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FOR MEMBERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI

PICTURE THIS:

PICAYUNE’S

ECOLOGICAL PARADISE JANUARY 2022

MISSISSIPPI IN THE

GREAT DEPRESSION

A TALE OF TWO

PO’ BOYS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Johnny Johnson, President • Mike Banks, Vice President Marty Crowder, Secretary/Treasurer • Bill Bell • John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr. • Bruff Sanders • Kenneth Seitz

We want to hear from you 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? At 4-County Electric Power Association, we are not only listening, we are eager to hear from you. Whether you text us, respond to a survey or social media post, send an email, or simply stop by and chat in person, we thrive on your feedback. Connecting with you helps us keep pace with our community’s priorities and needs. Because we are a cooperative, we have a different way of operating. 4-County exists to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy and broadband services (through our subsidiary, FASTnet) to you, the members of the co-op. Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of the members we serve. We hope you will consider us more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity for the people. You will notice that throughout the year, we create opportunities for you and other community members to attend co-op gatherings and events in order to hear from you. These include our annual meeting and member advisory committee gatherings. And, of course, there are our daily interactions with you.

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

We also conduct frequent member surveys to gather feedback so that we can plan for new initiatives, technical upgrades, and improvements on existing co-op programs and services. Our planning is led by local members just like you who understand the needs of the community and are looking out for the long-term interests of the larger community. We are in the midst of significant changes in the energy sector, as technology and the drive for more renewables and a more balanced energy mix is impacting long-term planning. These are complex issues that we will be navigating in the coming months and years. This is why it’s so important that we hear from you and other community members as we plot our course for the future. 4-County works to continually learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you — because your electric co-op was built by the community, for the community. But we can only improve, adapt, and effectively plan for the future if we have two-way communication. For our co-op and community to thrive now and in the future, we depend on hearing from you. Give us a call at 1-800-431-1544 or email info@4county.org. We’re listening.

And the winners are … Members from throughout 4-County Electric Power Association’s service territory entered the co-op’s Christmas Lighting Contest. The results are in. Juasita PattersonMcCurry of Ackerman earned first place honors (and a $100 prize) for her colorful display. Jimmy Cook of Columbus received second place (and $50) for his lighting display. And Megan Boutwell of Columbus garnered third place honors (and $25) for her entry. The contestants posted photos on Facebook of their outside Christmas lighting displays. The contest ran from Nov. 10 to Dec. 10. Congratulations to all! Juasita Patterson-M cCurry

Jimmy Cook

Megan Boutw ell

by Brian Clark CEO/General Manager

4-County Foundation awards over $44,000 in grants Nine area organizations received awards Dec. 6 from the 4-County Electric Power Foundation. Over $44,000 in grants were distributed at the meeting. Those receiving Foundation awards in December were: • Choctaw County High School ($3,192 for calculators) • Clay County Sheriff’s Department ($10,000 for special response gear) • Columbus Arts Council Inc. ($3,000 for children’s art classes) • Community Benefit Committee ($1,000 for children’s bikes) • Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office ($7,770 for intoximeters) • Safe Haven Inc. ($2,000 for childcare) • Sally Kate Winters Family Services ($10,000 for runaway program support) • Ackerman Police Department ($1,902 for cold weather gear) • Town of Weir VFD ($5,474 for positive pressure ventilation fan and battery) Since the Foundation’s inception in February 2015, over $1.55 million has been distributed to area non-profit organizations. 4-County believes in helping the communities it serves. That’s why the cooperative launched the 4-County Foundation, a community service program. Since February 2015, participating

4-County members’ utility bills have been rounded up to the nearest dollar; a $125.78 bill, for example, becomes $126. Now, that’s an average of only 43 cents per member, per month. That may not seem like much. But when you multiply those contributions by the thousands of member participants, that’s a lot of pennies! The 4-County Foundation’s next board meeting is Feb. 7, 2022. Applications for grants must be received by Jan. 25, 2022, for consideration at that meeting. For more information on the 4-County Foundation, call 1-800-431-1544.

Kiosk location changed A Christmas call of duty Christmas was a little brighter for some area families thanks to the efforts of 4-County Electric Power Association employees and members. For the 10th straight year, co-op employees and members dug deep and offered their time and money to do some Christmas shopping for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. About 300 gifts were collected. “Participating in the Toys for Tots campaign is always a highlight for us during the Christmas season,” said 4-County CEO Brian Clark. “It never ceases to amaze me how our employees and members respond to a call for help. These efforts make Christmas a little bigger, better and brighter for some area children.” Toys for Tots personnel distributed the gifts throughout 4-County’s service area.

A 4-County Electric Power Association payment kiosk in Ackerman has changed locations. The kiosk is no longer at the Ackerman Zippin. It is now located at the Dixie Mart, 9000 Hwy 15, Ackerman, 39735. Also, members can still make cash payments at CVS, Dollar General, and Family Dollar by using the bar code on the back of their bills.

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

2022

YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

DELEGATES CHOSEN

Webster’s Dictionary defines leadership as the capacity to lead. Some area high school juniors are bringing that definition to life through their participation in the 4-County Electric Power Association Youth Leadership Program. Eleven young leaders from the 4-County service area, selected as winners to represent their schools, competed in the 2022 Youth Leadership Program Nov. 10. Four high school juniors were selected to represent the cooperative as 2022 Youth Tour delegates. The group will represent 4-County during trips to Jackson and Washington, D.C. Luke Fisher (1st Place), a student at Heritage Academy, Logan Williams (2nd Place), a student at Hebron Christian School, Jack Brown (3rd Place – tie), a student at East Webster High School, and Cole Monahan (3rd Place – tie), a student at New Hope High School, are this year’s winners. Nominated by his/her high school, each student completed an application reflecting school and extracurricular activities. The application also included several short essay questions. Students were also interviewed by a panel of judges to earn the honor. “All 11 candidates were truly outstanding,” said 4-County’s Brad Barr, Youth Leadership Program coordinator. “Luke, Logan, Jack, and Cole are fine examples of young leaders who are persevering in the midst of today’s challenges. We are honored to assist this group of students in their future educational endeavors. They are truly wonderful representatives of their schools and their families.” The purpose of the local youth program is to provide leadership development and training opportunities for young 4-County members and to educate a future generation about the cooperative form of business. Other students who received winning nominations to represent their schools and who participated in the 4-County program were: Paola Garcia, representing Golden Triangle Early College High School; Luke Phillips, representing Columbus Christian Academy; Curtis Shamley, representing Columbus High School, Makayla Bell, representing West Lowndes High School; Katie Randall, representing Starkville Academy, Jack Easterling, representing Oak Hill Academy, and Antonio Kennedy, representing Choctaw County High School.

1ST

LUKE FISHER HERITAGE ACADEMY

2ND

LOGAN WILLIAMS HEBRON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

JACK BROWN

3RD

EAST WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL

(TIE)

COLE MONAHAN NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL

14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

ALSO RECEIVING WINNING NOMINATIONS

ANTONIO KENNEDY

CURTIS SHAMLEY

JACK EASTERLING

CHOCTAW COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL

OAK HILL ACADEMY

“All 11 candidates were truly outstanding. We are honored to assist this group of students in their future educational KATIE RANDALL

MAKAYLA BELL

STARKVILLE ACADEMY

WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL

endeavors. They are truly wonderful representatives of their schools and their families.” — BRAD BARR

4-COUNTY YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM COORDINATOR

PAOLA GARCIA

LUKE PHILLIPS

GOLDEN TRIANGLE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

Thank you for your service

n w o r B e n r A

4-County Electric Power Association

2022 ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE OF DEADLINES Annual Meeting Date:

Thursday, June 2, 2022 The 2022 Board of Directors election process will begin Jan. 3. Official nominations for Board of Directors are made by the 4-County Committee on Nominations according to Association Bylaws. Other members may also place themselves on the ballot by completing the steps necessary for a Nomination by Petition. Part of that process is collecting 50 signatures of members in good standing. Members may begin collecting those signatures beginning Jan. 3. Petitions for Nomination are due by at least April 1. Board positions are open in the following 4-County districts: District 4 (the territory served or to be served within the boundaries of Noxubee County). Mike Banks of Macon is the District 4 incumbent. District 7 (the entire territory served at-large). Bill Bell of Macon is the District 7 incumbent. Key dates associated with the annual meeting and election process are shown below.

• Prior to 60 Days – Friday, April 1 (60 days = Sunday, April 3): Nominating Committee meets, nominates Director election candidates

• 60 Days – Friday, April 1 (60 days = Sunday, April 4): Deadline for nominations postings in all 4-County Offices

• 60 Days – (Friday, April 1)

Enjoy your retirement!

years of service

16 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

(60 days= Sunday, April 4): Deadline for Nominations by Petition. Must be delivered to the 4-County Corporate office by 12:00 noon

• 150 days — (Monday, January 3, 2022): Earliest date for eligible Nomination by Petition signatures For more information on the election process, please call 1-800-431-1544 or visit https://www.4county.org/ nomination-by-petition-for-board-of-directors/.

KNOW YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS A listing of elected ofﬁcials, along with their addresses, is being provided for the convenience of readers who wish to contact them.

★ U.S. SENATORS

Jonathan Ray Lancaster, 463 CR 85, Houston, MS 38851; District 22 — Chickasaw and Pontotoc counties.

Roger Wicker, 555 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510. 202-224-6253. Cindy Hyde-Smith, 702 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510. 202-224-5054.

★ U.S. CONGRESSMEN Trent Kelly, District 1, 1005 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. 202-225-4306. Bennie Thompson, District 2, 2466 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. 202-225-5876. Michael Guest, District 3, 230 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. 202-225-5031. Steven Palazzo, District 4, 2349 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515. 202-225-5772.

Cheikh Taylor, 383 Steele Road, Starkville, MS 39759; District 38 — Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties.

2021 LEGISLATIVE

★ STATE SENATORS Hob Bryan, P.O. Box 75, Amory, MS 38821; District 7 — Itawamba, Lee, and Monroe counties. Angela Turner Ford, P.O. Drawer 1500, West Point, MS 39773; District 16 — Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Oktibbeha counties. Bart Williams, 901 Lynn Lane, Starkville, MS 39759; District 15 — Choctaw, Montgomery, Oktibbeha, and Webster counties.

SESSION

Rod Hickman, 2829 Jefferson St., Macon, MS 39341; District 32: Kemper, Lauderdale, Noxubee, and Winston counties Benjamin A. Suber, P.O. Box 8, Bruce, MS 38915; District 8 — Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lee, Pontotoc, and Yalobusha counties.

★ STATE OFFICIALS Governor Tate Reeves, P.O. Box 139, Jackson, MS 39205. 601-359-3150.

Charles A. (Chuck) Younger, 1213 Younger Rd., Columbus, MS 39701; District 17 — Lowndes and Monroe counties.

Lt. Governor Delbert Hoseman, P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215. 601-359-3200. Secretary of State Michael Watson, Heber Ladner Building, 401 Mississippi St., Jackson, MS 39205. 601-359-1350.

★ STATE REPRESENTATIVES

To contact state senators:

Kabir Karriem, P.O. Box 1018., Jim Beckett, P.O. Box 722, Bruce, MS Jackson, MS 39215; District 41 — 38915; District 23 — Calhoun, Grenada, Lafayette, and Webster counties. Lowndes county.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch, Walter Sillers Building, 550 High St., Suite 1200, Jackson, MS 39201. 601-359-3680. Chris Brown, 33112 Highway 45 N., Nettleton, MS 38858; District 20 — Treasurer David McRae, P.O. Box 138, Itawamba, Lee, and Monroe counties. Jackson, MS 39205. 601-359-3600. Lynn Wright, 1989 Lake Lowndes Rd., State Auditor Shad White, P.O. Box Columbus, MS 39702; District 37 — Clay, 956, Jackson, MS 39205. 601-576-2800. Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Karl Gibbs, 5543 George Walker Rd., Commerce J. Andrew (Andy) Gipson, West Point, MS 39773; District 36 — 121 North Jefferson St., Jackson, MS Clay and Monroe counties. 39201. 601-359-1100. Joey Hood, P.O. Box 759, Ackerman, MS Insurance Commissioner Mike 29753; District 35 — Attala, Choctaw, Chaney, P.O. Box 79, Jackson, MS and Winston counties. 39205. 601-359-3569.

Mississippi State Senate State Capitol P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215 601-359-3267

Carl L. Mickens, P.O. Box 427, Brooksville, MS 39739; District 42 — Lowndes, Noxubee, and Winston counties. Loyd B. (Rob) Roberson II, 212 E. Main St., Starkville, MS 39759; District 43 — Oktibbeha and Winston counties.

To contact state representatives:

Dana Underwood McLean, 332 Williamsburg Rd., Columbus, MS 39705; District 39 — Lowndes and Monroe counties.

Mississippi House of Representatives State Capitol P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215 601-359-3770

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 17

CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937 CARTHAGE: 601-267-5671 | PHILADELPHIA: 601-656-2601 | RANKIN: 601-829-1201 | SEBASTOPOL: 601-625-7422

107 EAST MAIN STREET • CARTHAGE, MS 39051

Central Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SENATORS

REPRESENTATIVES

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT

ROGER WICKER

United States Senator

TRENT KELLY First District

BENNIE G. THOMPSON Second District

WWW.ECM.COOP The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app of Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials. Look for “Mississippi Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store.

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

STEVEN PALAZZO Fourth District MARSHALL

DESOTO

available through Google Play.

ALCORN

BENTON

T I P PA H

TISHOMINGO PRENTISS

TAT E TUNICA

UNION

PA N O L A

L A FAY E T T E

LEE

PONTOTOC

COAHOMA

QUITMAN

YA L O B U S H A

I TAWA M B A

CALHOUN

TA L L A H AT C H I E

MONROE

C H I C K A S AW

B O L I VA R

GRENADA LEFLORE

C L AY WEBSTER

CARROLL

SUNFLOWER

LOWNDES MONTGOMERY

WA S H I N G T O N

C H O C TAW

HOLMES

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area.

OKTIBBEHA

AT TA L A

NOXUBEE

HUMPHREYS WINSTON

SHARKEY

YA Z O O MADISON

LEAKE

NESHOBA

SCOTT

NEWTON

LAUDERDALE

SMITH

JASPER

CLARKE

KEMPER

ISSAQUENA

RANKIN

HINDS WA R R E N

CLAIBORNE COPIAH

SIMPSON

JEFFERSON

COVINGTON LINCOLN ADAMS

L AW R E N C E

FRANKLIN

AMITE

WAY N E

JONES

JEFFERSON D AV I S LAMAR

WILKINSON

PIKE

FORREST

PERRY

GREENE

MARION

WA LT H A L L

GEORGE

PEARL RIVER STONE

JACKSON HARRISON

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

HANCOCK

An Android version is also

SENATE Sen. Lydia Chassaniol District 14: Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Leﬂore, Montgomery, Panola, Tallahatchie, and Yalobusha counties

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Kenneth Walker

Rep. C. Scott Bounds

District 27: Attala, Leake, Madison, and Yazoo counties

District 44: Leake and Neshoba counties

Address: P.O. Box 211 Winona, MS 38967

Address: P.O. Box 265 Carthage, MS 39051

Family: Husband: Emmett; Children: Mimi, Mary Rae

Years in Legislature: 7

District 21: Attala, Holmes, Leake, Madison, and Yazoo counties Address: 374 North West St. Canton, MS 39046 Family: Husband: Edward Blackmon Jr.; Children: Madison Edward, Bradford Jerome; Grandchildren: Enyla Chenise and Summer Rae

Family: Wife: Jennifer Cheatham Years in Legislature: 19

Years in Legislature: 16

Sen. Barbara Blackmon

Address: 45 Carla Dr. Philadelphia, MS 39350

Rep. Brent Powell

Rep. Lee Yancey

District 59: Rankin County

District 74: Rankin County

Address: P.O. Box 5454 Brandon, MS 39047

Address: P.O. Box 4215 Brandon, MS 39047

Family: Wife: Natasha Goff; Children: Blake, Mattie Frances

Family: Wife: Courtney Fagan; Children: Benton and Blakeley

Years in Legislature: 10

Years in Legislature: 7

Rep. Michael T. Evans

Rep. Jason White

Years in Legislature: 19

Sen. Jenifer Branning District 18: Leake, Neshoba, and Winston counties Address: 235 W. Beacon St. Philadelphia, MS 39350

District 45: Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Winston counties

Family: Husband: Chancy Branning; Children: Ethan, Ellis, Evan

Address: 1147 Mount Harmony Rd. Preston, MS 39354

Years in Legislature: 7

Family: Wife: Heather Luke; Child: Hannah

District 48: Attala, Carroll, Holmes, and Leake counties Address: P.O. Box 246 West, MS 39192 Family: Wife: Jolynn McLellan; Children: Sara, John, Carlyn Years in Legislature: 11

Years in Legislature: 11

Sen. Tyler McCaughn

Rep. Tom Miles

District 31: Lauderdale, Newton, and Scott counties

District 75: Rankin and Scott counties

Address: P.O. Box 28 Newton, MS 39345 Years in Legislature: 3

Sen. Josh Harkins

Address: 807 Hwy. 35 S. Forest, MS 39074 Years in Legislature: 11

District 20: Rankin County

Rep. Randal (Randy) Rushing

Address: P.O. Box 320374 Flowood, MS 39232

District 78: Leake, Newton, and Scott counties

Family: Wife: Andrea Scales; Children: Emerson, Carlysle

Address: P.O. Box 424 Decatur, MS 39327

Years in Legislature: 11

Family: Wife: Lea Ann Kline; Children: Carrie, William, Katherine Years in Legislature: 11

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

2021 YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS 5 Years

20 Years

35 Years

Geliene Lindsey Donna Mancini Ann Stone James Tull Cyndi Wilcher

Michael Duncan Richard Wilson

Mike Johnson

25 Years Paulia Chunn

15 Years

Thank you for your years of service to Central Electric Power Association.

