News

4/23/2010

Cooperative Celebrates 70 Years At Annual Meeting

South River EMC celebrated its 70th anniversary of providing members with safe, reliable and affordable electric service at this year’s annual meeting on April 15.

This year’s featured speaker was Nelle Hotchkiss, senior vice president of corporate relations at the statewide organization of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. She spoke to members about the ever-changing political climate, as well as being active participants in their Cooperative

This year’s bazaar had over 50 vendors, with the Fantastic Shakers as the featured entertainment. Inflatables were set up for the children to play on while their parents attended the business meeting.

The annual meeting is a chance for members to learn about the business of the Cooperative, as well as have a vote in their representation at the Cooperative through the board of directors. Members also enjoyed a vendor bazaar and entertainment, as well as fun for children.

The annual meeting had over 800 registered members, but with their families, the crowd was closer to 2,500 people.

South River EMC awarded prizes throughout the evening; the grand prize was a retired 2001 GMC truck, which went to Margo Cooper of Salemburg.

Members were invited to take part in the Co-op Owners for Political Action, or COPA, program which gives members the opportunity to support representatives working on Capitol Hill for issues that are important to both members and their Cooperative. The first member to sign-up for COPA, was Mr. Glen Carter of Fayetteville.

Also, members were asked to sign Our Energy, Our Future cards, which allow the Cooperative to send a letter to representatives regarding climate change. This letter asks that choices be made to keep electricity reliable and affordable. Not only that, it also urges representatives to consider legislation to keep the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, from using the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide from power plants. Doing so would undoubtedly increase electric bills in already difficult economic times. The majority of members attending the meeting filled out the cards and a drawing was held. The winner of a $100 Lowe’s gift card was Linda Ringled of Hope Mills.

South River EMC is a locally-owned and operated electric cooperative, which provides electric service to 42,000 homes, farms and businesses in parts of Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties.

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