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North Central Texas is the prettiest part of Texas, folks in Corsicana will tell you. It was hard to tell the
majority of Texas was enduring its worst drought in decades when the members of Navarro County
Electric Cooperative (NCEC) gathered for their annual meeting the misty morning of May 21 at Navarro
College Dawson Auditorium. The rolling fields of green grasses and clusters of ancient oaks and wayward
pines swayed in the midmorning’s cool breeze: It was a most welcome break from early summer’s heat,
which had been washed away for a moment by a storm system that moved through the area the previous
evening.
majority of Texas was enduring its worst drought in decades when the members of Navarro County
Electric Cooperative (NCEC) gathered for their annual meeting the misty morning of May 21 at Navarro
College Dawson Auditorium. The rolling fields of green grasses and clusters of ancient oaks and wayward
pines swayed in the midmorning’s cool breeze: It was a most welcome break from early summer’s heat,
which had been washed away for a moment by a storm system that moved through the area the previous
evening.
Maroon-clad O&M Lineman Jeff Davis stood outside the
auditorium’s white French doors and greeted folks, offering
handshakes, well wishes and even a few hugs as the
members filed inside to register for the meeting. He had a
little help: Many linemen, apprentices, and member service
employees in maroon also offered friendly handshakes to
members and guests, and David Ragsdale, Meter Tech, Joey
Richards, Engineering Asst., and Tony Gorden,
Warehouseman zipped around the college parking lot on golf
carts, toting guests from their vehicles and delivering them
curbside.
auditorium’s white French doors and greeted folks, offering
handshakes, well wishes and even a few hugs as the
members filed inside to register for the meeting. He had a
little help: Many linemen, apprentices, and member service
employees in maroon also offered friendly handshakes to
members and guests, and David Ragsdale, Meter Tech, Joey
Richards, Engineering Asst., and Tony Gorden,
Warehouseman zipped around the college parking lot on golf
carts, toting guests from their vehicles and delivering them
curbside.
Judging by these personable greetings each member received upon arrival, it can safely be said that this was no ordinary business meeting: This was a
warm gathering of neighbors and friends who take a great deal of pride in being member-owners of NCEC. Because when you are a member-owner,
you have a voice in the business of the cooperative, and the main reason members gathered this cool and balmy morning was to elect two directors
(and maybe, just maybe, win a door prize).
warm gathering of neighbors and friends who take a great deal of pride in being member-owners of NCEC. Because when you are a member-owner,
you have a voice in the business of the cooperative, and the main reason members gathered this cool and balmy morning was to elect two directors
(and maybe, just maybe, win a door prize).
Billy Jones - CEO / General Manager
Once inside, members registered and received their ballots for the director election, grabbed a quick beverage and goodie bag (filled with compact-
fluorescent light bulbs, a rain gauge, a TexasCoopPower.com fan, a pen and mini first-aid kit) and awaited the start of the business session. At precisely
10 a.m., Board President Ron Buckley called the meeting to order. Davis, whose friendly face most members saw when they arrived, gave the
invocation. Shortly thereafter, President Buckley introduced the NCEC board of directors, Attorney, and General Manager.
Secretary-Treasurer George Smith reported that the co-op was in excellent financial shape with operating margins, non-operating revenue and capital
credits totaling more than $4 million. “We really would like to thank the management and employees of Navarro County Electric Co-op,” Smith said.
“They’ve done a fantastic job—especially when it comes to the great work they’ve done in negotiating rates on our long-term debt. And we’d just like to
thank every employee, too, not just the office staff. You boys, your job is a hard and dangerous job at times, and we appreciate everything that you do.
You all have a good weekend, and God bless.”
fluorescent light bulbs, a rain gauge, a TexasCoopPower.com fan, a pen and mini first-aid kit) and awaited the start of the business session. At precisely
10 a.m., Board President Ron Buckley called the meeting to order. Davis, whose friendly face most members saw when they arrived, gave the
invocation. Shortly thereafter, President Buckley introduced the NCEC board of directors, Attorney, and General Manager.