30 Years

Ginger Donovan Ginger Holmes Brian Long Lee Turner

Mike Jamison Bud Jordan Jerrell Scott

Local students selected for 2022 Youth Leadership Program Three area high school juniors were recently selected through an interview process to represent Central Electric Power Association during an upcoming statewide leadership workshop in Jackson, and the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. this summer. Now in its 35th year, the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Youth Leadership Program is an enjoyable educational experience that makes a lasting impact on participants.

The program seeks to: • Help students develop the confidence and ability to become better leaders in their schools and communities; • Stimulate their interest in governmental affairs and encourage their participation in the democratic process; • Inform them about their electric cooperative, the cooperative form of business, and the distribution of electricity; • Foster interaction among students from communities throughout Mississippi and the nation.

Central Electric Power Association congratulates these students! Cailee Bracewell Cailee Bracewell is the daughter of Hope and Scott Welch of Brandon. She attends Pisgah High School. After graduation, Cailee plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.

14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

Hayden Coates Hayden Coates is the son of Cynthia Adams Coates of Carthage. He attends Leake Central High School. After graduation, Hayden plans to attend Delta State University to pursue an aviation degree.

Sydnee Killen Sydnee Killen is the daughter of Lee and Jill Killen of Union. She attends Union High School. After graduation, Sydnee plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a degree in pharmacy.

Composer donates scores to by Lauren Rogers Baltimore composer Larry Hoffman has donated a dozen of his musical scores to the Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi. While Hoffman has written many more works, the awardwinning composer chose his blues- and American folk-infused classical compositions for the acclaimed collection. “It is with great pride that I donate these scores to the Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi,” Hoffman said. “It is at once an honor, a vindication, and a great encouragement.” Greg Johnson, professor and curator of the Blues Archive at the J.D. Williams Library, has been familiar with Hoffman’s work for several years. “I first discovered Larry’s music on a compilation album from the late 1980s called ‘Prelude in Blue,’” Johnson said. “The album caught my eye, because it was a classical music LP in one of the Blues Archive collections. I don’t remember the other pieces on the record, but was struck by Larry’s ‘Blues for Harp, Oboe and Violoncello,’ as it featured world-famous harpist Yolanda Kondonassis and oboist John Mack. “Years later, Living Blues magazine asked me to review Larry’s album ‘Works of Larry Hoffman: Contemporary American Music.’ With each of us having interests in the worlds of blues and classical music, we had a lot to talk about!” From a young age, Hoffman was immersed in American folk music, listening to — and later playing — the music of the Weavers, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and the Everly Brothers. This grew into a passion for the blues. As a professional folk singer, Hoffman played for Mississippi John Hurt, and with Skip James and other bluesmen. He also began his first formal study of music with jazz great John Coltrane’s teacher, Dennis Sandole. A large part of Hoffman’s compositional style melds these seemingly disparate genres. “My initial mission to become a composer was to infuse the contemporary classical language with the great power and dignity of the blues — if I could find a way,” Hoffman said. But blues is rarely represented in American concert music, he noted.

“Sadly, there is often prejudice against this integration in both the blues and classical worlds,” Hoffman noted. “And yet, when I have been present at concerts where my blues-inspired pieces were programmed among serious works of the classical masters, audiences have uniformly shown a great appreciation of this blend of ideas.” Hoffman’s music is helping to bridge that divide, Johnson said. Hoffman was the principal writer for the liner notes to the 2003 “Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues” box set, which won Grammy Awards for “Best Liner Notes of the Year” and “Best Historical Compilation of the Year.” He was also nominated for a Grammy for his writings in the “Mean Old World: The Blues from 1940-1994” box set. The scores donated by Hoffman are valuable additions to the archive, Johnson said. “When I’m introducing new audiences to the blues, I often speak about its influence on other styles of music,” he said. “I think Larry’s compositions provide an interesting point of connection in speaking to some music students who have mostly been immersed in classical training. I think these compositions help demonstrate the reach of the blues outside typical spheres of influence. Lauren Rogers is a library specialist in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Mississippi..

P.O. BOX 188 • 340 HOPSON STREET • LYON, MS 38645 662-624-8321 • FAX 662-624-8327 • www.coahomaepa.com • cepa@coahomaepa.com

SENATE Sen. Robert L. Jackson

Sen. Derrick T. Simmons

District 11: Coahoma, Panola, Quitman, and Tunica counties

District 12: Bolivar, Coahoma, and Washington counties Address: P.O. Box 1854 Greenville, MS 38702

Address: P.O. Box 383 Marks, MS 38646

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Cedric Burnett

Rep. Dan Eubanks

Rep. Orlando W. Paden

District 9: Coahoma, Quitman, Tate, and Tunica counties

District 25: DeSoto County

District 26: Bolivar and Coahoma counties

Address: P.O. Box 184 Walls, MS 38680

Address: P.O. Box 961 Tunica, MS 38676

NOTICE TO MEMBERS

Address: P.O. Box 1626 Clarksdale, MS 38614

Coahoma Electric Power Association’s

Annual Meeting of Members Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at 10 a.m.

Coahoma Electric’s Training Center, Lyon, MS

Statement of Nondiscrimination Coahoma Electric Power Association is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866)632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app of Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials. Look for “Mississippi Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through Google Play.

It’s easy to know your elected offi ofﬁcials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

IMPORTANT NOTICE

to our agricultural account holders

ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

TRENT KELLY

BENNIE G. THOMPSON

MICHAEL GUEST

STEVEN PALAZZO

United States Senator

First District

Third District

United States Senator

Second District

Coahoma Electric Power Association needs to receive a Utility Exemption Affidavit from all agricultural account holders. The Affidavit ensures that all accounts that are agricultural in nature are being taxed at the appropriate rate. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires an Affidavit to be filed and maintained at the electric cooperative to verify compliance. The forms can be found in the web page of the Revenue Department at www.dor.ms.gov or at the Association’s office at 340 Hopson Street, Lyon, MS. Should anyone have a question, all calls can be directed to our Customer Service Representatives at 662-624-8321.

Fourth District

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

FOR TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI INFORMATION, CALL 877-7MY-CEPA (1-877-769-2372) WWW.COASTEPA.COM

Where our members have the power

Communicators: April Lollar & Merilee Sands

A message from your CEO Happy New Year! I am looking forward to a great year full of opportunities for our Coast Electric members, our CoastConnect subscribers and our community. In spite of continued challenges in 2021, it was a year of great progress. We recently connected our 5,000th CoastConnect subscriber — more on that celebration to come in future issues — and are continuing to make improvements to our electrical grid and the technology used to bring you reliable electric service. Our mission in 2022 is the same as always — to safely provide superior service and dependable electricity at the lowest possible price and to improve the economy and quality of life in our community. We believe the changes we are making and the fiber system we are building help us fulfill this promise to you. I also believe that, to keep our promise to you, it’s critical to develop and cultivate relationships with state legislators. They craft, introduce and vote on legislation that impacts the local business climate, the environment and quality of life for our community. It was with the help and support of local legislators and other elected officials that Coast Electric was able to form CoastConnect and that other co-ops around the state are building fiber systems — a project that is a huge economic driver for our state. As a practical matter, we recognize that most legislators are

“generalists,” yet they vote on a wide range of issues. Their expertise may not include the changing energy industry, which is why Coast Electric provides expertise from subject matter experts who’ve been in the energy industry for many years. We are a trusted resource on energy and rural broadband issues. Because of our deep roots in the community, we have a firm understanding of local issues and needs. We will continue looking after the long-term interests of our consumer-members and are able to cultivate and foster positive, productive relationships with legislators who know and trust us. Please take a moment to look over our legislative pages. These men and women serve you and your interests. It’s important for them to understand our co-op, our broadband subsidiary and our members ,so they can better serve our community.

by Ron Barnes President and CEO

Kiln Lobby Closed

Reduce Your Use Contest

Members, our Kiln lobby was permanently closed to walk-in traffic this month. Members may still utilize our drive-thru lanes and our payment kiosk. Members can also use the following methods to make payments and/or look up account information: • CE on the Go app • Text us at 352667 if you have a mobile number associated with your account. • Log on to your account at www.coastepa.com. • Sign up for Auto Pay. • Visit one of our other five offices. • Use the drop boxes located at each office or the Diamondhead drop box in the shopping center. • Pay your bill at local CVS, Dollar General and Family Dollar stores. • Call us at 877-769-2372. • Mail your bill. If you use this option, be sure to give yourself enough time for the payment to make it to us before your “due by” date.

Coast Electric wants you to reduce your energy use and see savings on your energy costs. Each month, you will have an opportunity to register to win a prize that will help you reduce the energy consumption in your home. All you have to do is visit coastepa.com and fill out our entry form. It only takes a few seconds, and you could win a prize that helps you save!

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

Congratulations to Taucha Pettis, the winner of our December Reduce Your Use prize!

COAST ELECTRIC BILL

Daily Service Charge Increase

EXPLAINED

(based on 30 day service month and average energy use of 1350 kWh)

Members are an essential part of cooperatives and are owners of the company. That means businesses like ours don’t have to focus on making money for investors, but instead work to keep costs down for our consumers. Coast Electric is committed to doing all we can to keep costs affordable for our members, but there are times increases are necessary to cover the cost of service. After completing a cost-of-service study, Coast Electric is implementing an increase to our daily service charge beginning Feb. 1.

WHAT IS THE DAILY SERVICE CHARGE? Members’ bills are made up of various charges including the daily service charge. This fee covers administrative costs as well as the things that help Coast Electric deliver reliable power to your home. For example, company assets like trucks, power lines and substations are included in the daily service charge.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER PARTS OF MY BILL? • Members also pay a fee for the amount of energy they use. • The power cost adjustment is a pass-through cost that pays for power generation. This cost varies depending on the cost of fuel to produce power. Coast Electric makes power cost adjustments twice a year to account for the fluctuations in cost. • Tax expense adjustments cover the costs of Coast Electric’s taxes.

HOW MUCH IS THE INCREASE? Coast Electric members will see an increase to the daily service charge from $1.23 to $1.35 beginning Feb. 1, 2022. If you are billed for 30 days, that would be an increase of $3.60 for the month.

WHY IS THIS INCREASE NECESSARY?

Days of Service Daily Service Charge • Old Rate (Days x $1.23) Daily Service Charge • New Rate (Days x $1.35)

30 $36.90 $40.50

Energy Used (kWh) 1350 (avg.) Energy Charge (kWh x $0.09261) $125.02 Power Cost Adjustment (kWh x $0.00455) $6.14 Tax Expense Adjustment (kWh x $0.00050) $0.68 Total Energy Charges $131.84 Total Monthly Bill (Energy + Daily Service) Old Rate $168.74 Total Monthly Bill (Energy + Daily Service) New Rate $172.34 Bil Increase +$3.60

A recent costof-service study showed that Coast Electric was under collecting for the daily service fee. As the cost of materials and services increase, Coast Electric must pass those costs along to members. Also, if the co-op under collects the service fee, it must make up the costs by increasing rates. Increasing rates is not ideal, because it gives members less of an opportunity to save by managing their energy use.

WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY BILL LOW? While some fees, like the daily service fee, are set and can’t be changed by the member, consumers can manage their energy use to save on their bill. Coast Electric’s Time of Use rate is a great way to save as members pay a discounted rate for the energy they use in off-peak hours. Members can also take advantage of interactive tools on www.coastepa.com that will show the difference managing energy use can make. Visit coastepa.com, click on “My Home” and then click the “calculators” link. Members can also contact our energy management team for tips and advice on reducing their energy use to save. Call 877-769-2372.

THINKING ABOUT SOLAR? CALL US FIRST! As more solar power companies flood the market in Mississippi, you might find opportunities for renewable energy options for your home. However, we encourage you to call Coast Electric before you sign any long-term contracts that could put you in a bind. While there are reputable companies in the market, there are others that have convinced our members to sign contracts that have put their financial stability in jeopardy.

DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN A

SCAM:

• Watch out for companies that say they are working with Coast Electric. We are not working with any particular solar company, and these companies are not doing work on our behalf, although some claim to be doing just that. • Avoid companies that use high-pressure sales tactics. • Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! • Solar energy is a big investment. Take some time and do some research before you agree to anything. • CALL US! Your energy management team is here for you, and their services are free. Their only focus is helping our members reach their goals, whether that’s reducing your electric use or finding ways to incorporate renewable energy resources into your home.

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Official Coast Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

congressional delegation U.S. SENATORS

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 LAMAR LAMAR

40 40

PEARL RIVER PEARL RIVER

STEVEN PALAZZO Fourth District 2349 Rayburn House Office0Building 0 LAMAR Washington, D.C. 20515 LAMAR

FORREST FORREST PERR PERR

47 47

STONE STONE

GEORGE GEORGE

JACKSON

Coast Electric Service Area and

SENATE DISTRICTS

46 46 HANCOCK

HARRISON

HANCOCK

14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

50 50 49 49 48 48

JACKSON

Coast Electric Service Area and

HOUSE DISTRICTS

106 103

106

GEORGE

PEARL RIVER PEARL RIVER

103

108

116 STONE 116 STONE 114

HARRISON

119

121

114

118

HANCOCK

122

JACKSON

HARRISON

HANCOCK

122

GEORGE

120

121

115 119 117

120

117

115

118

JAC

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected ofﬁcials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

SENATE

Sen. Angela Burks Hill District 40: Marion and Pearl River counties Years in Legislature: 11

Sen. Philip Moran District 46: Hancock and Harrison counties Years in Legislature: 11

Sen. Joseph M. “Mike” Seymour District 47: Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone counties Years in Legislature: 7

Sen. Mike Thompson District 48: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 3

Sen. Joel R. Carter, Jr. District 49: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 5

Sen. Scott DeLano District 50: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 12

Rep. Jeffrey S. Guice District 114: Harrison and Jackson counties Years in Legislature: 15

Rep. Randall Patterson District 115: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 19

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Timmy Ladner District 93: Hancock, Pearl River, and Stone counties Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Jay McKnight District 95: Hancock and Harrison counties Years in Legislature: 3

Rep. Jansen Owen District 106: Lamar and Pearl River counties Years in Legislature: 3

Rep. Kevin W. Felsher District 117: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 3

Rep. Greg Haney District 118: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Sonja WilliamsBarnes District 119: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Richard Bennett District 120: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 15

Rep. Carolyn Crawford District 121: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Brent Anderson District 122: Hancock County Years in Legislature: 3

Rep. Stacey Wilkes District 108: Pearl River County Years in Legislature: 6

Rep. Casey Eure District 116: Harrison County Years in Legislature: 12

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

Delta Electric’s new IVR phone number is 662-743-4425 – USE IT ANY TIME 24/7

✓GET ACCOUNT INFO ✓MAKE A PAYMENT ✓REPORT AN OUTAGE ✓MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT

MEET YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. M. Kevin Horan

Rep. John W. Hines Sr.

