Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of
YOUTH TOUR WINNERS ANNOUNCED Pawnee High School student Leah submitted essays or videos on the “We are proud to support Youth Tour Brown and Cushing home-school topic, “Briefly describe the seven and the experiences it has to offer,” said student Ethan McBride were selected cooperative principles. Which do you Hunter Robinson, CEO of Central. to represent Central think is the most “It is an opportunity for us, Electric Cooperative and important and as a cooperative, to hear the state of Oklahoma on why?” Out of 42 what our future memberan all-expense-paid trip to submissions, a consumers value.” Washington, D.C., as part panel of judges of the electric cooperative selected the top Brown and McBride were Youth Tour. Three $250 five students to selected for the Youth Tour post-secondary education compete in the trip this summer. Recipients scholarships were also final portion of the of the $250 scholarships announced at the Dec. 3 competition. The are Janelle Pickering and Brown McBride banquet. finalists presented Dakotah Allen of Cushing their ideas to a High School, and Grant Central’s Youth Tour is a two-part panel of judges and a room of parents, Myers of Perkins-Tyron High School. competition open to all service teachers, principals, and Central board n SEE “YOUTH TOUR WINNERS,” PAGE 3 area high school juniors. Students members and employees.
The finalists for the 2020 Oklahoma Electric Cooperative Youth Tour are (left to right) Janelle Pickering, Cushing; Grant Myers, Perkins-Tryon; Leah Brown, Pawnee; Ethan McBride, Cushing; and Dakotah Allen, Cushing.
UPDATE FROM YOUR DISTRICT 3 TRUSTEE
JANUARY 2020 Central Board of Trustees: Bill Davis, President (District 7) Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1) Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3) Stu Preston (District 2) Len Tontz (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Raymond Nettles (District 6) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Cordelle Keller - Communications Specialist
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Contact Us: editor@MyCentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076
Central Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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WE’RE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING YOU FIVE STAR SERVICE We live in a device-driven world. Our smartphones, tablets, laptops and an assortment of other devices help us communicate and connect. Companies spend billions pushing out a steady drumbeat of messages and information, and we are constantly bombarded with one-way communication. But is anyone listening on the other end?
order to hear from you. These include our annual meeting and Aware meetings. Central also makes a point of being present in our communities – you may see us at a Chamber event or a community festival. We enjoy visiting with our members.
Central conducts surveys and gathers feedback so we can plan for new initiatives or make improvements to At Central Electric Coexisting co-op programs and operative, we are not only services. If you’ve had a recent listening, we are also eager interaction with Central, such to hear from you. Whether as connecting a new service, you e-mail us, respond to a Carol Dvorak, submitting a rebate, or had a survey or social media post, District 3 Trustee security light upgraded, you or simply stop by and chat may have received an e-mail in person, we thrive on your or text message asking you to leave a feedback. Connecting with you helps review or provide direct feedback to us keep pace with our communities’ Central. These reviews and feedback priorities and needs. are important to the co-op because Because we are a cooperative, we have our goal is to provide five star service to you, our member-consumers! a different way of operating. Central exists to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the members Central works to continually engage of the co-op. Equally important is our with our members about how we can better serve you, but we can only mission to empower our members and communities. We hope you think improve, adapt and effectively plan for of us as more than just an energy pro- the future if we have two-way communication. For our co-op and commuvider, but instead as a local business nities to thrive now and in the future, that supports your community and we depend on hearing from you. I powers economic development and hope you will connect with us and let prosperity for the people. us know your perspective. Visit our website, www.MyCentral.coop/reviews You will notice that throughout the and leave us an online review, or send year, we create opportunities for you us an e-mail at editor@mycentral.coop. and other community members to We’re listening. attend co-op gatherings and events in
LIGHTING UP YOUR HOLIDAYS
PREPARING FOR WINTER OUTAGES When ice or heavy snows bring down power lines, stay safely away from the downed lines and use these tips to weather the storm:
Central employees dressed in matching Christmas sweaters and handed out candy canes at Stillwater’s Parade of Lights on December 5. We enjoyed seeing Central members and spreading holiday cheer to the community!
n YOUTH TOUR WINNERS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
Brown and McBride will join 69 other students from across Oklahoma and more than 1,000 students from more than 40 states in Washington, D.C., June 19-25, 2020, in the annual Youth Tour. The itinerary for the
Our goal is five stars   � � � �
Oklahoma students includes touring Smithsonian museums; national monuments, like the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials; the United States Capitol; the Supreme Court; and the Arlington National Cemetery. The students will also meet with Oklahoma’s congressional delegation.
