Watts New - Wheatland Rural Electric Association

Watts New
February, 2016
Barb Moody, Editor
From The Desk Of. . . Don Smith, Manager
Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to 2016! It is always difficult to write these articles, since I write them a month in advance. Since I wrote the last one in early November, there is quite a bit to catch up on. I hope everyone had a good holiday season and
was able to share time with family and friends. At the REA, we were able to host a great
Veterans Day Recognition that appeared to be very well received. We had visits from
several veterans, from various time periods; from WW II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars,
and times of peace. No matter the time period these folks served, they have helped protect this nation and keep us free. Thanks for your service!
Over the holidays our community was saddened by the loss of a stalwart man who was
instrumental in some of the earlier days of the REA. Don Sherard passed away and will
be missed by many who knew him. While I never met Mr. Sherard, I have seen his work
and I continually see his signature on documents here at the REA. Don was the legal
counsel for many years; his legacy lives on with his firm continuing to provide the organization advice. Our condolences go out to Don’s family for their loss.
This month I hope you are planning to attend the 2016 Annual Meeting! The meeting is
at the Platte County 4H Building on February 24 with the business meeting beginning at
11:00. At noon we will provide lunch, and then reconvene the meeting at 1:00. Prior to
the meeting, the REA will also host a wellness fair blood draw beginning at 7:00 AM. Please come and join us! This year we
have one Board seat up for election. It is the At-Large position held by Bill Teter, who has decided not to seek re-election. Bill
has been an excellent member of the Board for 18 years! He has served as Board vice president as well as our representative to
the Wyoming Rural Electric Association. Bill will be missed for his experience and common sense attitude. Thanks Bill, for
your service!
Now, on to the rate adjustment we have been discussing over the last several months. The Board has approved the rates for the
2016 adjustment that will result in an overall 4% rate increase. These rates will go into effect on April 1, 2016. We are preparing the information to send out to all members before the rates go into effect, and this information will be sent to you in the near
future. As we move our rates more toward “Cost of Service”, or what it actually costs to serve the various rate classes, some
individual customers will see more or less of an increase than other customers. We are scheduling meetings during March in
Wheatland, Glendo, Chugwater, and at the Fire Hall by Hubbard’s Cupboard to meet with you to discuss the changes in rates.
Please bring your questions to these meetings and visit with us. Even if you don’t have questions, we’d love to meet with you
and get to know our members better!
I have said this before, and I’m sure I will say it again, as it continues to amaze me. The attitude of the employees here at the
REA is remarkable! Even on these cold winter days, the smiles abound even with the linemen before they head out into the
wind and snow! My thanks to these wonderful, dedicated employees!
I hope to see everyone at the Annual Membership Meeting on February 24th! Please come and join us to hear about your REA,
enjoy a nice lunch, and even get a health check from the blood draw!
As always, if you have questions, concerns or comments, please give us a call or
stop in and chat with us. We are here to serve you, our member-owners!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
FEBRUARY 24th
79th ANNUAL
MEMBERS’ MEETING
PLATTE CO. 4-H BUILDING
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From the office of RKA………
Watts New is a publication of
Wheatland Rural Electric
Association
P. O. Box 1209
Wheatland, WY 82201
www.wheatlandrea.com
(307) 322-2125
(800) 344-3351
REA WINTER HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
OUTAGES-OPEN 24/7
OUTAGE PHONE NUMBERS
(307) 322-2125
(800) 344-3351
24 hours a day
STAFF
Donald E. Smith
General Manager
Jeff Dirks
Line Superintendent
Rhonda Apodaca
Office Manager
Jason Wright
Asst. Line Superintendent
Al Teel
Member Services
Happy New Year to all of you! 2016 is here and already in fast gear. I am
pretty sure I am going to have to buy some track shoes to keep up with this
pace. But it is with enthusiasm and a positive attitude that the cooperative
is starting out this New Year.
In writing this article, I always go back to previous year’s articles and see
what I wrote about. Exactly one year ago, I was talking about the cooperative’s “bucket list” and the items on that list. We are still continuously
working on the items. As we complete one task and remove it, we add another. 2016 will be full of goals and strategic planning to better our cooperative, not only for our members, but also for our employees.
It is that time of the year to discuss our Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be Wednesday, February 24, 2016. We will be having the Wellness
Fair again. With your February bill, you should have received a flyer with
the information about the fair. If you did not receive one, please stop by the
office or give me a call and I will send you one in the mail. The Board has
agreed to pay for a member and their spouse for the basic draw, which is the
chemistry panel. Any other tests that are available will be at your expense.
Again, any questions, please give me a call. I hope to see you at the Annual
Meeting…..come have lunch on us!!!!
As with a new year, we, as humans, set new goals both in our professional
and personal lives. Some of the goals are accomplished while others are
marked off the list. Through my reading, I came across information about
goals. One step that really stood out to me was: when setting goals, use the
SMART method. S=specific, M=measurable, A=achievable, R=relevant,
and T=time bounded. In setting my professional goals, the SMART method
will be very useful. During this year, I hope to share with you my goals for
me, as your Office Manager. Some of them will possibly have an effect on
you, as members, but I assure you, they will be for the good of the members.
