April 2014 | Volume 76 | Issue 4
Co-op members’ Annual Meeting May 1
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 1
- Kearney office, 1000 W. Hwy. 92 — just west of I-35 on Hwy. 92
- Register for the Annual Meeting and prizes until 7 p.m.
- Capital credit checks (for amounts of more than $15) at registration
(Please note: must be present to win all prizes – winning names drawn
at end of business meeting)
First 1000 members to register will receive a gift
- Community Fair and co-op displays 4:30 – 7 p.m.
- Light meal served 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
- Business Meeting 7 p.m.
- Vote for your Board of Directors
- Update on your co-op’s activities – State of the Co-op
- Win a year of electric service (1 winner, maximum $1500)
- Win 6 months of electric service (2 winners, maximum of $750)
Kid stuff – Kids’ Carnival 4:30 – 8 p.m.
Kids’ prizes –
- Nintendo 3DS XL
- Samsung Galaxy tablet
- Beats Pill speaker
- Beats Solo HD headphones
- Xbox 360
- A boy’s and a girl’s Quad Runner
Please note: must be present and in business meeting to win
all prizes. These prizes awarded at end of business meeting.
76th Annual Meeting May 1
From the CEO
I always get excited about the Annual Meeting. I look forward to visiting with members and seeing all of the children enjoying the carnival. It’s a great way to introduce the next generation to their co-op and it’s a great family evening.
I do hope you and your family will join us May 1. The doors open at 4:30 for registration and the business meeting will start at 7 p.m. Please stick around for the prize drawings–you could win a year of electric service!
Annual meetings are both a legal requirement and a tradition for rural electric co-ops where we report to the membership on how the co-op they own is doing, and where the Director elections occur. Because that might be a little dry, most rural cooperatives blend prizes, kids’ activities and other attractions, just as Platte-Clay does each year.
In the earlier days, co-op maps showed the progress the co-op had made in extending the electric lines into the rural areas. Today our maps aren’t nearly as exciting: our territory is fairly well defined, with some adjustments every now and then.
Our changes this past year were upgrading some electronics, rebuilding aging line segments— some of them around 50 years old—and a little re-routing so the lines and equipment will be easier to maintain as the need may be.
The Internet, 25 years old this year, combined with sophisticated software, allows members to pay bills online and take a look at the electronic version of the co-op.
Although we’re always looking for ways to improve your service, I’m very proud of the co-op, how we’re serving the Northland, and more important, how we serve each and every co-op member-owner.
I hope to see you May 1 in Kearney. Doors open at 4:30.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
PCEC Security now offers cellular security system
Although we feel like we’re pretty safe in the Northland, there are those who could take advantage of us when we are away from home.
To keep up with the trend of families having only cell phones, PCEC Security now offers wireless systems.
Installation is $249 plus a $24.99 activation fee. The monthly fee is $38.50 with a three-year contract.
Members who pay annually get a month free. It’s a small price for peace of mind and to protect the electronics and valuables most of us have in homes.
For info, call 628-3121.
Would you like to be part of a national rural electric cooperative database and the rapid response lobbying team?
To make it easier for both co-op members and NRECA to respond to issues affecting the industry, the trade association has set up an online registration form which will allow the organization to send messages on your behalf on the current EPA proposals and any future issues.
This permanent, quick response database will help NRECA target our senators and representative to show support or concern on electric industry issues. To include your name in the database, go to www.action.coop and complete the online form.
For those who prefer to work with paper, Platte- Clay has forms at both offices (15055 Bethel Road, Platte City and 1000 W. Hwy. 92, Kearney) and co-op employees will enter your name in the database for you.
Rural Missouri serves as official Annual Meeting notice
The co-op By-laws require members receive the official notification of the Annual Meeting between 10 and 25 days before the meeting.
Because of the sequential Northland Connection mailing in the bills, the co-op uses the Rural Missouri, which can be mailed to all members at one time within that time frame.
Although not all members wish to receive the Rural Missouri, everyone will in April as a co-op member and By-law requirement.
