News for members of Southwest Electric Cooperative
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It’s finally here!
The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience opens in Meridian p. 4
6 History comes alive at Shaifer House 10 Mississippi Cooks: Southern comfort cookin’ 17 Cooperatives sponsor Youth Leadership Workshop
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Today in Mississippi
April 2018
P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 601-437-3611 or toll-free 1-800-287-8564 • Fax: 601-437-8736
Adams • Amite • Claiborne • Copiah • Franklin Hinds • Jefferson • Lincoln • Wilkinson Southwest Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Heroes Wear Hard Hats
America’s electric cooperatives have designated the second Monday of April as National Lineworker Appreciation Day. On April 9, 2018, Southwest Electric will honor the dedicated employees who often work in challenging conditions to keep the lights on. We proudly recognize all electric lineworkers for the services they perform around the clock in
dangerous conditions to keep power flowing and protect the public’s safety. “Our lineworkers are the first responders of our electric distribution system, and they work around the clock on high-voltage lines,” said Kevin Bonds, Southwest Electric CEO/General Manager. “Conditions can be dangerous, but they power through to ensure
reliable service for our Members.” Fifty-eight men maintain 4,202 miles of line in Southwest Electrics’s service territory. To honor these brave employees, Southwest Electric invites Members to take a moment and thank a lineworker for the jobs they do. Use #HeroesWearHardHats to show your support for the people who light our lives.
Southwest to conduct pole inspections Southwest Electric uses Osmose Utility Services to inspect our poles in different sections of our service area on a rotating basis. If you live in the area indicated on the map, you may see Osmose trucks and employees digging around and treating our utility poles. The Osmose crews will be working in our service area from April through June.
April 2018 Today in Mississippi
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Students learn leadership lessons Southwest Electric sends local students to Youth Leadership Workshop Above from left: Noah Lambert, Mallory Hinson, Sen. Sally Doty, Damira McGruder and Nicholas Lambert. Below: Mallory and Damira explain the traits of a good leader.
Above left to right: Sen. Bob Dearing, Mallory, Damira, Sen. Tammy Witherspoon, Noah, Nicholas and Sen. Albert Butler.
Mallory, Nicholas, Noah and Damira having fun at the workshop participating in group activities, as well as a visit to the state Capitol.
The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi held the 32nd Youth Leadership Workshop Feb. 21-23 in downtown Jackson. The annual event brought 80 students from across Mississippi to the state capital to meet their legislators and to participate in activities designed to enhance their already present leadership abilities. Mallory Hinson, Nicholas Lambert, Noah Lambert and Damira McGruder were selected from among the schools in Southwest Electric’s service area to represent the electric cooperative during this hands-on workshop. The students participated in team-building activities and discussions, met with their state legislators and visited the state Capitol. They also heard from a variety of motivational Mallory Hinson Cathedral High School speakers, as well as from Mississippi’s top Nicholas Lambert leaders, Gov. Phil Wisdom From His Word Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. Gov. Bryant continues his support of the program by speaking to the students each year during a luncheon at the Old Capitol Inn. During his remarks, he encouraged the participants to pursue their dreams and hold on to their Mississippi values. “There are so many opportunities for you in Mississippi to take on leader-
ship roles here. Whether you go on to college or choose a technical trade, there are many advantages to staying right here at home,” he said. Lt. Gov. Reeves encouraged the students to work hard for their dreams, giving them three guidelines for success: dream big, make a plan and work hard. “If you do these three things, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to,” he said. Training young leaders is fundamental to building strong communities, and through this program, Southwest Electric hopes to prepare promising students for a bright future. “We are proud to have four outstanding students represent our cooperative,” said Kevin Bonds, CEO. “This program is an investment in our community. We look forward to seeing Damira McGruder Cathedral High School what the future holds for these students.” Noah Lambert In June, the four will Wisdom From His Word travel with the group to Washington, D.C. for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour. The seven-day trip will include visits to all of the popular monuments and memorials, as well as meetings with Mississippi’s congressional delegation during a visit to Capitol Hill.
Mallory, Damira, Rep. Sam Mims, Noah and Nicholas.