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GVEC EDITION
GLOBAL CO-OP SPIRIT
FEBRUARY 2012
KEYHOLE GARDENING
MOVIE SNACKS
2012: INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF COOPERATIVES
CAMPGROUND
COMRADES
A Natural Fit: Volunteer Park
Hosts Are at Home in the Wild
Three New Services for Members
PAGE 18
Attend Your District Meeting
PAGE 19
Take Time to Talk:
Driving & Electrical Safety
PAGE 22
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the
vol. 38, no. 2
review
February 2012
Delivering Financial Results
M
aintaining a financially strong cooperative is
important to the membership of GVEC. Doing so
allows us not only to operate efficiently, but it also opens
the door to sizeable savings in future endeavors concerning
system reliability and member service. High credit ratings
and strategic debt management have positioned GVEC well
to address the needs of today’s members as well as those of
future generations.
Standard & Poor’s “A+” and “A-1” Ratings Affirmed
In November 2011 Standard & Poor’s (S&P) affirmed
GVEC’s “A+” issuer credit rating as well as its “A-1”
short-term rating with a “stable outlook.” This was the
fifth consecutive year for the issuer rating as well as the
second consecutive year for the short-term rating. S&P
cited “certainty regarding its wholesale power supply
arrangements,” “a history of very strong financial metrics,”
and “strong projections for liquidity and coverage” as just
a few of GVEC’s strengths. High credit ratings such as
these are among a distinction given to only a handful of
cooperatives and gain GVEC access to important savings
opportunities such as Commercial Paper.
Commercial Paper Saves Members $1.4M to Date
In 2010 GVEC began taking advantage of a short-term
financing method called Commercial Paper (CP). Much
like the way a construction loan works, CP allows the
Cooperative to utilize low short-term interest rates to
save money while funding its capital investments as
necessary. With a little less than two years participating
in CP, GVEC has recognized over $1.4 million in shortterm interest savings to date compared to other shortterm financing available from traditional cooperative
sources. Savings like this contribute to keeping electric
rates as low as possible.
District 1
Robert J. Werner
District 4
Shawn Martinez
District 2
Lewis Borgfeld,
Board President
District 5
Morris Harvey
District 3
Henry “Bubba” Schmidt, Jr.
District 6
Emmett Engelke
Future Savings of $3.3M Projected
Given CP is a short-term financing strategy, funds
eventually roll over to long-term debt — much like a
home mortgage would. This is where investors review a
company’s overall credit rating and financial stability to
offer competitive interest rates on long-term financing
needs. Approximately $40 million in GVEC bonds were
taken to market in December 2011. Negotiations began
with prominent financial investors and resulted in
Prudential assuming all $40 million of the 30-year debt
at a low 3.77% interest rate: the lowest offered by each of
the potential investors. At this rate, GVEC will eventually
recognize over $3.3 million dollars more in long-term
interest savings as compared with the next lowest offering.
GVEC continues to take a progressive, yet vigilant,
approach to debt management in order to save you
money. Prudent financial management is just one core
value the GVEC Board and staff utilize to constantly
improve what we deliver for the thousands of memberowners who rely on us for quality service, in many forms,
each and every day.
I am always interested in your questions and feedback.
Contact me by phone at 830.857.1152, email at
[email protected], or by mail at P.O. Box 118,
Gonzales, TX, 78269.
Respectfully,
District 7
Melvin E. Strey,
Board Vice President
District 10
Don Williams,
Board Secretary/Treasurer
District 8
Mark Roberts
District 11
David Warzecha
District 9
Dr. Tom DeKunder
800.223.GVEC (4832) | [email protected] | www.gvec.org |
February 2012
TEXAS CO-OP POWER
17
Attend Your District Meeting
Three New Services
for Members
GVEC Online Outage Map
Outage Map, Mobile Site, and
Online Chat Keep You Connected
We’re always looking for ways to
make it easier and more convenient
for you to do business with GVEC,
and at the top of the list is our new
outage map tracking service. Simply
click the “View Current Outages” icon
on the www.gvec.org homepage to
find information about if and where
outages are currently taking place. It
includes general areas and number
of members affected and restored to
that point.