Board candidate’s biographies posted
Members running for the Board of Directors will be (have been) posted at both offices, 15055 Bethel Rd., Platte City and 1000 W. Hwy. 92, Kearney by April 11.
As of the press deadline, only the incumbent Board members are running. You can find their bio-graphical sketches in the newsletter and posted at the offices.
Note to potential candidates: It’s possible to submit a petition to be on the ballot (by April 10) or to be nominated from the floor during the business meeting.
Must be present to win all prizes
It is a heartbreaker when someone comes in from outside the building and friends tell them their name was called to win a prize and they missed being in the business meeting.
Members and their children who entered a drawing must be present to win any prize.
The business meeting starts at 7 p.m. and usually runs about an hour. Members learn about the co-op’s year, elect Board members and at the end of the meeting, prize drawings.
This year the grand prize is a year of electric service, or a maximum value of $1500. There are two second prizes — six months’ of electric service, or a maximum of $750.
Plus there are kids electronics and a boy’s and a girl’s quad runner for the little ones.
Dangerous weather, emergency reschedule date May 8
April showers bring May flowers. And sometimes spring weather, with all of the gentleness of flowers bobbing in our gardens.
Or lashing rain, lightning bolts that look like the special effects from a scary movie and thunderclaps that send us all scurrying for cover.
In the event we’re experiencing dangerous spring weather that would affect the Kearney office, the Annual Meeting will be rescheduled to May 8; doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
If the meeting is cancelled, it will be posted on the co-op web site, pcec.coop, on the Facebook page, tweeted (Twitter) and area media will be notified.
Catch a ride with Platte-Clay
Circulating trams will pick up and return members to their vehicle before and after the business meeting.
Handicapped parking
There is extremely limited handicapped parking next to the building.
Because the circulating trams will pick up and return members to their vehicles in the general parking areas, it is not necessary to park next to the building. Just wave down the Platte-Clay tram for a ride to registration and the Annual Meeting entrance.
Please update your account
This is a great time to update all names and telephone numbers for the Platte-Clay account. Just call 628-3121 anytime, 24 x 7 x 365 and we can add or change your telephone number.
Having the current telephone number is important because Platte- Clay calls to alert members about scheduled outages in the affected area to make it easier for members to make plans for daily activities.
Plus, when calling in, the telephone system recognizes the telephone number(s) associated with the account. That saves time, and allows members to report outages or problems automatically without waiting in a queue.
The member who owns the account may add the names of other parties to the account — important because the co-op can not give out information, or capital credit checks, to anyone whose name is not on it.
2014 Board of Director Candidates
Jerry M. Hagg, Dearborn, Mo.
West District
Debi Stewart, Lathrop, Mo.
North District
Gary Shanks, Kearney, Mo.
South District
A member since 1977, and Board member since 1991, Jerry Hagg retired from Platte Valley Bank in June 2011 as President. He brings 37 years of management and finance experience to the Platte-Clay Board of Directors.
He holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Missouri and is a former educator.
The issues he believes are important to the co-op include the need to promote energy conservation, the increasing cost of electrical generation and the increasing need for energy in the Platte-Clay service area.
He feels the most important things members should know about Platte-Clay include the co-op is owned by the members and how important it is to keep open lines of communication between the members, staff and Board. The co-op has excellent management and employees and Platte-Clay is well respected in the utility industry.
Jerry feels he is the best candidate because of his experience in the business community and as a Board member familiar with industry issues.
Debi feels she is the best candidate because she has served and participated on the Board for the past three years.
A member of Platte-Clay since 1997, she was a principal in the Clinton County R-III School District until her 2011 retirement. Before joining the educational system, she was a RN (registered nurse) Nursing Supervisor in the St. Lukes Hospital system.
The talents and skills she brings to the Board include administration, budgeting and small business owner experiences.
Debi completed her Doctorate in Education Administration which includes budgeting, human resources, business and leadership knowledge that transfers to the role and responsibility on the Board.
She has worked with Boards of Education, giving her an understanding of the role of a Board member.
She believes in the power of teams when it comes to problem solving.
Personable and approachable, she is a life-long learner with a strong work ethic.