Rep. Karl Oliver

District 34: 1500 Gateway Grenada, MS 38901

District 50: P.O. Box 114 Greenville, MS 38703

District 46: P.O. Box 95 Winona, MS 38967

Rep. Otis Anthony

Rep. Bryant W. Clark

Rep. Jason White

District 31: P.O. Box 962 Indianola, MS 38751

District 47: 271 Clark Road Pickens, MS 39146

District 48: P.O. Box 246 West, MS 39192

Rep. Willie Bailey

Rep. Robert Sanders

Rep. Tracey T. Rosebud

District 49: P.O. Box 189 Greenville, MS 38702

District 29: 925 S. Martin Luther King Dr. Cleveland, MS 38732

District 30: P.O. Box 236 Tutwiler, MS 38963

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected offi ofﬁcials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

SENATORS Sen. Sarita M. Simmons

Sen. David L. Jordan

District 13: P.O. Box 1813 Cleveland, MS 38732

District 24: 504 Bowie Lane Greenwood, MS 38930

Sen. Lydia Chassaniol

Sen. Joseph Thomas

District 14: P.O. Box 211 Winona, MS 38967

District 22: 820 Prentiss Avenue, Yazoo City, MS 39194

Sen. Bart Williams

Sen. Derrick T. Simmons

District 15: 901 Lynn Lane, Starkville, MS 39759

District 12: P.O. Box 1854 Greenville, MS 38072

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

“Powering communities and empowering lives” Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

dixieepa.com | defastlink.net | prepared.dixieepa.com | AFTER HOURS: 888-465-9209 | 601-425-2535 dixieepa.com

@DixieElectricMS

@DixieEPA

@dixie_electric

Working with local legislators to advocate for our community At Dixie Electric, we think it’s critical to develop and cultivate relationships with local legislators because they craft, introduce, and vote on legislation that impacts our community’s local business climate, environment, and quality of life. That’s why we work closely with our local elected officials. After all, our purpose is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy, but our mission is to help our community thrive. Dixie Electric is a local business that powers economic development and prosperity for our region. As a cooperative, we have deep roots here, and we listen closely to our members to better understand the community’s needs. Our leadership, board members, and employees live and work right here in the community that we serve. We strive to advocate for our community, ensuring that local legislators know, understand, and act on the important issues in our area. You can view your local legislators on pages 14 and 15. Providing industry guidance and expertise Today’s energy landscape is an increasingly complex topic covering not only the traditional engineering and vegetation management aspects of the industry, but also encompasses technology, cybersecurity, the electrification of the transportation sector, and more. Our experts provide briefings and backgrounders to legislators, committees, and staff, and we offer testimony for hearings as well as other legislative or regulatory meetings or gatherings. Because we’re involved in economic development and know local community leaders, we can provide insight into how issues and policies under discussion might impact our region.

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

We also keep them informed on our progress with bringing high-speed internet to rural communities through our subsidiary, DE Fastlink. With their help, we’ve been able to secure grant funding that has enabled us to connect people with high-speed internet who otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity. Our relationship with legislators — and their support of the broadband initiative — paved the way to bring fiber internet to homes and businesses, creating a better tomorrow and a better Mississippi. Representing your best interests We strive to be a trusted resource on energy issues. Because of our deep roots in the community, we have a firm understanding of local issues and needs. We will continue looking after the long-term interests of our members. This means that we are able to cultivate and foster positive, productive relationships with legislators who know and trust us, because we’re advocating on behalf of the community we serve. We’re proud to power your life and bring good things to the community. We hope you’ll continue to let us know what matters to you, so we can continue to advocate on your behalf and improve the quality of life for all.

by Randy Smith General Manager

t r o f m Co e g a t n Adva

by Amanda Mills On April 12, 2020, a catastrophic F4 tornado ravaged the tiny community of Hebron, continuing through Soso and Moss, destroying hundreds of homes along the way. One of those homes belonged to the Stringer family, and their lives were changed forever. “I remember that day,” said Megan Stringer. “It was unusually humid. We knew the weather was going to be rough. The forecast had warned all week long that a dangerous system could develop.” Weather warnings began to be issued, and the Stringer family saw that they were right in the projected path of the tornado. “I knew the safest place in our home was in the hallway next to the bathroom wall,” continued Megan. “I rounded up our little dogs. I grabbed the motorcycle helmet, put it on my 12-year-old son’s head, and headed down the hall. My husband, Douglas, was in the shower, and I yelled for him to get out and to come take cover. He made it right about the time I heard the tornado coming. He heard it, too, because the look on his face is one I will never forget. He grabbed the mattress from our son’s bed and held one end of the mattress, and I held the other, and we all got as close as we could. My little boy, Blake, looked up and said, ‘We need to say a prayer.’ My husband said the sweetest prayer I have ever heard, and we all hugged and braced for what was to come.” What happened next was described as the scariest event of their lives. The roof of the Stringer home was lifted off, and rain began to flood the home, glass began to

Safety Manager Joe Donald completes his ﬁnal inspection to certify the Stinger’s home as a Comfort Advantage home.

shatter, and pipes began to burst. Afraid to move, the family took a minute to gather themselves after the tornado had passed before surveying the damage. Their home was a complete loss. “Thankfully, we only lost material things that could be replaced,” said Megan. “No one in my neighborhood was hurt, and we didn’t lose a farm animal or a pet. God spared us that day. I truly believe that.” When rebuilding their new home, the Stringers decided to build as energy-efficient as possible. They chose to follow Dixie Electric’s Comfort Advantage program, which offers cash incentives for building with energy efficiency in mind. The Stringers chose to use spray foam insulation in the attic and exterior and interior walls. They added a dehumidifier to the AC unit and an electric heat pump system. They lit their new home with LED bulbs and installed all energy-efficient appliances. By choosing these products, the Stringers will see energy savings each month on their electric bill, as well as a $650 credit through our Comfort Advantage program. “I am very thankful to Dixie Electric for all their kindness and quickness to respond to our needs during and after the storm,” said Megan. “I am also thankful for the Comfort Advantage program. The money I will save by purchasing these energy-efficient appliances and the money I received from Dixie Electric is very much appreciated.” JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials Dixie Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS

ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

NOW AVAILABLE

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

STEVEN PALAZZO Fourth District

230 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

2349 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected offi ofﬁcials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP 14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

SENATE

Sen. Jeff Tate

District 33: Clarke and Lauderdale counties Address: 169 Springhill Rd. Meridian, MS 39301

Sen. Juan Barnett

District 34: Forrest,

Jasper, and Jones counties

Address: P.O. Box 407 Heidelberg, MS 39439

Sen. Joey Fillingane

District 41: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, and Smith counties Address: 8 Westbrook Dr. Sumrall, MS 39482

Sen. Chris McDaniel

District 42: Forrest and Jones counties Address: 506 South Court St. Ellisville, MS 39437

Sen. Dennis DeBar, Jr.

District 43: George, Greene, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 1090 Leakesville, MS 39451

Sen. Chris Johnson

District 45: Forrest and Perry counties Address: P.O. Box 18247 Hattiesburg, MS 39404

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Mark K. Tullos

Rep. Omeria Scott

District 79: Jasper and Smith counties Address: P.O. Box 505 Raleigh, MS 39153

District 80: Clarke, Jasper, and Jones counties Address: 615 East 19th St. Laurel, MS 39440

Rep. Noah Sanford

Rep. Percy Watson

District 90: Covington, Jefferson Davis, and Simpson counties Address: P.O. Box 1900 Collins, MS 39428

District 103: Forrest County Address: P.O. Box 1767 Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Rep. Shane Barnett

District 86: Greene, Perry, and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 621 Waynesboro, MS 39367

Rep. Larry Byrd

District 104: Forrest County Address: 17 Byrd Rd. Petal, MS 39465

Rep. Robin Robinson District 88: Jasper and Jones counties Address: P.O. Box 1963 Laurel, MS 39441

Rep. Donnie Scoggin

District 89: Jones County Address: 1203 Pine St. Ellisville, MS 39437

Rep. Dale Goodin

District 105: George, Greene, and Perry counties Address: 72 Memorial Church Rd. Richton, MS 39476

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

Co-op values translate to Dixie Electric’s core job is keeping the lights on, but our passion is serving our community. Because we’re a co-op, our purpose is to enrich the lives of our members and serve the long-term interests of our community. This focus on service is at the heart of who we are. In November, we had the honor of presenting checks to local nonprofit organizations on behalf of our membership. Our annual charity golf tournament raised over $11,000, allowing us to donate $2,800 to the American Cancer Society and three local secret meal programs for kids, funded through the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel, Junior Auxiliary of Wayne County, and Macedonia Baptist Church of Petal. These secret meal programs provide food for children through their backpacks at school for weekends when they may experience food scarcity. Historic voting in our 2021 Annual Meeting allowed us to donate $2,040 to three separate food pantries in our service area: Christian Food Mission of Laurel, Petal Children’s Task Force, and Samaritan’s Closet and Pantry in Waynesboro. As a local business, we are proud of our role in helping to bring good things to our community. While the larger environment in which we operate is constantly changing, one thing remains constant. Working together with you, the members we serve, will continue to be a catalyst for good.

Annual meeting checks

Petal District Supervisor Jerry Gibson presents a $2,040 donation to the Petal Children’s Task Force.

Administrative and Finance Manager Aaron Zumwalt presents a $2,040 donation to the Christian Food Mission.

Member Service Representative Margaret Little presents a $2,040 donation to Samaritan’s Closet and Pantry.

Golf checks

Petal District Supervisor Jerry Gibson presents a $2,800 donation to Macedonia Baptist Church of Petal.

Communication Assistant Amanda Mills presents a $2,800 donation to the American Cancer Society.

16 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

for the

Administrative and Finance Manager Aaron Zumwalt presents a $2,800 donation to the Junior Auxiliary of Laurel.

Member Service Representative Margaret Little presents a $2,800 donation to the Junior Auxiliary of Wayne County.

CLEARING TREES AND LIMBS FOR RELIABLE SERVICE Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs, and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for both Dixie Electric’s members and personnel.

Clearing project underway • • • •

Petal substation: Petal, Sunrise, Hillcrest, and Macedonia North Petal substation: Eastabuchie, Glendale, and Petal Ellisville Junction substation: Pecan Grove, Ovett, and Tuckers Crossing South Hoy substation: Laurel, Soso, Calhoun, Moss, and Shady Grove

Pole inspections are underway Osmose Utilities Services will be performing inspection and maintenance on some of Dixie Electric Power Association’s poles. Inspections began in November and will continue for approximately four months. The general areas to be inspected are the Eastabuchie, Moselle, Ellisville, and New Hope areas. This work will generally consist of excavating a hole about 18-inches deep around the poles to inspect them and applying a preservative and/or remedial treatment to the poles as needed. The purpose of the inspection and treatment is to identify poles that do not meet industry strength standards and to extend the useful life of all others. All Osmose contract workers will be identifiable by their yellow and orange Osmose work vests and hard hats. Osmose vehicles should be marked with Osmose Utility decals as well as Dixie Electric Power Association “Contractor” decals.

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 17

DeKalb 601-743-2641 • Louisville 662-773-5741 • Quitman 601-776-6271 • After-Hours Outages, Call 601-581-8600

MEMBER OWNED. LOCALLY OPERATED. THAT’S THE COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

As the

NEW YEAR begins

As we begin a new year in 2022, I cannot help but reflect on some of the things we accomplished in the past couple of years. The years 2020 and 2021 have been filled with challenges and accomplishments in both our electric and fiber worlds. It is not unusual for East Mississippi Electric Power Association to deal with weather events. In 2021, we responded to system damage and outages following wind, tornados, a brush by a hurricane and major ice and snowstorms. The first quarter of 2021 saw back-to-back storms. Our dedicated team did what we always do. We left the comfort of our homes (even those that did not have power themselves) and came to the office to gather the needed materials to work on the lines. It seems to be woven into the DNA of our employees to work tirelessly until normalcy is restored for our communities and members. We also dealt with the resurgence of the COVID virus in the Fall of 2021. We again adjusted our work schedules and implemented safety procedures to ensure employee safety and responsiveness to our members’ needs. As always, our employees rose to the occasion and responded to every outage, served every member at the office and maintained the distribution system at the level you have come to expect. While ensuring the electric division was not negatively impacted, employees and contractors worked to build a fiber system capable of world-class broadband service. We have now completed Phase One of our buildout and are well into Phase Two. Approximately 1,000 miles of fiber are fully operational with nearly 3,000 subscribers utilizing the fiber to access highspeed internet service. Your responses are humbling. We heard the stories about how this service is changing our communities. Students can enhance their learning experience, members can access telemedicine and work from home and businesses are utilizing the service to grow. We treasure the opportunity to be a part of building pathways to enhance our communities. Over the coming weeks, the Mississippi Legislature will discuss how to grant the Coronavirus Capital Project Funds along with the Infrastructure Improvement Funds allocated to our state. Many of these funds are intended for broadband expansion. Be assured, we have discussed these funds with 12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

our legislative delegation, and all express support of making sure these resources are used as intended-for the expansion of broadband service to rural areas. In Fall 2020, the Mississippi Legislature provided $75 Million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for broadband expansion. Cooperatives in Mississippi agreed to match those funds with pilot projects to determine the desire and need for the service. You responded with the desire and need, and cooperatives of Mississippi responded by building almost 15,000 miles of fiber, passing 150,000 homes and investing over $400 Million in just over 24 months. Cooperatives have proven we can be successful if given the resources. You are proving it successful by subscribing to our services. The mission of EMEPA to deliver services to empower lives and our vision of developing pathways for community success are as evident today as they have ever been. As this new year begins, be assured the EMEPA employees are prepared and ready to serve our members and communities with electric and fiber services no matter the challenges that come our way.

by Randy Carroll CEO — East Mississippi Electric Power Association

All EMEPA offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 10, to allow our employees to attend an all-employee meeting.

East Mississippi

Electric Power Association will be closed Monday, January 17, 2022, in observance of

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Local students participate in

Cooperative University From a hands-on safety and “Life of a Lineman” demonstration and guided tour of East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s headquarters to a Question and Answer Legislative Panel with state legislators, 15 students from across east Mississippi recently experienced first hand what it means to be part of an electric cooperative. EMEPA hosted Cooperative University in December as part of its annual Youth Leadership Program. From the group of 15, five students were selected based on an interview process and leadership skills observed throughout the event to represent EMEPA at a threeday Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson, coordinated by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM). At this event, the students will be met by 70 other students from across the state. The Workshop allows students the opportunity to take a closer look at our state government as well as participate in leadership-enhancing activities. In June 2022, these five students will again represent EMEPA on a week-long, all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. This trip features visits to popular monuments and memorials as well as meetings with Mississippi’s senators and representatives. "Our Youth Leadership Program is a tremendous opportunity for local students to see our political process first hand," said EMEPA Director of Marketing and Communication Julie Boles. "The goal of this program is to educate students about electric cooperatives and our state and national legislature and to encourage them to grow as leaders and get involved in their communities." Each school in EMEPA’s service area is given the opportunity to nominate one student from its junior class to participate in the program. The schools are encouraged to select the student based on academics, involvement in their school and community, natural leadership ability and a desire to further their skills in becoming future leaders.

The 2021-2022 Youth Leadership Program participants are: (front row, L-R) Angelique Dailey, Kemper County High School*; Laney Boatner, Noxapater Attendance Center; Jaylee Stokes, Nanih Waiya Attendance Center; Destiny Williams, Quitman High School*; Nick Quigley, Southeast Lauderdale High School*; Haley Harris, Winston Academy; (back row, L-R) Spence Hanegan, Lamar High School; Kaitlyn Foreman, Northeast Lauderdale High School; Avrie Boles, Clarkdale High School*; Braylee Johnson, Kemper Academy; Maci McNeill, Grace Christian School; Alexa Shirley, West Lauderdale High School; Laura Kate Johnson, Russell Christian Academy*; Ciarria King, Louisville High School; and Michael Tvarkunas, Enterprise High School. Thank you to Senator Jeff Tate, Senator Tyler McCaughn, Representative Billy Adam Calvert, Senator Rod Hickman, and Representative Michael T. Evans for visiting with students during Cooperative University. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) sponsors the Youth Tour program nationally. * Students selected to advance to the ECM Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson and the NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS

East Mississippi Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

MARSHALL

DESOTO

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

ALCORN

BENTON

ROGER WICKER United States Senator

T I P PA H

TISHOMINGO PRENTISS

TAT E TUNICA

UNION

PA N O L A

L A FAY E T T E

LEE

PONTOTOC

COAHOMA

QUITMAN

YA L O B U S H A

I TAWA M B A

CALHOUN

TA L L A H AT C H I E

MONROE

C H I C K A S AW

B O L I VA R

GRENADA LEFLORE

WEBSTER

CARROLL

SUNFLOWER

C L AY

LOWNDES MONTGOMERY

WA S H I N G T O N

C H O C TAW

HOLMES

OKTIBBEHA

AT TA L A

NOXUBEE

HUMPHREYS WINSTON

SHARKEY

YA Z O O MADISON

LEAKE

NESHOBA

SCOTT

NEWTON

LAUDERDALE

SMITH

JASPER

CLARKE

KEMPER

ISSAQUENA

RANKIN

HINDS WA R R E N

CLAIBORNE COPIAH

SIMPSON

JEFFERSON

COVINGTON LINCOLN ADAMS

L AW R E N C E

FRANKLIN

LAMAR WILKINSON

AMITE

WAY N E

JONES

JEFFERSON D AV I S

PIKE

FORREST

PERRY

TRENT KELLY

BENNIE G. THOMPSON

First District

Second District

MICHAEL GUEST

STEVEN PALAZZO

Third District

Fourth District

GREENE

MARION

WA LT H A L L

GEORGE

PEARL RIVER STONE

JACKSON HARRISON

HANCOCK

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area. 14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

SENATE

District 18: Leake, Neshoba ,and Winston counties Address: 235 W. Beacon St. Philadelphia, MS 39350 Family: Husband: Chancy Branning; Children: Ethan, Ellis, Evan Years in Legislature: 7

Sen. Tyler McCaughn

District 31: Lauderdale, Newton, and Scott counties Address: P.O. Box 28 Newton, MS 39345 Years in Legislature: 3

Rod Hickman

District 32: Kemper, Lauderdale, Noxubee, and Winston counties Address: 2829 Jefferson St., Macon, MS 39341 Family: Children: Ari Elizabeth First year in Legislature

Sen. Jeff Tate

District 33: Clarke and Lauderdale counties Address: 169 Springhill Rd. Meridian, MS 39301 Family: Wife: Leigha Barnard Children: Caroline and Ella Years in Legislature: 3

ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Joey Hood

District 35: Attala, Choctaw, Webster, and Winston counties Address: P.O. Box 759 Ackerman, MS 39735 Family: Wife: Cynthia Children: Jonah, Owen Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Omeria Scott

District 80: Clarke, Jasper, and Jones counties Address: 615 E. 19th St. Laurel, MS 39440 Family: Husband: Charles Years in Legislature: 30

Rep. Carl L. Mickens District 42: Lowndes, Noxubee, and Winston counties Address: P.O. Box 427 Brooksville, MS 39739 Family: Wife: Cheryl Children: Carl II, Dylan Years in Legislature: 7

Rep. Steve Horne

District 81: Clarke, and Lauderdale counties Address: 5904 Causeyville Rd. Meridian, MS 39301 Family: Wife: Suzy Children: Lauren, Tommy, Hunter Years in Legislature: 19

Rep. Loyd B. (Rob) Roberson

Rep. Michael T. Evans

Rep. Charles L. Young, Jr.

