November - Rio Grande Electric Co-op

Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc.
UP DATE
November, 2006
Annual Meeting Round Up
The 61st Rio Grande Electric Cooperative
Annual Membership Meeting in Dell City,
Texas, was held October 14, under a dark,
damp sky. But the weather didn’t keep
devoted Co-op members away. It may
have been dreary outside, but inside, it
was bright and festive, as approximately
450 people packed the Dell Telephone
Cooperative building.
In all, 222 memberships registered. The
number of registered membership increased by 108 over last year’s attendance. With most of these memberships
being represented by both spouses, or
partnerships, it was a full house!
Prior to the start of the business meeting,
members registered, had breakfast, and
took part in the free health fair. Upon
registering, each membership was presented with attendance awards, and event
programs. This year, the attendance award was a “roadster kit”, including a tire gage, flashlight, and writing pen, all contained in a silver-tone
flip-top box, and small padfolios embossed with the RGEC logo.
Dell City Area Manager, Steve Wright, welcomed
guests to the meeting, and instructed them on the
procedures for the question and answer session, and
introduced the Spanish translator, Marci Guillen. Wright
then told those parents in attendance about the “Kid’s
Korral”, where children would be supervised in order
for their parents to be able to enjoy the meeting.
Approximately seventy-five children took part in the
games, face-painting, and other activities provided for
their enjoyment.
The National Anthem was sung acapella and lead by
RGEC General Manager/CEO Dan Laws, as the Montwood
High School Navy Jr. ROTC, of El Paso, posted the colors. Janae Richardson of the Dell City 4-H Club lead the
Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation by Reverend Randall Rakes.
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
October, 2006
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W.H. “Bill” Cowden, RGEC board president, then officially called the meeting to order. He welcomed the group and instructed the membership
that, upon approval of a motion, he would dispense with the reading of the 2005 Annual Meeting Minutes. The motion was made by Frank
Archuleta, seconded by Melvin Gentry, and approved. This was followed by the drawing of five door prizes by little Miss Janae Richardson of
the Dell City 4-H Club, and announced by Director of Operations Clinton Brown.
Current directors were introduced, as were the candidates for election. Stefan Sigurdsson of the auditing firm of Eide Bailly, LLP, announced the
results of the director election. Of 5,206 ballots mailed out, only 837 were returned by the specified date. Of the ballots returned, 825 were
qualified; 9 were undeliverable as addressed; and 3 were non-qualified.
Director Election Results:
District 2
Larry Jones, Sr. (Incumbent)
Write-In Votes
No vote on ballot
700
5
120
District 3A
Donald Ralston
Cindy Earwood Whitehead
Write-In Votes
No vote on ballot
243
561
1
19
District 4
Stephen T. Haynes
Maximilian Martin
Write-In Votes
No vote on ballot
475
303
1
46
District 7
Mark Daugherty
Write-In Votes
No vote on ballot
716
4
105
District 9
Frank Archuleta (Incumbent)
Write-In votes
No vote on ballot
688
11
126
Jones
Haynes
Whitehead
Daugherty
Archuleta
During the director portion of the meeting, service awards
were presented to Chris Lacy and Howard Wakefield. Both
served the maximum number of terms on the board, which is
three three-year terms. President Cowden and GM/CEO Laws
thanked each for their dedication and contributions to the
Cooperative, and the members present gave them a hardy
round of applause.
With the business portion of the meeting concluded, it was
time for the knee-slapping humor of ventriloquist Greg
Claassen, and his zany cast of characters. At one point in the
show, Claassen claimed the airline had lost one of his
dummies, and asked for a volunteer from the audience to fill
in. With no takers, he recruited Rio Grande’s El Paso Electrical Technician Hector Rosales.
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
November, 2006
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Rosales good-naturedly obliged,
strapping on a mask and riduculous
hat. Claassen then proceeded to make
his dummy “sing”, while he, Claassen,
drank a glass of water. To the amazement of the crowd, the dummy shot
water from his mouth and into the
audience, which cheered and applauded.
Members chuckle at the antics of the
ventriloquist and his “dummy”.
President Cowden adjourned the meeting at noon, and lunch was served. On the menu was barbecued
brisket, beans, potato salad, cole slaw, beans, and cobbler.