A self-employed farmer and Platte- Clay board member since 1990, Gary Shanks brings considerable experience to the position. The most important skill includes understanding how the cooperative system works.
The issues he sees the co-op facing include keeping the electric rates low, dependable power, building new power plants for more capacity and keeping the equipment up to date.
The most important things to know about Platte-Clay include knowing how a co-op works and keeping Platte-Clay in a good financial position.
Gary feels he is the best candidate because of his experience, the fact he’s a local business owner, he’s lived here for 60 years and he helps keep the owners of Platte-Clay informed on all issues.
Classified Ads
To submit an ad, complete the ad form, use the website, pcec.coop, or send in a brief nine-word description of the item you wish to advertise no later than the 15th of the month, to Platte-Clay Electric Co-op, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060, Attn. Northland Connection.
Ads run on a first come, first served basis.
Ads should be about 10 words or less and include a phone number. Please indicate the category, i.e., for sale, giveaway, wanted, and the topic, such as car or boat.
Please type or print your ad. If your ad does not appear, you may resubmit it for the next available edition. Ads are for Platte-Clay members only. No business or commercial ads. If your ad is time sensitive, we suggest using one of the local ad-supported publications.
Members may pick up an ad form at the PCEC office in Kearney or Platte City or use the website, pcec.coop. Click on Classified Ad or send directly to mail@pcec.coop
The area code is 816 unless otherwise noted.
For Sale
Finish mower: 6’ King Kutter. Rear discharge, good cond. 550-0853.
Furniture: Sofa, washer, glass table, computer chair, stroller, high chair. 510-3095.
Bed: King frame, new $150 from Crowley’s. $75 628-6792.
Bull: Purebred Polled Hereford, 27 months. Ready to breed. 809-5758.
Smoker: Double-barrel, extra belly plate for BBQ. $100. 630-6027.
Refrigerator: Whirlpool top mount, 10.5 cu. ft. Exc. cond. $100. 630-3859.
Riding mower: JD110, rebuilt deck, new battery, $325. 790-3374.
TV: 42” Philips HD plasma with wall mount. $400. 930-2270.
Sleeping bags: Children’s, with case, $15. Exc. cond. 630-3859.
Table saw: Craftsman, $50. 790-3374.
Tractor: JD 240, 38” deck, 46: blade, 2 bagger. 651-4942.
Freezer: Frigidaire upright, 14 CF, good cond. $75. 858-2780.
Chain saw: Homelite 16”, brand new, still in box. 781-1580.
5th Wheel: 34”, 3 slides, FP, 2 TVs. $30,000. 208-8880.
Bed: Full-size log bed. $250. 903-4444.
Gas Dryer: Kenmore, white, used one year. $150. 320-2993.
Wine chiller: Avanti, thermoelectric. Holds 12 bottles, 51- 62 degrees. $75. 270-2177.
Mower: 618 Grasshopper, new engine 2012 w/grass catcher. $3450. 296-3825.
Lab puppy: AKC, female, born 11/28/13. Wormed, most shots. Asking $350. 628-6792.
Bed: Queen, Restonic, used 2 months. Cost $850, selling $500. Incl. frame. 718-1776.
Hay: 15 large bales of mixed grass. $35 ea. 539-3361.
Haybine: NH 479, field ready and one for parts. $975. 790-3374.
Services
I teach Chinese to children and adults in local library, $30-$45 an hour. 686-9638.
Carpet cleaning: 3 rooms, $90. 628-4801.
Bounce house: Castle Moonwalk, Rent for parties. 769-2931.
Stump grinding and stump removal. 935-7333.
Free
Woodpile, some needs to be cut. Excelsior Spgs. 750-4679.
For an outage, customer or emergency service, call Platte-Clay at 816-628-3121 24/7/365. Visit pcec.coop for info and account service.
The Northland Connection is published monthly by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc., 1000 W. 92 Highway, Kearney, MO 64060. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Northland Connection, PO Box 100, Kearney, MO 64060 or mail@pcec.coop.
Platte-Clay is an equal opportunity employer.