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Peace River Electric Cooperative
M A R C H 2015
PRECO Annual Meeting, mid-1940s.
Employees stand with the day’s door prizes.
The banner shows the co-op’s former name
and two-digit phone number.
75th Annual Membership Meeting March 21 PAGE 4
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The Early Days
PAGE 25
View outages in real time at http://outage.preco.coop
Peace River Electric Cooperative 75th Annual Membership Meeting
PRECO Members: Come enjoy our 75th Anniversary Celebration!
10:00 am: Registration, food and fun begins
1:00 pm: Business Meeting
Door prizes awarded after the business meeting!
March 2015
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Food n Games & Fun n Face Painting n
Kids’ Activities n Exhibits n Door Prizes n Hotdogs n
Saturday, March 21st
Ice Cream n Boiled Peanuts n Snow Cones n Fried Donuts n
Popcorn n Funnel Cakes
PRECO Park 220 Knight Road Wauchula, Florida
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SPECIAL
E N T E R TA I N E R :
Gatorland’s “Dean of Gator Wrestling”
Tim Williams and his gator, reptile
and critter show will keep you
on the edge of your seat!
Music by Florida’s First Ensemble and
Judge & Jury Blue Grass Band
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Peace River Electric Cooperative
You must provide photo ID, such as a driver’s license, in order to register.
To register on behalf of a business, you must provide signed authorization from the company
president on company letterhead.
www.preco.coop
M A R C H 2 015
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Peace River Electric Cooperative: Celebrating 75 Years of Progress
PRECO has come a long way since 1940, when local
citizens banded together to form their own electric
cooperative. Today, advances in technology and
equipment allow us to work smarter than ever before.
Meters
Headquarters
Built in 1948, PRECO’s first owned
For years, our members read their own
office space was on Highway 17, north
electric meter and mailed in a Co-op provided
of Wauchula. After it was constructed,
post card. Eventually, as PRECO grew in the
the Rural Electrification Administration
number of electric accounts, we employed a team
(REA) adopted our blueprints as the
of Meter Readers to physically visit and gather
model for all co-op buildings.
the readings of each meter on our system.
In 2009, PRECO constructed its
Currently, nearly every meter PRECO has in
current headquarters a short distance
the field reads itself and sends us the readings
from our former office. Our headquarters
remotely. This is a great cost savings to our
building achieved a Leadership in
members by eliminating the need for trucks
Energy and Environmental Design
and employees to do this task manually.
(LEED) certification for its “green”
design and construction features.
Vehicles
Our first line crews performed their duties
Operations
using gas-guzzling, all metal bucket trucks
In the early days, line crews had to
weighing thousands of pounds each.
do everything by hand. Setting a pole by
We still need heavy duty trucks today in
manually digging a hole and setting it upright
order to keep electricity flowing smoothly
by braces and ropes was an all day process.
down the lines, but over time we are gradually
Today, digger derrick trucks can
replacing our fleet with smaller, more fuel-
set a pole in a matter of hours with
efficient trucks in order to reduce transportation
only two or three employees.
costs and the impact to the environment.
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Peace River Electric Cooperative
www.preco.coop
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My, How Annual Meeting Has Changed!
OVER THE YEARS, OUR ANNUAL
MEETING HAS GROWN FROM A SMALL
GROUP OF
FOLKS SITTING
ON ORANGE
CRATES TO A COMMUNITYWIDE EVENT
WITH FREE HOTDOGS, ICE CREAM, KIDS’
ACTIVITIES
AND MORE.
FROM 1940
THROUGH TODAY, ANNUAL MEETING IS
STILL THE HEART AND SOUL OF YOUR
CO-OP AND CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR MEMBERS.
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Peace River Electric Cooperative
Serving members since 1940
PRECO: The Early Days
Finally REA sent a representative
— Julius Ausen — to help get started.
Mr. Ausen outlined the program at
a community meeting in the Torrey
School on January 31, 1940. A meeting
was held at Lemon Grove on February
5 and another at College Hill on
February 8. So much enthusiasm was
evident at those meetings that a formal
organization meeting was called for
February 10, at Wauchula City Hall.