The awarding of the remaining door prizes took place during lunch. In all, a total of 81 door prizes were
awarded. This year, each door prize was valued at a minimum of $100. Then came the part everyone was
waiting for -- the drawing of the Grand Prize, a “Retired” Co-op pickup. The winning membership was
Jaime and Rosa Perez, of Dell City. Including the value of the truck, the combined total of all prizes
awarded was $14,994.16.
Please Note
Due to time
constraints and
space limitations,
the Message From
the General
Manager/CEO
and questions
submitted at the
Annual Meeting
will appear in
next month’s
edition.
The Grand Prize went to the membership of Jaime and Rosa Perez of Dell City. Above, Mrs. Perez,
center, poses with her brother and daughter.
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
November, 2006
3
Thanks Pardners!
Hughes Supply
Sanyo 27" TV
Spanish Angel Café, Dell City, TX
Jim Bass Ford
Outpost Gallery
1.8 CF Refrigerator
Hand-drawn Western Picture
Herman Marshall, Alpine, TX
Brandon & Clark, Inc.
Zee Medical Service Co.
$50.00 VISA Debit Card
First Aid Kit
Alfredo Bejil, Coyanosa, TX
Urban Electrical Services
Magnavox 20" TV/VCR/DVD
Katie M Burford, Dell City, TX
Solar Electric
iPod Nano
Covarrubias Farms, Dell City, TX
Schneider Engineering, LTD.
$100.00 Gift Certificate to Cabela’s
Jimmy C. Pryor, Carlsbad, NM
Holiday Inn Express - Van Horn
Brandon & Clark, Inc.
Westbend Coffee Center
$50.00 Visa Debit Card
Talley Davis , Dell City, TX
FAPCO
Electric Fireplace
Melvin Gentry, Dell City, TX
GDS Associates, Inc.
Portable Tabletop Patio Heater
Carlos & Dolores Calderon, El Paso, TX
Lone Star Copiers
Kyocera Printer
Jim Bratcher, Carlsbad, NM
Alexander Utility Engineering, Inc.
La Frontera Publications, Inc.
Leatherman Surge Multi-tool
1-yr. Subscription to “Big Bend
Sentinel”or “Presidio International”
Kathy M. Bencomo, Fort Davis, TX
The Gift Box
Dell Valley Chamber of Commerce
Handmade Pottery Vase and Salsa
Cookbook
Celia D Murillo, Dell City, TX
Kinney County Wool & Mohair
162 Pc. Bridgeport Tool Kit and
Mohair Logo Cap
$40.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Doyle Munselle, Carlsbad, NM
KBS Electrical Distributors
H & T Auger Co., Inc.
$100.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
First Assembly of God, Dell City, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Hoover Fusion
B. K. Phillips, Carlsbad, NM
TXU
B&D 120-Pc Tool Set
&Rival Buffet Crock Pot
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
Handmade Texas Rock Shooter
Dorothy Askins , Langtry, TX
Rival Buffet Crock Pot
1.8 CF Refrigerator
Gilberto & Rosa Castillo, Dell City, TX
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Co.
Texas Rockshooters
TXU
TXU
Texas Rockshooters
Gray & Company
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
Rival Ceramic Crock Pot
Handmade Texas Rock Shooter
B&D 4-Tool Combo
Canuto & Maria Mariscal , Dell City, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Magnavox 13" TV/DVD Combo
Donna Weckerly, El Paso, TX
Lufkin Creosoting Company, Inc.
RCA 20" TV
Maria C. Trujillo, Dell City, TX
Techline, Inc.
Dell Telephone Cooperative
Motorola 2-way Radio Set
$50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Celia Ann Hill, Marfa, TX
Lawson Products
UniFirst
Heavy Duty Tool Box
$50.00 UniFirst Gift Certificate
Manuel & Minerva
Guillen, Dell City, TX
November, 2006
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Thanks Pardners!
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Supply Co.
Alicia Mendoza, Dell City, TX
Priester Supply Co., Inc.
FAPCO
Leather Work Gloves, Rain
Suit, & Safety Glasses
4.5 Amp Reciprocating Saw
7 Gallon Air Tank
Hughes Supply
Sony DVD Player
J. E. Mills, El Paso, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
C&R Distributing
Convection Oven
Car Care Products
Joy Dean, Dell City, TX
TXU
Texas Rockshooters
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Supply Co.
