May 2018 | Volume 80 | Issue 5
2018 Youth Tour Winners
Far left and far right, Debi Koechner, Platte-Clay board president and Dave Deihl, general manager. Students, left to right: Truman Byergo, North Platte; Alexandra Cline, Platte County; Brittnie Deppen, North Platte; Logan Kennell, Platte County; James R. Larson, Smithville; and Brianna Spiers, North Platte.
This is what winning looks like at Platte-Clay. These students took top honors in the annual Youth Tour Essay Contest.
The theme this year was more challenging: What it means to be a servant leader. It was good preparation for what we believe will be leadership roles for them in the future.
Top scoring Brianna Spiers and Truman Byergo earned the trip to Washington, D.C., June 8-14, and the other four students earned a trip to a co-op leadership and team building conference July 18-20 in Jefferson City. The co-op covers the expense of the trips.
The program is successful when teachers and parents support and encourage their students.
It truly does take a village.
We want to take this opportunity to thank high school teachers Angela Perkins, Platte County; Dr. Paul Restivo, Smithville; and Amanda Wahlenmaier, North Platte R-1 who encouraged their students to write the essay.
Judges for this year’s contest were Sarah McKinley, a co-op Pathfinder volunteer; Amy Neal, managing editor, My Courier Tribune; Shawna Searcy, Kearney Economic Development Council; and Abby Zavos, small business owner, Abbybaubles.
The judges scored the essays on content, subject knowledge, originality, speaking ability, organization and presentation.
Theme for the 2019 contest will be announced in September via the Northland Connection and the co-op web site, pcec.coop
A culture of safety
Dave Deihl, General Manager
From the General Manager
Working in the electric industry is one of the most dangerous professions in the U.S. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Line crews share the elements of many other “dangerous” industries, such as overexertion (construction equipment operators, farmers and ranchers and iron and steel workers) and falls, slips and trips, which are common in all workplaces, whether considered dangerous or not.
It’s no wonder that the line crews are at increased risk: they’re working on high voltage power lines, most times at height, and most times in rural areas, far from quick medical assistance. And an electrical contact can be deadly.
Platte-Clay has thoroughly embraced a focus on maintaining a culture of safety and is rolling a new Zero Harm campaign to all employees.
The co-op’s newly formed safety committee, composed of members of line crews, a technician and a representative for the co-op offices, meet monthly to discuss issues and concerns, and share a review with the employee committee.
Because of the importance of sharing safety information, the group is committed to learning best practices by attending industry meetings, visiting with employees from other co-ops and reviewing ideas and concerns via a national list serve.
Closer to home, often the best solutions are found simply by collaborating with other employees on a problem and working to find a solution.
New this spring, the co-op rolled out a co-op wide internal safety program called Zero Harm – Think Safe, Work Safe, Go Home Safe. That’s something we hope for everyone.
One of the real dangers line crews face is working in the weather, especially thunderstorms.
Platte-Clay crews work so long as it’s safe and until everyone has service restored. Although an active thunderstorm may send crews back to the safety of their trucks—lightning seeks the best way to the ground—they’ll be back at it, working until everyone has service restored.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please let me know. Please e-mail generalmanager@pcec.coop
Saving Energy
To save energy, start here:
http://pcec.coop/energy/energy-services/
Platte-Clay provides rebates and favorable pricing on a number of products and services. If you think your bills are high, we suggest an energy audit. For $50, you’ll get a roadmap to making your home energy efficient and comfortable year around.
Think Safe, Work Safe, Go Home Safe
Right: Platte-Clay’s new safety logo, rolled out as part of the co-op’s continued emphasis on safety.
Below: The co-op’s safety committee, a newly-formed group, meets monthly to discuss issues and concerns. Clockwise from left: Jim Cox, safety director; Dan Smithson, foreman, Bob Stephenson, facilities foreman, Cheryl Barnes, communications director; Wayne Noll, operations supervisor, Platte City; Doug Connor, technician; Jake Fain, journeyman lineman; Zach Key, apprentice lineman; Travis Andersen, operations supervisor, Kearney; Jennifer Grossl, communications and marketing manager; Angie Kinard, executive assistant. Not shown, Dave Deihl, general manager and Ashley Dinwiddie, staff engineer.
Pathfinder honored as a 50 year member
The volunteer group celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, with Dorothy Frock one of the senior members, active since 1968.
Dorothy Frock has been a member of the Pathfinders for 50 years.
She has assisted at any number of community events including the annual meeting, Youth Tour and the holiday open house where Pathfinders serve chili and hot dogs to the public and take in coats and canned goods.
The group meets quarterly to learn about co-op activities and issues, to socialize and to enjoy programs on a variety of topics from safety to flower arranging.
With their commitment and knowledge of the co-op, they make it possible for the co-op to host member events.
Group photo following the 2018 annual banquet. The Pathfinders have been assisting at Platte-Clay events for more than 50 years. You’ll see the helpful ladies in their bright red shirts at the annual meeting and other events. Dorothy Frock is second from right, front row.
Missouri Electric Cooperatives named Corporate Conservationst of the year by Conservation Federation of Missouri
Missouri electric cooperatives received the Corporate Conservationist of the Year award at the recent Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) annual meeting.
The award says: “Since 1936, Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives have delivered electricity and service to rural Missouri. For many years, Associated Missouri Electric Cooperative has been a CFM Platinum business alliance member and more than 16 regional and county-based electric cooperatives have supported the business alliance at various levels.
“In addition to the business alliance support, Missouri’s Rural Electric Cooperatives offers conservationists a valuable partner from the energy sector of Missouri’s economy.
“Across Missouri, the Electric Cooperatives work to ensure the long-term sustainability of our landscape and have a long history of environmental commitment and collaboration with agencies to protect and preserve natural resources.”
Platte-Clay has supported CFM conservation activities by helping organize the N.W. fund-raising activities for the past three years, co-hosting the inaugural Pull for Conservation trap shoot meet in St. Joseph. This year’s event was held at the Hamilton Boot Hill Shooting Ground.
N.W. Electric Co-op, Platte-Clay’s generation and transmission co-op, sponsors the annual event.
Johnny Viebrock’s FFA students have assisted since the event began in 2015.
Wayne Noll, Platte- Clay operations supervisor, Dave Deihl, general manager, John Chapman, district supervisor Arkansas Electric Co-op/VMI and Dave Christensen, Platte-Clay energy use specialist.
Native Plants in the Monarch Garden,
Spring has sprung and finally we’re seeing the native plants in the Monarch garden, next to the Kearney office, poke up out of the winter cold.
The native garden, planted in conjunction with the Kansas City Master Garden Club, is along the I-35 flyway, the general route the butterflies take between Mexico and Canada. The Platte-Clay garden is on the Monarch Watch national register.
For information on native plants that support Monarchs, visit Monarch Watch at http://monarchwatch.org/milkweed/market
PCEC Security
Keep your family and home safe with a PCEC Security system.
Get an alert when your children get home from school, use the video capabilities to see who’s at your door.
Call 628-3121 for more information on how PCEC Security can give you peace of mind.
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.