Not everybody was sold on the idea,
In 1947, the employees gather for a photo at
our first office, a rented building in Wauchula.
n the late ‘30’s only those people who lived in and near
program that was supposed to help in these cases. One
Wauchula, Bowling Green and Zolfo Springs, together
of these was Bill Grainger who visited the nearest electric
with a few whose homes were near a power line which
cooperative at Bushnell to determine what had to be
extended into the Popash community, had electric service.
done to get a cooperative started. Another was County
Others in Hardee County wanted it but couldn’t get it.
Agent H. L. Miller who contacted the Rural Electrification
Several community leaders had heard of a new government
Administration (REA) in Washington, and another was
Vocational Ag Professor Dan G. Allen who helped spread
information through his students. All contacted community
leaders from the various sections of the county personally.
but the majority of the large number
of rural people at that meeting thought
it was worth a try. So the Peace River
Valley Electric Membership Cooperative
came into being that afternoon. Officers
their money away. Not everybody
chosen were Walter Moore, President;
had $5 right then; seems to me we
T. E. Blackburn, Vice President; H. T.
took a few personal notes for $5.”
Gebhart, Secretary; and B. T. Hagans,
Walter Moore, the first Board President, worked to
convince his neighbors to sign up for membership
in the new co-op. Many thought they were just
throwing away the required $5 for membership.
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Peace River Electric Cooperative
Did Moore get paid for all his
use it for everything,” he explained.
The Co-op’s first
employee was C. E.
Crow. He was hired
Treasurer. Other Directors on our
hard work? Not a penny. But he had
as Coordinator in
first Board were Charles Anderson,
electricity and so did his neighbors.
October 1940 to get
Beatrice Brandon, Woodrow McGill,
They had it because that February
the new lines built
10 meeting started something. Moore
and in operation.
and his colleagues signed up enough
The second was
lot of hard work by a lot of people. The
members so that REA approved a
Gwendolyn Grainger,
Directors were the ones who were called
loan of $96,000 in October 1940.
hired in December
on to work hardest — and they did.
Construction started soon afterward,
1940, as bookkeeper.
Walter Moore, who served as President
and less than a year later in September
during the difficult war years, recalls it.
1941, the first electricity flowed through
managers during its early years. C. E. Crow
the new member-owned wires.
served until March 1943; W. E. Lambert
W. E. Pierce and Arthur Witte.
Starting an electric co-op requires a
The initial meeting was held in the
County Agent’s office in early January
1940, at which time the REA manager
from Bushnell came and talked to the
community leaders from all sections
of the county. The lights went out
that night in the Court House, but
the meeting was held anyway.
Taken in 1946, it’s the earliest known Co-op Board photo. From left,
seated: Joe Hanusch, T. S. McGill, W. E. Pierce, George Conerly, I. V.
Moore; Standing: F. G. Janes, Jr. (Board Attorney), J. D. Jackson, Lonnie
Shackelford, L. T. Stephens, C. E. Baggott
“I walked and drove up and down
the roads, signing up my neighbors for
Moore was one of the first 222
Ivon Tilyou,
General Manager
of the co-op from
1947 to 1969.
The co-op had several short term
until March 1944; P. E. Lambert until
membership in the new co-op. About
connected that month. He recalls
February 1947; and Gwendolyn Grainger
90 percent signed, but many of them
that he had an electric range at the
served for a couple of months as Acting
told me they would give me the $5 but
very start, in addition to a radio and
Manager until Ivon Tilyou — who went on
they thought they were just throwing
lights; he was an early big user. “We
to serve 22 years — was hired April 1947.
www.preco.coop
M A R C H 2 015
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Serving members since 1940
Manatee Service Center Grand Opening
The ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration of our
new Manatee Service Center in Lakewood Ranch was held
in January. The event was well attended by many local VIPs,
including Rep. Greg Steube, aides of Reps. Vern Buchanan
and Bill Galvano, Manatee Chamber of Commerce members
and staff, PRECO board members and employees.
Manatee Service Center features a walk-in lobby and drivethru window, as well as a full range of member services. It
is located at 14505 Arbor Green Trail, Lakewood Ranch.