Sunbeam Mixer
Handmade Texas Rockshooter
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
Carlotta Chacon, El Paso, TX
Forrest Tire Company, Inc.
Power Engineering Services
Phillips DVD Player
$50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Christopher A. Page, Dell City, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Magnavox 13" TV/DVD Combo
Bobbie Hollobaugh, Dell City, TX
Priester Supply Co., Inc.
FAPCO
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Co.
Texas Rockshooters
18 Volt Cordless Drill
Jose & Rosaura Cabral, Dell City, TX
GE Roaster Oven
Rubber Coated Work Gloves & Safety Glasses
Handmade Texas Rock Shooter
Davidson & Troilo
Samsung DVD/VCR Combo
Thomas & Julie Richardson, Dell City, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Co.
Dirt-Devil Vacuum
Rubber Coated Work Gloves & Rain Suit
Jesus & Maria Gonzalez, Dell City, TX
Fort Clark Springs Golf Pro-Shop
Qwill
2-Rounds of Golf w/Cart & Cap
Rolling Briefcase
Dorothy Lewis, Dell City, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Magnavox 13" TV/DVD Combo
Leland & Sandra Davis, Odessa, TX
Davidson & Troilo
Emerson 20" TV
John Campbell, Dell City, TX
Hughes Supply
Hoover Fusion
Michael R. Mazock, Sr., Salt Flat, TX
Sun Country Pest Control
FAPCO
Texas Rockshooters
B&D Handi Saw
6-CD Boom Box
Handmade Texas Rock Shooter
Howard & Nadine Wakefield , Brackettville, TX
FAPCO
La Frontera Publications, Inc.
Shop-Vac
1-yr. Subscription to The Big
Bend Sentinel or The
Presidio International newspapers
Conrado & Maria de la Luz Gonzalez, Dell City, TX
Lufkin Creosoting Company, Inc.
TXU
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Co.
Texas Rockshooters
$50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card Charles Clute, Salt Flat, TX
GE Stainless Steel Electric Skillet
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
Handmade Texas Rock Shooter
Hughes Supply
Sony DVD/VCR Player
Davidson & Troilo
RCA 5-CD Boom Box
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Supply Co. Leather Work Gloves
RGEC
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
November, 2006
James Stone, Sanderson, TX
Tomas Mariscal, Dell City, TX
$100.00 Credit on Account J. F. Jones, Dell City, TX
5
Thanks Pardners!
Davidson & Troilo
Emerson 20" TV
Larry Sunn, Salt Flat, TX
Forrest Tire Company, Inc.
Power Engineering Services
Phillips DVD Player
$50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
S. W. & Melba Wallace, Dell City, TX
Alexander Utility Engineering, Inc.
The Bank & Trust
NISC
Leatherman Surge Multi-tool
Bag of Assorted Items
Large Leather Duffel Bag
Dell City Feed Store, Dell City, TX
RGEC
$100.00 Credit on Account
David M. Edwards, Dell City, TX
KBS Electrical Distributors
Finley Engineering
$40.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Sharp 0.8 CF Microwave
William H Morrell, Dell City, TX
Techline, Inc.
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Supply Co.
148 Pc. Tool Set
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
Ezequiel Perez, Dell City, TX
GDS Associates, Inc.
Polaroid 7" Portable
DVD Player
J. Ruiz & Sons, Coyanosa, TX
Industrial Communications
2 Complimentary Green Fees at
Pecan Valley Golf Course, San Antonio
Rawls Ranch, Marfa, TX
Hughes Supply
Wal-Mart Del Rio
Sony DVD Player
$50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Martin Ranch, Del Rio, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Magnavox 13" TV/DVD Combo
J P & Tanya Lewis, Dell City, TX
Techline, Inc.
Dell Telephone Cooperative
Power Station
$50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Villa Melita Farms, Dell City, TX
Morrison TrueValueHardware
Norma Allemeier, Brackettville, TX
Rexel
$50.00 Morrison TrueValue
Gift Certificate
52" Ceiling Fan w/ Light Kit
Hughes Supply
Phillips Home Theater System
Arturo Mapula, Dell City, TX
Hughes Supply
RCA 20" TV
John Henry Culp, Del Rio, TX
United Power Services
$100.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Eduardo Salazar, El Paso, TX
PAPCO
TXU
Texas Rockshooters
Rival Solid Double Burner
B&D 3-Tool Combo
Handmade Texas Rockshooter
Randall R. Rakes, Dell City, TX
Holiday Inn Express - Van Horn
Curtis 1000
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Co.