Rep. Billy Adam Calvert

District 43: Oktibbeha and Winston counties Address: 212 E. Main St. Starkville, MS 39759 Family: Wife: Karen Children: Kelly, Marley, Jack, Eli Years in Legislature: 11

District 82: Lauderdale County Address: P.O. Box 5393 Meridian, MS 39302 Family: Child: William Years in Legislature: 11

District 45: Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Winston counties Address: 1147 Mount Harmony Rd. Preston, MS 39354 Family: Wife: Heather Child: Hannah Years in Legislature: 11

District 83: Lauderdale County Address: P.O. Box 5774 Meridian, MS 39320 Family: Wife: Jessica Children: Jett, Briggs, Brett, Jeanne-Claire, Jaylee Years in Legislature: 3

Rep. Jason White

District 48: Attala, Carroll, Holmes, and Leake counties Address: P.O. Box 246 West, MS 39192 Family: Wife: Jolynn Children: Sara, John, Carlyn Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Troy Smith

District 84: Clarke, Jasper, Newton counties Address: 320 Smith Ridge Ln. Enterprise, MS 39330 Family: Wife: Michell Children: Haley Brooke Holley, Harley Blake Smith Years in Legislature: 3

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

NEW YEAR, NEW CONNECTIONS East Mississippi Connect network to grow in 2022 Happy New Year from East Mississippi Connect! We hope your holidays were filled with joy, family, and friends. While the holidays are a great time for reflecting and reminiscing, the beginning of a new year is also an ideal time for planning. At East MS Connect, we are committed to expanding our lightning-fast broadband services in 2022. We understand our area needs affordable high-speed internet options and we are working to bring them to you, our East Mississippi Electric Power Association members, as quickly as possible. In 2021, we were able to connect our phase 1 subscribers to this life-changing service. These members now work and learn at home with ease. They can also access telehealth services, make and receive crystal-clear digital calls, enjoy gaming, streaming, and so much more thanks to the speed and reliability of this fiber-to-the-home network. We also saw firsthand how East MS Connect helped local businesses by offering reliable internet and phone services crucial to their sustainability and growth. This year, East MS Connect will expand into phase 2. We started connecting Clarkdale and laying the groundwork in Handle and Quitman before the end of last year, and will move into the areas of Kewanee and Briarwood as 2022 progresses. “We are excited about the progress we have made. Our crews have hung more than 1,000 miles of fiber, and provided over 2,700 members with high-speed fiber internet,” says EMEPA CEO Randy Carroll. “We will continue working every day in 2022 and beyond until every member receives this much-needed service. As a member of EMEPA, our priority will always be what’s best for you.” To learn more, or to preregister for service, visit EastMSConnect.com.

601-581-8800 | EastMSConnect.com

16 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

by Bonnie A. Coblentz For every reason to eat excessively, someone is pushing a diet plan to reverse the scales, but there’s more to a healthy weight than consuming fewer calories and burning more energy. Weight gain can be brought on by the holiday season, the “freshman 15,” or the first year of marriage. In recent months, many have struggled with COVID-19 weight gain brought on by mental health struggles and isolation.

Good health includes physical activity and eating more vegetables and fruits, consuming less processed foods and sugar, and drinking more water. David Buys, state health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said there is a clear connection between stress and weight gain. Millions of people have been stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “In a lot of ways, our struggle to stay physically healthy is connected to our mental health and well-being,” Buys said. He said living through the pandemic has caused nearly everyone to experience a loss of some kind, and those losses bring a heavy toll. “There’s been loss of routine, income, health, and friends and loved ones,” Buys said. “It’s upended our confidence and led many people to experience unusual levels of stress, anxiety, or depression. “When that happens, some of us turn to comfort foods or just more convenient ways of eating that are not as nutritionally robust. In other cases, we may have a loss of appetite or will to be active,” he said. Qula Madkin, MSU Extension instructor and registered dietitian at the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Raymond, said people sometimes get caught in

an unhealthy loop that leads to weight gain, and they need to take positive action. “Health is wealth, and I would like everyone to focus on their health — both gaining health and maintaining good health — rather than emphasizing weight loss,” Madkin said. Getting healthier requires an individual approach, she said, but being active whenever possible is a great starting place. “I encourage people to go outside more often and do more activity outdoors,” Madkin said. Rather than recommending that people follow restrictive diets, Madkin suggests making lifestyle changes one small step at a time, focusing more on personal longevity and quality of life. “In my opinion, people should really think less about weight loss and more about their health,” Madkin said. “My goal is for people to be healthier. If I can help someone understand what that looks like for them, it can lead to weight loss, but weight loss does not necessarily equal health.” Madkin defined health as being physically active, drinking more water, eating more vegetables and fruits, and consuming less sugar and processed foods. It also includes self-care and having a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being. When trying to set a weight loss goal, Madkin urged people to try for 5-10% of their body weight. For a 160-pound person, that would mean a goal of losing 8 to 16 pounds over a month or two. “That is an excellent place to start,” she said. “Set doable, relatable and reachable goals. Make sure they are goals that you can meet, and then you can push yourself to meet another goal after you have succeeded in your first goal.” In addition to healthy eating choices, good physical exercise is the next necessary component to losing weight and keeping it off. “Find physical activity and movement opportunities that work for you,” Madkin said. “Remember, you’ve been through a pandemic, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back and make health happen for you.” Bonnie A. Coblentz is a writer/editor for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 17

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The Mississippi Legislature convenes in January for the 2022 session. Magnolia Electric Power salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION MARSHALL

DESOTO

ALCORN

BENTON

T I P PA H

TISHOMINGO PRENTISS

TAT E TUNICA

UNION

PA N O L A

L A FAY E T T E

LEE

PONTOTOC

COAHOMA

QUITMAN

YA L O B U S H A

I TAWA M B A

CALHOUN

TA L L A H AT C H I E

MONROE

C H I C K A S AW

B O L I VA R

GRENADA LEFLORE

C L AY WEBSTER

CARROLL

SUNFLOWER

LOWNDES MONTGOMERY

WA S H I N G T O N

C H O C TAW

HOLMES

OKTIBBEHA

AT TA L A

NOXUBEE

HUMPHREYS WINSTON

SHARKEY

YA Z O O MADISON

LEAKE

NESHOBA

SCOTT

NEWTON

LAUDERDALE

SMITH

JASPER

CLARKE

KEMPER

ISSAQUENA

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

ROGER WICKER

MICHAEL GUEST

United States Senator

U.S. Representative Third District

RANKIN

HINDS WA R R E N

CLAIBORNE COPIAH

SIMPSON

JEFFERSON

COVINGTON LINCOLN ADAMS

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP 12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

L AW R E N C E

FRANKLIN

WAY N E

JONES

JEFFERSON D AV I S LAMAR

WILKINSON

AMITE

PIKE

FORREST

PERRY

GREENE

MARION

WA LT H A L L

GEORGE

PEARL RIVER STONE

JACKSON HARRISON

HANCOCK

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area.

SENATE Sen. Melanie Sojourner

Sen. Kelvin Butler

District 37: Adams, Amite, Franklin, and Pike counties

District 38: Adams, Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson counties

Address: 438 Upper Kingston Rd., Natchez, MS 39120 Years in Legislature: 7

Address: 2018 Hawthorne Dr. McComb, MS 39648

Sen. Jason Barrett District 39: Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Walthall counties Address: 183 Oak Hill Drive Brookhaven, MS 39602 Years in Legislature: 2

Years in Legislature: 13

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Vince Mangold District 53: Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Beckie Currie District 92: Copiah, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties Address: 407 Oliver Dr. Brookhaven, MS 39601 Years in Legislature: 15

Rep. Angela Cockerham District 96: Adams, Amite, Pike, and Wilkinson counties Address: P.O. Box 613 Magnolia, MS 39652 Years in Legislature: 17

Years in Legislature: 7

Rep. Bill Pigott

Rep. Sam C. Mims V

Rep. Daryl L. Porter Jr.

District 97: Adams, Amite, Franklin, and Pike counties

District 98: Pike and Walthall counties

District 99: Lamar, Marion, and Walthall counties

Address: P.O. Box 772 Summit, MS 39666

Address: 92 Pigott Easterling Rd. Tylertown, MS 39667

Years in Legislature: 3

Years in Legislature: 15

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215 Years in Legislature: 19

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

by Lydia Walters As soon as you step out of the car, the smell of sweetness hits you. After that, you notice the steam rolling out the doors of a small shed in rural Walthall County. Magnolia Electric Power member Milton Dunaway is cooking his homemade cane syrup in a metal building across from his home. Cooking syrup, as he calls it, has been a family tradition passed down for at least four generations from his grandfather to his father to him, and now his son. Some of the tools have improved through the years, like using a tractor connected to a large belt instead of a mule to press the juice from the cane, but most of the process has remained the same. “I remember being five or six years old and cooking with my grandfathers,” Dunaway said. “We’ve always cooked syrup together, and others have joined in.” Dunaway and his son, Brad Dunaway, have both won statewide awards through the Mississippi Association of Syrup Producers for cooking syrup. Milton Dunaway took top honors in 2016 for his cane syrup. Dunaway cooks about seven or eight times per year for family and close friends, keeping his family tradition alive. He doesn’t bottle and sell to the public. He says that neighbors who have sugar cane

14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

just hear about him through word of mouth. The process for cooking cane and making syrup is quite simple and works best in cold weather. The cane is pressed to extract the juices. The juices are piped into a large vat and then heated to a boil, creating the sweet-smelling steam. As the water boils away, impurities are skimmed from the top and removed, leaving the thick goodness that Southerners love to pour on their cathead biscuits. The syrup is strained one last time before it is poured into containers.

Photos by Courtney Warren

The key to cooking syrup is to know when it is ready to be placed in containers, and Dunaway knows a couple of time-tested ways. To test his syrup, he pours a tablespoon on a paper plate and watches for the thickness to cause wrinkles in the syrup as it rolls around the paper plate. Another method is dropping syrup into a glass of water and watching it fall — the slower it falls, the thicker the syrup. Dunaway added that, “A lot (of the tools) are handed down stuff,” from past generations. Dunaway’s mill, used to press the juice from the cane, is powered by a 1958 McCormick Farmall 130 tractor. The cane knife, which

resembles a thin machete and is used by Dunaway and his son to cut the cane, has been in the family for many years. Dunaway uses a 50-year-old hydrometer, a device that will rise to the top of a thin cylinder, to figure out when the syrup has reached its desired thickness. The charm in cooking syrup comes from the multigenerational group who gather, laugh, and joke while they work. Cooking syrup brings people together to reminisce about the old times and imagine the handmade biscuits they will soon enjoy with some delicious homemade syrup.

Brad Dunaway, Jimmy Lee, and Odell McKenzie demonstrate how the outer layer is stripped from the sugar cane before it is processed for syrup.

We’ve always cooked syrup together, and others have joined in.

James Dillion skims impurities from the syrup as the water boils off of the sugar, leaving cane syrup.

Brad and Milton Dunaway carry on their family tradition of cooking syrup together.

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

2022 Magnolia Electric Power Annual Meeting Preliminary Notice of Annual Meeting of Members For the purposes of electing directors, hearing and passing upon reports covering the previous ﬁscal year, and transacting such other business, the Annual Meeting of the members of Magnolia Electric Power shall be held in March each year, at such place in one of the counties of Mississippi within which the Association serves. At each Annual Meeting of the members, approximately one-third (1/3) of the total number of directors shall be elected by ballot, by and from the members, to serve for a term of three (3) years as provided by law. By-Laws Governing the Association: Article IV, Section 4.04. (a) Committee on Nominations. It shall be the duty of the Board to appoint, no less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days before the date of the meeting of the members at which directors are to be elected, a committee on nominations from each district from which a director is to be elected, consisting of not less than 3 nor more than 5 members who shall be selected from different sections of the district so as to insure equitable geographic representation. No existing Association employee, agents, officers, directors or known candidates for director, and close relatives (as hereinafter defined) or members of the same household of existing association employees, agents, officers, directors or know candidates for director may serve on such committees. The committees shall receive and consider any written suggestion as to nominees submitted by members of the Association. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Association at least fifty (50) calendar days before the meeting a list of nominations for board members. (b) Nominations by Petition. Any fifty (50) members acting together may make other nominations by petition and the Secretary shall post at least fifty (50) calendar days before the meeting such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations by the committees are posted. Any petition for nomination shall be submitted on a form designated and provided by the Association. Each member signing such petition shall place thereon the date of signing, address, and account number of the member. The Secretary shall mail with the notice of the meeting or separately a statement of the number of board members to be elected and the names of candidates nominated by the committees and the names of candidates nominated by petition, if any. Article IV, Section 4.03. Director Qualiﬁcations (Summarized) 1. Active member in good standing of the Association. 2. Bona fide resident of the district from which they are to be elected or must be a permanent and year-round

resident within or in close proximity to an area served by the Association that no more than one (1) such person may serve on the Board of Directors at the same time as set out in Section 4.03(e). 3. Must not be employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise. 4. Must not have been finally convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. 5. Must not be a relative to the third degree by blood or marriage as defined in Section 4.08 of an employee, incumbent director, or the director being replaced. 6. No person shall take or hold office as a director who is the incumbent of or a candidate for any elective public office. 7. When a membership is held jointly by a married couple, either one, but not both, may be elected a director. 8. No person shall be eligible to become or remain a director of, or to hold any other position in trust in the Association who does not have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract. Article III, Section 3.05. Voting. Each member who is not in a status of suspension as provided for in Section 2.01, shall be entitled to only one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of the members at which a quorum is present. A member may vote in person or by proxy. At a meeting of the members where directors are to be elected, all members present in person or by proxy may cast one vote for each director to be elected; each member may vote their own vote plus those proxies executed in their favor, pursuant to Section 3.07 of these bylaws. Voting by members other than members who are natural persons shall be allowed upon the presentation to the Association, prior to or upon registration at each member, of satisfactory evidence entitling the person presenting same to vote. At all meetings of the members all questions shall be decided by a majority of the members voting thereon, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Association’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws. Members may not cumulate their votes. Article III, Section 3.06. Proxies. At all meetings of the members, a member may vote by proxy executed in writing by the member, subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth, provided, however, any member holding and intending to vote a proxy must file the executed proxy at the Association’s headquarters, not less than five (5) business days prior to the meeting. The proxy must have entered thereon the account number of the member appointed to vote the proxy. If one person shall receive electric service through two

Dear Member, This is a preliminary notice of the Annual Meeting of Magnolia Electric Power to be held March 24, 2022, at the Auditorium at Magnolia Electric Power headquarters, which is located at 3027 Highway 98 West, Summit, in Pike County, Mississippi. At that meeting, directors from Districts Three, Six and Eight are to be elected to three-year terms. District three is “all that portion of the certificated area of the Cooperative which lies north of the south boundary line of Lincoln and Franklin Counties and west of the Illinois Central Railroad Company main line right-of-way and south and west of a line which begins at the intersections of the west line of said Illinois Central Company main line right-of-way and the north boundary of Section 13, Township 6 North, Range 7 East, Lincoln County, Mississippi, and runs thence west to the northwest corner of Section 18, said township and range, thence north to U.S. Highway 84 and south of said U.S.. Highway 84, being partly in Franklin County and partly in Lincoln County, Mississippi.

