Snellville's Jeff Williams, who represents House District 83, thinks a bill he co-authored allowing Georgia's Electric Membership Corporations to market natural gas has a very good chance of passing in 2002.

"This is a non-partisan bill; we're truly trying to do what we think is best for the people of Georgia on this issue," says Williams. "Most of the House leadership is looking favorably at it."

Williams found during the last legislative session that his constituents were deeply concerned about their natural gas service. He held a town hall meeting to hear their concerns and decided local EMCs need to be in the gas business.

"True competition tends to lower prices and increase service. My bill will allow for a hometown competitor, someone consumers won't have to make a 1,000 mile long-distance call to talk to," continues Williams.

"It's important we control the quality of companies entering the utility business in Georgia. One way is to have companies we already know and trust provide that service. EMCs have a history of excellent customer service and accountability. They are responsive to their members."

The bill only allows EMCs to apply to the Georgia Public Service Commission to become certified natural gas marketers. The co-op must then demonstrate it has the technical qualifications and financial resources to do the job. Further provisions in Williams' bill assure EMCs don't have unfair advantages over other marketers and "keeps the playing field level," says Williams.

Once an EMC is approved, the PSC will regulate only natural gas operations of the co-op since ratepayers (members) already regulate electric service.

"The bill is at a fine-tuning stage and input will have the greatest impact now," says Williams. "Now is the time for citizens to tell their representatives what they want." The next work on the bill will come in planned committee meetings this fall when legislators prepare for next year's session.

"Walton EMC appreciates the hard work of Representative Williams and other local legislators on our members' behalf," said CEO Ronnie Lee. "Our members continue to tell us they want to be able to choose their cooperative to supply natural gas to their homes and businesses. Members should make sure their legislators know what they want."

Walton EMC members should let state legislators know they want the option of choosing their co-op for natural gas service.

Small batteries seem relatively safe and harmless, but the Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that 3,700 people are seen in emergency rooms every year because of chemical burns from common batteries. Many of those treated are children.

Keep your family safe from battery burns by:

• Installing batteries for your children. Young children may not understand the polarity (positive and negative) markings stamped on a toy or game and install batteries backwards. This can cause overheating and rupture. Also warn children not to remove batteries from their toys.

• Using a complete set of batteries when you change. If you mix old and new batteries or batteries of different types, they could overheat and rupture. Change all of them at the same time.

• Taking care when recharging. Don't try to recharge batteries not designed for that purpose. Use the proper charger for your rechargables and don't try to recharge flashlight batteries with an automotive charger.

• Preventing button battery ingestion. These tiny cells, found in everything from games to hearing aids, have caused injury and death when swallowed. Most accidents occurred when button batteries were left loose. Keep them in the device, the original packaging or discard them properly.

A: If your home is heated and cooled by a central system, boxes or pipes carry air between an air handler and each room. These pipes, called ducts, are made of sheet metal, fiberglass or wire-reinforced plastic and may become contaminated with debris including dust, dirt, pollen, mold or even construction materials, like sawdust.

Proper cleaning includes more than ducts. The contractor should clean all parts of the system, including grills, heat exchangers, coils, drip pans, fan motors, housings and inside air handling units.

During cleaning, the contractor uses tools on the inside of the ducts to dislodge this debris. Then, a high-power vacuum system sucks the loose dirt out. Beware of companies that use a vacuum as the only means of cleaning.

Some companies also recommend the introduction of a biocide and/or sealant into the system as the last step in cleaning. Make sure these chemicals are approved for duct applications and the contractor follows label directions in applying them.

Q: Should I have my ducts cleaned?

A: Each home is different. If you don't smell musty odors and have no air quality concerns, you may not want to worry about duct cleaning. Dust accumulation on the outside of return air registers is normal.

If, on the other hand, you have family members with allergies or other problems you think may be related to your home environment and indoor air quality, duct cleaning may be one step of a comprehensive plan to remedy the situation. Talk to your physician and the regular heating and air contractor who services your system.

If the contractor uses shoddy workmanship, duct cleaning can actually cause more indoor air quality and energy efficiency problems than it solves.

Q: How often should I have my ducts cleaned?

A: Your preference is one of the biggest factors in determining how often ductwork is cleaned. Other factors in the home that may warrant more frequent cleaning include smokers, pets that shed large amounts, water contamination of the cooling system and allergy or asthma sufferers.

It may also be a good idea to have ducts cleaned after remodeling. One study showed cleaning the ducts of a brand new home yielded 17 pounds of debris, including saw dust, chunks of drywall and other dirt, including pieces of workmen's sandwiches.

Q: Who should clean my ducts?

A: Use the same savvy you use before hiring any contractor. See if they're members of industry associations. The National Air Duct Cleaning Association actually has a contractor testing and certification program for duct cleaning specialists.

Check the Better Business Bureau. Get proof that the company is insured (liability and worker's comp) and licensed (Georgia requires special licensing for duct cleaning). Get references. Ask about the company's experience. Get several estimates. And beware of companies that make sweeping claims of health and energy savings from duct cleaning.