Texas Rockshooters
Rival 4 QT Deep Fryer
Ramon & Claudia Guillen, Dell City, TX
$50.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
Handmade Texas Rockshooter
Lufkin Creosoting Company, Inc.
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Supply Co.
B & D 10" Miter Saw
Dale L. Flach, Dell City, TX
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
RGEC
$100.00 Credit on Account Andy A. Lewis, Dell City, TX
Lawson Products
UniFirst
Heavy Duty Tool Box
David B. Walker, El Paso, TX
$50.00 UniFirst Gift Certificate
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
November, 2006
6
Thanks Pardners!
Jim Bass Ford
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Co.
Finley Engineering
Texas Rockshooters
Mr. Coffee Coffee Pot
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
B&D Toaster Oven
Handmade Texas Rock Shooter
LaQuinta Inns Corporate Office
1 Night Stay at any LaQuinta Inn Antonio M. Armijo, Salt Flat, TX
Finley Engineering
Texas Rockshooters
George Foreman Grill
Handmade Texas Rockshooter
Randy & Susan Barker, Dell City, TX
Teresa O. Hidalgo, El Paso, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Sharp 1.4 CF Microwave
Bobby G. & Marti Terry, Carlsbad, NM
TXU
Glennda Alcorn, Dell City, TX
Texas Rockshooters
Rival Ceramic Crock Pot
B&D 3-Tool Combo
Handmade Texas Rockshooter
RGEC
$100.00 Credit on Account
Raul L. Quintana, Carlsbad, NM
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Magnavox 13" TV/DVD Combo Benito Esparza, El Paso, TX
J.L. Matthews Co., Inc.
Vallen/Hagemeyer Safety Supply Co.
Insulated Tool Kit
Rubber Coated Work Gloves
Estate of L. E. Sloan, Jr., Monahans, TX
Cort Furniture
Executive Chair
Jaime & Rosa Perez, Dell City, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Hoover Fusion
Antonio & Justina Loya, Dell City, TX
Ranch Publishing
Foodsaver Kit with Bags
Rafael Cabral & Maria Gonzalez, Dell City, TX
Wilson Bohannan Company
Lawson Products
4-Piece Padlock Set
Heavy Duty Tool Box
Donald Parks, Brackettville, TX
Thompson Tire Center
Antonio & Maria Galvan, Dell City, TX
Rexel
Gift Certificate for Rotation
& Balancing of 4 Tires
52" Ceiling Fan w/ Light Kit
Davidson & Troilo
Samsung DVD/VCR Combo
Charles L. Eason, Presidio, TX
Fort Clark Springs Association, Inc.
2-Night Stay at Fort Clark Springs Motel
George Nickolay, Brackettville, TX
H & T Auger Co., Inc.
$100.00 Wal-Mart Gift Card
Manuel J. Ortega, El Paso, TX
Fort Stockton Body Shop
63 Piece Tool-Set
Portable Propane Grill
Doris Stegmaier, Dell City, TX
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
November, 2006
Fort Stockton Body Shop
63 Piece Tool-Set
Portable Propane Grill
Cayetano & Maria
Duarte, Dell City, TX
Epstein/Becker/Green/Wickliff & Hall
Texas Meter and Device Company
GE Convection Oven
14" Oscillating Heater
w/remote control
Sammy Chacon,
Dell City, TX
Qwest
$100.00 Visa Gift Card
Deanna Nilsen,
Dell City, TX
Rio Grande Electric Cooperative
GRAND PRIZE
“Retired” Co-op Pickup
Truck
Jaime & Rosa Perez,
Dell City, TX
7
BOARD ACTION
RIO GRANDE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
Summary of Board Meeting Minutes September 20, 2006
A Meeting of Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc.'s Board of Directors was called to order
at the Area Office located in Fort Stockton, Pecos County, Texas at 8:04 a.m. on September
20, 2006. The following Directors were present for the meeting: Frank Archuleta, Jimmy
Ballew, Hugh Childress, Bill Cowden, Art Gonzalez, Larry Jones, Chris Lacy, Henry Mills,
Margarita Nelson, Howard Wakefield, Bill White, Cindy Whitehead and Lowell Woodward.
