Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)
News for members of Southwest Electric Cooperative
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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Today in Mississippi
May 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.
www.southwestelectric.coop
Southwest Electric
SWElectricCoop
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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 Southwest Electric, 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 Many home fires occur when electrical equipment is outdated or improperly used. “We would encourage all of our Members to use electrical appliances in a safe manner in their homes. Our employees visit schools and other groups every year teaching our Members about electrical safety,” said Kevin Bonds, CEO. “With newer technologies and more electrical gadgets in the home, Members need to ensure that they have an electrical system that is 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
Southwest Electric offices will be closed Monday, May 28 Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. Let’s all spend time this Memorial Day honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our country and freedom.
Lineman Apprenticeship Program Seven Southwest Electric linemen recently finished their workbooks and passed written and proficiency field tests to advance to the next level in the Lineman Apprenticeship Program. (Front row, left to right) Ethan Graves: completed Lineman Class 3 level, Evan Newell: completed Lineman Class 2 level (Back row, left to right) Marvin Tolliver, Taylor Hollowell, Steven King and Wesley Brown (not pictured, TJ Floyd): completed Apprentice Lineman Class 2 level
employees:
May 2018 Today in Mississippi
Spotlight
Dee Brown, Dispatcher Dee has worked at Southwest Electric for almost 29 years. She began her career as a clerk in the Service Department speaking to Members and processing their service orders for new service and security lights. In 1996, she was promoted to a dispatcher. As a dispatcher for 22 years, she monitors our Outage Management System and, in the event of an outage, dispatches a line crew or serviceman to assess the situation and restore the outage. During storms, dispatchers are crucial to serving our Members and keeping our employees safe. Dee and her husband, Danny, have two children and live in the Natchez area. She enjoys spending time with her family and pets, going to concerts and shopping with her daughter.
Frank Carradine, Serviceman Charles “Frank” Carradine started his career at Southwest Electric almost 27 years ago. His first job was on a right-of-way crew trimming trees from the power lines before he worked as a serviceman’s helper. In 1996, he moved to a construction line crew. For the past five years, he has been a serviceman covering several counties in our service area. He and his wife, Sherry, have three sons and two daughters and live in Fayette. Frank is also the pastor of Shiloh First Baptist Church.
Would you like to help other Southwest Electric Members age 50 and older who need assistance paying their electric utility bills? To start paying it forward,
call 800-287-8564 or send your name and account number to
memberspayingitforward@swepa.coop.
For more information, visit www.southwestelectric.coop.
Round up your amount due to the next dollar and Pay It Forward.
26 Electric Cooperatives serving over 1.8 million people in Mississippi
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