Operation Round Up Grant Helps Reconnect
Family of Six
$10,000 grant from PRECO’s
Operation Round Up Charitable
Foundation has helped reunite
a DeSoto County family under one roof.
Arcadia-DeSoto Habitat for Humanity
received the grant on behalf of the
Summerall family, who had been living in
a FEMA trailer.
“When Hurricane Charley took
away their home in 2004, Daniel and
Louise Summerall and their three
children were forced to move into the
trailer for temporary housing,” shares
Jane Breylinger, Habitat for Humanity’s
executive director. “The trailer’s cramped
conditions left them no choice but to
place Daniel’s quadriplegic mother in a
nursing home. Our goal was to bring this
family back together by constructing an
John Lipe, Operation Round Up Board Member,
turns over the house keys to Daniel Summerall
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energy efficient, handicapped
accessible home.”
Habitat for Humanity
homes are built utilizing
volunteer labor. And, recipients
are required to work toward
the home’s construction. “The
Summeralls contributed many
hours toward the completion of
their home,” notes Breylinger.
The home was built to
energy efficient Energy Star
standards, meaning that it will
help the family keep energy
The Summerall family (center) is surrounded by Habitat for
costs down. Energy Star homes Humanity volunteers and staff who helped make their home a
reality. Jane Breylinger, executive director of Arcadia-DeSoto
are built to higher standards
Habitat for Humanity is in the foreground on the right.
than the average new home on
the market.
member-consumers.
In December, construction was
Funds are raised
completed and a brief ceremony was held
for local individuals
to welcome the Summeralls into their
and charitable
new home. John Lipe, Operation Round
organizations by
Up board member, had the privilege of
rounding up monthly energy bills, on a
placing the keys to the home in Daniel
voluntary basis, to the next dollar. The
Summerall’s hand.
foundation accepts grant applications for
“It was rewarding to see the smiles
needs relating to food, shelter, medical,
on their faces as I turned over the keys,
clothing and the environment.
knowing that Operation Round Up played
To learn more about Arcadiaa big part in bringing this family back
DeSoto Habitat for Humanity, visit
together,” explains Lipe.
desotohabitat.com. For more
Operation Round Up is a program
information on Operation Round Up, go
made possible by the generosity of
to www.preco.coop.
Peace River Electric Cooperative’s
Peace River Electric Cooperative
P R I VA C Y P O L I C Y F O R P E A C E R I V E R E L E C T R I C C O O P E R AT I V E
Our Commitment to Privacy: At
Peace River Electric Cooperative
(PRECO), confidentiality is very
important to us. As we strive to
improve and expand our services,
we recognize our members’
need and desire to preserve their
privacy and confidentiality. PRECO
recognizes the trust members
place in us and is committed to
safeguarding member information.
The following policy affirms
our continued commitment to
preserving member confidentiality.
The Information We Collect: We
receive and retain information
about our members through
many sources:
Information we receive on
member applications or other
forms;
Information on member service
history and data gathered by our
metering systems;
Information through member
transactions with us, our affiliates
or others; and,
Information we receive from
consumer-reporting agencies.
The Way We Use Information: We
limit the use and collection of
nonpublic personal information
to that which is necessary
to maintain and administer
financial services. We do not
share this information with
outside parties unless:
The information is provided
to help complete a memberinitiated transaction (such as credit
reporting agencies, document
processing companies, etc.);
The member has requested it;
The disclosure is required by law
(e.g., subpoena, investigation
of fraudulent activity, etc.); or,
The disclosure is required by
banking regulation (e.g., Fair
Lending Reporting Act, Home
Mortgage Disclosure Act, etc.).
When member information is
provided to any of the third parties
mentioned above, that third party
must agree to adhere to privacy
principles that provide for keeping
such information confidential.
Limiting Employee Access To
Information: PRECO limits
employee access to member
information to those with a
business reason for knowing such
information. All of our employees
are educated on the importance
of confidentiality and member
privacy. Any employee that
violates the financial privacy of
our members will be subject to
appropriate disciplinary measures
and possible termination.
Protection of Information via
Established Security Procedures:
To prevent unauthorized access,
maintain data accuracy and ensure
the correct use of information,
we have put in place appropriate
physical, electronic and managerial
procedures to safeguard and
secure the information.
