May & June 2016Vol. 19 • No. 5 A

Your Safety is Our Top Priority

Know How to Stay Safe During a Power Outage

Severe storms unfortunately do happen and can be devastating to homes, properties, and lives. These storms can also take down power lines, creating a dangerous situation for all of us, including the linemen working hard to get your power turned back on.

How long it takes to get your power restored depends on the extent of the storm’s destruction, the number of outages, and when it becomes safe for utility personnel to get to the damaged areas. There are many steps in the assessment and restoration process: clearing downed power lines, ensuring public health and safety facilities are operational, repairing substations, and getting power restored to members within the various damaged areas.

Tri-County Electric wants all our members to know how to stay safe until power can be restored to you. We recommend taking the following safety precautions:

1. Just because power lines are damaged does not mean they are not energized. Every downed power line is potentially energized and

dangerous until utility crews arrive on the scene to ensure power has been cut off. Downed power lines, stray wires, and debris in contact with them all have the potential to deliver a fatal shock. Stay far away and keep others away from downed power lines. If you come into contact with a downed power line while in a vehicle, do not leave your car. Call 911 and wait for utility and emergency professionals to make sure the power line is de-energized before exiting the car.

2. Never enter a flooded area if electric outlets are submerged. The water could be energized.

3. Do not turn power off if you must stand in water to do so. Call TCEC and have us turn off the power at the meter.

4. Before entering storm-damaged buildings, make sure electric and gas are turned off.

5. Do not use water-damaged electronics before properly restoring them. Electric motors in appliances should be cleaned and reconditioned before use. It may be necessary to replace some of your appliances and electronics. Have your water-damaged items inspected and approved by a professional before using them.

6. If you clean up outdoors after a storm, do not use electronic equipment when it is wet out.

7. If you are driving and discover a downed power line, stay away and keep others away, and call 911.

8. If you use a standby generator, it is critical that proper safety precautions be taken. Always read and follow all manufacturer operating instructions. Operate generators in well ventilated, outdoor, dry areas. Never attach a temporary generator to a circuit breaker, fuse, or outlet. Permanent generators should be wired into a house by a qualified electrician using a transfer switch in order to prevent feeding electricity back into overhead lines, which can be deadly to a lineman.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative has been a proud member of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives since 2007. Along with 750 electric cooperatives nationwide, we have partnered with Touchstone Energy to make safety our No. 1 concern. For a checklist to assess safety hazards around your home or to take a quick safety quiz, go to www.togetherwesave.com/power-of-community/safety.

General Manager Julius Hackett

HOLIDAY CLOSINGSAll Tri-County Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Monday,

May 30, 2016, in observance of Memorial Day and Monday, July 4, 2016, in observance of Independence Day. We will have standby crews available if needed. Please see “To Report Electrical Problems or Outages” on Page 11 in this issue if you need to report an outage or other major electrical problem on these two days.

Tony Stephenson, TCEC Crew Leader, and (L to R) Grayson, Brenn and Mackenzie Brewer

2 May & June 2016

Don’t Wait. Update Your Phone Number with Us Before the Storm!

Follow TCEC on

We strive daily to provide our members with insightful information on energy efficiency and safety issues and we use Facebook to keep you up to date on current happenings at the Cooperative.

As we approach the time of year where fast forming thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence, why don’t you take a minute to check us out on Facebook? During major weather events, we’ll keep you informed on current weather conditions as well as the progress of a power restoration.

Check us out! We’d love to hear from you.

Our outage hotline uses caller ID technology to quickly identify your account and service address, but only if we have your correct phone number(s) on file. If we do not have your current phone number, it can lead to a longer response and repair time. When you call TCEC to report an outage, the

Cooperative’s automated computer system matches your telephone number with your service location. The system then references the database to determine which equipment all current outage reports have in common. It allows us to determine the location of outages faster and saves you time on the phone.

Three ways to update your phone number:

1. Online — Go to www.tcec.com and select the Pay Bill tab, open the My Account tab, choose Account Profile to update your information.

2. Call us — Call 850-973-2285 or 1-800-999-2285 to speak with a Member Services Representative during business hours or a Dispatcher after business hours to have your telephone number updated.

3. Use our automated phone system — Call the numbers listed above and wait for the voice prompts and choose Option 4, have your account number ready, and choose whether you want to update your home, cell or work phone.

May & June 2016 3

Outage Maps Keep Co-op Members Informed When the Lights Go Out

Outage maps are just what they sound like: a graphical representation of an outage displayed on a map of TCEC’s service area. The typical map will show where an outage is occurring and include information such as the number of members without power, whether a crew has been dispatched, and the estimated time of restoration.

