Farmers’ Electric Cooperative holds 78th Annual Meeting

Approximately 700 people attended the 78th Annual Meeting of Farmers' Electric Cooperative Tuesday evening, June 14, at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center in Chillicothe. The Member/Owners of the Cooperative re-elected one director to serve a three-year term. Re-elected to the Cooperative’s seven-person Board of Directors was Ray Shields (District 6: Linn County).

The meeting began with the presentation of colors by the Girl Scout Junior Troop #484 and Daisy Troop #3484 Color Guard, who then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The “Star Spangled Banner” was performed by Chillicothe High School senior Danielle Midgyett. Board President Ron Cornett opened the meeting thanking Members for taking time to attend the annual business meeting.

General Manager Rod Cotton began his presentation by introducing the Farmers’ Electric Cooperative team, announcing the group had a combined 800 years of service to Members. He went on to highlight the Cooperative’s focus of Safety, the Member/Owners and the Delivery of Power. Cotton also called attention to the Cooperative’s community involvement including education and training for area schools and emergency departments. He reported that 2015 was a great year financially and operationally for the Cooperative with outstanding reliability and Member satisfaction numbers.

Dana Macoubrie, the Cooperative Attorney, conducted the election of the Board of Directors and the election of the 2017 Committee on Nominations. Elected to the Committee on Nominations were Charlotte Miller, Richard Halterman, Judith Waters, Dennis Farmer, Dennis Widhalm, Kenneth Lee and Judy Holcer, representing each of the Cooperative’s seven districts.

Forty-eight prizes were given away at the conclusion of the business meeting, plus two grand prizes. Rick and Marilyn Bonnette of Chillicothe won a $500 bill credit from Farmers’ Electric Cooperative. Grand Oaks Baptist of Chillicothe won a 32” Smart T.V. Youth names were also drawn for two electric scooters being given away. The winners were Bo Thompson and Maci Johnson, both of rural Chillicothe.