Z Keep a battery-powered radio or TV, flashlights and a supply of fresh batteries. You should also have water, blankets and nonperishable food. Z When power goes out, it can come back in spikes. This can damage electronics. Keep your electronics safe by unplugging them. Leave one lamp or switch on as a signal for when your power returns. Z To prevent water pipes from freezing, keep faucets turned on slightly so that water drips from the tap. Know how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts. Z If you live with a child or elderly person, you may need to take them somewhere with power so they can stay warm. If you are healthy enough to stay home safely, there are ways to stay warm: stay inside and dress warmly in layered clothing. Z Close off unneeded rooms. Z When using an alternate heat source, follow operating instructions, use fire safeguards and be sure to properly ventilate.
Central posts outage updates to social media. Search for MyCentralCoop to stay up to date with the latest outage information. 3
January
events
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Send your community events to editor@ mycentral.coop to be included in the Empowered newsletter.
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World Champion Rodeo Alliance Semi-Finals Rodeo at Lazy E Arena, Guthrie. LazyE.com
Guthrie Chamber Banquet and Community Celebration Fiesta. GuthrieChamber. com
Stillwater Chamber Awards Gala. Stillwater Chamber.org
Stillwater Bridal Showcase. www.facebook. com/Stillwater NewsPress Bridal Showcase
WHAT’S ON A POLE?
This illustration shows the basic equipment found on electric utility poles. The equipment varies according to the location and the service they provide.
for sale 1992 Chevrolet long wide bed pickup, power and air, one owner, 144k miles, call Dale at 405-258-0054, Chandler Manual wheel chair, wide, $55. Large antique drill press no motor, $100, call Jim 405-463-0693, Oklahoma City
PRIMARY WIRES Primary wires carry 7,200 volts of electricity from a substation. That voltage is 60 times higher than the voltage that runs through your home’s electrical outlets!
SERVICES
SURGE ARRESTORS These protect the transformer from lightning strikes.
INSULATORS Insulators prevent energized wires from contacting each other or the pole.
NEUTRAL WIRE The neutral wire acts as a line back to the substation and is tied to the ground, balancing the electricity on the system. SECONDARY SERVICE DROP Carries 120/240-volts of electricity to consumers’ homes. It has two “hot” wires from the transformer and a bare “neutral” wire that’s connected to the ground wire on the pole.
Operation Catnip Stillwater holds 7 free spay/neuter/vaccination clinics each school year for feral/free roaming/barn cats. Clinics are at the OSU Vet School. Humane traps and instructions provided. Registration required at operationcatnip.okstate.edu or call 405-466-5810. E-mail inquires to operationcatnipstillwater@gmail.com
GROUND WIRE The ground wire connects to the neutral wire to complete the circuit inside the transformer. It also directs electricity from lightning safely into the earth.
TELEPHONE, CABLE TV AND FIBER WIRES These are typically the lowest wires on the pole.
Original illustration by Erin Binkley
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Dr. Myers Chiropractic – Luther • Real “Hands-on” physical adjustment $35 total office visit. • Truck Driver DOT health card $75. • Truck Driver DOT drug test $45. • Truck Driver DOT alcohol test $45. • Truck Owner FMCSA (DOT) Compliant Randomized Drug Testing Program (Consortium) Call 405-277-3325
NEVER NAIL POSTERS OR OTHER ITEMS TO UTILITY POLES. THESE CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR LINEWORKERS.
GUY WIRE Guy wires support the power pole by anchoring it to the ground. Never touch guy wires – or any other power wires.
SUBMIT YOUR AD Submit your classified ad by mail or e-mail by the 10th of each month! E-mail classifieds to editor@mycentral.coop or mail classifieds to P.O. Box 1809, Stillwater, OK 74076.