4 | NOVEMBER 2007 | Alabama Living

Another successful Clarke-Washington EMC Annual Meeting was held Tuesday night, Sept. 11, 2007 at Washington County High School’s Jordan-Wilcox Football Stadium in Chatom. There was a great turn out despite the threat of rain. We appreciate all who were able to attend.

That evening, I emphasized five important points about the opera-tion of Clarke-Washington EMC. I want to share those points with you this month:

Safety1. – We maintain a high level of safety both for the well being of the general pub-lic and our employees. Clarke-Washington EMC is recognized for its efforts in safety by the National Rural Electric Asso-ciation and Federated Rural Electric Insurance through the national safety accredita-tion program. Alabama Rural Electric Association presented Clarke-Washington EMC with an award for working the calendar year of 2006 without a lost time accident. Safety meetings and instruction are a regular part of operations, and all of our employees know that safety is top priority at Clarke-Washington EMC.Maintenance2. – We work constantly to insure that the power lines are upgraded as a part of our work plan to keep the lines clear and to keep all equipment in good working order. This con-tinued maintenance plan has everything to do with the power quality we all expect.Financial Strength3. – Clarke-Washington EMC is in excellent financial condi-tion. We have a 40 percent

equity ratio. In addition we meet all the financial require-ments of the Rural Utilities Services (formerly REA) and the Cooperative Finance Cor-poration. Community Involvement4. – We support our schools and communities through a variety of programs and organiza-tions: Washington D.C. Youth Tour, the 4-H calf show and sale and the cooperative scholarship program are im-portant to the development of our youth. Also, we promote economic growth as members of the Twin Rivers Economic Development Partnership, the Clarke County Community De-velopment Foundation and the Washington County Industrial Development Initiative and Business Association. We also work closely with our elected officials to promote our area. Employees5. – We have an out-standing group of employees who work together to enable our cooperative to be respon-sive to our member’s needs and requests.

Each of these points is very important, and much more could be written about each one. How-ever, all these factors together are required for a dependable opera-tion. Thank you!

Operations of Clarke-Washington EMC

Clarke-Washington EMCClarke-Washington EMC1307 College Avenue

P.O. Box 398Jackson, AL 36545

251-246-9081 (local)1-800-323-9081 (toll free)

To reporta power

outage, call1-800-323-9081.

democracy in action

Cooperatives

To reporta power

outage, call1-800-323-9081.

Page 5System Upgrades

Page 6-7Annual Meeting

Report

Local Page Editor, Anna Wright

Stan Wilson is the General Manager/CEO of Clarke- Washington Electric Membership Corporation

Page 8 Seasonal Tips

Clarke-Washington EMC offices will be closed for Thanksgiving Holidays Thursday, Nov. 22 &

Friday Nov. 23

Manager’s Comments

Alabama Living | NOVEMBER 2007 | 5

When Clarke-Washington EMC set the first power pole in 1936, Clyce Drinkard was just 12 years old. He recalls the excitement several years later when power poles were set, lines connected and electricity soon arrived in his com-munity of Pleasant Grove.

Mr. Drinkard was born 85 years ago this month, in Pleasant Grove, “way back in the woods,” he says. He remembers walking 5 miles and crossing two creeks to get to the school house in the community of Liberty. When he was 11 years old his father died, and at 14 he quit school and began working at a saw mill to help support his family.

He joined the United States Army and served in World War II, then returned back to Liberty after his tour of duty. “I stole my wife (Helen) from Fulton and began working for Scotch Lumber,” said Mr. Drinkard laughing. This month the Drinkards will be married for 60 years.

There are only a handful of people like the Drinkards who have seen the advancement that electricity has made and how it has improved life in rural Alabama first hand. They can clearly remem-ber a lifestyle without electricity, compared to today when people in rural areas have the same conve-niences as people living within the city limits.

“We used kerosene lamps after we married for many years,” Mrs. Drinkard said. She recalls one of the first homes to have a televi-sion was Clyce’s brother who lived in Fulton. They would drive down to his house on Friday night and watch a television program or listen to the Grand Ole Opry on a battery radio.

The Drinkards are still grateful for the electricity that has im-proved their lives and are glad to see system upgrades being made in Liberty.

“We are tickled to death to see this done,” said Mr. Drinkard.

“The system upgrades being made in Liberty will be from a single phase power line to a three phase power line,” said Steve Sheffield, Clarke-Washington EMC operations manager. “Upgrades will begin at the intersection of Sugar Creek Road and Old Highway 5 go-ing south through Liberty toward Fulton for about 2 miles.”