(2) or more meters at different premises, he or she shall be entitled to not more than one (1) vote at any meeting of the members. No proxy shall be voted at any meeting of the members unless it shall designate the particular meeting at which it is to be voted, and no proxy shall be voted at any meeting other than the one so designated or any adjournment of such meeting. No proxy shall be voted by anyone except a member. No more than ten (10) proxies may be assigned to other members. No restriction shall apply to the number of proxies assigned to the Board of Directors who shall vote the proxies assigned to them according to the will of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors. The presence of a member at a meeting of the members shall revoke a proxy theretofore executed by that member, and such member shall be entitled to vote at such meeting in the same manner and with the same effect as if the proxy had not been executed. In case of a joint membership, a proxy may be executed by either spouse. The timely presence of either spouse at a meeting of the members shall revoke a proxy theretofore executed by (either of) them and such joint member or members shall be entitled to vote at such meeting in the same manner and with the same effect as if a proxy had not been executed. A standard proxy form shall be used which identifies the member by name and account number, in order to assure authenticity and facilitate the tabulation of votes. If the proxy form of a member is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Association shall furnish the member with a replacement proxy form upon request, provided that the member executes a revocation of the lost, stolen or destroyed form, to be witnessed by an employee of the Association. Blank proxy forms will not be distributed in bulk to any member. Only the proxy form issued by the Association shall be valid. Article III, Section 3.07. Representative Voting. Legal entity organizations and nonlegal entity organizations which are members of the Association may be represented at any meeting of the members and may vote only as follows: (a) any director, officer or general manager may represent and cast the one vote of a corporation; (b) a trustee, steward, deacon, clerk, or pastor may represent and cast the one vote of a church; (c) a school trustee, principal or superintendent may represent and cast the one vote of a school; (d) or any other association or organization not a legal entity may be represented by and have its one vote cast by any person who is a trustee, or manager or part owner, or any officer of such association or organization. Respectfully, John McCabe, Secretary A complete set of bylaws is available at the association’s headquarters upon request. You will receive ofﬁcial notice of the 2022 Annual Meeting in the mail at a later date.

District six includes “all that portion of the certificated area of the Cooperative which lies within Pike County and is located north of the boundary line dividing Township 2 North and Township 3 North, all being in Pike County, Mississippi.” District eight is described as “all that portion of the certificated area of the Cooperative which lies within Walthall and Marion Counties, Mississippi, and is located north of the U.S. Highway 98, all being in Walthall and Marion Counties, Mississippi. In connection with the election of directors scheduled for the meeting, the following members were appointed by the Association’s board, pursuant to Association bylaws, as members of the Nominating Committee: District Three Jack Case W.I. Westbrook Troy K. Lofton Lamar Edwards

District Six Larry Hughes Victor Fairburn Wendell Johnston Sandra Knighton

District Eight Milton Dunaway Janette Bossier Charles Lee Dunaway Larry Holland Jocile Martin

MEP aids in awarding two Cooperative Energy Competes grants Cooperative Energy Competes, through Magnolia Electric Power and Cooperative Energy, has issued two grants to local agencies. The first one is to the Pike County Economic Development District, who received a grant for $50,000. The grant will go towards infrastructure improvement at the Gateway Industrial Park in Pike County. The second is a grant issued to Scenic Rivers Development Alliance (SRDA) for $25,000. The grant will go towards infrastructure plans at Lake Okhissa in Franklin County. Cooperative Energy Competes is a grant application process through Cooperative Energy, of which Magnolia Electric is a member of the generation and transmission cooperative based in Hattiesburg. Cooperative Energy Competes allows economic development organizations to apply for grant funds to offset industrial property development costs. These funds are provided jointly by Cooperative Energy's 11-member distribution cooperatives. Grant funds can be used to offset site and building development costs and/or reduce upfront costs for eligible economic development activities. By doing this, Cooperative Energy Competes, as a multi-faceted Economic Development initiative, shows companies that Mississippi is a competitive region to do business. Eligible projects typically require new job creation, increased capital investment, electric load growth, and require a local funding match.

MEP General Manager Darrell Smith (far right) presented a check to (from left) Pat Brumﬁeld, chairman of the PCEDD, and Jill Busby, executive director of PCEDD.

Magnolia Electric reports almost $2 mil Magnolia Electric reports over $2.5 million Capital inCredit returns to members Capital Credits to members MEP Manager of Member Services and Communications Lucy Shell (far right) presented the check to (from left) Angela Harvey and Joseph Parker, both with Scenic Rivers Development Alliance.

The Magnolia Electric PowerPower Board of Directors Credits are one of the things that separate a not-forThe Magnolia Electric Board of has announced Credits that MEP has been un physical plantCapital including poles, substations, that the cooperative has recently retired in Capital profit electric cooperative, like Magnolia Electric frommember add Directors has announced that the $2,564,299 coopcoop and other equipment. due to Power, incorrect Credits to its members. investor-owned electric utilities, explained Smith. erative has recently retired $1,950,994 in mem be sure to check the list to se “Capital Credits are allocated to memPatronage refund checks were put in the mail in early There is an updated list on the MEP website at MEPCoop.com. Capital Credits to its members. bers each year based on power use and family member’s name is on t December; therefore, MEP’s eligible members should have of older Capital Credits that MEP has been unable to return due Patronage refund checks werechecks put inby the ofincorrect your capital credit checkPlease is be sure If you have the notlist received yo received their patronage capital refund now. the amount to member addresses. to check to mail in early December; a all percentage ofifthese he name is on refund or should find your na “Capital Credits represents therefore, the amount MEP’s remaining after see you or allocations,” a family member’s the list. operating, maintenance, and general expenses are deducted from If you have not received your patronage refund should find list, plea eligible members should have received said. “We are proud to be able to return name onorthe website the total amount members paid on their electric bill during the your name/a family name on the website list, please contact the their patronage capital refund checks these capital credits to our members,” the office at 601-684-4011. fiscal year,” said General Manager Darrell Smith. “It is the member’s office at 601-684-4011. by now. Smith added. Since 1960, MEP has refund investment in the association’s physical plant including poles, subSince 1960, MEP has refunded a total of $54,479,681 in capital “Capital Credits represents the amount Capital Credits one of the things of $50,004,782 in capital cred stations, and other equipment. creditsare to its members. remaining afterare allallocated operating, maintenance that separate a non-profit electric itsinmembers. “Capital Credits to members each year based on Magnolia Electric Power was established 1938. The cooperaand general expenses deducted fromcheck iscooperative, likeemploys Magnolia Electricemployees, maintains Magnolia Electric wa power use and the amount are of your capital credit a pertive 92 full-time over 4,900 miles Power of centage of these allocations,” he said. proud to Power, be able to lines and serves more than the total amount members paid“We on are their frompower investor-owned electric utili-32,700inmeters. 1938. The cooperative emp return these credits our members,” electric billcapital during the to fiscal year,” saidSmith added. ties, explained Smith. time employees, maintains ov

General Manager Darrell Smith. “It is the member’s investment in the association’s

There is an updated list on the MEP JANUARY miles2022 of power lines 17 and serv | TODAY website at MEPCoop.com of older Capital 31,900 meters.

AMORY – P.O. BOX 300 - 50408 GREENBRIAR ROAD – 662-256-2962 • CALEDONIA – 746 MAIN STREET – 662-356-4100

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials Monroe County Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS

ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

TRENT KELLY First District

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

2243 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

230 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

SENATE

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers an easy-to-use mobile app of Mississippi’s state and federal elected officials. Look for “Mississippi Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through Google Play.

Sen. Charles A. (Chuck) Younger

Sen. Hob Bryan District 7 Itawamba, Lee, and Monroe counties Address P.O. Box 75, Amory, MS 38821

District 17: Lowndes and Monroe counties Address 1213 Younger Rd., Columbus, MS 39701

ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Chris Brown

Rep. Donnie Bell

Rep. Karl Gibbs

Rep. Dana McLean

District 20 Itawamba, Lee, and Monroe counties Address 33112 Hwy 45 N., Nettleton, MS 38858

District 21 Itawamba and Tishomingo counties Address 836 Tucker Rd., Fulton, MS 38843

District 36 Clay and Monroe counties Address 543 George Walker Rd., West Point, MS 39773

District 39 Lowndes and Monroe counties Address 332 Williamsburg Rd., Columbus, MS 39705

MARSHALL

DESOTO

ALCORN

BENTON

T I P PA H

TISHOMINGO PRENTISS

TAT E TUNICA

UNION

PA N O L A

L A FAY E T T E

LEE

PONTOTOC

COAHOMA

QUITMAN

YA L O B U S H A

I TAWA M B A

CALHOUN

TA L L A H AT C H I E

MONROE

C H I C K A S AW

B O L I VA R

GRENADA LEFLORE

CARROLL

SUNFLOWER

C L AY WEBSTER LOWNDES

MONTGOMERY

WA S H I N G T O N

C H O C TAW

HOLMES

OKTIBBEHA

AT TA L A

NOXUBEE

HUMPHREYS WINSTON

SHARKEY

YA Z O O MADISON

LEAKE

NESHOBA

SCOTT

NEWTON

LAUDERDALE

SMITH

JASPER

CLARKE

KEMPER

ISSAQUENA

RANKIN

HINDS WA R R E N

CLAIBORNE COPIAH

SIMPSON

JEFFERSON

COVINGTON LINCOLN ADAMS

L AW R E N C E

FRANKLIN

LAMAR WILKINSON

AMITE

WAY N E

JONES

JEFFERSON D AV I S

PIKE

FORREST

PERRY

GREENE

MARION

WA LT H A L L

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area.

GEORGE

PEARL RIVER STONE

JACKSON HARRISON

HANCOCK

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

P.O. Box 609 • 555 East Madison St. • Houston, MS 38851

662-456-3037 • Fax: 662-456-2086 • www.ntepa.com

Thanking our elected officials We would like to thank our local state senators and representatives for the support they have provided to our company and Members during a time of unprecedented challenges. They not only gave us the ability to provide broadband to our Members during a pandemic, but also provided the funding to start a pilot project. Without those funds, we may not have been able to provide our Members with this much needed service. At the very least, we sure wouldn’t have expanded internet service to all the Members who receive it today. We also want to thank our senators and representatives in Washington, D.C. for working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make the telecommunications service maps accurate, so decision makers have quality data and information. They also encouraged the FCC to distribute the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, so that rural internet projects could move forward with grant funding. Our congressional leaders and state legislative officials along with NTEPA and NT Spark are making the needs of our Members a priority.

Shawn Edmondson General Manager

ANNUAL MEETING NATCHEZ TRACE ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS

APRIL 25, 2022 7:00 P.M. AT HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM HOUSTON, MISSISSIPPI

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

NATCHEZ TRACE ELECTRIC

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of the members of the Natchez Trace Electric Power Association (“Association”) will be held at 7:00 p.m. on April 25, 2022, in the Houston High School Auditorium, Houston, Mississippi. Among the business to come before the members are (a) hearing and passing upon reports covering the previous fiscal year and (b) the election of three Directors. Each member in good standing is entitled to one vote upon each matter submitted to vote at the meeting of members. A member may vote in person or by proxy through official mail ballot provided by the Association. The Committee on Nominations will be selected by the Board of Directors at the January 2022 Board Meeting. The committee receives and considers suggestions as to nominees for Director, submitted by members of the Association. The Committee will meet in February for the purpose of selecting nominees for consideration for the Board. The Committee will prepare and post at the Houston, Calhoun City, and Eupora offices of the Association at least 45 days before the Annual Meeting a list of their nominations for Board Members. The Association’s Secretary mails with the notice of the Annual Meeting, or separately, a statement of the Board Members to be elected and the names and addresses of the candidates. Only those nominations made by the Committee, or by petition as hereinafter described, will be valid. Any 50 members acting together may make nominations by petition and the Secretary will post such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations by the committee on nominations is posted. Any petition for nomination shall be submitted at least 45 days before the Annual Meeting on a form designated and provided by the Association. Each member signing such petition shall place thereon the date of signing, address, member’s number, and service location of the member. Nominations made by petition, if any, received at least 45 days before the meeting shall be included on the official ballot.

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials Natchez Trace Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

SENATE

It’s easy to know your elected officials. Sen. Benjamin A. Suber

Sen. Angela Turner Ford

Sen. Lydia Chassaniol

District 8: Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lee, Pontotoc, and Yalobusha counties Address: P.O. Box 8 Bruce, MS 38915

District 16: Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Oktibbeha counties Address: 398 Point Harbor Drive West Point, MS 39773

District 14: Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Leflore, Montgomery, Panola, Tallahatchie, and Yalobusha counties Address: P.O. Box 211 Winona, MS 38967

ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Jim Beckett

Rep. Jonathan Ray Lancaster

Rep. Karl Gibbs

District 23: Calhoun, Grenada, Lafayette, and Webster counties Address: P.O. Box 722 Bruce, MS 38915

District 22: Chickasaw and Pontotoc counties Address: 463 CR 85 Houston, MS 38851

District 36: Clay and Monroe counties Address: 543 George Walker Rd., West Point, MS 39773

Rep. Thomas U. Reynolds

Rep. Joey Hood

Rep. Karl Oliver

District 33: Grenada, Tallahatchie, and Yalobusha counties Address: 1720 North Main St. Water Valley, MS 38965

District 35: Attala, Choctaw, Webster, and Winston counties

District 46: Carroll, Grenada, Leflore, Montgomery, and Webster counties Address: P.O. Box 95 Winona, MS 38967

Address: P.O. Box 759 Ackerman, MS 39735

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

For more information about Today in Mississippi, contact Michael Bellipanni at 662.895.2151. northcentralelectric.com

NorthcentralEC

@Northcentral_EC

Historic changes ahead for Northcentral I’m pleased to welcome in 2022 and the exciting year in front of us. Some of our projects for the upcoming year are practically historical, such as our broadband project. History does often repeat itself, and this project resembles one from Northcentral’s history as well. The early 1950’s saw our community without electricity. Some of those that lived “in town” benefitted from electric power, but most did not. Northcentral’s electric distribution system has been built over 72 years. Over these years more than 1,500 miles of line valued at over $200 million has been put in service to serve our 34,000 households and businesses. Since early 2019 when The Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act became law, Northcentral has worked diligently to get high-speed internet service into our unserved and underserved areas. This projected $165 million project got underway with a $2.8 million Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) matching grant. In a little over a year, Northcentral has constructed over 150 miles of fiber at a cost exceeding $13 million. This has allowed our telecom affiliate, Northcentral Connect, to provide high-speed internet service to over 1,200 of our members in Marshall and DeSoto counties. Northcentral is hopeful to have more than 4,000 subscribers this time next year.