Maintaining Accurate Information:
We have established procedures
so that our members’ financial
information is accurate, current
and complete in accordance
with reasonable commercial
standards. PRECO will respond
to requests to correct inaccurate
information in a timely manner.
At PRECO, we value our member
relationships. We want you to
understand how we use the
information you provide and
our commitment to ensuring
your personal privacy. If you
have questions regarding our
privacy policy, please contact
us at 1-800-282-3824.
T H I S I N S T I T U T I O N I S A N E Q UA L O P P O R T U N I T Y P R O V I D E R A N D E M P L O Y E R .
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint
Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992
to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed
complaint form or letter to us by mail at US Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].
www.preco.coop
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TO REPORT POWER OUTAGE CALL:
1-877-282-3656
Why You Should Attend
PRECO’s Annual Meeting
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
210 Metheny Road
Wauchula, Florida 33873
Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F
Telephone: 1-800-282-3824
FAX: 866-201-1814
NOW OPEN: MANATEE
SERVICE CENTER
14505 Arbor Green Trail
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F
Telephone: 1-800-282-3824
Fax: 941-752-4928
INDIAN LAKE ESTATES
17363 County Road 630
Lake Wales, Florida 33898
For your convenience, a payment drop
box is located at the front gate. Payments
will be posted on the next business day.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bruce Vickers
PRESIDENT
t’s that time of year again — Annual Meeting time! On behalf of Peace River
Electric Cooperative, I’d like to personally invite you to join us on March 21, at
PRECO Park in Wauchula. We look forward to gathering with
you — members of the co-op community — to catch up, hear what
you have to say and enjoy some good food and entertainment.
This event is not only a chance to visit with members of our
co-op community — it’s also a great opportunity to learn about
programs PRECO offers and get to know your co-op staff. Our
Annual Membership Meeting makes it possible for us to gather
feedback from you by providing a forum where you can let us
know how we can better serve you and your family.
This is an occasion to discuss and learn more about the issues
affecting our local communities. It’s also an opportunity for you to exercise one of the
greatest benefits of being a member of an electric co-op — attending the
Annual Meeting and participating in the co-op’s brief business meeting.
John Martin
This year’s Annual Meeting will be a special one. We will
Hollis Albritton, Jr.
be celebrating our 75th anniversary. In honor of this
Harold Schatschneider
milestone, we will have special commemorative registration
Leonard Crawley
gifts, more live entertainment and better door prizes.
VICE PRESIDENT
S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R
A S S T. S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R
DIRECTOR
Willie Dawes
DIRECTOR
Maurice Henderson
DIRECTOR
Chris Portale
DIRECTOR
Samuel Rawls
DIRECTOR
BOARD MEETING
ATTENDANCE
Any PRECO member may attend
a Board Meeting. Due to building
security requirements and for us
to facilitate attendance, members
wishing to attend a Board Meeting
should contact the Cooperative
in a timely manner for logistical
information regarding the meeting.
UPCOMING BOARD
MEETING DATES
March 24, 2015
April 28, 2015
May 26, 2015
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We got our start in 1940, when a group of concerned citizens banded
together to form their own electric cooperative. Back then, investor-owned
Randy Shaw
utilities wouldn’t bring power to rural areas like ours because miles of line,
General Manager & CEO
plus a spread out population, equals reduced profits.
PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
PRECO is owned by the members it serves, not by far away investors
like for-profit utilities, and it is not run by an appointed Board of
Directors. We are run by a democratically elected Board of Directors — a board who is
entrusted to serve because of your vote.
Our directors are members of your community. They are concerned with the issues
you face every day because they face them too. And don’t forget — every member of the
Board is a PRECO member, just like you!
For 75 years, PRECO has worked hard to put members first by providing safe, reliable
and affordable electric service. Rest assured, no matter what happens in the future, we
remain dedicated to continue putting our members first. We encourage you to take part
in helping us improve how we deliver electric service and value by participating in the
business meeting. So make it a point to join us on March 21 at our 75th Annual
Meeting. We promise we will make it worth your while!