Q: How much will it cost to clean my ducts?

A: The Environmental Protection Agency says "services typically-but not always-range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region and level of contamination."

Avoid "$99 whole-house specials" and other sales gimmicks, as well as "blow and go" contractors. These companies charge a nominal fee and do a poor job. High-pressure sales and unauthorized work are other frequent trademarks of these companies.

Q: How long will it take to clean my ducts:

A: A typical three bedroom home will require four to eight hours depending on the type of home, accessibility to the ducts and number of workers.

Q: Will duct cleaning lower my energy bills?

A: In a few cases, ducts or coils may be so clogged that increased air flow resulting from cleaning will significantly lower energy bills. In most cases though, you'll probably notice little difference.

Q: How can I help keep my ducts clean?

A: Use a high-efficiency air filter on your cooling system and clean or change it regularly. Make sure the joints and seams in your duct system are sealed. Dust and vacuum your home frequently. If you're remodeling, cover return and supply grills of those rooms and remove saw and sheet rock dust before uncovering.

Q: Where can I find more information on duct cleaning?

A: Try these web sites: www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html, and www.nadca.com

"Here's someone from another country trying to settle and make a new life. But if they can't communicate, they still feel like an outsider," says Consumer Service Representative Marilyn Briney. "Language Line makes them feel more at home."

"Before, there was a lot of frustration; you could tell by their voice even though they don't speak your language. Now it's very smooth with the average Language Line call taking just a few minutes longer than an English speaking call."

Briney says non-English calls, besides being more convenient, are also more accurate. With Language Line, call center reps know they're talking directly to the member requesting service. There's no need for members to have someone else transact their business.

Using Language Line is easy. Members simply dial our number and wait for a customer service representative to answer the phone. Next, they speak the name of their language in English; the rep then calls Language Line and requests the correct interpreter. Even if the member doesn't know the English pronunciation, Language Line has specialists who identify the language being spoken.

An interpreter joins the call and the member completes the transaction.

Members who walk in during regular business hours can also use Language Line.

"It's a great service; the members appreciate that we're trying to serve them," says Briney.

What Did You Say? So far, WEMC's customer service representative have assisted members who spoke these languages with Language Line:

Spanish (the most requested) Mandarin Bosnian Albanian Armenian French

Over 130 other languages are available.

If you know a non-English speaking co-op member, please tell them about our Language Line service.

Several factors have influenced a wholesale price drop according to industry analysts. High storage inventories, increased production, no storm interruptions affecting supply lines and no sustained heat waves over large parts of the country during the summer have lowered prices.

Summer heat affects gas prices because as the demand for cooling increases, the demand for electricity generated with natural gas also increases.

The soft summer market should continue through the fall and possibly further. "During the winter months all bets are off," says one expert, adding "but if we don't have below normal temperatures, the soft market may continue through to Spring 2002."

Stir the dry pudding mix, pineapple, coconut and sour cream in large bowl until well blended. Pour mixture into pie crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with whipped topping if desired. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

--Submitted by Mary Jo Gerlach, Athens, who receives a $25 credit on her WEMC bill. Recipes featured in Current Cooking are not independently tested, so we must depend on the accuracy of the cooks sending them. Always use safe food handling, preparation and cooking procedures from recognized experts.

Handy Tip

One big source of home water damage is ruptured washing machine hoses. If your hoses are more than five years old, consider replacing them.

"The first step, even before you begin making lunch, is to prevent contamination," says Judy Hibbs, WEMC member and area extension agent for foods and nutrition. "Follow the same safety guidelines for a simple sack lunch that you would for a nice Thanksgiving dinner."

To prevent food contamination Hibbs suggests:

• Washing hands, utensils and cutting surfaces with hot, soapy water before and between handling foods.
• Using plastic, not wood, cutting boards for preparation along with paper towels or clean dishcloths for cleanup. Avoid bacteria-harboring sponges and dirty dishcloths.
• Washing thermos bottles and other food containers in hot, soapy water after each use and then rinsing with hot water.
• Don't forget to wash chill packs, lunch boxes and insulated bags.

It's easy to pack hot foods by following a few simple steps:

1. Heat the food to boiling.
2. Preheat the thermos by filling with boiling water and allowing to stand for two minutes.
3. Empty the bottle and fill with preheated food.

"Juice drinks thaw faster then fruit juices," cautions Hibbs, "so check the thaw rate beforehand to make sure the drink will be thawed by lunchtime." Pack the most perishable foods closest to the chill pack or frozen juice.

Thermos containers can also do double duty and keep foods cold. Just pre-chill them before filling.

"When you're buying an insulated bag, look for well-insulated models with waterproof linings," says Hibbs. "Waterproof linings won't soak up spills and afterwards make clean up much easier."

More information on food safety: www.ces.uga.edu

Hale, a Walton County native, has served as chair of the Trust board since its beginning in 1997. Walton Electric Trust is the volunteer group entrusted with distributing funds collected through the Round Up program. Members who participate allow Walton EMC to round their electric bill to the next dollar each month. The resulting change goes to help those in need; money collected can't be used to pay electric bills.