Plans are moving forward as Northcentral is working on an agreement to partner and purchase power from several largescale solar projects in our community. Add to this the strategic placement of electric vehicle charging stations, it appears Northcentral Electric Cooperative will look drastically different than in the early 1950’s. Admittedly, the last two years have not been the best. It’s hard to dwell on that now. It’s time to put that behind us, roll up our sleeves, get to work, and move forward. The projects mentioned, along with our continued operations and maintenance of our electric distribution grid, will add increased value to our community, continuing to make it one of the best places to live in the United States. Happy New Year. Stay Safe.

by Kevin Doddridge General Manager/CEO

Northcentral ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Pre-register now for high-speed FIBER internet, served by folks you know!

northcentralconnect.com Connect with CONNECT! northcentralconnect northcentralconnect northcentral_c

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

NOW AVAILABLE

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials Northcentral Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

SENATE

Sen. Michael W. McLendon

Sen. David Parker

Sen. Neil Whaley

Sen. Kevin Blackwell

District 1: DeSoto County

District 2: DeSoto County

Years in Legislature: 3

Years in Legislature: 10

District 10: Marshall and Tate counties

District 19: DeSoto and Marshall counties

Years in Legislature: 5

Years in Legislature: 7

ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Dana Criswell

Rep. John Faulkner

Rep. Steve Hopkins

Rep. John T. (Trey) Lamar III

Rep. Steve Massengill

District 6: DeSoto County

District 5: Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, and Tate counties

District 7: DeSoto County

District 8: Lafayette and Tate counties

District 13: Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, and Union counties

Years in Legislature: 11

Years in Legislature: 7

Years in Legislature: 10

Rep. Jeff Hale

Rep. Dan Eubanks

Rep. Jerry Darnell

Rep. Hester Jackson McCray

Rep. Bill Kinkade

District 24: DeSoto County

District 25: DeSoto County

District 28: DeSoto County

District 40: DeSoto County

Years in Legislature: 7

Years in Legislature: 3

District 52: DeSoto and Marshall counties Years in Legislature: 10

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

Let us help! Renewable energy, particularly residential solar, is a hot topic in today’s utility conversations. There are several motivating factors for our members to explore investments in renewables. Whether it’s environmental concerns of reducing your carbon footprint or reducing utility bills by self-generating power, Northcentral wants to be a trusted advisor to help empower you, the member, to make smart decisions when investing in renewable energy. If reducing your carbon footprint is the motivation, take comfort in knowing that the power that you currently purchase from Northcentral is already over 56% carbon-free. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has made great strides in shifting their generation mix to carbon-free nuclear and hydroelectric power, and now includes 3% wind and solar power. By 2030, renewable energy is projected to represent 10% of the portfolio, which will result in a generation mix that is 61% carbon-free. Northcentral is also in the planning stages of partnering with utility-scale solar developments that will further reduce our footprint by replacing up to 5% of our total load with carbon-free solar power. For those members interested in solar investment to reduce home energy bills, there are a several things to consider when deciding if solar panels are right for you. Solar efficiency, productivity, and safety The first thing to consider when looking into residential solar is how effective it will be on your home or in your yard. Our location in Mississippi adds in several variables that could affect the efficiency and productivity of residential solar arrays. Optimal placement of solar panels is critical in maximizing their production, so it is important to consider the directions and pitches of your roof, as well as shading by nearby trees. Shade is not your friend when investing in solar, so be sure to observe how the sunlight hits your house and any obstructions that may interfere. Consider new landscaping and its potential to interfere as it grows. Pollen and dust can collect on the panels and obstruct production, so it may be necessary to clean the panels to ensure maximum power generation. Now that we’ve identified the optimal location of your array, let’s look at hours of solar production. In Mississippi we enjoy long summer days and experience short winter days. On average, we receive 12 to 14 hours of sunlight per day depending on the season and weather conditions. Of that, a fixed solar panel averages five hours per day of maximum solar

14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

generation. During peak generation times, you may produce more power than you use at your home. Where does that excess power go? You have two choices. The first option is to store the power by purchasing a battery wall for your home. During non-generation times the home will draw from batteries before tapping into the grid. If an investment in batteries is not right for you, the excess power can be returned to the grid and sold to TVA by enrolling in their Dispersed Power Production (DPP) program. In our area it is safe to say that most consumers will not completely eliminate their power bill with solar, but the conditions, size, and storage of the system will determine the savings you will achieve. We recommend having your solar contractor work with us to provide a thorough analysis of your solar design, productivity, and payback period. Safety is a top priority at Northcentral, both for our employees and our members. Any solar projects must be reviewed by our engineering team to ensure that design and safety specifications are met. This part of the process is crucial to protect the lives of those working on our lines and those living under your roof.

“Northcentral wants to be a trusted advisor to help our members make informed decisions regarding solar, so call us in the early stages of your research.”

Is solar a good investment? When considering a solar investment, is there a large upfront payment, or are payments spread over time? Will you incur interest or other financing costs? Consult your tax professional to confirm any tax incentives that may be available. TVA has a great online solar calculator at edt.tva.gov that uses your home’s information to estimate the size solar system you need, cost, and projected payback. It’s a great tool to properly size your solar array and ensure that you don’t overpay for the system. Whether you purchase or lease a system, before signing on the dotted line, ask an attorney to review the terms and make sure it is a fair agreement. How does solar affect my property? If you’re looking into a rooftop solar array, it is important to factor in the age of your roof. The average lifespan of shingles and solar panels is 25 years. So, if your roof is 10 years old when you install the panels, you may consider replacing it first. There are additional costs to remove and reinstall the panels when you replace your roof. If you have a warranty on your roof, are there specific installation guidelines to protect your coverage? What if the roof or panels are damaged in a storm? Make sure to call your insurance carrier to verify your policy limits and see if additional coverage is needed. Also check with your city or county planning departments, as they may require a permit. Lastly, ensure that you get the proper approval from your homeowner’s association, landlord, or property manager before signing any contracts. Avoid solar scams Northcentral wants to be a trusted advisor to help our members make informed decisions regarding solar, so call us in the early stages of your research. Here are a few suggestions

when talking to a solar contractor. First, we recommend using North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioner (NABCEP) certified professional contractors. Ask them to provide references from solar systems they installed in your area. Get multiple quotes and be wary of unrealistic promises. Avoid high pressure sales tactics that give timelines such as, “this offer is good for 24 hours.” Look at the total cost of your solar investment, factoring in home upgrades, insurance, and financing costs that may be included. Alternatives programs available Unsure if an investment in solar is right for you? Northcentral and TVA offer other options for members who want to support renewable energy and reduce their environmental footprint. The TVA Green Switch program offers an opportunity to buy renewable energy through offsite solar, wind, and biomass sources across the Tennessee Valley. Members can purchase this renewable energy to offset the power you use for as little as $2 per 200-kilowatt hour (kWh) “block.” Visit tva.com/ energy/valley-renewable-energy for more information. If your goal is reducing your utility bill, but don’t want the expense of solar generation, TVA’s EnergyRight® program can help you with energy efficient habits and low-cost home upgrades. Visit energyright.com to find out how you can make small changes to reduce your electric costs.

by Leah Grant Commercial Account Coordinator

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

North East Mississippi ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION For more information about Today in Mississippi, contact Sarah Brooke Bishop or Marlin Williams at 662-234-6331

nemepa.org

NEMEPA

@NorthEastPower

CEO MESSAGE

LOOKING BACK ON 2021 As we reflect on 2021, I am happy to return to some sense of normalcy within the communities we serve. Ole Miss students were back for in-person classes. Fans got to enjoy baseball and football this year. People started getting out of the house and traveling again. North East Mississippi Electric Power Association accomplished many things over the last year to better serve our members. NE SPARC is near completion with 1,500 miles of primary fiber lines run, and all our zones scheduled to be open by the end of the month. This project brings high-speed fiber broadband service to members in our most rural territories. We are still actively working to connect more than 80 homes per week. We hope our members are proud of how reliable and cost-effective SPARC is — you own it. I am pleased with employee philanthropic efforts through the year as we strive to be even more relevant in the communities we serve. Employees have held donation drives and volunteered time with organizations such as The Pantry, CASA of Lafayette County, United Way, and many other deserving organizations. Concern for the Community is one of the Seven Cooperative Principles that provides the framework for North East Power.

As we start to look ahead to the winter and temperatures dropping, we hope our members will be mindful of usage. North East Power has been a winter peaking system for the last five years, which means more electricity is used during that time. We have a strong system that can handle the load but due to the increase in usage, bills can be higher during those colder months. By helping to monitor your thermostat and how much the heat is running, you are in control of what is used in your household. According to energy.gov, 68 degrees is the ideal thermostat temperature for winter. However, for every degree lower you set your thermostat, you could save on your power bill. As we begin 2022, we wish all of you a prosperous new year. As always, we remain committed to serving our members and improving the quality of life in the communities we serve.

by Keith Hayward General Manager/CEO

will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In case of a power outage or emergency, please call 662-234-6331. Dispatchers are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

2021 ANNUAL MEETING

HIGHLIGHTS Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, North East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s Annual Meeting was held virtually on December 11, 2021 at 1 p.m. The virtual meeting covered topics such as a financial update, NE SPARC, and Board elections.

Director elections At NEMEPA’s Annual Meeting, three of the cooperative’s directors were reelected to the board. Ray Gallagher of Waterford (District 1), James Downs of Myrtle (District 3), and Danny Russell of Thaxton (District 5). A special election was held to fill the empty District 8 seat. John Briscoe of Oxford was elected.

Congratulations to our winners! Members who watched the Annual Meeting live through our virtual meeting link were eligible for prizes, as well as those who sent in their mail-in ballots. Prize winners from voting in the election were randomly selected by our accounting firm, Franks, Franks, Wilemon, and Hagood.

The winners of the mail-in ballots are as follows:

The winners who watched the Annual Meeting online are as follows:

Hugh Turner - Myrtle, 55” TV Julien Tatum - Oxford, $500 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Tula Baptist Church - Oxford, $250 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Rodney Edwards - Oxford, $250 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Thurman Montgomery - Pontotoc, $100 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Joseph Abide - Oxford, $100 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Lynn Hewlett - Oxford, $100 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks

Earnie Mullins - Oxford, 55” TV Sean Allen - Oxford, $500 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Jerry Allen - Oxford, $250 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Lindsey Ann Hill - Oxford, $250 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Debra Downs - Oxford, $100 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks James Foster - Oxford, $100 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks Matthew Maples - Oxford, $100 NEMEPA/SPARC Bucks

John Briscoe elected to serve on NEMEPA’s board During NEMEPA’s Annual Meeting on December 11, 2021, John Briscoe of Oxford was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for District 8. Briscoe was born in Tupelo and graduated from Tupelo High School. He moved to Oxford in 1983 to help his grandfather and father on their family farm. The Briscoes farm cotton, corn, soybeans, cattle, and have some forestry land. Briscoe is married to Dana Briscoe. They have 3 children — Bradley (Kelli Mize), Sarah Grace (Will Hollowell), and Mabrey — and one granddaughter, Olivia. “I am excited for the opportunity to represent my district on the Board and support the great work they do at North East,” said Briscoe.

UNION COUNTY Abbeville

New Albany

Thaxton

PONTOTOC COUNTY

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

Recognition for achievement of broadband internet service At the Annual Meeting, board member John Davis (center) presented General Manager/CEO Keith Hayward (right), and Randall Abel, COO, with a proclamation from the Board of Directors recognizing the achievement of broadband internet service. The proclamation also recognized the employees of North East Mississippi Electric Power Association and NE SPARC for their dedication, commitment, hard work, and success in implementing broadband service to the region. “I am very proud of North East and all the staff. We knew they were capable but didn’t realize how fast they would take charge and get NE SPARC established. We are one of the larger co-ops in the state and have done an outstanding job working on budget and ahead of schedule. To be where we are today is quite the accomplishment and the Board wanted to acknowledge the efforts towards SPARC in a special way,” said James Downs, board president.

UPDATE

NE SPARC ON SCHEDULE TO COMPLETE SERVICE TERRITORY THIS MONTH

NE SPARC is excited to announce that all the primary fiber is on schedule to be completed for the service territory by the end of the month. This completion allows all fiber zones to be open. This project is coming in on budget and ahead of schedule by roughly a year. SPARC fiber passes 25,000 homes and offers the availability of high-speed broadband internet to any North East Mississippi Electric Power Association member. “I would have never thought in 2019 when the Legislature passed the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act that by January 2022, every single location would have the capability to get fiber installed to it,” said Keith Hayward, General Manager/CEO of North East Power and NE SPARC. “I would like to commend our employees from the front office to the back on their hard work and patience, Randall (Abel) for taking on this project, and the Legislature for their help in passing the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act in 2019. And, last but certainly not 14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

least, a big thank you to our membership for participating and turning a 36-month project to a 24-month project.” Only one other co-op in the state has completed construction on their fiber-to- homes project. SPARC has surpassed 6,400 customers and continues to grow daily. SPARC offers residential and business internet and voice services to meet the needs of any member. NE SPARC’s lightning-fast speed allows members to “cut the cord” on cable costs. Cutting the cord means discontinuing traditional television viewing and beginning to stream live TV and movies on the internet. To find out which streaming service would work best for your family, visit nesparc.com and use the free Suppose TV service to enter the channels you watch most. If you haven’t signed up for NE SPARC, you can bring the speed of fiber boradband internet to your home or business by calling our office at 662-238-3159.

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials

NOW AVAILABLE

North East Mississippi Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

SENATE

Sen. Kathy L. Chism District 3: Benton, Pontotoc, and Union counties

Sen. Nicole Akins Boyd District 9: Lafayette and Panola counties

Sen. Neil Whaley District 10: Marshall and Tate counties

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. John Faulkner District 5: Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, and Tate counties

Rep. Brady Williamson District 10: Lafayette, Panola, and Tallahatchie counties

Rep. Clay Deweese District 12: Lafayette County

Rep. Steve Massengill District 13: Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, and Union counties

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area. Rep. Sam J. Creekmore IV District 14: Union County

Rep. Mac Huddleston District 15: Pontotoc County

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

PONTOTOC 662-489-3211 • Fax: 662-489-5156

BRUCE 662-983-2727 • Fax: 662-983-1335

P.O. Drawer 718 • 12 South Main Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863

P.O. Box 415 • 129 South Newberger Street, Bruce, MS 38915

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials Pontotoc Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

NOW AVAILABLE A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

United States Senator

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

TRENT KELLY First District Representative

SENATE Sen. Kathy L. Chism

Sen. Benjamin A. Suber

Sen. Nicole Akins Boyd

District 3: Benton, Pontotoc, and Union counties Address: 1506 Moss Hill Drive New Albany, MS 38652 Years in Legislature: 3

District 8: Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lee, Pontotoc, and Yalobusha counties Address: P.O. Box 8 Bruce, MS 38915 Years in Legislature: 3

District 9: Lafayette and Panola counties Address: 113 Sivley Street Oxford, MS 38655 Years in Legislature: 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rep. Mac Huddleston

Rep. Steve Massengill

District 15: Pontotoc County

District 13: Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, and Union counties

Address: P.O. Drawer 300 Pontotoc, MS 38863 Years in Legislature: 14

Address: 1322 Hwy. 5 Hickory Flat, MS 38633 Years in Legislature: 10

Rep. Jonathan Ray Lancaster

Rep. Jim Beckett

District 22: Chickasaw and Pontotoc counties

District 23: Calhoun, Grenada, Lafayette, and Webster counties

Address: 463 CR 85 Houston, MS 38851 Years in Legislature: 3

Address: P.O. Box 722 Bruce, MS 38915 Years in Legislature: 18

Rep. Sam Creekmore District 14: Union County Address: 1314 South Central Avenue New Albany, MS 38652 Years in Legislature: 3

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

PAY BILLS or REPORT OUTAGES: 855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) COLUMBIA: 601-736-2666 | HATTIESBURG: 601-264-2458 | PURVIS: 601-794-8051 | WIGGINS: 601-928-7277 Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference. • Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com.

Meet your state legislators

SENATE

The Mississippi Legislature convenes in January for the 2022 session. Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our members at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

Sen. Jason Barrett

Sen. Dennis DeBar, Jr.

Sen. Joey Fillingane

District 39: Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Walthall counties

District 43: George, Greene, and Wayne counties

District 41: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, and Smith counties

Address: P.O. Box 713 Brookhaven, MS 39602

Address: P.O. Box 1090 Leakesville, MS 39451

Address: 8 Westbrook Dr. Sumrall, MS 39482

PRVEPA DISTRICTS & SENATE DISTRICT MAP 41 39 45 44

Sen. Angela Burks Hill 47

District 40: Marion and Pearl River counties

PRVEPA DISTRICTS & REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT MAP

Address: 54 Watts Rd. Picayune, MS 39466

102 103

100

101

87 105

99 104 106

107

Sen. Joseph M. “Mike” Seymour District 47: Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone counties Address: 15417 Indian Fork Rd. Vancleave, MS 39565

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

Sen. Chris Johnson

Sen. John A. Polk

District 45: Forrest and Perry counties

District 44: Lamar and Pearl River counties

Address: P.O. Box 18247 Hattiesburg, MS 39404

Address: 53 Tidewater Rd. Hattiesburg, MS 39402

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected ofﬁcials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Larry Byrd

Rep. Bob Evans

Rep. Dale Goodin

Rep. Timmy Ladner

Rep. Vince Mangold

District 104: Forrest County

District 91: Copiah, Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson counties

District 105: George, Greene, and Perry counties

District 93: Hancock, Pearl River, and Stone counties

Address: 72 Memorial Church Rd., Richton, MS 39476

Address: 6 Michael D. Smith Rd., Poplarville, MS 39470

District 53: Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties

Rep. Ken Morgan

Rep. Jansen Owen

District 100: Lamar and Marion counties

District 106: Lamar and Pearl River counties

Address: 1640 Hwy. 587 Morgantown, MS 39483

Address: P.O. Box 249 Poplarville, MS 39470

Address: 17 Byrd Rd. Petal, MS 39465

Address: P.O. Box 636 Monticello, MS 39654

Rep. Kenneth “Kent” McCarty

Rep. Missy Warren McGee

Rep. Douglas “Doug” McLeod

District 101: Lamar County

District 102: Forrest and Lamar counties

District 107: George and Stone counties

Address: P.O. Box 19089 Hattiesburg, MS 39404

Address: 1211 Bexley Church Rd., Lucedale, MS 39452

Rep. Bill Pigott

Rep. Noah Sanford

District 99: Lamar, Marion, and Walthall counties

District 90: Covington, Jefferson Davis, and Simpson counties

Rep. Joseph “Bubba” Tubb

Address: 13 Leaf Ln. Hattiesburg, MS 39402

Address: 92 Pigott Easterling Rd. Tylertown, MS 39667

Address: P.O. Box 1900 Collins, MS 39428

District 87: Forrest and Lamar counties

Address: P.O. Box 1018 Jackson, MS 39215

Rep. Percy W. Watson District 103: Forrest County Address: P.O. Box 1767 Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Address: 30 Pin Oak Lane, Purvis, MS 39475

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

THE NEW PEARLCOMM FIBER WEBSITE IS HERE!

