PRESS RELEASE
 |
|
| Customer-members sign up for the new SMECO CoolSentry program to help save energy and money. | |
 |
|
| SMECO energy analyst assistant Joanne Simmons, left, demonstrates the energy savings of a compact fluorescent light as compared to an incandescent bulb. | |
 |
|
| SMECO line workers Brian Rawlings, left, and Craig Anderson demonstrate the force of electricity to Co-op members and their families at the Annual Meeting using the portable hot line safety trailer. |
Nearly 2,000 people turned out for the 70th Annual Meeting of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), held Wednesday, August 27, 2008. During the event, members voted for SMECO directors and a change to the Cooperative’s bylaws.
The customer-members queued up in line before the doors opened at 3 p.m., creating a steady stream as they registered to vote until the doors closed at 7 p.m. The Cooperative had 1,000 members register to vote at the meeting, and 300 members voted by absentee mail-in ballot. Incumbents were re-elected for three-year terms to SMECO’s Board: Nancy W. Zinn of Calvert County; John H. Bloom of Charles County; Daniel W. Dyer of Prince George’s County; and J. Douglas Frederick and Joseph V. Stone, Jr. of St. Mary’s County. Changes to Article III, Section 3.06, of the Co-op’s bylaws were also accepted.
Several SMECO members addressed the directors, staff, and customers in attendance during the open forum. William Brier, Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute, was the evening’s guest speaker. He described some of the trends in the utility industry affecting energy usage and electric rates.
SMECO president and chief executive officer, Austin J. Slater, Jr., also addressed the audience. He acknowledged the significance of the event as SMECO’s 70th Annual Members’ Meeting. A photo printed on the back of the evening’s program showed Jimmy Dean and his Texas Wildcats performing for the annual meeting audience in 1956. In his remarks, Slater pointed out that since that time, the use of electric energy has exploded, because each customer uses more than in the past. Slater described how SMECO dedicates 3.5 percent of the Co-op’s power portfolio to purchasing renewable energy, with that figure to increase to 20 percent by the year 2022.
Slater concluded his remarks by acknowledging some awards the Co-op has recently received, adding, “Wherever you find a company that is owned by its customers, you’ll find a partnership that is dedicated to continually improving its level of customer service. And that results in a higher level of success for the company.”
The overcast and rainy weather threatened the outdoor meeting, but none of the activities were cancelled. Beneath the large tent behind the seating area, Solar Tech and Continental Services hosted informational displays promoting solar energy and geothermal technology. The local energy assistance agency also had representatives available to provide information to customers in need of financial support. Nearly 100 customers signed up for the new SMECO CoolSentry program, which made its debut at the event.
The evening’s program included a hot line demonstration conducted by the Co-op’s safety division to educate members about staying safe around electric lines, and SMECO personnel were on hand to promote money-saving energy tips and to respond to customer inquiries.
This year’s sales of hot dogs and nachos raised more than $1,600 for the Southern Maryland Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Members who registered to vote were eligible to win 50 electric bill credits of $35 each. Grand prizes were also awarded to the following members who were in attendance: Brenda Clark, William Fleming, Francis Quade, and Frederick Richardson won U.S. Savings Bonds, and Sylvester Lee won the well-traveled SMECO vehicle, a 1997 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up.
| Calvert County (One seat up for election) | |
| Nancy W. Zinn | 1,104 |
| Charles County (One seat up for election) | |
| John H. Bloom | 1,129 |
| Prince George’s County (One seat up for election) | |
| Daniel W. Dyer | 1,097 |
| St. Mary’s County (Two seats up for election) | |
| Joseph V. Stone, Jr | 944 |
| J. Douglas Frederick | 855 |
| Mary Ellen (Gilbert) Tancreto | 487 |