The Livewire - Trico Electric Cooperative

The Livewire
DECEMBER 2013
Inside:
2 CEO column: Thank
you for a great year
3 Members enjoy event
at Desert Museum
3 Earn cash back by
shopping online
4 Trading Post
Happy Holidays &
best wishes for a
wonderful New Year!
Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc. • 8600 W. Tangerine Rd. • Marana, AZ 85658
(520) 744-2944 • www.trico.coop
Every Trico Member has a voice
As an electric co-op member, you have a
say in how the co-op is run and the decisions
that are made. At our annual meeting each
year you have the opportunity to elect fellow
Members to the Trico Board of Directors to
represent your best interests.
Let your voice be heard at Trico’s
Annual Meeting March 29, 2014, at Casino
del Sol Hotel & Resort.
Two seats are up for election at the
upcoming Trico Annual Meeting:
• District 3, serving Three Points,
Robles Junction and Altar Valley
• District 6, serving the Vail and
Corona de Tucson area
Any Trico Member can run for an open
seat, provided they reside or run a business
in the district up for election.
To run for election to the Board, each
candidate is required to complete a Nomination Petition and obtain 30 valid signatures
of Trico Members living in their District.
Nomination Petitions are available at
www.trico.coop, or at the reception desk at
Trico’s offices at 8600 W. Tangerine Rd. You
may also request a Nomination Petition by
calling 744-2944, ext. 1363, or email
mpugno@trico.coop.
All candidates must complete and
submit a Nomination Petition to Trico by
January 13, 2013, at 3:30 p.m., in order to be
placed on the Official Ballot. •
Let your voice be heard at Trico’s Annual
Meeting March 29, 2014, at Casino del Sol
Hotel & Resort.
1012000
Trico Annual Meeting
March 29, 2014
Casino del Sol Ballroom
5655 W. Valencia Rd.
9 a.m. – Registration and
refreshments
10 a.m. – Meeting
Trico is CLOSED on the following
holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc., is
an equal opportunity provider and
employer.
BRING A COPY OF
YOUR TRICO BILL FOR
FAST CHECK-IN!
Win one of several great prizes,
including a retired Trico vehicle!
Must be present to win.
We’ve
’ve hidden three account numbers in the Livewire!
Livewire Find yours to get a $20 credit on your electric bill. You must
match your complete account number. If you have an exact match, call 744-2944, ext. 1515, for verification.
Thank you for a great year
Vin Nitido,
Trico GM and CEO
“We hold a special
obligation to those
we serve.”
Page 2
The holiday season is here again. For many of us, it’s a time to reflect on and celebrate the
things that matter most in our lives. Often it’s when we catch-up with friends and family about
the past year.
At Trico, this is the time of year when we consider how well we’ve done with regard to
what matters most to us as a cooperative – providing reliable power and excellent service to
our Members at the lowest cost possible. While the past year has not been without challenges,
I believe overall it’s been a positive one.
With the local economy slowly recovering, we’ve seen an increase in new service
connections. We added more than 1,100 new Members this year, and are projecting even more
in 2014. We now have more than 45,000 meters on our system, a record high for Trico.
We’ve been busy maintaining and upgrading our system as well. Our meter technicians
changed out nearly 2,000 mechanical meters, and now I’m happy to report that our system is
almost entirely automated. This automation eliminates the need to drive to every corner of our
service area to manually read meters, and this translates to substantial savings to our Members
when you consider that Trico’s service area covers more than 3,600 square miles.
Our Member representatives were also quite busy this year, handling some 68,000 calls
as well as transitioning to a completely paperless system. Trico’s system reliability was also
excellent this year, with minimal outages. And, we were able to take advantage of continued
lower power market prices, which enabled us to avoid adding a power cost adjuster to bills this
past summer.
From a financial standpoint, the Cooperative had another good year, maintaining adequate
margins to run the business and meet our debt covenants. At its November meeting, your
Trico Board of Directors voted to retire $1.65 million in capital credits. Those checks will be
mailed out on or about December 16.
Overall it’s been a successful year for Trico, I think. None of the things we accomplished
this year or any other would be possible without everyone at Trico – from the Board
of Directors to our line crews to our office staff to even our summer student interns –
understanding that, as a Member-owned cooperative, we hold a special obligation to those we
serve. Time and again, I see the people around me going the extra mile to provide superior
service to our Member-owners. I hear about it from you in your letters as well as at Member
events, like the one last month at the Desert Museum. That makes me very proud to be a part
of your co-op and the communities we serve.
No doubt next year will present a new set of challenges, but I know that, with the
steadfast commitment from everyone at Trico, we will meet them.
I hope you all have a peaceful and joyous holiday season. •
December 2013
Members flock to Desert Museum
More than 1,400 Trico Members and their families
attended a Member Event November 2 at the Desert
Museum.
“I had a blast,” Jeannie Greven said. “My husband
and I hadn’t been to the Desert Museum in years. We
appreciated the treats and snacks. We thought it was a
worthwhile event.”
The event included tables with information about
Trico’s many programs: Operation Round-up, scholarships, Washington Youth Tour, Co-op Connections
Card, SmartHub and SunWatts. TWN was there with
information about internet service.
Several Trico Board Directors were present to
answer questions. Patricia Wallace said Trico staff was
friendly and helpful.
“They answered questions and made us feel welcome,” she said. “Trico did a great job.”
Trico safety director John Dungan gave a safety
demonstration, teaching children and adults about what
to do if a pole goes down.
“We thought it was wonderful,” Adam Bunevich
said. “I learned something about electricity. Trico’s
always been good to us.”
Desert Museum docents allowed Members to see
and touch animals, including a tortoise, chuckwalla, barn
owl, Harris Hawk and snake.