It truly is exciting times for Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association. Just a few months ago, we began construction on a high-speed fiber network for our members in South Mississippi. Now, PearlComm Fiber is set to connect its first customer in just a few weeks from our Foxworth substation! As we work hard to build out the fiber-to-the-home network, we also wanted to share our new website that makes it easy for members to place orders for service, and to manage their fiber account after they get connected. Service packages for residential customers are available. The site also has a section for business owners to explore and discover the business benefits of fiber internet. There is still a place for everyone to pre-register even if service is not available yet. Just click the check availability button and enter in your contact information. If you have already preregistered, there is no need to do so again. Pre-registering is not a commitment to subscribe to our service; it just keeps you up to

date on when service near you is coming. When we open a zone, we will use the contact information provided to let our members in that area know service is now available. You will still need to go in and sign up and choose your internet package. With PearlComm’s ﬁber-to-the-home network, you’ll have access to the fastest internet around. That means uninterrupted access to online resources, tools, and applications — no buffering and no delays. Plus, we offer packages that work your budget. We look forward to serving your ﬁber internet needs in the New Year!

by Matthew Ware CEO/General Manager

PearlComm Fiber offers two simple packages for high-speed ﬁber internet: 100 Mbps for $54.95 per month and 1 Gigabit (1,000 Mbps) for $79.95 per month. PearlComm will also offer residential landline options for our members as well. You can rest assured your local cooperative will deliver the same quality ﬁber service and support that you know and expect with your electric service!

Pearl River Valley ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION 14 14 TODAY TODAY || JANUARY JANUARY 2022 2022

will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Composer donates scores to by Lauren Rogers Baltimore composer Larry Hoffman has donated a dozen of his musical scores to the Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi. While Hoffman has written many more works, the awardwinning composer chose his blues- and American folk-infused classical compositions for the acclaimed collection. “It is with great pride that I donate these scores to the Blues Archive at the University of Mississippi,” Hoffman said. “It is at once an honor, a vindication, and a great encouragement.” Greg Johnson, professor and curator of the Blues Archive at the J.D. Williams Library, has been familiar with Hoffman’s work for several years. “I first discovered Larry’s music on a compilation album from the late 1980s called ‘Prelude in Blue,’” Johnson said. “The album caught my eye, because it was a classical music LP in one of the Blues Archive collections. I don’t remember the other pieces on the record, but was struck by Larry’s ‘Blues for Harp, Oboe and Violoncello,’ as it featured world-famous harpist Yolanda Kondonassis and oboist John Mack. “Years later, Living Blues magazine asked me to review Larry’s album ‘Works of Larry Hoffman: Contemporary American Music.’ With each of us having interests in the worlds of blues and classical music, we had a lot to talk about!” From a young age, Hoffman was immersed in American folk music, listening to — and later playing — the music of the Weavers, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and the Everly Brothers. This grew into a passion for the blues. As a professional folk singer, Hoffman played for Mississippi John Hurt, and with Skip James and other bluesmen. He also began his first formal study of music with jazz great John Coltrane’s teacher, Dennis Sandole. A large part of Hoffman’s compositional style melds these seemingly disparate genres. “My initial mission to become a composer was to infuse the contemporary classical language with the great power and dignity of the blues — if I could find a way,” Hoffman said. But blues is rarely represented in American concert music, he noted.

“Sadly, there is often prejudice against this integration in both the blues and classical worlds,” Hoffman noted. “And yet, when I have been present at concerts where my blues-inspired pieces were programmed among serious works of the classical masters, audiences have uniformly shown a great appreciation of this blend of ideas.” Hoffman’s music is helping to bridge that divide, Johnson said. Hoffman was the principal writer for the liner notes to the 2003 “Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues” box set, which won Grammy Awards for “Best Liner Notes of the Year” and “Best Historical Compilation of the Year.” He was also nominated for a Grammy for his writings in the “Mean Old World: The Blues from 1940-1994” box set. The scores donated by Hoffman are valuable additions to the archive, Johnson said. “When I’m introducing new audiences to the blues, I often speak about its inﬂuence on other styles of music,” he said. “I think Larry’s compositions provide an interesting point of connection in speaking to some music students who have mostly been immersed in classical training. I think these compositions help demonstrate the reach of the blues outside typical spheres of inﬂuence. Lauren Rogers is a library specialist in Archives and Special Collections at the University of Mississippi..

BRINGING THE POWER WWW. SOU THE RNP IN E.COOP | P.O. BOX 60 | 1349 1 H WY. 28 | TAYLO R SVIL L E, MS 39 168 | 800.231 .524 0

COOPERATIVE DAY OF SERVICE Every January, America honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who lived a life of service dedicated to equal rights for all Americans. Dr. King’s legacy of service lives on today. He once said, “Everyone can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” This rings true; all of us can help others. All we have to do is have the desire and initiative to serve. Dr. King’s words have guided so many over the years, and he lived a life that is a true example of a man with a servant’s heart. With his life and inspiring words in mind, Southern Pine is once again joining other cooperatives across our state for a Cooperative Day of Service. As a cooperative, Southern Pine serves our members throughout the year through food drives, working with our schools, community events, and other ways.

On Jan. 14, we will continue our service by working on various local community projects throughout our service territory. Cooperative Day of Service, in honor of Dr. King, will make a difference in the lives of Mississippians across the state as we, and our sister co-ops, join forces to make an even bigger impact. However, the work doesn’t stop after one day. Southern Pine operates under the “Seven Cooperative Principles” guidelines, just as our sister co-ops do. One of these guiding principles is “Concern for Community,” and we at Southern Pine genuinely care about our community and the needs of our members. The employees and directors of Southern Pine want our home to be the best possible version of itself. That’s why we are dedicated to improving our community and the lives of our members. As long as Southern Pine is here to bring the power, we will also be here to serve the needs of our community.

by Chris K. Rhodes President / CEO Southern Pine Electric

VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11

TEXT MESSAGING FOR OUTAGES Text JOIN to 1-800-231-5240 to subscribe

12 TODAY| NOVEMBER 2021

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

Thank you to those who have served our natio to preserve the freedom we hold so dear.

2021 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING PRIZE WINNERS Jimmy Lucas Wardell Camper Monte Randall Charles E. Rogillio Sr. Gladys Ramona Peterson

$ 250.00 In Electricity $ 500.00 In Electricity $ 750.00 In Electricity $ 1000.00 In Electricity Truck

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Happy Thanksgiving from Southern Pine! WWW.SOUTHERNPINE.COOP | 1-800-231-5240 JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

COOPERATIVE UNIVERSITY Southern Pine’s Cooperative University, held in December, was a fun-filled day for 30 high school juniors representing 19 local schools. These future leaders were nominated by their high school counselors to attend because they demonstrated leadership abilities in their schools. Students participated in interactive leadership activities, learned about electric cooperatives, electric vehicles, learned from Southern Pine linemen, and toured dispatch. Two students were selected to attend a three-day confer-

14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

ence in Jackson with students from across Mississippi. During the meeting, students will get to meet local legislators and state government officials. In June, these young leaders and representatives from other cooperatives will head to Washington, D.C., for a weeklong Youth Leadership Tour. Students will tour the city as well as monuments and other sights. In addition, they will have an opportunity to meet with national leaders.

EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO WORK SAFELY Reaching one million hours worked without a lost-time incident in January 2020 only strengthened Southern Pine’s commitment to safety. As always, safety is our No. 1 priority. We reinforce that commitment through our cooperative-wide safety program, continuous safety protocol meetings, and providing employees with the personal protective equipment they need. At the beginning of 2021, Southern Pine launched the “What’s Your One?” safety campaign to remind all employees of their reasons to be safe in their workplace. The campaign focuses on what matters the most to us and guides our decisions every day, allowing us to return home to our “one.” Whether it is God, a spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, pets, or anything else — everyone has that one important reason to stay safe and return home.

Safety awareness does not just start when our employees walk through the doors of Southern Pine. Safety awareness is crucial at home, on the roadways, during playtime with sports and hobbies, and every other aspect of our lives. We want all our employees and members to always keep safety in the forefront of their minds. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have focused on safety in all-new ways. Because we value the health and safety of our members and our employees, we established precautions for all employees. We strive to follow all policies and procedures to keep you and our employees safe. In upcoming issues of Today in Mississippi, we will continue to share with our members about the importance of safety and the emphasis we place on safe practices at Southern Pine.

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 15

Southern Pine Electric salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SENATORS

SENATE

REPRESENTATIVES

Sen. Josh Harkins

ROGER WICKER United States Senator

TRENT KELLY Congressional First District

BENNIE G. THOMPSON Congressional Second District

District 20: Rankin County

Sen. Juan Barnett

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

MICHAEL GUEST Congressional Third District

@MYSOUTHERNPINE

We use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to post information on how to become more energy efficient, safety tips and to inform members about special events throughout the year. During weather-related events, these sites provide storm preparation details and outage information. However, social media is not the most efficient means to report an outage, as it is not monitored 24-7.

16 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

STEVEN PALAZZO Congressional Fourth District

District 34: Forrest, Jasper, and Jones counties

Sen. Dean Kirby District 30: Rankin County

Sen. Chris Caughman

Sen. Tyler McCaughn District 31: Lauderdale, Newton, and Scott counties

Sen. Albert Butler Sr.

District 35: Copiah, Rankin, and Simpson counties

District 36: Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, and Jefferson counties

Sen. Joey Fillingane

Sen. John A. Polk

SIGN UP FOR MYPOWER TODAY MyPower is an online tool that allows members to check energy use, view previous bills and set a monthly electricity-use budget. The site also provides an easyto-use method for reporting an outage and allows you to email questions or comments to Southern Pine. To sign up for MyPower, visit southernpine.coop and click on the MyPower icon in the center of the home page.

Sen. Jason Barrett

District 39: Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Walthall counties

District 41: Covington, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, and Smith counties

District 44: Lamar and Pearl River counties

THANK YOU

Sen. Chris Johnson District 45: Forrest and Perry counties

for a job well done to all our representatives and senators who represent constituents residing in our service area!

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Brent Powell District 59: Rankin County

Rep. Gregory Holloway Sr.

Rep. Fred Shanks District 60: Rankin County

Rep. Price Wallace

Rep. Gene Newman District 61: Rankin County

Rep. Randy Rushing

District 76: Claiborne, Copiah, and Hinds counties

District 77: Rankin and Simpson counties

District 78: Leake, Newton, and Scott counties

Rep. Joseph “Bubba” Tubb

Rep. Robin Robinson

Rep. Donnie Scoggin

Rep. Tom Weathersby District 62: Copiah, Rankin, and Simpson counties

Rep. Mark Tullos District 79: Jasper and Smith counties

District 88: Jasper and Jones counties

District 89: Jones County

District 90: Covington, Jefferson Davis, and Simpson counties

Rep. Bob Evans

Rep. Becky Currie

Rep. Missy McGee

Rep. Larry Byrd

District 92: Copiah, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties

District 102: Forrest and Lamar counties

Rep. Tom Miles

District 74: Rankin County

District 75: Rankin and Scott counties

Rep. Omeria Scott

Rep. Billy Adam Calvert

District 80: Clarke, Jasper, and Jones counties

District 83: Lauderdale County

Rep. Noah Sanford

District 87: Forrest and Lamar counties

District 91: Copiah, Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and Simpson counties

Rep. Lee Yancey

District 104: Forrest County

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 17

Adams • Amite • Claiborne • Copiah • Franklin Hinds • Jefferson • Lincoln • Wilkinson Southwest Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 | 601-437-3611 | 800-287-8564 | Fax: 601-437-8736 | Email: info@swepa.coop southwestelectric.coop

Southwest Electric

SWElectricCoop

sw_electric_coop

Southwest Electric

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials Southwest Electric salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C. and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS

ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

BENNIE THOMPSON Second District

MICHAEL GUEST Third District

2466 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

230 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected officials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

SENATE

Sen. Albert Butler, Sr. District 36: Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, and Jefferson counties Years in Legislature: 13

Sen. Melanie Sojourner District 37: Adams, Amite, Franklin, and Pike counties Years in Legislature: 7

Sen. Kelvin Butler District 38: Adams, Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson counties Years in Legislature: 13

Sen. Jason Barrett District 39: Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Walthall counties Years in Legislature: 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Vince Mangold District 53: Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Pike counties Years in Legislature: 7

Rep. Stephanie Foster District 63: Hinds, Warren, and Yazoo counties Years in Legislature: 3

Rep. Gregory L. Holloway, Sr. District 76: Claiborne, Copiah, and Hinds counties Years in Legislature: 23

Rep. Robert L. Johnson III District 94: Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson counties Years in Legislature: 30

Rep. Angela Cockerham District 96: Adams, Amite, Pike, and Wilkinson counties Years in Legislature: 17

Rep. Sam C. Mims V District 97: Adams, Amite, Franklin, and Pike counties Years in Legislature: 19

Rep. Jeffery Harness District 85: Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, and Warren counties Years in Legislature: 4

Rep. Becky Currie District 92: Copiah, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties Years in Legislature: 15

JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

40 Years

EMPLOYEES EARN SERVICE AWARDS Every December, Southwest Electric recognizes our employees and their years of service to our cooperative’s Members. In December 2021, 20 employees were recognized and received awards noting their years of service.

Paula Clune

35 Years

Bruce Butler

Rhonda Davis

25 Years

Ralph Emﬁnger

Stephanie Knotts

15 Years

30 Years

Frank Carradine

Craig Strittman

5 Years

T. J. Floyd

20 Years

Brett Davis

Ernie Orcutt

Darryl Hassell

10 Years

Dustin Matthews Tony Bell

Jeffery Martin

Al Perry

Leah Ross

Joyce Burleson

Evan Newell

Dustin Sandifer

B. J. Newman

Southwest Electric held its fifth annual Cooperative University on Tuesday, December 7, at the Natchez Campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Eighteen students from nine schools competed to become the 2021 Youth Leadership representatives for Southwest Electric. The students had a full day of learning about electricity, hearing from a state legislator, learning about the history and purpose of rural electric coop-

Metering Technician Norvell Davis spoke to students about equipment that is used to test and install meters.

eratives, and talking to a serviceman and a metering technician about their work and the tools they use. Qualifying students participated in interviews with out-of-town judges the following day. This is the 34th year that Southwest Electric has participated in the Youth Leadership Program administered by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi.

Serviceman Ernie Orcutt demonstrated pole climbing and various tools used in the ﬁeld.

Students built models to demonstrate and explain how power is distributed from the power plant to the home.

Representative Sam Mims took questions from students about political issues.

Participating Students: Front Row, Left to Right: Carlesha Jackson Jefferson County High School Destiny Addae Natchez Early College Academy Kiara Haynes Wesson Attendance Center Georgia Martin Adams County Christian School Ann Patin Wilkinson County Christian Academy Olivia Grantham Wesson Attendance Center Anna Kate Hester Franklin County High School Ada Ashley Wilkinson County Christian Academy Aubrye Mayﬁeld Brookhaven High School

Back Row, Left to Right: Terrell Walker, Jr. Jefferson County High School Lawrence Jones Natchez Early College Academy Samuel Merriett Adams County Christian School Coleman Bonds Wesson Attendance Center Tanner Wimberly Cathedral High School Will Welch Cathedral High School Bryson Porter Brookhaven High School Ashton Williams Natchez High School Adrian Marshall Natchez High School

BRIAN HUGHEY

Bringing power and energy services to local communities

Public Relations Specialist

LORRI FREEMAN, APR

STEPHANIE CHISHOLM

Manager of Public Relations

For more information, call 601-947-4211 or 228-497-1313.

www.singingriver.com

@singingriverelectric

@SRECooperative

New year brings fiber installations to first pilot area

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

Public Relations Assistant

SRE is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

For many of our members, the new year brings excitement to their lives. Hundreds of residents living in the Brewer, Vestry, and Agricola communities now have the opportunity Brian Hughey to subscribe to an General Manager unparalleled high-speed & CEO internet service being offered by Singing River Connect, our subsidiary company. For your electric cooperative, this journey began following the passage of the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act in 2019. As mentioned before, the overwhelming vote by our membership permitting Singing River Electric to change our articles of incorporation allowing the option to provide internet service sent a strong message to our management team and board of directors. The pandemic, as we all know, brought the need for this essential service to a new level. Over the last several months, we have continued to give updates on our progress in fiberoptic system design, make-ready construction, and fiber installation within the three pilot project areas. Additionally, part of the project consists of a fiber backbone running throughout our electric distribution system that will allow for realtime communications with our substations and offices. Like our members, Singing River Electric linemen and engineers are

AMANDA PARKER

General Manager & CEO

excited to see this SCADA technology assist in providing even more efficient member service as we move forward. Seeing the reaction of Singing River Connect’s first subscriber further indicates the importance of this vital service. For many, high-speed fiber internet will bring significant change to their families’ lives as technology requirements continue to be a necessity. As the pilot projects progress, we ask for your participation as the potential continuation of the fiber build-out beyond the pilot areas is strictly dependent on its success. We also ask for your patience as we continue this journey. On behalf of the employees and board, we wish you a safe and blessed new year.

