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TIPS From T.I.P.
Published By The T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative
OWNED BY THOSE WE SERVE
November 2015
Brooklyn, Iowa
Safety is Top Priority at T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative
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Brooklyn lineman, Dana Kilmer, practices his pole
top rescue.
Every year, as just one part of your Cooperatives
comprehensive safety program, all T.I.P. linemen review
the procedures to rescue a fellow lineman who may
have had electrical contact, heat exhaustion, an allergic
reaction to a bee sting or heart complications while
working on the lines.
The following are the procedures our linemen
review during this training: The assisting lineman
first makes a May Day call to our office to get help
coming-an ambulance and Air Care helicopter-and then
proceeds to rescue the victim on the pole by climbing the
pole or using a aerial device. He attempts to have the
victim on the ground and start doing CPR and first aid
within approximately four minutes and continues until
Emergency Medical Services arrive.
T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative management and
employees feel that safety is a top priority and will
continue to review numerous safety procedures unique
to the electric industry.
NOTICE: Your REC office will be closed
Thursday, November 26th and Friday,
November 27th to observe the Thanksgiving
holiday.
This fall your Cooperative hosted a chainsaw safety
course given by Lee Schauman, Safety Trainer, (above
left), of Chainsaw Safety Specialists, LLC. Attending
the course were some of our younger linemen and others
were from Access Energy Cooperative, Mount Pleasant,
Eastern Iowa Light and Power, Wilton, and Linn County
Rural Electric Cooperative, Marion. John Dvorak,
Director of Safety and Loss Control from the Iowa
Association of Electric Cooperatives also attended.
It began with a workshop covering several
topics: personal protective equipment, preventative
maintenance, indentifying and inspecting safety devices,
bar maintenance, drive system inspection and lubrication
requirements, chain identification and sharpening
techniques.
It was followed by a field demonstration and handson program where the participants had the opportunity to
use a chainsaw under the supervision of the trainer using
the following techniques; proper handling of chainsaw
during starting and cutting operations, discussing reactive
forces to bar and chain (push, pull, kickback, attack), and
proper tree felling techniques.
T.I.P. Rural Electric
Regular Hours 8 to 4:30 Weekdays ..........641-522-9221
or Toll Free ................................................. 800-934-7976
After Hours (Outages & Emergencies Only) ..641-522-9223
or Toll Free ................................................ 800-934-7976
website: www.tiprec.com
November TIPS from T.I.P.
Quarterly
Comments
from Your
General Manager
Larry Boesenberg
No one likes to pay more for a product or service if they
can find the same quality for less somewhere else. What
you pay for the product or service depends on where you
choose to buy it. In Iowa, where you choose to live makes
a difference in your electricity bill because electricity
prices vary depending on whether the electricity provider
is a government-owned municipal utility, investor-owned
like Alliant Energy or MidAmerican Energy or memberconsumer-owned electric cooperative.
It would be presumptuous of me to try and speak about
the electricity prices of investor-owned or governmentowned utilities because I don’t have their operations
plans or balance sheets. It also wouldn’t be appropriate
for me to talk about where people choose to live, the
size of their homes or their energy choices. Those are
personal decisions anyone should be free to make.
As General Manager of T.I.P. Rural Electric
Cooperative, I can tell that as I look at our balance sheet,
I am proud of the investments we’ve made in our electric
distribution system. Not only are we providing reliable,
safe and environmentally responsible electricity right
now, the investment we’ve made will help keep rates
more stable because we’ve invested for the future. We
are currently investing in “advanced” electric meters
that can help our member-consumers better manage
their electricity use. The meters we are installing on our
system are capable of two-way communication, which
helps the member analyze when and how electricity in
the home is being used. In Iowa, electric co-ops lead
the way among electricity providers employing two-way
communications meters.
We know that “smarter” meters are the future, and we
know it’s important to presently invest in what eventually
will be standard technology for electricity providers.
That expense now means we won’t have to make it later
when the technology and labor costs will likely be more
expensive.
We, the board and management of T.I.P. Rural
Electric Cooperative, are making tough decisions now
that will pay off in the future. In today’s instantaneous
gratification culture that’s always asking, “So what?”,
“Who cares?”, “What’s in it for me?”, planning for the
future and making tough decisions now that will pay off
later aren’t always the most popular, but they are wise in
the long term.
