC ur recent do ry yo ra r te fo Li u y yo Thank lph Count to the Rando on is iti al co e of $500.00 th ur interest in Coalition. Yo eciated. pr ven ap h very muc of monies gi . stewardship so e do th to ke ta ue e in W d will cont an to ly us us r fo rio le to us se it possib sity makes s. m Your genero ra r varied prog ort. continue ou r your supp fo u yo k an Again, th Sincerely, re, Treasure Coalition Peggy Moo cy ounty Litera Randolph C Dear REMC Members, The Special Olympics Program of Wayne County would like to extend its sincerest appreciation for the recent $970.00 grant for use in purchasing softball equipment and uniforms for our athletes. Year 2013 is the very first year Wayne County has introduced softball, and the athletes are very much enjoying this sport! Next year, our teams will be entered into Special Olympic tournaments throughout that state and will participate in the state summer games as well. Your grant will certainly be utilized to make this such an enjoyable activity for our Special Olympians. Thanks again for your kind gesture! Sincerely, Ellen Roi Treasurer Dear REMC M embers, The Huntsville Community C enter so appreciates w hat the White water Valley Community Tr ust does for sm all non-profit groups such as ours. You som etimes becom the lifeline that e makes it poss ible for us to go on thus becom ing the link th at helps us he others. What lp a fantastic prog ram. The need evidenced by is all the reques ts. Thanks again. We love you. Wanetta Che esman President, Hun tsville Commun ity Center
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