@singingriverelectric

Energy Tips

Gabe Robbins

Energy Services Representative robbins@singingriver.com

Adjusting the thermostat quickly can take away your heat pump’s advantage This is the time of year for a heat pump’s best energy savings. An important tip when you are turning your heat pump on is to be sure to do it slowly. Adjust the thermostat a degree or two at a time to reach the desired temperature. Adjusting the thermostat too quickly will engage the auxiliary or emergency heat and take away your heat pump’s energy savings.

Notice of Singing River Electric Director Qualification Period Candidates seeking election to the board of directors for Singing River Electric Cooperative must visit Singing River Electric’s Lucedale office located at 11187 Old 63 South and obtain a Director Qualification packet. The forms and petitions included must be completed and the packet returned by close of business on the last business day in February (Monday, February 28, 2022).

Lighting our first subscriber December 2021 brought fiber signups in the Brewer community

small gray box with a blue light was a most and 1 Gbps for $84.95. All packages offer fiber internet with welcome sight recently to many in the symmetrical service, which means the same upload and Brewer community. It meant they now have download speeds. Packages also include the modem, router lightning-fast fiber internet. and managed Wi-Fi through the My SRConnect app. There are Ms. Kendra Pittman, the first subscriber no annual commitments for service and no data caps. lit up by SR Connect in December stated, Upgrade to the Ultimate Wi-Fi experience by adding “There is no lagging, even after we ExperienceIQ and ProtectIQ services to your app for just $7 connected all our devices. It’s wonderful.” per month. ExperienceIQ puts you in the driver’s seat to set SR Connect, a fiber subsidiary of Singing time limits on screen time for specific River Electric, has been working since applications, view who is using what Those celebrating Singing River Connect’s fir t fiber subscriber a e: Perry County August 2021 to construct a 400-mile fiber device at your home and block harmful District 3 Supervisor Tim Wise, Public distribution ring throughout SRE’s service or inappropriate content. ProtectIQ Service Commissioner Dane Maxwell, area and begin building three fiber pilot automatically blocks attempted visits to SRE General Manager and CEO Brian Hughey, Perry County District 4 Supervisor projects to serve prospective subscribers know harmful websites, monitors incoming Richard Lott, First Singing River Connect in Perry, Greene, Wayne, George and traffic to keep out hackers and sends you Subscriber Kendra Pittman, Perry County Jackson counties. Contract crews are notifications through the app of security District 5 Supervisor Marc Williams, District 105 Representative Dale Goodin, averaging 20-25 miles of fiber construction threats. and SRE Director Robert Steele. The per week and currently have built nearly Visit singingriverconnect.com to express far right photo shows and installed SR 300 miles of fiber lines. your interest in fiber internet, sign up for Connect Gigaspire router. “The fiber project required a great deal service or view the three initial pilot area of planning,” said SRE Project Engineer locations. Fiber expansion beyond the Brandon Welford. “Our project coordinator, Conexon, assisted pilot areas will be determined by SRE’s board of directors and us to build the construction blueprint earlier in the year and depends on the success of the pilots. actively participates in the current construction process.” For more information, contact a SRC customer service Comments from initial subscribers use words like, “Wow, it’s representative by calling 877-272-6611. You can also join the fast and no lagging or freezing, and we love it.” conversation on our social media channels Facebook and SR Connect offers two packages: 100 Mbps for $59.95 Instagram (SingingRiverConnect) and Twitter (SRConnectMS). JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 13

Cooperative University

20 2021

Singing River Electric hosted its Youth Leadership Program Cooperative University at its Lucedale office on Friday, December 10, 2021. All high schools within Singing River Electric’s service territory were invited to nominate one member of the junior class to represent the school. Student nominees were required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, be involved in extracurricular activities, be active in church, civic, and community activities, and receive electricity from Singing River Electric. During Cooperative University, students were encouraged to get to know each other through networking activities, learned about the cooperative form of business, and took a closer look at how Singing River Electric provides power to its members and restores power after an outage. They also learned about

SRE’s fiber internet subsidiary, Singing River Connect, and the process for bringing broadband to residents in the three pilot areas. A legislative panel discussion driven by student questions was the highlight of the day. Secretary of State Michael Watson, and Senators Dennis DeBar, Jeremy England, and Chris Johnson spent over an hour answering the students’ questions about education, the legislative process, and the need for broadband internet. Each student also participated in a 10-minute interview moderated by a panel of out-of-town judges from electric cooperatives across the state. Based on the student interviews and participation throughout the day, William Rasberry, Gianna Pierce, and Sarah Jean Scearce were selected to attend the Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson in March and the Youth Tour of Washington, D.C. in June.

Students took a group photo with their legislators following the panel discussion. On the back row are Secretary of State Michael Watson, Senator Dennis DeBar, Senator Jeremy England, and Senator Chris Johnson.

SRE Youth Leadership Students These three students will attend the 2022 Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson and Youth Tour of Washington, D.C.

Gianna Pierce Ocean Springs High School

William Rasberry George County High School

Sarah Jean Scearce Resurrection Catholic High School

These students were their high school’s representatives based on their leadership skills and community activities.

Gabbrielle Ledet, Alayna Tagert, Caitlin McCullough, and Ciara Harvey became fast friends as they completed the ﬁrst networking activity.

Zachary Baggett

Fruitdale High School

Gabbrielle Ledet Richton High School

Britton Dunnam

Greene County High School

Emma Lee

Pascagoula High School

Ciara Harvey

Gautier High School

Sophia Lyons

Vancleave High School

Area legislators were happy to answer students’ questions during a panel discussion.

Caitln McCullough

East Central High School

Students enjoyed an interactive activity where they dressed up as characters, wrote, and performed a song that had to include cooperative facts they learned throughout the day.

Hannah Parker

Perry Central High School

Alayna Tagert

St. Martin High School

Maddox Ross

Wayne County High School

Clayton Wilhorn Biloxi High School

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials

Singing River Electric salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capital in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

TATE REEVES Governor

DELBERT HOSEMANN Lieutenant Governor

ROGER WICKER United States Senator

CINDY HYDE-SMITH United States Senator

STEVEN PALAZZO United States Representative Fourth District

MISSISSIPPI SENATE

MICHAEL WATSON Secretary of State

AVAILABLE!

Sen. Dennis DeBar, Jr.

Sen. Chris Johnson

District 43: George, Greene and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 1090 Leakesville, MS 39451 Years in Legislature: 11

District 45: Forrest and Perry counties Address: P.O. Box 18247 Hattiesburg, MS 39404 Years in Legislature: 7

Sen. Joseph M. “Mike” Seymour District 47: Jackson, Pearl River and Stone counties Address: 15417 Indian Fork Rd. Vancleave, MS 39565 Years in Legislature: 7

★

Sen. Jeremy England

Sen. Brice Wiggins

District 51: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 6363 Vancleave, MS 39565 Years in Legislature: 3

District 52: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 922 Pascagoula, MS 39568 Years in Legislature: 11

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

★

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi offers a free, easy-to-use mobile app, which provides information on Mississippi’s state and federal elected ofﬁcials. Look for “Mississippi Legislative Roster” in the Apple App Store. An Android version is also available through Google play.

Rep. Shane Barnett

Rep. Dale Goodin

District 86: Greene, Perry and Wayne counties Address: P.O. Box 621 Waynesboro, MS 39367 Years in Legislature: 7

District 105: George, Greene and Perry counties Address: 72 Memorial Church Rd., Richton, MS 39476 Years in Legislature: 3

Rep. Charles Busby

Rep. John O. Read

District 111: Jackson County Address: 901 Beach Blvd. Pascagoula, MS 39567 Years in Legislature: 11

District 112: Jackson County Address: 2396 Robert Hiram Dr., Gautier, MS 39553 Years in Legislature: 30

Rep. Douglas D. “Doug” McLeod District 107: George and Stone counties Address: 1211 Bexley Church Rd., Lucedale, MS 39452 Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Henry B. “Hank” Zuber III District 113: Jackson County Address: 503 Minor Lane Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Years in Legislature: 23

Rep. Manly Barton District 109: George and Jackson counties Address: 7905 Pecan Ridge Dr. Moss Point, MS 39562 Years in Legislature: 11

Rep. Jeffrey S. Guice District 114: Harrison and Jackson counties Address: 1208 Iola Rd. Ocean Springs, MS 39564 Years in Legislature: 14

Rep. Jeramey D. Anderson District 110: Jackson County Address: P.O. Box 311 Escatawpa, MS 39562 Years in Legislature: 10

Pathways2Possibilities

Background on P2P Gulf Coast

Interactive and hands-on career exploration for 8th graders

inging River Electric participated in the Pathways2Possibilities (P2P) Career Expo on November 17-18 at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center in Biloxi. P2P offers local 8th graders insight into many career opportunities and provides our employees a way to mentor and give back. Making up the Energy Pathway were Singing River Electric, Cooperative Energy, Coast Electric and Mississippi Power. In SRE’s area within the Energy Pathway, students performed tasks while wearing rubber gloves like simulating climbing a pole, framed a pole, role played a scenario between a member and a SRE member service representative, and learned about SRE’s fiber internet project through Singing River Connect. “Our employees did a fantastic job engaging the students, answering their questions, and giving them a glimpse into the many career options available in the Energy Pathway,” said Public Relations Assistant Stephanie Chisholm, who coordinated the event for SRE. Apprentice Lineman Brayden Bush worked at this year’s P2P event, several years after he participated in the event as a student. His mother, Monica, made this comment on SRE’s P2P Facebook post: “This is when my child decided he was going to be a lineman. I have pics of him at this event in eighth grade and now he is a lineman for y’all. Thank you, Singing River Electric.” The P2P Gulf Coast event hosts 8th graders from 10 different lower Mississippi counties.

P2P now serves to educate eighth graders in Mississippi, Tennessee and South Carolina. It was started by members of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Education Issues Manager Group. They attended a career expo in Alabama called Worlds of Opportunity (WOO) and decided to bring this career fair to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. P2P debuted on November 13-14, 2013, covering the 133,000 squarefeet of the Biloxi Coast Convention Center. Singing River Electric began its P2P participation at this event. It was attended by 6,000 8th graders and became an instant success expanding to the Tupelo, Delta and northwest Mississippi areas. This was followed by career fairs in Tennessee and North Carolina. For more information, visit pathways2possibilities.org.

Inside the Energy Pathway, students learned about the importance of customer service through interactive role-play, had their picture made from inside a lineman’s bucket, and experienced climbing a pole in lineman’s gear.

Participating students learn hands-on about careers including electric, aerospace, agriculture, finance, hospitality, information technology, construction and much more. JANUARY 2022 | TODAY 17

twincoepa.com SERVING MORE THAN 12,600 ELECTRIC METERS IN SEVEN DELTA COUNTIES

@twincoepa

Hollandale - 662-827-2262 | Belzoni - 662-247-1909 | Greenville - 662-334-9543 | Rolling Fork - 662-873-4233 | REPORT OUTAGES 866-897-7250

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials Twin County Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state.

TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS

ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

702 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

BENNIE THOMPSON Second District 2466 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected ofﬁcials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

SENATE

Sen. Derrick T. Simmons

Sen. Sarita Simmons

Sen. Joseph Thomas

Sen. W. Briggs Hopson III

Sen. David L. Jordan

District 12: Bolivar, Coahoma, and Washington counties

District 13: Bolivar, Sunflower, and Tallahatchie counties

District 22: Bolivar, Humphreys, Madison, Sharkey, Washington, and Yazoo counties

District 23: Issaquena, Warren, and Yazoo counties

District 24: Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore and Tallahatchie counties

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. M. Kevin Horan

Rep. Willie L. Bailey

Rep. John W. Hines Sr.

District 34: Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Leflore, and Tallahatchie counties

District 49: Washington County

District 50: Bolivar, Issaquena and Washington counties

Rep. Rufus E. Straughter

Rep. Kevin Ford

Rep. Oscar Denton

District 51: Humphreys, Sharkey and Yazoo counties

District 54: Issaquena, Warren and Yazoo counties

District 55: Warren County

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2021

SERVICE AWARDS

YEARS

KENNETH WALFORD • JANUARY 2, 1986 - 2021 MIKE MANOR • MARCH 3, 1986 - 2021

DANIEL HUMPHREY • JUNE 3, 1996 - 2021

RICHARD STALLWORTH • OCTOBER 1, 2001 - 2021 BUD ETHERIDGE • OCTOBER 1, 2001 - 2021

KENNY EUBANKS • DECEMBER 1, 2006 - 2021

ROGER VALDEZ • MAY 16, 2011 - 2021

YEARS

Going the Extra Mile Electric co-ops maintain more miles of power lines per consumer than other electric utilities. Even though we power fewer consumers on our lines compared to other utilities, we’ll always go the extra mile for you, the consumer-members we proudly serve.

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES // Serve 8 CONSUMER-MEMBERS per mile of line

1 MILE OF POWER LINE OTHER ELECTRIC UTILITIES // Serve 32 CONSUMERS per mile of line

14 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

662-746-4251 — OFFICE & REPORT OUTAGES • 866-484-4277 — PAY BY PHONE

VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.YAZOOVALLEY.COM

Meet your 2022 Mississippi Elected Ofﬁcials

CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION U.S. SENATORS

Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association salutes Mississippi’s senators and representatives who represent our state in Washington, D.C., and at our state capitol in Jackson. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve in the spirit of public service to help shape the future of our state. ROGER WICKER

CINDY HYDE-SMITH

United States Senator

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

TATE REEVES

DELBERT HOSEMANN

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

12 TODAY | JANUARY 2022

TRENT KELLY

BENNIE G. THOMPSON

First District

Second District

MICHAEL GUEST

STEVEN PALAZZO

Third District

Fourth District

NOW AVAILABLE

A free, interactive legislative app for Mississippi

It’s easy to know your elected ofﬁcials. ONLINE VERSION AVAILABLE AT WWW.ECM.COOP

SENATE

Sen. Barbara Blackmon

Sen. Joseph Thomas

Sen. W. Briggs Hopson III

Sen. David Jordan

District 21: Attala, Holmes, Leake, Madison, and Yazoo counties Address: 374 North West St. Canton, MS 39046 Years in Legislature: 19

District 22: Bolivar, Humphreys, Madison, Sharkey, Washington, and Yazoo counties Address: 820 Prentiss Ave. Yazoo City, MS 39194 Years in Legislature: 3

District 23: Issaquena, Warren, and Yazoo counties Address: 1201 Cherry St. Vicksburg, MS 39183 Years in Legislature: 15

District 24: Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, and Tallahatchie counties Address: 504 Bowie Lane Greenwood, MS 38930 Years in Legislature: 30

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Rep. Kenneth Walker

Rep. Bryant W. Clark

Rep. Jason White

Rep. Rufus Straughter

District 27: Attala, Leake, Madison, and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 265 Carthage, MS 39051 Years in Legislature: 7

District 47: Attala, Holmes, and Yazoo counties Address: 271 Clark Rd. Pickens, MS 39146 Years in Legislature: 19

District 48: Attala, Carroll, Holmes, and Leake counties Address: P.O. Box 246 West, MS 39192 Years in Legislature: 11

District 51: Humphreys, Sharkey, and Yazoo counties Address: 107 Van Buren St. Belzoni, MS 39038 Years in Legislature: 27

Rep. Kevin Ford

Rep. Oscar Denton

Rep. Stephanie Foster

District 54: Issaquenna, Warren, and Yazoo counties Address: 206 Willow Way Vicksburg, MS 39183 Years in Legislature: 6

District 55: Warren County Address: 5024 Rollingwood Estates Dr. Vicksburg, MS 39180 Years in Legislature: 10

District 63: Hinds, Warren, and Yazoo counties Address: P.O. Box 200 Raymond, MS 39154 Years in Legislature: 3

JANUARY 2022| TODAY 13