Behind the map is a sophisticated system that provides the data needed to populate the graphic. This technology reduces outage length, increases reliability, and provides better information to employees, Co-op members, and the public.

Maintaining an accurate outage map starts with the

devices on the co-op’s lines that can report their status to the cooperative. These include a growing number of switches and individual meters. Once a member has reported an outage, TCEC can request a status from the meters in question and determine whether there is power at the meter. This data flows back over the power lines to a computer at the co-op where it is analyzed, and the results are presented to the engineering and operations folks for action.

TCEC is currently working on a solution where members will be able to submit their outages and receive outage updates via text messaging. Please stay tuned for more information regarding this feature.

Knowledge is power, and when it comes to outages, knowledge is also a comfort because it can tell you when the lights are coming back on. With this knowledge, you can take any steps necessary to protect your family and your property. Outage maps are a great example of how co-ops work to keep their members informed about their service.

The outage map can be found on our website at www.tcec.com and clicking on Outage Center.

The outage map accessed at www.tcec.com is available 24/7 and gives users up-to-date information about TCEC’s power grid.

4 May & June 2016

District Meetings are Coming in July!A Special Reminder for Members Interested in Seeking a Nomination for Trustee

In accordance with Article 7, Section A of Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s bylaws, district meetings will be held for the purpose of selecting person(s) as candidates for trustee.

This year, members will elect trustees to represent Districts 3, 5 and 6. District meetings are scheduled as follows:

District 3Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Cherry Lake First Baptist Church, Madison, Fla.

District 5Thursday, July 21, 2016

St. Johns Fellowship Christian Church, Perry, Fla.

District 6Thursday, July 28, 2016

Mount Pleasant AME Church, Monticello, Fla.

The deadline to notify the Cooperative in writing of an intent to seek a

nomination as trustee:June 28, 2016 — District 3June 30, 2016 — District 5

July 7, 2016 — District 6

As a reminder, the district for each member is printed on their monthly electric bill.

Any member who intends to seek nomination to be a candidate for trustee (including incumbent trustees) must notify the Cooperative in writing at its

headquarters in Madison, Fla., at least 21 days before the district meeting at which nominations for trustee are to be made. 71002699001

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LegendDISTRICT 1 JUNIOR SMITH

DISTRICT 2 BOBBY DODD

DISTRICT 3 NEAL BROWN

DISTRICT 4 GEORGE WEBB

DISTRICT 5 CATHERINE BETHEA - SECRETARY - TREASURER

DISTRICT 6 GARY FULFORD - PRESIDENT

DISTRICT 7 ALBERT THOMAS, JR - VICE PRESIDENT

DISTRICT 8 MALCOLM PAGE

DISTRICT 9 ELMER COKERDISTRICT MAP

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May & June 2016 5

Madison Blue Spring State Park salutes you on Armed Forces Day,

May 21, in Madison County!This holiday is for citizens to come

together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.• Half-price discount for military

entering the Park.• Disabled veterans qualify for a free

family annual pass with ID and verification.

8300 NE State Road 6 Lee, FL 32059 (850) 971-5003

Join us in Monticello for the 66th Annual Watermelon Festival

“Route 66”June 4 Queen PageantsJune 10 Bed Race Kick-Off Dinner, Monticello Opera House — 5 pm Rodeo, Jefferson County Extension Grounds — 8 pm 2729 West Washington StreetJune 11 Rodeo, Jefferson County Extension Grounds — 8 pm 2729 West Washington StreetJune 16 Woman’s Club Fashion Show — 12 noon Monticello Opera HouseJune 17 Rotary BBQ, Monticello Opera House — 5 pm Street Dance, Downtown: Cherry Street Arts and Crafts — 3 pmJune 18 Kiwanis 5 K Run — 7 am Breakfast, Farmer’s & Merchants Bank — 8 am Parade — 10 AM Platform Events — All Day Arts & Crafts — All Day

Contact Katrina Richardson for more information: 850-997-5552 or info@monticellojeffersonfl.com.

66th Annual Watermelon Festival

“Route 66”

6 May & June 2016

Steinhatchee FireworksJuly 4, 2016

Steinhatchee Community Center • Craft & Food Vendors • 5pm–9pm

ATTENTION: Scholarship OpportunityTCEC’s Scholarship Program, established by the

Board of Trustees, was created in an effort to give back to communities served by the Cooperative through scholarships for qualifying students. Scholarship applicants must be dependents of members of TCEC. High school seniors and nontraditional undergraduate students are eligible to apply. Each scholarship awarded will be up to $1,000.00 to any accredited university, community college, or technical college!