“We enjoyed the event,” Gerald Peters said. “The
kids always love going to the museum to look at snakes
and hummingbirds.” •
Co-op Card Spotlight:
Save 20 percent at
Three Points salon
A Graceful Touch of Beauty Hair Salon & Spa,
located at 15390 W. Ajo Hwy, has been in business in
the Three Points area since 2009.
A Graceful Touch is a full service salon offering
everything from haircuts to facials to pedicures. Show
your Co-op Connections Card and receive a 20 percent
discount on any service.
See all local businesses offering discounts to Trico
Members at www.trico.coop. •
December 2013
Above feft: Hayden Hahn wears Trico sunglasses and holds the book
‘Lineman: The Unsung Hero.’ The book was written by Michelle Larson,
wife of Trico lineman Matt Larson. Above right: Evelyn Peterson holds
a solar toy. Below: Garrett and Arabella Matthews pet a snake.
2862301
Tired of fighting
the crowds?
Shop your favorite stores online using the
new Cash Back Mall Shopping Assistant
through the Co-op Connections® Card
program and earn an extra 1-40% cash
back this holiday season!
Find all the ways to save at
connections.coop
Page 3
The Trico Trading Post
To place ads, call 744-2944, ext. 1604. We’ll accept ads for the following month until the issue is full.
Free: 8-year-old Toshiba HDTV, model
34HF83, works perfect but heavy. Call 8257807.
For Sale: Nishiki ‘Olympic 12’ men’s bicycle,
good condition, red, $85, Saddlebrooke area.
Call 825-1331.
For Sale: Sleep Number bed, 5000 model,
dual control, plus foundation, like new, $800
OBO; Craftsman Rocker, color tobacco,
$100. Call 638-7926.
For Sale: 2001 Pontiac Bonneville, good reliable car, well maintained, new tires, $3,750.
Call 395-0390.
For Sale: 1989 Sunclipper, 27’, a Gulfstream
coach, sleeps 6, looks & works great, Ford
460 engine, needs work, $2,500. Call 9081154.
For Sale: Chest freezer, 14 cubic ft, $75. Call
682-6704.
For Sale: Majestic Chicago heavy-duty metal
tripod with gear head and 4x5 Calumet Studio camera, will sell separately, best offer. Call
825-4109, or email stupat@q.com.
For Sale: If you love CATS, you will enjoy For Rent: Scenic 1 acre parcel, water & septic
this 10” high white & black ceramic artwork, included, $300/month, $200 deposit, owners
$125 OBO. Call 625-1635.
lives on property, pets are welcome, $100
non-refundable deposit, quiet neighborhood.
For Sale: Adjustable bed, raise head & feet, Call 551-3782.
with massage, memory foam topper, sheets,
$200. Call 572-9774, Dove Mountain.
For Sale: 9 piece living room set, good condition, $1,400. Call 989-0072.
For Sale: Hoveround motorized wheelchair,
MPV5, excellent condition, used twice, com- For Sale: Maytag dryer, great condition, elecplete with ramp for transport on car, $2,500 tric, $125. Call 441-2021.
OBO. Call 733-7303.
For Sale: 2010 Harley Davidson Tri Glide
For Sale: Large landscape rocks, various siz- Ultra Classic Trike, 23,700 miles, Superturnes, 12-24” or larger, $10 each or make offer er, 255Cams, Hi flow air cleaner, Klicktronic
for all. Call 444-0988.
Gear Shifter, chrome wheels, custom paint,
like new, $30,000 OBO. Call 744-0410.
For Sale: Like-new ComforPedic pillow top
mattress, box springs, bed frame, $125; Wes- For Sale: 1-acre horse property, 5 beds, 3
lo Pursuit 510CC exercise machine, $20; or baths manufactured home, 2 bed, 1 bath siteboth for $135. Call 883-8011.
built home, move-in ready, $165,000. Call
404-2726.
For Sale: General Electric refrigerator, off
white, stores water and ice maker, $250. Call Operation Round-Up: Trico will round up
867-2867.
your bill to the next dollar. The extra cents
help those in need. Call 744-2944.
For Sale: Round glass & metal dining table,
4 matching chairs, 10 suede seats, $150. Call Want More Classifieds? Go to our Online
(661) 431-8651.
Trading Post. Visit www.trico.coop.
Need money for college?
The Livewire, the official monthly publication
of Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc., provides
news, info and energy safety tips
to its members.
Board of Directors
President: L. Nick Buckelew, (520) 822-2277
Vice President: Brad DeSpain, (520) 682-3914
Secretary: Barbara Stockwell, (520) 398-9400
Treasurer: Marsha Thompson,
(520) 648-0419
Director: Donald Black, (520) 572-1711
Director: Lawrence Hinchliffe, (520) 867-8073
Director: Jim Pyers, (520) 577-2492
605502
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CEO/General Manager: Vin Nitido
Editor: Romi Carrell Wittman
Writer: Monica Pugno
Copies of Trico’s rules, regulations, bylaws
and line extension policies are
available upon request.
Trico Electric Cooperative
8600 W. Tangerine Rd.
Marana, AZ 85658
(520) 744-2944 • (866) 337-2052
www.trico.coop
NOTICE: The Trico Trading Post is a free service for Trico’s members. Ads are placed on a month-to-month basis and are subject to space availability. Ads
must be 25 words or less. Trico reserves the right to edit ads. In order to be fair to all Members, any individual Member may not run ads more than three times
in a calendar year. Ads are not repeated unless requested via telephone. We do not print ads for business, rentals or services for which a fee is charged or a
profit earned. Trico is not responsible for the quality of services or merchandise offered. Any problems with items advertised here is between the buyer and
the seller.
Page 4
December 2013