Rebuilding distribution substations, constructing new
power lines to meet future demand in developing areas,
and preparing the system to handle higher electrical
voltage as more electricity is required by a growing
economy makes sense now. Putting it off, in our opinion,
delays the inevitable need which we believe would lead
to higher costs later that can be avoided now. Better to
pay for it now when you’re preparing, than paying for it
at a premium later when you’re in a rush. I don’t know
about you, but when I get ready to buy something, the
farther out I can plan ahead the better I feel about the deal
I’m getting.
Do I wish doing the right thing now was a little less
expensive? Of course I do. Who doesn’t? Do I feel good
about the quality of service we’re providing now, yes.
Even though I know we could spend less, I and the board
know we’re doing what’s best for T.I.P. Rural Electric
Cooperative’s member-consumers in the long run, and
that’s why we sleep well at night, and you can, too.
Have a happy and safe holiday season and I will visit
with you again in the February “TIPS from T.I.P..”
Notice to Members:
The LED retrofit recessed can light pictured below
does not qualify for the residential lighting rebate your
Cooperative offers. All lights must be hard-wired and
cannot have a screw-in adaptor. Your Cooperative
has partnered with local retailers in Iowa as part of
the Be Bright lighting program. Products available
through this program include screw-in lamps which do
not qualify for T.I.P.’s rebate. Discounts of up to $10
per lamp or fixture have already been applied to the
marked shelf price at participating retailers. Just visit
a store listed at iowachangealight.com and purchase
CFL or LED bulbs and fixtures identified on the shelf
with Be Bright promotional materials. If you have any
questions, call us at 800-934-7976.
Does not qualify
for rebate
November TIPS from T.I.P.
Help us Locate the Owners of these
Unclaimed Patronage Refund Checks
The following is a partial list of members whom we
are unable to find since we made patronage payments
for the year 1998 on August 14, 2015. Please notify the
office if you know the correct address for anyone listed.
If one of the former members listed is deceased, we need
to know the name of an heir to contact.
Also, if you or someone you know was a member of
T.I.P. in 1998 and have never received a check, please let
us know.
There are also some checks which were mailed out
that were never cashed or have not been returned to the
office. If you are holding a check, please cash it. If you
are unable to cash a check for any reason, please let us
know.
1998 Patronage Checks Returned
after Payment in 2015
Adams, Cary or Theresa, Blairstown
Adkins, Wanetta, Brooklyn
Andes, Charles J., Brooklyn
Armenta, Oracio or Angie, Indianapolis, IN
Ary, Allana, Marengo
Baetsle Sr., Mrs. William, % Wanda R. Baetsle, Victor
Bellinghausen, Jim, Tyler, TX
Bennett, Donald or Avon, % Kathy Bennett, Waterloo
Berry, Lisa or Shanon Lawrence, Chelsea
Blackhawk, Jean Marie, Tama
Boot Country USA #773, Lebanon, TN
Brown, Patrick, Tama
Bruns, Robb, Indianola
Campbell, Dayle W., Iowa City
Carpenter, Mike, Le Grand
Chapman, Curtis or Sally, Monticello
Clubb, Crystal, North English
Cowley, Joseph P., Davenport
Davis, Raymond or Tammy Kelly, Montezuma
Downey, David E. or Jackie, Cedar Falls
Eagle, Shirlene K., Tama
Etten, Connie L., % Connie Douthart, Williamsburg
Vern W. Fair for the account of Eulalia A. Fair, Sigourney
Raymond Folkmann for the account of Clarence
Folkmann, Williamsburg
Jerry W. Foubert for the account of William Foubert,
North English
Freemyer, David Jay, Chillicothe, MO
Nancy Lou Barnhart for the account of A L Garringer,
Sigourney
Green Tree Financial Servicing, Davenport
Griffith, Steve, Belle Plaine
Hagerty, Dennis, Warren, IL
Hamilton, Wade, Van Wert
Hanson, Elizabeth F., Barnes City
Heitshusen, Gordon, Williamsburg
Horras, Robert D., Exira
Houser, Tim or Laura M., De Forest, WI
Hummer, John, Oxford
Johnson, Mary Joan, Cedar Rapids
Jordt, Elmer G., % Jenny Jordt Roberts, Sigourney
Jovanovic, Tom, Rock Island, IL
Keahna, Shannon, Tama
Kennedy, John or Noreen, Burnsville, MN
Keraghan, Robert C. or Georgia L., Cheyenne, WY
Kessler, Charles, Fairfield
Charlotte M. Kitzman for the account of John W.