Again, as I read my previous articles, the one constant thing that was in all
of them was sending my kids back to college after Christmas break. I still
cannot get used to this situation! My son is in his senior year and my
daughter is a sophomore. It truly doesn’t seem possible they are that old.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I miss the “try this dance move, Mom” and “can you do a quick load of
laundry for me” comments. But my dogs keep me smiling, except the pup
Robert Brockman
322-2220 who thinks that he is a deer and needs to jump the fence on a daily basis!!
President
William Teter
Vice President
422-3539
As always, any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My door is
always open!!
Britt Wilson
331-8405
Until next month…….
Secretary/Treasurer
Jack Finnerty
Director
331-2100
Sandra Hranchak
Director
322-4393
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2016 BOARD ELECTION
This year the membership is voting for the At-LargeDistrict Director position.
The candidate who receives the most votes will be
your At-Large Director for a three-year term.
Shop these fine merchants...they give our
members discounts!
(You must present your
“Co-op Connections
Discount Card” at the time of purchase!)
Your Board-of-Directors are elected by you, to
represent you and conduct the business of your
cooperative.
ARBY’S RESTAURANT-WHEATLAND
ARBY’S RESTAURANT-DOUGLAS
ASH’S SALES & SERVICE
BEAR CREEK ORIGINALS
Be sure to attend your Annual Meeting this year and BEST WESTERN TORCHLIGHT INN
BUFFALO LODGE AND GRILL
vote for the candidate of your choosing.
CHEYENNE COFFEE COMPANY
CHUGWATER CHILI
CONSOLIDATED MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES
(CME)
COUNTRY GIRLS EMBROIDERY
DRUBE SUPPLY/HARDWARE HANK
We are distributing Capital
FRENCHMAN VALLEY COOPERATIVE
Credit Checks at this year’s
HOBO’S CLOSETS
Annual Meeting. Be sure to
HOWSHAR HARDWARE
attend!
LARAMIE PEAK MOTORS
MICKE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT
MUREL’S GREAT TREASURES
New Phone Number?
THIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Keep us posted so we can contact you in an PICTURE
REGISTER CLIFF PHARMACY
emergency or power outage.
ROY’S TREE SERVICE
Many members are using cell phones and
SHERARD REALTY, INC
disconnecting their land lines. Please let us SIMPLY CREATIVE
SOUTH STREET PHARMACY
know if you have done this so we can keep
TACO JOHN’S
in touch with you. Thank you!
TEEL GUN WORKS
THE PIE TIN BAKERY AND CATERING
THE POSIE PATCH FLOWERS AND GIFTS
THE SHARP SHOP OF WHEATLAND
WHEATLAND ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CENTER
WHEATLAND COUNTRY STORE
WYOMING PURE NATURAL BEEF
WHEATLAND RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
It’s almost time to be in the
field again!! Please watch for
overhead power lines whether
PRESCRIPTION
you are at work or at play.
DISCOUNTS ARE
If you have overhead power
POSSIBLE WITH
lines in the vicinity of your
YOUR CARD!
home, PLEASE remind the
That’s right! If you do
kids of the dangers of playing
not have prescription
around or with electrical
insurance, you can use
equipment.
your card to help “defray” some of the cost.
That is a pole number at an
Visit www.connections.coop and find out about all the
electric service. This one savings you can “rack-up” with your card! Need new
cards? We will have them available this month at your
is: 8E-11-2.
Annual Meeting; just ask any REA employee.
If you give your pole number
CAPITAL CREDIT
CHECKS
Safety Tip Of
The Month
to the call center, the linemen
will find you much quicker
when your power is out.
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!Electric Safety Drawing Contest!
Sponsored by:
Wheatland REA, The Town of Wheatland,
Arby’s Restaurant
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR DRAWING IS:
***March 02, 2016!***
DON’T BE “LEFT OUT”!
Scholarship Applications are due at the
Wheatland REA office no later than
4:30 PM on February 15th.
Available Scholarships at Wheatland REA & Wyoming REA
Basin Electric Scholarship: 1 each @ $1,000; Due February 15th.
REA Directors’ & Manager’s Scholarship: 2 each @ $200; Due February 15th.
Tri-State Scholarship: 2 each @ $500 and 5 each @ $200; Due February 15th.
Wyoming REA Lineman’s Scholarship: 1 or more @ $3,000 each; Due February 15th.
(Call the office for details).
Hackworth & Neil Adkins Line Worker Scholarships: $1,000 each
(Call the office or visit our website for details & due dates).
Items that qualify for
cash rebates:
Electric Thermal Storage Heating
Electric Heat Pumps
Energy Star Air Conditioners
Premium Efficiency Electric Motors
Electric Water Heaters
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Energy Star Refrigerators
Energy Star Freezers
Energy Star Clothes Washers
Energy Star Dishwashers
RESTRICTIONS APPLY, SO CALL FOR
DETAILS.
Let us help you stretch
your heating dollars
with a Steffes Electric
Thermal Storage Furnace or Room Heater!
Our low, off-peak heating is about a 55% savings over our standard
residential rate. Stop
in or call the office for
more details.
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