Also present for the meeting were General Manager/CEO Daniel G. Laws, and Executive
Asst. to GM/CEO Martha Gerardo.
Approved
Heard
Reviewed
Heard
Discussed
Heard
Discussed
Approved
Approved
Heard
Approved
Approved
Reviewed
Adjourned
August 16, 2006 Minutes
Financial Reports
Director Involvement Survey Results
Budget Progress Report presented by Manager of Accounting and
Finance Shawn Stanley
Director Attendance for the 2006 NRECA Region X Meeting
Technical Services Update given by Technical Services Manager Frank
Rodriguez and by Network Administrator Conrad Dalton
Wholesale Power Supply Status/Negotiations
Resolution authorizing GM/CEO Dan Laws to be named as Certifier and
Security Administrator on behalf of Cooperative for the USDA web site
Language Addition for Application for Membership and Electric Service
Agreement
General Manager/CEO Report
Director & General Manager/CEO Expenses
July 2006 New/Revoked Memberships
Check Register and Arrears Report
3:12 p.m.
Note:The summary above is provided so that members can follow the activities of the board, and is not
intended to be exhaustive. Should you wish to know more details on a particular item or items, please
contact the director for your district or the General Manager/CEO’s office.
Winterize Your Home:
Increase Efficiency & Safety
Now is the time to take stock and make some changes, if
necessary, to improve both the energy efficiency and
safety of your home during the heating season. A small
investment of time now can pay big dividends in keeping
your home safe and warm this winter. Weather stripping
and caulking are inexpensive and effective ways to boost efficiency and cut energy costs. As
you take steps to winterize your home, you can also check for electrical hazards and eliminate
electrical fire and shock risks. As you check around outlets and other places where air can leak,
also check for overloaded outlets and cover plates that are warm to the touch. About one-third of
all house fires nationwide occur during the cold, home-heating season, and are caused by faulty
or improper use of heating equipment. Before you fire up your heating system, make sure the
furnace and heaters are in good working order. Have a professional inspect and service your
furnace each fall for safety and efficiency. Regularly clean or replace furnace filters during high
winter use. An efficient heating system means greater comfort at lower cost. Keeping heating
equipment clean and in good repair will ensure peak efficiency and safety.
If an electric space heater is used, make sure the wiring is adequate, and check for cord fraying
splitting wires, or overheating. Don’t place a portable heater in high-traffic areas and keep it
clear of curtains, bedding, clothes and furniture. Never use extension cords with electric heaters.
Rio Grande Electric Co-op
November, 2006
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
*W. H. Cowden, President
P.O. Box 3006
Kent, TX 79855
*Art Gonzalez, Vice-Pres.
P.O. Box 306
Dell City, TX 79837
*Hugh Childress, Secretary
P.O. Box 943
Ozona, TX 76943
District 7
432-259-3133 (H)
District 9
915-964-2814 (H)
District 6
325-392-3848 (H)
*Lowell Woodward, Treasurer
District 8
P.O. Box 1327
Alpine, TX 79830-3320
432-837-7308 (H)
*Frank Archuleta
P.O. Box 221
Dell City, TX 79737
*Jimmy Ballew
P.O. Box 559
Brackettville, TX 78832
Mark Daugherty
P.O. Box 744
Alpine, TX 79831
Stephen Haynes
P.O. Box 1088
Rocksprings, TX 78880
*Larry W. Jones
8587 Fm 2691
Carrizo Springs, TX 78834
Henry Mills, III
406 Canyon Creek Drive
Del Rio, TX 78840
*Margarita Nelson
HC2 Box 53
Carrizo Springs, TX 78831
District 9
915-964-2464 (H)
District 3
830-563-2869 (H)
District 7
432-345-2604 (H)
District 4
830-395-2283 (H)
District 2
830-374-9774 (H)
District 5
830-775-5629 (H)
District 1
830-876-3223 (H)
William White
District 4A
HCR 3, 253 Packsaddle Circle
Del Rio, TX 78840
830-775-5053 (H)
*Cindy Whitehead
P.O. Box 1559
Brackettville, TX 78832
District 3A
830-563-9751 (H)
Dan Laws, General Manager/CEO
P.O. Box 240
Brackettville, TX 78832
830-563-2444 (W)
830-563-9717 (H)
* Certified Credentialed Director
8