Kitzman, Oskaloosa
Kleppe, Dana A., Cedar Rapids
Kline, Giles R., Brooklyn
Estate Recovery Program for Marcella Koehn,
Des Moines
Kolsto, Eric, Homestead
Kriegel, Vincent, Crooks, SD
Kurth, Leslie, Marengo
Lawson, Royce or Carolyn, Williamsburg
Lemley, Gene, Deep River
Lower, Jessica D., Middle
Loftus, Joe A., Marengo
Lowenberg, Warren R., Oskaloosa
Mathews, Loren Dale, Donna, TX
Mc Kiernan-Struve, Ronald, Pella
Marshall, Phillip or Jo Anne Bliss, Blairstown
Meskimen, Keith J. or Tammy Meskimen, Clarence
Mitchell, Tommy, Greencastle, IN
Moffett, Carole, Toledo
Naderman, Steve, Dubuque
Names for Dames, Inc., Attn: Peggy Hwang,
Carlstadt, NJ
Nicholi, Kristine, Toledo
Estate Recovery Program for the account of Everett
Nichols, Des Moines
Northup, Mrs. Gerald, Sigourney
Pennsylvania Fashions, Warrendale, PA
Plotz, David or Cindy, Marengo
Popham, Marie, Williamsburg
Pritchett, Helen, Tama
Pushetonequa, Eleanor, Tama
Rathjen, Steve, Williamsburg
Ripper, Jason or Lisa, Davenport
Rosenberg, Ron, % Audrey Evans, Toledo
Ruth, Joseph A., Chariton
Ryan, James W., Toledo
(Remainder of list will be in the December newsletter)
Welcome New Board Members
Randy has owned and operated Randy Upah
Construction for 15 years.
In his leisure time, Randy likes to fish in the
summer and hunt in the winter. He does woodworking
all year round and enjoys spending time with his two
grandchildren.
T.I.P. would like to welcome Randy to the Board of
Directors and look forward to his guidance while serving
on the board.
Service
Reliability
Jim De Smet
Pictured above is Jim De Smet who was newly
elected to serve on your Board of Directors at the August
annual meeting. Jim lives northeast of Victor where he
has resided on the family farm for most of his life.
Jim and his wife, Susan, who is a Surgical Oncology
Nurse at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, have
three children: Chris, who resides in Center Point, Bill,
of Williamsburg; and Jenny, of Blair, NE.
The De Smet’s farm 600 acres which consists of
corn, soybeans and hay. They also have a small herd
of stock cows. They previously had a dairy herd for 40
years.
In his leisure time, Jim enjoys golfing, fishing,
playing cards and spending time with his family and
friends.
We would like to welcome Jim to T.I.P. and look
forward to his insite on cooperative matters.
Rolling 12 month Report
Power was on to our members
99.98% with major storm
99.98% without storm
One of our Most
Important Goals
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
Reduce energy for water heating. Take simple
steps like lowering your heater’s temperature and
installing low-flow showerheads to reduce your
water heating bills.
Advanced Metering
(AMI) Update
Infrastructure
We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with
our meter change-outs. We only have the area south
of Tama left in our northern area and in our southern
area, just west of Williamsburg. This project has gone a
lot quicker than expected and it will be good to have it
completed.
Again we wish to thank everyone for their patience
and apologize for any inconvenience this may have
caused our members.
Randy Upah
Newly elected Board Member, Randy Upah, is
pictured above. Randy lives west of Chelsea where he
has resided for 35 years.
Randy and his wife, Julie, who owns the Country
Flower Shop, have three children: Amber, who resides
in Tama, Katie, of Victor; and Tanner, of Chelsea.
TIPS from T.I.P. is published monthly for
members of T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative,
612 W. Des Moines St., Brooklyn, Iowa 52211.