Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)
News for members of 4-County Electric Power Association
4 Smith Countian’s dream of log cabin living
14 Southern dishes
get Mexican makeover
18 Find something fun to do in Mississippi Events
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May 2018
Board of Directors
www.4county.org • 1-800-431-1544
YOUR COOPERATIVE By Joe Cade CEO/General Manager
We are prepared for summer storms Summer is almost here, school is almost out and families are gearing up for a few months of fun and relaxation. While summer brings much fun in the sun, it can also bring the occasional severe storm. In the event of a power outage, you can trust that 4-County Electric Power Association is ready to respond. The major cause of most power outages comes from damage to power lines due to falling trees and branches. We work year round— through right-of-way clearing—to ensure power lines in our service territory stand little risk of being damaged by trees, branches or other types of vegetation. Despite our best efforts, during major storms, damage can occur to transmission stations, substations and power lines. When this happens, our first priority is to safely restore power to as many members as possible in the shortest amount of time. We start by mobilizing our line crews and other critical staff. Every phone line available is utilized to take your outage report calls. The big problems are handled first—like damage to transmission lines, which
serve thousands of people. We work with the Tennessee Valley Authority, who supplies our power, to solve these problems. They must be corrected before we can focus on other areas where more localized damage may have occurred. 4-County’s line crews inspect substations to determine if the problem starts there, or if there could be an issue down the line. If the root of the problem is at the substation, power can be restored to hundreds of members. Next, line crews check the service lines that deliver power into neighborhoods and communities. Line crews repair the damaged lines, restoring power to hundreds of people. If you continue to experience an outage, there may be damage to a tap line outside of your home or business. Make sure you notify 4-County at 1-800-431-1544 so crews can inspect these lines. We will do our best to avoid power outages, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Be sure to check 4-County’s Facebook page on your smartphone for the latest updates during a power outage.
Marty Crowder, President John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr., Vice President Johnny Johnson, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Banks Bill Bell Kenneth Seitz Ernest H. “Bud” Tumlinson
Here’s An Idea Efficiency tips for outdoor shops and barns There are many benefits to having an energyefficient outdoor shop or barn. Aside from saving energy, an efficient outdoor building can keep the environment around your structure healthy and safe, save money on your water bill, keep your animals happier and healthier, and save you from costly structural repairs. Whether you are looking to build a new structure, or make changes to an existing structure, there are many ways you can make your outdoor shop or barn more energy efficient. Are you planning to build a new structure on your property? Follow these tips to achieve energy efficiency: • Location matters. If possible, carefully consider where you build your shop or barn. Consider drainage, sun exposure and how the building may affect your neighbors. • Start with a sustainable design plan. A sustainable design plan, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, includes the ability to use environmentally preferable products, protect and conserve water, enhance indoor environmental quality, and optimize operational and maintenance practices. • If you are hiring a contractor to help build your
structure, make sure you look for companies who specialize in energy-efficient practices. • Choose efficient building methods. Pole barns offer reliable shelter without costly excavation, concrete foundations or general site disruption.
Follow these tips to make energy-efficient upgrades to an existing structure: • Replace indoor lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs. • Ensure your existing structure has adequate insulation levels. • Choose outdoor lighting designed to be energy efficient, and install motion detectors to reduce energy consumption when not in use. • Plant trees around your metal shed or barn. In colder climates, trees act as a windbreak, and in warmer climates, trees have a natural cooling effect that can reduce temperatures in your metal building 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit. • Consider adding a ceiling fan to circulate air. Typically, there is a 2-degree Fahrenheit temperature increase for every 1-foot increase in ceiling height. A ceiling fan can help keep warm air close to the ground in the winter and circulate fresher, cooler air in the summer.
Co-op Connections Card saves Since the Co-op Connections Card was unveiled in September 2011, 4-County members have saved over $655,694 on prescription drugs through March.
Look here each month to see the savings total!