It’s a fast and simple way to find
the answers you want. In fact, our
outage map can also be accessed
from our new mobile site — another
service that keeps GVEC at your
fingertips, especially when you’re on
the go. Go to www.gvec.org on your
device and the site should pop up as
GVEC Mobile.
Our mobile site allows you to view
and access the most important
information from our website through
data phones and other devices such as
iPads. For example, you can access our
number to report an outage, pay your
bill for GVEC as well as GVEC.net, and
even go to the full GVEC website.
This connection provides members
with a direct and local link to
the Cooperative’s service and
dependability, and it begins with
District Meetings. They are your
opportunity to be involved in
decisions that will impact the future
In addition, you can plug into our
Facebook and Twitter feeds where
you’ll find postings about safety
and energy efficiency, local events
and specific information on major,
widespread outages when applicable.
Last but not least: our new online chat.
Now you can communicate with us
through a link on our web and mobile
sites. Find it at www.gvec.org on the
full site under the “Contact Us” page
or on our “Self-Service Portal” page, on
the mobile site under “Contact Us;” or
if you’re on www.gvec.net, it’s located
on the “Customer Support” (soon to be
“Customer Center”) page.
Remember: Keep your information
current for the best service
GVEC Mobile Website
Account No.:
Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.
Business meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.
District 6
New
Braunfels
District 8
District 2
Waelder
Luling
District 4
Schertz
District 7
District 3
Seguin
GVEC Live Online Chat
District 1
Smiley
Meter No.:
GVEC Twitter Page (GVEC_Tweets)
Cuero
Yorktown
Service Area
Voting Districts
Victoria
Service Boundary
District Boundaries
County Boundaries
Goliad
earn $2500 cash for college
Do you have a graduating high school senior who wants to continue their education?
Encourage your student to apply for a 2012 GVEC scholarship. Last year GVEC awarded
$37,500 to our members’ children.
GVEC Facebook Page (GVEC)
District 10
District 11
Thurs., March 1 — McQueeney Baptist Church, McQueeney
DISTRICT 11 MEETING
Yoakum
Nixon
Stockdale
DISTRICT 6 MEETING
Thurs., March 22 — St. Michael’s Catholic Church Parish Hall, Cuero
Hallettsville
Shiner
District 5
La Vernia
Tues., February 28 — First Lutheran Church, Gonzales
Tues., March 20 — Schertz Civic Center, Schertz
Moulton
Gonzales
Cost
San Antonio
DISTRICT 3 MEETING
Don’t forget to keep your phone number on record updated.
February 2012
We welcome your input and hope to
see you at your District Meeting!
District 9
Have your account number(s) and meter number(s) ready!
So if you live in Districts 3, 6, 9 or
11, expect your invitation in the
mail. This meeting isn’t just about
keeping the lights on, but is also your
opportunity to participate in the
decisions that will impact the future
of GVEC.
San Marcos
District Meetings will be held in February and March for
GVEC members living in Districts 3, 6, 9 and 11.
Call 1.800.223.4832
in the event of
an outage!
GVEC, as well as discuss cooperativerelated business.
Every third year, members are invited
to attend their District Meeting; this
year they are being held for Districts 3,
6, 9 and 11. The purpose is to nominate
candidates for District Director, who
will then be elected to the Board of
Directors at the Annual Meeting held
in June. District Meetings also provide
members with an opportunity to meet
the current director and staff from
DISTRICT 9 MEETING
You can also pick up a glow-in-the-dark refrigerator magnet from any GVEC
office. It will have our phone number on it, and for your convenience, a Customer
Service Representative will write in your account and meter number.
TEXAS CO-OP POWER
of GVEC. One of these opportunities
is electing a District Director who will
represent members at monthly Board
meetings.
District Meeting Dates & Times
Make sure we have your current phone number
and address so that we can assist you as quickly as possible — especially when
reporting an outage. We use the phone number attached to your account (or the
meter number if you have multiple accounts) to pinpoint your location and to find
the source of the problem. You can update your information on the Self-Service
Portal at www.gvec.org, or call us and we’ll do it for you.
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As a member of an electric
cooperative such as GVEC, you
have a unique opportunity to take
an active role in the business of
your electric company — because
you’re not just a customer, you’re a
member-owner, too.
