|
|
|
|
|
Home
|
Fayette Electric Cooperative
Member-Owners Reelect Incumbent directors Bill Briscoe from District #6 and David Stancik from District # 7 were reelected to the Fayette Electric Cooperative Inc. Board of Directors at the 71st annual membership meeting attended by 460 member-owners on Wednesday evening, July 16, in La Grange. Mr. Briscoe represents member-owners in the Weimar, Oakland, Hackberry and New Bielau communities and serves as secretary of the board. Mr. Stancik represents member-owners in the Warrenton, Rutersville, Fayetteville, Ellinger, New Ulm, Willow Springs, Shelby and Industry communities.
“All of you have faced the challenge of rising gasoline prices at the pump and have already seen how those rising prices have affected everything, including prices at the grocery store. “Electricity prices are also increasing throughout the United States due to costlier coal and natural gas, the fuels used to make 70% of the nation’s electricity. The price of coal, which fires half of the power plants in the United States, also has doubled since last year,” he noted. Because those costs directly impact Fayette Electric Cooperative’s wholesale provider, the Lower Colorado River Authority, member-owners will see a 1.5¢ per kilowatt hour fuel increase on their bills. “Since we are a not-for-profit cooperative, this fuel increase will be passed through without markup,” he said. “The co-op’s base rate has not increased.” Compared to the deregulated market, Fayette Electric Cooperative is competitive, one of the lowest cost providers. The board and staff remain committed to maintaining that position in a marketplace that is in turmoil because of the high prices of fuels used to generate electricity, according to Nietsche. This year’s meeting was dedicated in memory of Cathy Mozisek, a valued employee, who lost her seven-year battle with cancer on May 5, 2008. A distinguished service award was presented to Cathy’s husband, Franklin, in recognition of her more than 36 years of dedicated service and leadership at Fayette Electric Cooperative. In addition, service awards were presented to four employees and one director whose collective tenure with Fayette Electric Cooperative is 100 years. Also during the business session, both the Rural Scholarship and Youth Tour to Washington winners were introduced to member-owners. When the doors opened at 5 p.m., St. Mark’s Medical Center began offering complimentary health screenings. In a two-hour period, 121 member-owners took advantage of the opportunity. In addition, for the first time a health education specialist with the Community Outreach and Education Program Center from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center provided information regarding cancer control and prevention prior to the meeting. Fayette County 4-H Club members served homemade cakes and refreshments from 5 to 7 p.m. Fayette Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors is comprised of seven members who are elected by member-owners. Those board members whose positions were not up for reelection in 2008 include:
|
|
|
After
thanking member-owners for their show of confidence by returning him for a
second term, Mr. Briscoe explained, “I spent my first term listening to members
and learning about the electric business. That’s what I plan to do going
forward. Please contact me if I can be of service to you.”
Mr.
Stancik also expressed his appreciation to member-owners. With 12 years of
experience as a board member, he told the audience, “This co-op is your co-op.
Let me say it again, this co-op is your co-op. We are probably going to go
through some tough times in the power business and you can help us represent
your interests by keeping abreast of the issues your co-op faces. A good place
to get reliable information is the Texas Co-op Power Magazine that you
receive each month. We are here to serve everyone in our membership and we’re
glad to do it!”
After
General Manager Gary Don Nietsche reviewed some operational highlights from
2007, he addressed an issue that is on everyone’s mind.