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Annual membership meeting set for June 7 The 4-County Electric Power Association annual membership meeting will be held Thursday, June 7, at the East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) auditorium in Mayhew. Registration and a health fair will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch for members will be at 10:15 a.m. The business portion of the meeting will be held at noon. Held in conjunction with the annual meeting, the health fair will provide consumers the opportunity to receive healthcare screenings from a variety of vendors. In addition to the pre-meeting health fair, the business session will include financial and management reports along with the election of three direcJohn E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr. Kenneth M. Seitz tors to the Association’s board of directors. Three incumbent directors—Kenneth M. Seitz of Starkville online to cast votes for the board of directors. Online for District 2, Oktibbeha County; E.H. “Bud” voting will work just like the paper ballot members Tumlinson of West Point for District 3, Clay and receive in the mail every year, but instead of using Monroe counties; and John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr. of the mail, they will be able to cast ing notice and Mathiston for ballot arrives at member homes in May, it will District 6, Webster include instructions on how to cast a vote and Chickasaw online instead of returning a paper ballot. The counties—are up g in t e e M al for reelection. ty ’s Annu at 4-Coun The current board members’ June 7, 2018 names were placed www.4county.org or 1-800-431-1544 in nomination by the Association’s nominating committee at its March 14 meeting. In accordance with the Association’s bylaws, the candidates’ names were placed in nomination for election to three-year terms, beginning June 1 at the cooperative’s annual membership meeting. Two online voting option will feature easy-to-use instrucmembers submitted petitions for nomination for this tions and candidate biographies, and has the option year’s election. Neither petition met qualifications set to alert members when their votes have been successforth in Association Bylaws. fully submitted Ballot/proxies will be mailed by May 8 to all for counting. 4-County members. Members will also have the Members may opportunity to vote online. The deadline for returnreceive an elecing ballot/proxies is noon, June 1, six days prior to tion reminder by the annual membership meeting, June 7, at noon. email. Cooperative members also have the option to go
E.H. “Bud” Tumlinson
Members returning their proxy/ballots, as well as those who attend the meeting, may qualify to win valuable prizes. Those returning their proxy/ballots (by mail, proxy or online voting) may qualify to win one of three credits for electricity. Those attending the meeting may qualify for the grand prize, a retired 4-County fleet pickup truck (like the one shown). Other attendee prizes include weather radios and a variety of other prizes. Attendees of this year’s annual meeting can also enjoy a variety of displays. Employees will be on hand to provide information. For more information on the 4-County annual meeting, call 1-800-431-1544 and ask for the marketing department.
Statement of nondiscrimination 4-County Electric Power Association complies with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap shall be
excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities. The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Brian Davis, manager of human resources and training. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has sub-
jected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint with this organization to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Washington, D.C., 20250. Complaints may be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible.
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4-COUNTY ENCOURAGES YOU TO THINK SAFETY WHEN USING ELECTRICITY
Electric cooperatives remind members to plug into safety In May, electric cooperatives across the country promote safety awareness to coincide with National Electrical Safety Month. Every year, thousands of accidents occur due to shock hazards, and 4-County Electric Power Association, a not-for-profit electric utility, is committed to educating the public about potential electrical dangers in the home. In 2016, 475,500 structure fires (including residential fires) were reported in the U.S.,
causing 2,950 deaths, 12,775 injuries and $7.9 billion in property damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a residential fire was reported every 90 seconds. Many home fires occur when electrical equipment is outdated or improperly used. “It is critical that the public understands their home’s electrical system and the safety concerns associated with the latest residential technologies before bringing them into their homes,” explained Joe Cade, CEO/general manager. “With newer technologies, such as solar panels, electric vehicles and more electrical gadgets in the home, people need to ensure they have an electrical system that’s compatible with the increased load.” Through electrical safety awareness and education, we can all play a part in preventing electrical hazards and injuries in the future. Together, let’s plug into safety this May.
PLUG into SAFETY
Tip of the Month
May is National Electrical Safety Month
Laundry Tip Rubber or wool dryer balls help separate clothing in the cycle, providing better airflow and a shorter drying time. Wool dryer balls can help absorb moisture, which also reduces drying time. Source: energy.gov
This month, we encourage all members to take extra time to plug into safety.
#ElectricalSafetyMonth
May 2018 I Today in Mississippi
When was the last time you cleaned your water heater? Your water heater most likely will last for 15 years. A little attention a couple of times a year can keep it humming along the whole time. Every few months, drain about a quarter of the water from the tank. That removes any sediment and debris that has found its way to the bottom of the tank. It also will quiet the unit down so it doesn’t make as much noise when it runs. To do that, turn off the water, and connect a garden hose to the tank’s drain value. Run the water into a bucket until the water turns from cloudy to clear. Also: • Move boxes, tools or whatever you store near the water tank so they’re at least two feet away from it. It’s a good idea to give the tank “breathing room.” • Lower the heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees F. That will reduce the risk that someone in your family will get scalded in the shower.
Annual air conditioner maintenance time is here Every spring, before the weather gets too warm, call a qualified service technician to inspect and tune-up your air conditioning unit. During this annual maintenance visit, the tech will be able to tell you if your a/c will make it through the summer or if it needs some repairs. If the unit is old, the service technician might recommend that you replace it. In addition, you can do two things on your own to make sure your a/c stays in good working order: 1. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter. If you have a reusable filter, wash it and dry it every month during the summer. If you have a disposable filter, replace it. A dirty filter can get clogged with dust and dirt, and that can restrict the air flow. That will make your system work extra hard to cool your house, which wastes energy and can drive up your electric bill. Plus, a dirty filter can push dust back into the home, which makes the air less healthy, especially if someone in your family has allergies or asthma. 2. Keep the area around the outside of the air conditioner unit clean. Remove dirt, grass and any debris that has collected around it so those things don’t restrict its air flow. Trim shrubs away so they don’t touch it. You also should rinse your unit every now and then—but shut off the power to the unit first. A tip: Never use a power washer to clean the outdoor unit.