To apply you will need the following:

; Acceptance letter

; Letter of recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor

; Completed application

; 500-word essay on an assigned topic

Contact: Kaitlynn Culpepper • Tri-County Electric Cooperative • (850) 973-8036 • kculpepper@tcec.com

Eligibility: All active TCEC members are eligible to join the Energizing Education program, which funds college scholarships for qualified members and their dependents.

Enrollment: Enrolling in the program is easy; simply fill out

the enrollment form (available at your local TCEC office).How it Works: Each month, when you receive your electronic

statement, it will have been rounded up to the next dollar. The added cents will be set aside in an educational scholarship fund.

Round up your electric bill to help fund scholarships for TCEC members and

their dependents to attend college or vocational school in Florida.

For more information contact any of our Member Service Representatives at 850-973-2285 or drop off the completed Enrollment Form at any of our local offices.

17608001

May & June 2016 7

Summary of the By-laws of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. Pertaining to Membership, Annual Meetings, Board Representation, and Qualification, Nomination and Election to the Board of Trustees

MEMBERSHIP1. Any person, firm, association, corporation, or body politic or

subdivision thereof may become a member of the Cooperative by: a. Filing a written application for membership; b. Agreeing to purchase electrical energy from the Cooperative; c. Agreeing to comply with and be bound by the Articles of

Incorporation and By-Laws of the Cooperative, and any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees; and

d. Paying the membership fee provided by the By-Laws of the Cooperative, and being accepted for membership by the Board of Trustees or the members. No member may hold more than one (1) membership in the Cooperative, and no membership shall be transferrable.

2. A husband and wife may, if they desire, apply for a joint membership.

ANNUAL MEETINGS1. The Annual Meeting of the members of the Cooperative is held on

the Third Saturday in September of each year, in either Madison, Jefferson or Taylor County, Florida. The place at which an Annual Meeting is to be held is designated in the Notice of such Annual Meeting given to the members of the Cooperative prior to each Annual Meeting.

BOARD REPRESENTATION1. The territory served by the Cooperative is divided into nine (9)

districts. Each district is represented by one (1) Trustee. The Trustees from the nine (9) districts constitute the Board of Trustees of the Cooperative.

2. The Board of Trustees manages the business and affairs of the Cooperative. The Board of Trustees exercises all the powers of the Cooperative except such powers as are conferred upon or reserved to the members by law, or the Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Cooperative.

QUALIFICATIONS OR ELIGIBILITY TO SERVE AS A TRUSTEE 1. To serve as a Trustee of the Cooperative, a person must:

a. Be a natural person; b. Is not a current employee and if a former employee who was not in

good standing at time employment ended, a minimum three years must have elapsed;

c. Has been subjected to a criminal background check and credit check;

d. Is a member in good standing of the cooperative without any disconnections for non-payment of utility services within last five years;

e. Be a bona fide full-time resident of the district which member plans to represent for at least 12 months preceding nomination;

f. Has the capacity to enter into legally binding contracts; g. Does not have a financial interest in or relationship with an outside

organization or individual having business dealings with the Cooperative if it would likely impair the ability of the trustee to serve the best interests of the cooperative; and annually complete and sign a conflict-of-interest certification and disclosure form;

h. Is not related to a current trustee as defined in the Conflict of Interest Board Policy;

i. Has not been previously removed as a trustee, or has not resigned as a trustee while a proceeding to remove member was pending;

j. Has not been convicted of or have pleaded guilty to a felony or first degree misdemeanor;

k. Attend at least two-thirds of all board meetings each year while a trustee.

NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCEDURES FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

1. A person may be nominated as a candidate for Trustee at a District Meeting of the members of a district or at the Annual Meeting of the members of the Cooperative.

2. Not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days before any meeting of the members of the Cooperative at which Trustees are to be elected, a separate meeting of the members of each district comprising a part of the territory served by the Cooperative shall be called at a suitable place in each district for the purpose of selecting two (2) persons as candidates for Trustee to represent the members located within such district.

3. Any member who intends to seek a nomination to be a candidate for trustee (including incumbent trustees) must notify the Cooperative in writing at its headquarters in Madison, Florida at least 21 days before the district meeting at which nominations for trustee are to be made. After receiving such written notice, the Cooperative will confirm that the member is a resident of the district for which he/she intends to be a candidate for trustee, and is otherwise qualified to be a trustee.