Secretary-Treasurer George Smith reported that the co-op was in excellent financial shape with operating margins, non-operating revenue and capital
credits totaling more than $4 million. “We really would like to thank the management and employees of Navarro County Electric Co-op,” Smith said.
“They’ve done a fantastic job—especially when it comes to the great work they’ve done in negotiating rates on our long-term debt. And we’d just like to
thank every employee, too, not just the office staff. You boys, your job is a hard and dangerous job at times, and we appreciate everything that you do.
You all have a good weekend, and God bless.”
General Manager/CEO Billy Jones took the podium next and thanked everyone for attending and reminded folks to keep reading their Texas Co-op
Power magazine. “Each co-op has its own local pages near the center of the magazine, and that is where you can find most of the information we want
to convey to the membership,” he began. “We also have a website, www.navarroec.com, where you can find lots of information and links to a variety of
associated organizations. The website is constantly updated in house by Lindy Shaw, our assistant manager and computer systems administrator.”
Jones then informed the co-op about an expensive—and dangerous—growing trend: meter tampering and theft of service. “Since June 2010, we have
done investigations with the local sheriff departments in Navarro and Ellis counties on 26 cases of meter tampering and theft of service,” Jones said.
“Cases were opened on all of them, and to date, 14 of the 26 have paid the necessary fees and back billing, including deposits necessary to keep them
from being prosecuted, totaling to just over $14,400.” Jones said that these costs have ranged from $600 to $2,400 per incident. Ten of the accounts
remain disconnected, one of the suspects has been charged with theft of service and charges are pending on another. Jones continued, saying that their
automated meter-reading system, linemen and meter techs in the field are responsible for pinpointing these incidents. “We need members help also on
these situations. If you see anything suspicious, or if you know a location is disconnected and you see it still has lights on, please report it to the co-op
office. Remember, the electricity they steal is paid for by the rest of the membership, so help us to help you.”
Jones reported that two hot topics NCEC continues to deal with are distributed generation and renewables. He said that several members had purchased
both small wind turbines and solar panels, and thus far, the solar panels are outperforming the turbines. He recommended, however, that before
members purchase turbines or solar panels they do small, energy-efficient home improvements first. Sometimes, a few little changes add up to big
savings.
Power magazine. “Each co-op has its own local pages near the center of the magazine, and that is where you can find most of the information we want
to convey to the membership,” he began. “We also have a website, www.navarroec.com, where you can find lots of information and links to a variety of
associated organizations. The website is constantly updated in house by Lindy Shaw, our assistant manager and computer systems administrator.”
Jones then informed the co-op about an expensive—and dangerous—growing trend: meter tampering and theft of service. “Since June 2010, we have
done investigations with the local sheriff departments in Navarro and Ellis counties on 26 cases of meter tampering and theft of service,” Jones said.
“Cases were opened on all of them, and to date, 14 of the 26 have paid the necessary fees and back billing, including deposits necessary to keep them
from being prosecuted, totaling to just over $14,400.” Jones said that these costs have ranged from $600 to $2,400 per incident. Ten of the accounts
remain disconnected, one of the suspects has been charged with theft of service and charges are pending on another. Jones continued, saying that their
automated meter-reading system, linemen and meter techs in the field are responsible for pinpointing these incidents. “We need members help also on
these situations. If you see anything suspicious, or if you know a location is disconnected and you see it still has lights on, please report it to the co-op
office. Remember, the electricity they steal is paid for by the rest of the membership, so help us to help you.”
Jones reported that two hot topics NCEC continues to deal with are distributed generation and renewables. He said that several members had purchased
both small wind turbines and solar panels, and thus far, the solar panels are outperforming the turbines. He recommended, however, that before
members purchase turbines or solar panels they do small, energy-efficient home improvements first. Sometimes, a few little changes add up to big
savings.
