What’s Inside Energy Trails volunteers recognized at State Capitol page 7
Creating sweet memories: from fields to communities page 11
The
Fresh Summer Salsa page 15
Current
A Publication of Cotton Electric Cooperative Inc.
“The Current - Informing Our Members Since 1957” VOLUME 66
June 12, 2023
NUMBER 10
Another great year for a special co-op tradition By Carli Eubank The days are filled with cheers, sweat, smiles and excitement. Competitors line up on the track, ready for their race to start. Electric co-op volunteers wait anxiously at the finish line to congratulate the athletes and hand them their place cards. A wide range of emotions are experienced at these competitions each May when athletes, families and volunteers come together for Special Olympics Oklahoma. One of the biggest traditions of Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives is volunteering at Special Olympics Oklahoma with the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC). More than 150 co-op employees exemplified co-op principles of Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Concern for Community and volunteered for this year’s events. Among those volunteers were two from Cotton Electric Cooperative: Kyle Graham, member service representative, and TJ James, journeyman lineman. Volunteering at Special Olympics was something that James always thought about doing and this year was his first year to help with the event. One of his biggest takeaways happened before the games even started. “The Opening Ceremonies was an amazing experience because you get to see how excited the participants were to be competing in the games,” James said. During the ceremony, athletes representing each region are introduced, awards are presented, and the torch gets lit. Then, with much excitement, the competitions begin. Continued on page 5
Cotton Electric Member Service Representative Kyle Graham and Journeyman Lineman TJ James congratulate an athlete at the finish line. Photo courtesy of OAEC.
Farris appointed to Cotton Electric Board of Trustees a Bachelor in Agricultural Economics and Minor in Finance. He now lives southwest of Comanche, where he and Caitlin, his wife of 3 years, raise their 18-monthold daughter, Caroline. Farris is currently a vice president and loan officer with American Nation Bank in Comanche. When he’s not working at the bank, he enjoys farming and ranching with his family. They run stocker cattle, have cow-calf pairs and grow wheat. He also attends First Baptist Church in Walters and is currently a Board of Director for the Stephens County Farm Bureau. In recent years, he has been active in the Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Dell Farris has been appointed trustee for District 9 in the Cotton Electric service territory. He fills a seat formerly held by Ronnie Bohot since 2009 until his passing in February 2023. Farris will fill out the remainder of Bohot’s term, due to expire in 2025. The business and affairs of Cotton Electric are managed by a board of nine trustees representing geographical districts with similar densities of service. District 9 is situated on the northwest side of Jefferson County and southern Stephens County, with a few meters also in Cotton County. Approximately 700 miles of Cotton Electric line serve 1,601 members in District 9.
Farris is a native of Oklahoma, originally from Addington. He graduated from Waurika High School in 2006 and furthered his education at Oklahoma State University where he graduated with
Power Cost Adjustment Calculated
May 2023 Temperature Extremes
The power cost adjustment now being applied to bills mailed after June 1, 2023, is $0.01176 per kWh.
On a member’s average bill of 1,300 kilowatt hours (kWh), this will amount to a charge of $15.29 on the June bill.
Dell Farris
Day High Low Avg. 16 78 60 69 17 82 56 69 18 81 64 73 19 84 59 72 20 76 54 65 21 77 53 65 22 81 50 66 23 84 60 72 24 84 63 74 25 78 66 72 26 79 62 71 27 83 62 73 28 80 64 72 29 86 63 75 30 88 64 76 Source: srh.noaa.gov/oun/ 31 88 65 77 Average Daily High: 82 Average Daily Low: 60
Day High Low 1 73 45 2 81 45 3 71 53 4 77 56 5 95 60 6 93 56 7 87 60 8 87 58 9 89 67 10 83 65 11 82 64 12 92 66 13 79 63 14 79 66 15 77 65
Avg. 59 63 62 67 78 75 74 73 78 74 73 79 71 73 71
Young Farmers and Ranchers program, Comanche Chamber of Commerce and the Stephens County Livestock Growers Association. Before being appointed to the Board of Trustees, Farris knew of Cotton Electric as his source of electricity, receiving updates from the monthly newspaper, and that the co-op was a big employer for several good people in the area. Farris is looking forward to the different experiences as a newly appointed trustee will bring. He also mentions the great amount of encouragement he’s received recently. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve and give back to my community,
Did You Know? Cotton Electric offices will be closed July 4 for Independence Day. Emergency calls will be answered at 580-8753351 or 800-522-3520.
while learning new things and being a representative for the members of District 9,” Farris said. “I am excited in meeting and getting to know the people of Cotton Electric.” Throughout the process of becoming a Trustee, Farris extends his gratitude to those around him. “I would like to thank everyone for their openness and encouragement, and for their welcoming spirit and support,” Farris said. “I look forward to this opportunity, and I greatly appreciate it and you all.”
Contact Us
Do you have a story idea for The Current or do you need to place an ad? If so, let us know. We can be reached at 580-875-3351 or by email at TheCurrent@ cottonelectric.com. You can also drop us The next issue of The a line at Cotton ElecCurrent should arrive tric Current, 226 N. in mailboxes on July 17, Broadway, Walters, OK 2023. 73572.
Mission Statement Our mission is to safely deliver reliable and affordable power, provide excellent member service, and improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.