Make Plans to Attend the 79th Annual Meeting
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017
Governor Jim Hogg City Park   Quitman, Texas
Hope to see you there!
 
The Annual Meeting is always a fun time and a great way for members to get updated on Cooperative Business. This year, in addition to hearing about cooperative business, we've invited Congressman Louie Gohmert to present the keynote address. Prior to the meeting, The Almost Patsy Cline Band will perform at 12:30 and it's open to the public.
 
About Congressman Louie Gohmert
 
Congressman Gohmert was first sworn in January 4, 2005 and is serving his seventh term in the United States House of Representatives. He represents the First District of Texas encompassing over 12 counties stretching nearly 120 miles down the state's eastern border.
 
He serves on numerous House committees and subcommittees and is the Vice Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
Prior to his Congressional service, Congressman Gohmert was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas. He was later appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to complete a term as Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals.
The Congressman received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and later graduated from Baylor School of Law. A U.S. Army veteran, he served as a Captain.
 
He and his wife Kathy are the proud parents of three daughters. Their family attends Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, where he has served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Additionally, he frequently preaches at churches throughout his district.
 

  Fun Loving Entertainment at Annual Meeting
The Almost Patsy Cline Band
Variety is the spice of life, and that's what you'll get with this year's annual meeting entertainment, The Almost Patsy Cline Band.  The band's specialty, as their name implies, is classic country.  But, they also entertain with pop, gospel, some waltzes, polkas, oldies and a little classic rock thrown in.  They'll cover many popular chart-topping songs from years past, and interact with the crowd for a sure-to-be fun and memorable show.  True entertainers (all are singers and musicians both) the band consists of Vicki Gillespie (keyboard), Rick Reynolds (drums), Larry Nolen (guitar), Larry Lucas (guitar), Bill Pan (steel guitar), and Lanette Pennell (bass).  Expect a toe-tapping good time, with a few laughs along the way, from this two-time Texas Touring Roster act sponsored by The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA).
 
Following the entertainment and business meeting, there will be prize drawings for members.

  $6,000 in Scholarships Available for Adult Students
 
WCEC is accepting applications from area adult students interested in receiving college scholarship money. The three $2,000 Power Upward scholarships expand upon an already robust scholarship program WCEC has in place for high school students.
 
To be eligible for the $2,000 scholarship, applicants must be age 21 or older and must be an active member or member spouse living on WCEC's system. Adult children of members do not qualify.
 
The applicant cannot previously have won a scholarship from WCEC. The Applicant must be accepted into a college, trade school or another postsecondary program, and must be registered for a minimum of nine credit hours, or be the equivalent of a full-time student.
 
Members who wish to apply should complete and submit an official application with two current letters of reference pertaining to this effort, and a 500-word essay describing the following:
  • Reasons for continuing your education
  • Why you have chosen your particular field of study.
  • How the degree or certificate will help you with your future goals.
These programs are funded entirely by unclaimed capital credit payments returned to WCEC by the state of Texas. All entries must be received at WCEC headquarters by November 15 . Late entries will not be considered. Applications are available on wcec.org , or by calling the cooperative at (903) 763-2203.



Help Keep our Line Workers and the Public Safe
 
At WCEC, we are all about the safety of our members and our workers.  Lately, there's been an influx of companies and individuals posting signage on our power poles. This is strictly prohibited and also unlawful.  Here's why:
  • Those placing items on power poles come dangerously close to energized power lines and thousands of volts of electricity.
  •  WCEC line crews climb utility poles at all hours of the day and night in the worst of conditions.  Anything attached to utility poles creates serious hazard for our line personnel. Sharp objects like nails, tacks, staples, or barbed wire can cut and injure employees or cause them to fall.  These can also puncture rubber gloves and other safety equipment, making linemen vulnerable to electrocution.
  •  Not inconsequently, the work it takes to remove the hazards is costly and time consuming and must be paid for by our members.  And, the removal process can slow power restoration times during outages.
  •  Unauthorized pole attachments violate the National Electric Safety Code.
  •  Those placing the signs are trespassing. 
Unlawfully attaching to private property is no different than illegally trespassing on another landowner's property.  Because of all of these reasons, we ask all of our members to refrain from the practice.  It is our responsibility to safeguard the reliability and integrity of our distribution system and the safety of the public and our employees.  Please help us in that regard. 



For more safety tips visit our Safety & Consumer Tips
Energy Efficiency Tips 
 
 
Cooler temps will be here soon! No matter what kind of heating system you have in your home, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. Contact a licensed professional to inspect your system before the winter chill arrives.
 

For more energy efficiency tips visit our Energy Savings Center.

Wood County Electric Cooperative | [email protected] | http://www.wcec.org