Sheffield explained that upgrad-ing power lines from a single-phase power line to a three-phase power line allows the improve-ment of voltage and balances the load better – ultimately improving the service of getting electricity to homes and businesses more ef-ficiently.

Mr. Drinkard retired as a road foreman for Scotch Lumber. “I know every pig trail in Clarke and Monroe County,” he said. As the right-of-way crews began work in Liberty, Mr. Drinkard befriended crew foreman Ben Farmer with a handful of scuppernongs and cof-fee. Mr. Drinkard’s familiarity with the community and enthusiasm

about the upgrades helped the crew as they worked in that area.

As part of Clarke-Washington EMC’s maintenance work plan, several upgrades of power lines are planned in the future for different communities in the service area: Tallahatta Springs, Liberty, Fruit-dale and in Escatawpa to Vinegar Bend.

Diversified Services Inc., an elec-tric utility contractor, is completing these upgrades for Clarke-Wash-ington EMC. They have already completed an upgrade in Tallahatta Springs.

These system upgrades will im-prove services by relocating lines, especially those that are located in wooded areas, and moving them onto a main road so our lineman can service these lines faster.

The Drinkards’ home is just one of the many homes that will benefit from the system upgrades. We appreciate their positive and encouraging support as Clarke-Washington EMC works to improve the conveniences of that life we aim to reach for our members.

Grateful for electricity in the past, proud of present day progress

Clyce and Helen Drinkard of the Liberty Community are proud of the system upgrades being made in their area.

6 | NOVEMBER 2007 | Alabama Living

Alabama Living | NOVEMBER 2007 | 7

Grand Prize Winners: Walter and Debra Jacobs of Laton Hill are given the keys to the grand prize truck by Clarke-Washington

EMC Manager Stan Wilson. The truck is a 2004 Ford F150.

8 | NOVEMBER 2007 | Alabama Living

Saving money & staying safe during the cold months ahead

Are you getting all of the en-ergy savings you can from your programmable thermostat? Most people are not.

That’s because few people un-derstand how to program their thermostats to raise and lower the temperature when the house is go-ing to be empty or everyone will be asleep.

The thermostat itself won’t save you any energy or money on your electric bill. To see a savings, you have to program the thermostat to turn the heat down during times of the day when nobody’s home.

If your thermostat is too compli-cated, consider investing in a new one.

Manufacturers are introducing programmable thermostats that are easier to use and understand. New models have touch screens, recorded instructions and digital reminders. One even “talks” to you to help you do the programming.

Proper us of a programmable thermostat can save you up to $150 a year in energy costs, according to Energy Star, a federal government program.

To get the most savings from programmable thermostats:

Program the thermostat to turn •down the heat and keep the temperature low for at least eight hours at a stretch. The thermostat can lower the tem-perature right after everyone leaves for school and work, for example, bring it back up just before the family is due to return home, and then set it back again at bedtime. Override the pre-programmed •settings and put it in your own. That way, you can set the ther-mostat back for longer periods of time if you know you’ll be gone a while. Use the hold or vacation set-•ting when you’re planning to be out of the house for a few days. Set this feature to keep the house several degrees cooler in the winter or several degrees warmer in the sum-mer, even if you’ll be away just for the weekend. Change the batteries in your •thermostat each year to keep it functioning properly.

Check washing machine hosesFew home mishaps are as

costly as the failure of a wash-ing machine hose.

Hose failures cause about $150 million in damages to homes in the United States and Canada each year, according to State Farm Insurance.

Take the time to inspect your washing machine hoses fre-quently, and replace them if nec-essary. Washing machine hoses can be found at most home and hardware stores. A new set only costs $10 to $20, and it can save you a lot more if the investment prevents a flood.

Some tips:When replacing hoses, 1. straighten them out so they’re free of kinks and tight bends.Leave at least four inches 2. between the water con-nection and the back of the washing machine. This will reduce the chance that the hose will kink.Check hoses regularly, and 3. replace them every three to five years to keep them in good working order.Check hose connections 4. to make sure they’re se-cure, including the drain hose.Never leave the washing 5. machine running while you’re asleep or out of the house. Shut off hoses when 6. you’re not using them or if you’re going to be away for several days. Clarke-Washington EMC employee, Allison Taylor, uses a programmable ther-

mostat in her home to keep her power bills low.

User friendly, programmable thermostats

Alabama Living | NOVEMBER 2007 | 41

Alabama Living | NOVEMBER 2007 | 43