"Round Up has come a long way, but we've still got a long way to go," continues Hale. "We've got 14,000 Walton EMC members participating, but that's only a drop in the bucket compared to the 94,000 we could have. Our neighbor EMC, Snapping Shoals, has at least four times as much participation as we do."

Hale says the current level of participation forces the volunteer board members of Walton Electric Trust to make some tough decisions. "We have more requests than we can fund. When we're thousands short, we have to turn down some worthy causes."

"The Trust board is knowledgeable, diverse and inspiring. We work well together. We do the best we can with the limited amount we have. All of us feel for the people we can't help due to a lack of funds," continues Hale.

"I think our members don't realize how simple and inexpensive it is to do so much good for so many people through Operation Round Up. Just one phone call or simply initialing their bill stub to sign up can change people's lives, probably someone they know."

The latest recipients of Operation Round Up help are:

• A Gwinnett County student. A battle with cancer caused this young man to miss school, making him lose the HOPE scholarship. Your donations will help get his education back on track.

• Walton County Department of Family and Children's Services. To help families served by child protective services or foster care, Walton County DFACS needs help in removing barriers like unsafe housing, auto repairs and transportation. Operation Round Up funds will go toward these expenses.

• Lilburn Middle School HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) Program. To thank the program's volunteers, the school hosted a luncheon for mentors and the students they help. These mentors tutor students who are behind in reading skills. The grant from Walton Electric Trust paid for the lunch and T-shirts.

• Morgan County Department of Family and Children's Services. Many times, disadvantaged and senior citizens can't afford high-priced prescriptions. Patients don't get well and end up seeing the doctor again for the same ailment. The Trust award will purchase drugs to help break this vicious cycle.

"Fire is certainly a concern, but we have sophisticated vent hoods that will extinguish cooking fires," says Tony Elrod, owner operator of the new Woody's Bar-B-Q® in Snellville. It turns out that restaurants are much more concerned with other security issues, like intrusion, burglary, theft and quality control.

For example, security video shot by the restaurant's cameras can also be used for employee training. "We can see how our greeters are meeting the patrons when they come in," says Elrod. "Then we can review the tape with our employees and give constructive criticism to make sure the customer is being taken care of."

The video also provides real-life training for safety issues. Employees can see for themselves if a back door has been left open or if there's a dangerous accumulation of water on the floor that could pose a slipping hazard.

And of course, video surveillance is priceless in cases of armed robbery or theft.

"Our security system is sophisticated as far as restaurants go," continues Elrod. "Paul Wolff of EMC Security really understands our needs. He didn't try to sell us more than we need or use hard-sell tactics. Paul's knowledge of commercial security is amazing. That knowledge really helped us (Elrod and co-owners Bill and Bill Candee) choose the right security system."

Elrod also cites EMC Security's reasonable pricing and local presence as other pluses. "Our Woody's restaurant likes to do business locally and keep dollars in the community," comments Elrod.

The Snellville location is the first of six Woody's in the Atlanta area. EMC Security will install systems in the other five as well.

"Just as our aim is to give our customers the best food and service, we also want to protect them while they're enjoying our restaurant," says Elrod. "EMC Security has taken care of that."

The Commercial Security Experts

EMC Security can provide protection for any business, from the smallest convenience store to large, multi-campus industrial facilities. Here are a few of the needs EMC Security can meet:

• Intrusion security systems
• Access control and badging systems
• State-of-the-art closed circuit video systems
• Remote video monitoring via the Internet
• Fire detection systems
• High-tech communications wiring
• UL approved fire and intrusion system monitoring

• Woody's Bar-B-Q is located in the heart of Snellville at the intersection of Highways 78 and 124. Presently under construction, the 8,750 square foot facility is due to open in October.
• "Woody's is really a good barbecue restaurant," says Tony Elrod, owner operator of the new Snellville location. "We have a fun, family atmosphere that features quality food at reasonable prices."
• All Woody's products are made fresh. "Our onion rings are cut and double-breaded right on site," says Elrod. "We also feature an open kitchen so customers can see their food being prepared. Woody's can cater from one to 1,000 people."
• A few featured menu items: Danish baby back ribs, barbecue pork, beef, chicken and turkey, sirloin hamburgers, wings and two Southern favorites, fried okra and squash.

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Thanks to your co-op, five local young people got the chance to attend the Georgia Cooperative Leadership Conference at the State FFA-FHA Camp in Covington this June. 2001 marks the 17th year for the event.

Walton EMC sponsored Ali Nelson of Faith Academy, Dawn Evans, Lindsey Evans and Mollie Rice of Loganville High School along with Cristin Heard of Oconee County High School.

Students attend the conference for an introduction to and education about co-ops. They also enhance their own leadership skills though group activities designed to promote personal growth and teamwork.

The conference is coordinated by the Georgia Cooperative Council, a non-profit association that promotes and fosters all types of cooperative ventures.