NCEC, like a lot of organizations, grew more slowly in 2010 due to economic issues, but is still solid, Jones said. Because of the slow growth, crews
concentrated time and effort on maintenance of the system, and now NCEC has close to 2,900 miles of overhead lines and distribution lines and well
over 14,600 meters in five counties. Ongoing maintenance and construction work plans may have saved NCEC from any major damage over the season’
s past several storms, Jones said. “I appreciate the efforts of all our employees and contractors and the members who allow us to do our jobs,” he said.
“And I’ve said this every year, but keeping the lights on is still a cooperative effort.
“While I’m talking about the cooperative effort, I’ll take an opportunity to congratulate the co-op employees on their completion, in 2010, of two years
without a lost-time accident or injury,” Jones said, smiling. “This is quite an accomplishment for a group in this business and it demonstrates the benefits
of a good safety program and employee dedication to that program. Congratulations to all of the employees on this excellent accomplishment, and let’s
go for three in 2011!”
The auditorium thundered with applause. Being a lineman is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, and to go more than two years
without an injury is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the strict safety rules and precautions to which NCEC adheres daily.
The seventh cooperative principle is Concern for Community, which states that cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities
through policies approved by their members. Two programs in which NCEC participates that reflect this principle are Operation RoundUp and the
Navarro Scholarship Program.Nominating committees for Districts 4 and 5—the two districts whose directors’ terms were ending—met in mid-February
and nominated incumbents Bill Southard, District 4, and Alfred Martin, District 5. Because no other nominations were made by member petition and
placed on the ballot, the two were re-elected to their seats by acclamation.
concentrated time and effort on maintenance of the system, and now NCEC has close to 2,900 miles of overhead lines and distribution lines and well
over 14,600 meters in five counties. Ongoing maintenance and construction work plans may have saved NCEC from any major damage over the season’
s past several storms, Jones said. “I appreciate the efforts of all our employees and contractors and the members who allow us to do our jobs,” he said.
“And I’ve said this every year, but keeping the lights on is still a cooperative effort.
“While I’m talking about the cooperative effort, I’ll take an opportunity to congratulate the co-op employees on their completion, in 2010, of two years
without a lost-time accident or injury,” Jones said, smiling. “This is quite an accomplishment for a group in this business and it demonstrates the benefits
of a good safety program and employee dedication to that program. Congratulations to all of the employees on this excellent accomplishment, and let’s
go for three in 2011!”
The auditorium thundered with applause. Being a lineman is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, and to go more than two years
without an injury is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to the strict safety rules and precautions to which NCEC adheres daily.
The seventh cooperative principle is Concern for Community, which states that cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities
through policies approved by their members. Two programs in which NCEC participates that reflect this principle are Operation RoundUp and the
Navarro Scholarship Program.Nominating committees for Districts 4 and 5—the two districts whose directors’ terms were ending—met in mid-February
and nominated incumbents Bill Southard, District 4, and Alfred Martin, District 5. Because no other nominations were made by member petition and
placed on the ballot, the two were re-elected to their seats by acclamation.
| NCEC 2011 Annual Member Meeting |
| May 21, 2011 |
At the close of the meeting, Davis announced the winners of all the door prizes. After members had
waited patiently throughout the meeting, more than 50 prizes were given away, including a food
processor, Shop Vac and several $50 electric bill credits. But in the end, it all came down to one
prize, the grand prize, and it went to Tejas Farms. Kyle Ware and his daughter Laynie were thrilled
to walk away with the 32-inch Vizio LCD TV. With no further business to attend and every prize
claimed, the book closed on another NCEC annual meeting. Hope to see you there next year!
waited patiently throughout the meeting, more than 50 prizes were given away, including a food
processor, Shop Vac and several $50 electric bill credits. But in the end, it all came down to one
prize, the grand prize, and it went to Tejas Farms. Kyle Ware and his daughter Laynie were thrilled
to walk away with the 32-inch Vizio LCD TV. With no further business to attend and every prize
claimed, the book closed on another NCEC annual meeting. Hope to see you there next year!