4. If more than one candidate is nominated, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared the official candidates of the district. The names of the candidates selected at the District Meeting as the official candidates for each district shall be placed in nomination for the office of Trustee of such district by the Secretary of the Cooperative at the next meeting of the members of the Cooperative at which Trustees are to be elected. At such meeting of the members, additional nominations for Trustee for a particular district may be made from the floor, provided that the person making such additional nomination must reside in the same voting district as the person whom the member desires to nominate as a candidate for Trustee; and provided further, that any member desiring to make an additional nomination for trustee from the floor must, at least fifteen (15) days prior to an Annual or Special Meeting of the members at which trustees are to be elected, file at the Main Headquarters Building of the Cooperative in Madison County, Florida, with the Secretary of the cooperative or a person designated in writing by the Secretary of the Cooperative, a written statement of the intention of such member to make such additional nomination from the floor and list in such written statement the name of the member he intends to nominate from the floor.

5. After all nominations are made, an election is held by printed or xeroxed ballots, with the names of the candidates arranged by districts. Each member of the Cooperative present at the meeting is entitled to vote for one (1) candidate from the district in which the member receives service. a.) No voting by mail or proxy is permitted; b.) Each member is entitled to only one (1) vote; c.) For a joint membership (allowed only for a husband and wife), the vote of either separately or both jointly shall constitute one (1) joint vote. d.) The candidate from each district receiving the highest number of votes is elected Trustee from such district.

8 May & June 2016

REDUCE

LIGHT SWITCH

APPLIANCES

LED BULB

RECYCLE

ENERGY USE

CONSERVATION

THERMOSTAT

Reducing energy use is good for the environment, and by being energy efficient, you can help your parents save on their monthly electric bill! Find the words associated with energy efficiency in the word search below.

Circle all words associated with efficiency. The hidden words appear straight across, backwards, up and down, and diagonally. Use the word bank below as a guide.

WORD BANK

May is National Electrical Safety Month! Test your electrical safety knowledge by taking the quiz below.

1) Smoke alarms in your home should be tested ______ to ensure they work properly.

A. Once a month B. Once a year C. Once a day

2) Electrical cords should be placed under rugs or carpet to keep them out of the way.

A. True B. False

3) What should you do if you are outdoors and hear thunder?

A. Hide under a treeB. Seek shelter indoors and wait at least 30

minutesC. Stand still

4) It is safe to leave the kitchen with a burner on, as long as it is a short amount of time.

A. True B. False

This Publication’s Inspirational Moment

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)

Answers: 1) A. 2) False. Electrical cords should never be placed underneath carpet or rugs because they are potential fire hazards. 3) B. 4) False. You should never leave a kitchen burner unattended.

Congratulations, Kaitlynn CulpepperAll of us at TCEC extend warmest

congratulations to Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Specialist and her husband, Jay, on the birth of their son, Foster Kade Culpepper. He was born on Feb. 11, 2016, and weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and joins his older brother, Rigby. We wish them all the best as they welcome this new bundle of joy to their family.

REDUCE

LIGHT SWITCH

APPLIANCES

LED BULB

RECYCLE

ENERGY USE

CONSERVATION

THERMOSTAT

Reducing energy use is good for the environment, and by being energy efficient, you can help your parents save on their monthly electric bill! Find the words associated with energy efficiency in the word search below.

Circle all words associated with efficiency. The hidden words appear straight across, backwards, up and down, and diagonally. Use the word bank below as a guide.

WORD BANK

ELECTRICAL SAFETY QUIZ

May & June 2016 9

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Board Meeting Notes for Feb. 8, 2016

With all trustees except one, key Cooperative personnel, the attorney and guests present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, in the Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. headquarters office building located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the city of Madison, Fla. Reports to the Board included the Finance Committee, the Building and Land Committee, Policy Committee and the General Manager. The Policy Committee recommended and the Board approved revised Service Rules and Regulations. Action taken by the Board included the following: approval of the Feb. 8, 2016, Board agenda; approval of the Jan. 11, 2016, Board meeting minutes; approval of the Consent Agenda items as written and recommended by the General Manager which included the WPCA for February 2016 as established by resolution; RUS Form 7 for December 2015; the list of new members for Dec. 28, 2015–Jan. 18, 2016; and the Safety and Accident Report for December 2015 along with the System Outage Report. The attorney updated the board on legal matters.