26 electric cooperatives serving over 1.8 million people in Mississippi
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4-County Foundation distributes latest awards The 4-County Electric Power Association Foundation distributed $20,000 in awards April 9 to organizations within its service area. Figures total about $580,000 dispersed among more than 100 organizations (since the program’s inception in February 2015). Receiving awards in April were: • Friends of Noxubee Refuge ($1,500 for volunteer services) • Mississippi State University Police
Department ($2,500 for body camera equipment) • Town of Maben ($7,500 for a children’s playground) • The Mission Inc. ($8,500 for food pantry equipment) 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 48 cents per participating member, per month. That may not seem like much. But when you multiply those contributions by thousands of member participants, that’s a lot of pennies!
Mississippi State University Police Department, $2,500
Friends of Noxubee Refuge, $1,500
Town of Maben, $7,500
The Mission Inc., $8,500
Just a few cents a month, for each member who participates, over the course of a year makes a huge difference for organizations like volunteer fire departments throughout communities in the 4-County service area. For more information, call 1-800431-1544.
Watts Happening This listing of area events is compiled from information provided by area chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus. The events listed are subject to change. Please call to confirm dates, times and additional details. FRIDAY, MAY 4
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9
Market Street Festival; downtown Columbus; details, (662) 329-1191.
The Bass Federation Mississippi Adult State Farmers Market; Mossy Oak Pavillion, 1251 U.S. 45 N. Championship; Columbus Lake; details, (662) 329-1191. Alt. in West Point; 4 to 6 p.m.; details, (662) 494-5121. Strawberry Market; Mossy Oak Pavillion, 1251 U.S. 45 N. Alt. in West Point; 5 to 6:30 p.m.; details, (662) 494 FRIDAY, MAY 11 King Cotton Crawfish Boil; Cotton District in Starkville; 5121. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; details, (662) 323-3322.
SATURDAY, MAY 5
Hitching Lott Farmers Market; downtown Columbus; 7 to 10 a.m.; details, (662) 329-1191.
THURSDAY, MAY 24
May 2018
4-County saluted its linemen recently as the co-op treated its hard-working and often unsung heroes with lunch. The annual event was held at the Corporate Center. Rain, sleet or snow—the 4-County linemen are here to serve members. Thank you for all you do! As we celebrate our linemen and lineworkers around the country, our prayers continue to be with our brothers and sisters at Prentiss County Electric Power Association.
Garcia joins 4-County team Maria Garcia of West Point has joined the 4-County Electric Power Association team. Maria will serve as a consumer support representative at the 4-County Call Center in West Point, and fill in as needed in the Corporate Center and Starkville offices. Prior to 4-County, she worked at Rose Drugs in West Point. She and her husband, Ziad, live in West Point. In her spare time, she enjoys learning different languages, including Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.
Welcome to the 4-County team, Maria! 4-County crews respond to storm damage
Storms ripped through Clay and Choctaw counties March 28, leaving about 1,000 4-County Electric Power Association members without power at the height of the ensuing damage. Nine poles were broken and downed power lines awaited power restoration crews. The 4-County team worked
4-County Lineman Justin Murphy talks storm restoration with WCBI-TV.
throughout the night and into the next day. Power was restored March 29 to everyone who could receive it.
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Sanders answers call to become lineman A young Clark Sanders didn’t really know what he wanted to be when he grew up. Growing up in Carrollton (near Greenwood), Clark said one day a nagging thought kept entering his head. “It just kind of came to me,” Clark said of his desire to become a lineman. A family member who was a lineman warned Clark of the hard work and middleof-the-night phone calls associated with working for an electric cooperative. “I did it anyway,” he said with a smile. “I love it. This is the best job I’ve ever had,” added the 4-County apprentice lineman 4. Clark began working at the cooperative in November 2017. Prior to 4-County, the Starkville resident worked as a maintenance technician for Railway Logics. He graduated from welding school at Holmes Community College, and from lineman school at Mississippi Delta Community College. Clark enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. Anything in the great outdoors—especially bass fishing, coon hunting or deer hunting—offers the opportunity for “peace and quiet.” He is engaged to Morgan Lancaster.
The young lineman also enjoys being a big brother to his little sister, Belle, 17. “I take the big brother role seriously,” he stressed. And he can’t go far without his four-legged friends— an English Red Tick Hound named Copper and a mixed-breed pup named River—tagging along. Clark works on the crew of Eric Yarbrough, based at the Corporate Center. “I work with a great crew. I learn something new every day,” he said. “Slim is my hero,” he said, in reference to Eric’s nickname. He enjoys working outside. “I’m taking one step at a time, and learning all I can.” And he has had a number of intense, on-the-job training opportunities. “The storms are different. I learned a lot of stuff during storm work. It provides a good lesson.” When at 4-County, Clark feels he is at his second home. “We treat our people in the best way possible. That stands out. A lot of companies don’t care. It feels kind of like a family here,” he said. Whether at home, work or play, Clark keeps his goals simple. “It’s all about helping others. I love to help people,” he stressed. “And our job is important. You can’t do much without lights.”