Got
questions? We've got answers
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| by
Barry Hart |
by Barry
Hart
Whether it’s
rising rates or right of ways, electric cooperative members often have
questions for the employees and directors of their business. That’s
one of the reasons we publish Rural Missouri.
And it’s also why we take part in events such as the Missouri State
Fair.
This month we start
an important series that will fill you in on why electric rates are
going up at co-ops across the state. This series (see page 12) will
examine the many variables that contribute to the “perfect
storm” descending on your power supplier.
Talking to members
is vital to the success of any cooperative. When electric co-ops made
the decision to fund the Missouri Electric Cooperatives Building
at the state fair, we knew it would be an excellent place to visit
with the membership.
The fair draws electric
cooperative members from all across the state. It’s great to
see hats with electric co-op logos on the heads of the many fairgoers.
Those who have attended the fair in the past take great pride in the
MEC building, especially its ground-source heat pump cooled comfort.
There
will be a lot of new things to see and do in the electric cooperative
building during this year’s fair, which runs from Aug. 9-19. An
information kiosk staffed by electric cooperative personnel will
be the first thing fairgoers see when entering the building.
A new energy
bike will be on hand this year and should be a big hit. Pedal power simulates
the work a power plant does as more and more load is placed on the system.
The display has a fan, different wattage light bulbs and a TV set. As
more load is placed on the generator, you will discover it gets harder
to pedal. Those with the strongest legs will see themselves on the
TV screen.
Once again we will
have the “People from our Pages,” featuring
artisans and craftspeople who appeared in Rural Missouri.
There will also be photos from our award-winning editors
on display.
Missouri’s
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are once again sponsoring events and
concerts on the Touchstone Energy Stage. And some lucky members will
get a ride in the Touchstone Energy balloon, weather permitting.
Jerry
Divin, manager of Southwest Electric Cooperative and a member of
the State Fair Commission, tells me he is excited by the return of
Marion Lucas as fair director. Marion says he considers the fair home
to family and friends, and we couldn’t agree more.
We hope you
will all bring your questions to the fair and the Missouri Electric
Cooperatives Building this month.
Hart is executive vice president of the Association
of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
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