August 2007

2007 Annual Meeting Gives Customer-Owners the Power

Over 2,500 customer-owners and guests attending the 2007 Walton EMC annual meeting learned that belonging to a cooperative means they have the power—literally.

A happy Bill Matheny of Monroe won the grand prize pickup at the recent Walton EMC annual meeting.

“In a cooperative like Walton EMC, the customers really do have the power,” said Board Chairman Sam Simonton. “This meeting gives you, the owner, a say in the way the cooperative is run.”

Customer-owners exercise that power by attending the annual meeting and voting on a board of directors. During the business session, three of them were re-elected for three-year terms. Incumbents Mary Ann Hartman of the North Snellville district, Bobby Williams of the Mountain Park District and Johnny Allgood of the Southwest Walton district faced no opposition.

Walton EMC customer-owners also learned they have the power to save the environment.

Each received the traditional bucket of gifts, including a light bulb. However, this year’s light bulb was not the usual incandescent bulb, but an environmentally-friendly compact fluorescent, that uses 75 percent less energy and can last ten times as long. 

President/CEO Ronnie Lee highlighted Walton EMC’s green power program as well as plans to add another green power source—chicken litter—soon.

“We all know how important the poultry industry is to our state’s economy,” said Lee. “But with more and more land being used for housing and development, poultry farmers are losing places to dispose of by-products from their operations.” Not only will the poultry litter project allow for disposal of by-products, but it will also give customer-owners another green power option.

Whether customer-owners receive their power via green or traditional sources, Lee had good news about Walton EMC’s reliability. “I’m pleased to report that over the past year, Walton EMC’s reliability was over 99.9 percent,” he said. “We work hard to make sure the lights stay on.”

Lee also had good news about rates. “We don’t see any rate increases in the near future,” he said. “It’s our aim that you continue to have the electric power you need at an affordable price.”

Customer-owners went on to hear how they, through Walton EMC, have the power to help the community. “We care about the same issues and have a vested interest in what happens down the street,” said Lee.

That concern for community is what has driven nearly $150,000 in Operation Round Up donations in the past year, proving that Walton EMC customer-owners also have the power to make a difference in the community.

“Ten years ago, at this meeting, Walton EMC introduced the Operation Round Up program,” said Simonton. “Round Up is a small, simple way to make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors.”

Not everything at the annual meeting was business. Children played on moonwalks, created candy art and cooled off with free snow cones. Healthcare professionals conducted a variety of screenings and exhibitors demonstrated energy-saving equipment and tips. Customer-owners also had a chance to show their support for the troops by contributing items and notes of appreciation to Operation Sand Box.

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