Gary Fulford Catherine BetheaPresident Secretary-Treasurer

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Board Meeting Notes for March 14, 2016

With all trustees, key Cooperative personnel, the attorney and guests present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, March 14, 2016, in the Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. headquarters office building located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the city of Madison, Fla. Reports to the Board included those of the NRECA Annual Meeting, Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board meetings held in February and March 2016, Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Building and Land Committee, General Manager and attorney. The Policy Committee distributed proposed new policy “Transfer of Personal Leave Time” to the Board for further study and possible action at the April Board meeting. Other action taken by the Board included the following: acceptance of 2015 audit and approval to engage the services of Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC to perform the Cooperative’s audit for an additional year with the President and Secretary being authorized to sign the audit engagement letter; approval of the March 14, 2016, Board agenda and the Feb. 8, 2016, Board meeting minutes; authorization for the electric receivable accounts for the fourth quarter 2015, which appear to be uncollectible, for the appropriate accounting designation; authorization for a donation to support economic development efforts be made to Taylor County Alliance, Inc. a Florida not-for-profit corporation; authorization for the purchase of a hydraulic dump trailer; Work Order Inventories (RUS Form 219s) for July–September 2015; and approval of items as written and recommended by the General Manager which included the WPCA for March 2016 as established by resolution; RUS Form 7 for January 2016; the list of new members for Jan. 19–Feb. 22, 2016; and the Safety and Accident Report for January 2016 along with the System Outage Report. The attorney updated the Board on legal matters.

Gary Fulford Catherine BetheaPresident Secretary-Treasurer

May Board Meeting Change The regular monthly meeting of the Board

of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative scheduled for May 2016 has been rescheduled for Monday, May 16, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. in the board room at the Cooperative’s headquarters office building located at 2862 West U.S. 90, approximately two miles west of the city of Madison.

Hidden somewhere in this issue of Tri-County Rural Living are two member account numbers. Look carefully, one might be yours. If you find your account number exactly as it appears on your bill for electric service, we’ll credit your bill up to the amount of $150!* You have until June 30, 2016, to claim your credit by calling Carol Timmons at (850) 973-2285, Ext. 203 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You must contact the TCEC representative before the deadline to collect your prize.

Congratulations to last issue’s winners: 1. Darren & Carrie Lee Baxley 2. Irvin Whetstone* Total credit on bill will not exceed $150.00. This one-time credit is valid only on the current balance. Any balance remaining after the $150.00 applied credit is the member’s responsibility.

Find Your Hidden Account Number & Get a $150 Bill Credit!

10 May & June 2016

To Report Electrical Problems or Outages

Please Call:

850-973-2285 or

1-800-999-228524-HOUR SERVICE

THANK YOU

Tri-County Rural LivingVol. XIX No. V

May & June 2016TRI-COUNTY RURAL LIVING, the voice of your member-owned, taxpaying electric utility, is published bimonthly—more if necessary—through the auspices of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. as a service to its member-owners. Postage is paid at Blountstown, FL.

BOARD OF TRUSTEESJunior Smith

D-1Bobby Dodd

D-2Neal Brown

D-3George Webb

D-4Catherine Bethea

Secretary-Treasurer, D-5Gary FulfordPresident, D-6

Albert Thomas, Jr.Vice President, D-7Malcolm V. Page

D-8Elmer Coker

D-9

EDITORIAL OFFICES2862 West US Hwy. 90

Madison, FL • (850) 973-2285PUBLICATION COMMITTEE

Julius HackettGeneral ManagerEileen Herndon

Executive AssistantKaitlynn Culpepper

Community Relations SpecialistMichael Curtis,

Madison Media GroupWriterSTAFF

Jeff BrewerManager – Engineering

Stephanie CarrollManager – Corporate Services

Darrell TutenManager – OperationsWendell M. Williams

Manager – Finance

Send CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICES to:Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

2862 West US Hwy. 90Madison, FL 32340

Carol’s Blueberry Delight Ingredients

Crust • 1½sticksofbutter,melted• 2cupsofgrahamcrackercrumbsFilling• 1(8oz.)blockofcreamcheese,softened• ¾cupofsugar• 1smalltubofwhippedtopping(suggested:

Cool Whip)Topping• 1canofblueberrypiefilling

Directions1. Crust: Combine melted butter and

graham cracker crumbs, press down firmly into bottom of 9"x13" pan.

2. Filling: In a medium size bowl, beat cream cheese until soft, gradually adding sugar. Fold whipped topping into mixture.

3. Spread filling evenly into crust and top with blueberry pie filling.

4. Refrigerate.

Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

Source: energy.gov

May & June 2016 11

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc.2862 West US Hwy. 90Madison, FL 32340

Don’t Be Left in the Dark