Recipient selections are based on scholastic achievement, extracurricular involvement
and community service. To qualify, the student’s parents or primary guardian must have
an active GVEC electric account. For an application and rules, visit www.gvec.org or any
GVEC office. Your child can also pick one up at the school counselor’s office.
February 2012
application
deadline:
Thursday,
March 1, 2012
TEXAS CO-OP POWER
19
Ask an
HVAC Expert
Miguel Maldonado, GVEC Home Technician
®
Why should I care about
my AC/Heating ducts?
Even though you can’t see your home’s
ductwork, you need to know its condition
because air duct leakage can be one of the
greatest energy wasters in a central AC/Heating
system. In fact, a home’s ducts could leak for
years without the homeowner’s knowledge if
ducts are crimped or tangled, have holes or
loose joints, or leak due to poor design. This is
especially true for older homes.
Here’s the problem. Leaks in a home’s
“supply” duct can result in conditioned air
being dumped into spaces that don’t need to be
heated or cooled — like attics, garages and crawl
spaces. That’s a waste of money.
Leaks in “return” ducts cause outside air to be
pulled into the system, reducing efficiency and
capacity. For example, when it’s humid outside,
the moist air drawn in can cause a home to feel
clammy. It can also bring in dust, mold spores
and other contaminates, reducing air quality.
If there are any kinks or blockages in a duct,
air flow is reduced. Another energy waster is if
ducts work themselves loose or weren’t properly
connected in the first place!
That’s why it’s a good idea for homeowners
to have their ductwork inspected every few
years by a professional who not only can
find the problems, but fix them. Usually it’s
just a matter of sealing, which is relatively
inexpensive when compared to the benefits.
While this work can be done at any time,
homeowners might want to combine it with
seasonal maintenance being performed on
their AC/Heating units to ensure their entire
system is intact and up for the task it was
meant to do.
Maintenance is Important
GVEC Home is now offering Comfort Check
Service Plans to help make sure your central
heating and cooling system is running right.
Regular maintenance can ensure your unit is
running as efficiently as possible and extend the
life of your equipment. Our new plans include
two tune-ups a year, discounts, priority service
and more, depending on the plan selected.
There’s no contract, and payments can be
conveniently added to your GVEC electric bill.
Love Your Ducts
Fix Your Leaky Ducts this February!
Order a Duct
Inspection Today
The EPA estimates leaking ducts can
reduce your heating and cooling system
efficiency by as much as 20%. Fixing
those problems will make your home more
comfortable, improve your indoor air quality,
and save you money.
Includes sealing minor leaks and, if
needed, an estimate for repair of any
major leaks or problems. Schedule an
inspection today!
Expires 02/29/12
800.223.GVEC (4832)
www.gvec.org
TACLB016098E
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TEXAS CO-OP POWER
February 2012
PENNIES FOR
STRONGER
COMMUNITIES.
Time to Turn Small
Change into Big Change
Grant Opportunity for Nonprofits!
Participating GVEC members are rounding up their electric bills and donating
those extra pennies to the POWER UP Community Fund. Grants will be awarded
to nonprofit organizations involved in projects benefiting their community.
Nonprofit Organizations — Don’t miss the deadline!
Apply for a grant by February 15, 2012.
Learn more at www.gvec.org, phone Barbara Kuck
at 830.857.1116, or email [email protected].
Our clean and background-checked
technicians will inspect your duct
system in the attic for:
• Damage
• Disconnection
• Tangles and Crushes
Shop One of Our Store Locations
Seguin | La Vernia | Gonzales
Serving Surrounding Areas
800.223.GVEC (4832)
www.gvec.org
February 2012
TEXAS CO-OP POWER 21
Current Customers!
CO-OP
DOES YOUR FAMILY KNOW THIS?
First in a series of four: look for a
Co-op Conversation each quarter.
Take Time to Talk: Driving
& Electrical Safety
With all the safety information
available, we’d hope the children in
our lives would have learned all they
need to know about safety — whether
from us or another source. But, there
is some information too important
to miss, such as how to survive a
car accident involving power lines.
While we hope this never happens,
we think it’s worthy of a family
conversation. It’s knowledge that
can save the life of a loved one.
increase your chances for survival,” says
Craven. “I hope every mother, father, and
grandparent talks to their families and
friends about what they should do in this
situation.”
What would you do?
If your car hits a power pole, or
otherwise brings a power line down, stay
in your vehicle until the local electric
company de-energizes the lines. Even if
the lines aren’t humming, sparking or
moving, they may still be carrying an
electric current strong enough to cause
serious injury or even death.
It’s dark and the roads are slick.
Suddenly you see something in the
middle of the road. Swerving, the next
thing you know is you’ve hit an electric
pole, bringing down live power lines.
Keep others safe, too, by honking your
horn and warning them to stay away.
If you haven’t called 911, do so or ask
someone else to call.
According to Todd Craven, GVEC
Safety Coordinator, most people’s first
instinct is to get out of the vehicle.
But that’s exactly what you shouldn’t
do unless there’s a fire or some other
immediate danger.
“Most people forget lines are energized,
carrying thousands of volts of electricity.
But if you know what to do, you’ll
22
TEXAS CO-OP POWER
Then stay in the vehicle unless you must
exit due to fire or other danger. Why?
Craven says it’s difficult for anyone to
get out of a vehicle without making
themselves a path for electricity.
If you must exit, open the door. Then
you must jump free and clear from the
vehicle so no part of your body touches
the vehicle and the ground at the same
February 2012
time. Make sure to jump with both feet
together so your feet land on the ground
at the same time.
After you land with both feet together,
shuffle away with small steps, keeping
both feet on the ground at all times.
This will minimize the chance of shock.
Other general safety tips to follow
include:
Bernie Acre, Information Services Division Manager
Serving Customers: Our
Hometown Difference
Have you ever called a company’s customer
service department and 10 minutes later
you’re still trying to reach a human being?
How about when you ask a question, but no
matter how many times or how carefully you
repeat it, the computerized auto attendant
doesn’t understand you?
That doesn’t happen with GVEC.net as your
Internet Service Provider (ISP). We realize
that despite its benefits, technology can
be frustrating for users, which is why we
have “real” people answer the phone when
you call for technical support. We believe
that is what true customer service is all about
and is one of the corporate values we focus
on daily. Providing customers with friendly,
knowledgeable support is just one of the many
ways GVEC does business as your co-op and
hometown high-speed Internet provider.
In addition to personalized technical support and
customer service, we know users also want value,
speed, and reliability. We share those same ideals.
without increasing their monthly bills. We’ve
also made installation more affordable with
a flat $99 fee for any plan. At GVEC, we
understand the modern conveniences you
need for your family and/or business to thrive
and we have a rich heritage of providing the
level of reliability you expect.
For example, did you know GVEC.net recently
introduced new technology allowing us to provide
an even greater value at a good price? We not
only increased our customers’ broadband speeds
wherever possible, but did so automatically
No doubt about it. We work hard to put you
first and meet your needs. You count on GVEC
each and every day for dependable electricity,
and we hope to also be the one you choose
for that same level of Internet service.
Don’t try to help someone from a
vehicle or if they are in direct or
indirect contact with a downed line.
Don’t touch them; call 911 for help.
Call & Sign Up Today!
800.699.GVEC (4832)
M-F: 7:30AM - 8PM | SAT: 9AM - 3PM
www.gvec.net
•
If you see downed lines, don’t go
near. Move away, shuffling your feet,
keeping them together and on the
ground at all times. Call 911.
Important Account Changes Ahead: Effective March 3, 2012
•
Do not drive over downed
lines. Don’t attempt to move a
downed power line or anything
in contact with the line by using
another object. Even normally
nonconductive materials like wood
or cloth, if slightly wet, can conduct
electricity and electrocute you.
Important to Note:
•
Photo Courtesy of Texas Electric Cooperatives
Make sure you’re ready for our
February launch of our new email
system that’s easier to use, has more
features and better security. Check
your emails or www.gvec.net for
updates and instructions!
GVEC account numbers will change to reflect mainframe system updates. Account numbers include any metered items such
as a main residence, water well, outdoor light, barn, or guest house. So, you may have multiple accounts affected by this change.
For example, if your account numbers were 843259856-01 (main residence) and 843259856-02 (outdoor light), an additional
zero will be placed behind the dash. In this case, the new numbers would be 843259856-001 and 843259856-002.
Bank Bill-Pay
Members on bill-pay programs with
banking institutions must update
their account numbers directly
with their institution on or after
March 3. Do not do so before this
date to avoid issues. Ensure all of
your GVEC account numbers are
updated for correct processing.
Self-Service Pay
Members paying through the Self-Service
Portal using their account number to log
in will need to update their login with the
new account number on or after March
3. To avoid issues, don’t do so before
this date. If you don’t use your account
number to log in, no action is required.
Your account number within the Portal
will be automatically updated on March 3.
February 2012
Direct Pay
For members paying their bill
directly through GVEC via phone,
mail, or in a GVEC office — your
account number will be automatically
updated on March 3.
Feel free to contact a Customer
Service Representative with
questions at 800.223.4832.
TEXAS CO-OP POWER
23
N OW W E ’ R E C O O K I N G !
em to
email th
Community Calendar
.org
info@gvec
Member Recipes
Aaron Doege, Seguin
Mariann Bielke, Marion
Cherry Fruit Enchiladas
Hearty Hamburger Soup
1 1⁄2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
1 1⁄4 cups water
2 cans (20-ounce) cherry pie filling
1 package (20-count) flour tortillas
1 pound ground beef
1 can (14 1⁄2 ounce) diced tomatoes
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1
⁄2 cup celery, chopped
1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
1
⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano
Other vegetables as desired
12 cups water
6 medium carrots, sliced
1 medium onion
4 beef bouillon cubes
1
⁄4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cut green beans, fresh or frozen
Topping:
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1
⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup pecans, chopped
Combine butter, sugar and water in
a saucepan and bring to a boil slowly,
until bubbly. Put pie filling in each
tortilla, roll up and place in a greased
9 x 13 baking dish. (Use all of the
tortillas.) Pour boiling mixture over
the rolled tortillas and let set for 40
minutes. Then, sprinkle cinnamon
and sugar over the top, and then
sprinkle nuts. Bake for 30 minutes at
350 degrees. Remove from oven and
let enchiladas sit for a bit.
In a large saucepan, cook beef over
medium heat until it’s no longer pink.
Drain. Add other ingredients except
beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat,
cover and simmer for 15 minutes or
until potatoes are tender. Add beans.
Cover and simmer 15 minutes longer or
until beans are tender.
New Braunfels
Mid-Texas Symphony
February 18, 2012
Enjoy a much loved orchestral suite when
the Mid-Texas Symphony presents America
the Beautiful Series, “Appalachian Spring.”
The performance begins at 7 p.m. at
Oakwood Baptist Church, New Braunfels.
Tickets, available from the symphony office
at Texas Lutheran University, the Seguin
and New Braunfels Chambers of Commerce,
and other outlets, range from $5-$25. For
information, call 830-372-8089, email
[email protected], or visit www.mtsymphony.org.
Shiner
Community Health Fair
February 21, 2012
Know more about healthy options in 2012
by attending the “Partners in Health”
Health Fair. You’ll find treats as well as
giveaways and free information on sleep
disorders, home health care, mental
health, child development, physical
therapy and cancer treatment. From
3-6 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall
(formerly American Legion Hall), 102
South Ave. G. Free admission. For info,
call the Shiner Chamber of Commerce at
361-594-4180, visit www.shinertx.com.
Area Youth Livestock Shows
Waelder Livestock Show
February 17, 2012
Yorktown FFA Stock Show
February 17 – 18, 2012
Hope Livestock Show
February 18, 2012
Cuero Livestock Show
February 29 - March 2, 2012
All dates are subject to change without
notice. Please check with your local school,
agricultural department, extension office or
4-H leader to confirm the livestock show date
in your area.
We welcome your input and questions!
Recipes, photos, stories about you, your family, and communities! Always
feel free to contact us with information for the GVEC Review or any
questions you may have for us. Email [email protected], write to us at P.O.
Box 118, Gonzales, TX 78629, or phone us at 800.223.4832.
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TEXAS CO-OP POWER
February 2012
1.800.223.GVEC (4832)
[email protected]
www.gvec.org