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The
meeting was called to order by President Nancy Horn. All board
members were present. Jack Belleque reported that two years
ago Salem Electric had a large write-off from a food
processing company, but that with this year’s revolvement
payment the debt has been entirely recovered. He also noted
the depreciation study on the company would be completed by R.
W. Beck by the end of this year and new depreciation rates
will begin in 2001. Roger Kuhlman reviewed the power
interruption report form, which shows monthly and cumulative
reports on outage information, including the reasons for
outages. Final review was completed on the 2001 budget.
Special credit was extended to Chris Krieck, who did a
commendable job in pulling much of the budget information
together. The board voted unanimously to approve the 2001
budget. General Manager Bob Speckman introduced the board to
the Northwest Open Access Network "NoaNet" which
would provide a connection via fiber optic cable to BPA and
other cooperative systems. Many unanswered questions arose
regarding our participation in NoaNet and its value to the
company. A special meeting with a NoaNet representative will
be scheduled with the board within the next three weeks.
Curt Culver
Secretary/Treasurer
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 I
write this
just before Christmas. This is a personal observation which
takes me back many years. Some of you have had the same
experience, the memories, starting with the Columbus Day storm
in October of 1962, and more timely, the recent windstorm we
experienced here in mid-December of this year 2000. Go back
with me, if you will, to 1962. The trees fell like
matchsticks, crashing to the ground and taking the power lines
with them. Our crews worked diligently, night and day, to
clear the way and to restore power. At home we cooked on
Coleman stoves and over the roaring fireplace. Tuna fish
sandwiches and chili kept us going, and flashlights and
candles lighted our way. It was fun at first, this camping in,
but by the fourth day it began to get old. It was cold if you
were away from the fireplace, and the young child afraid of
the darkness of night was inconsolable. Today, we enjoy the
lights of our Christmas trees and the outdoor lights as we
traverse our neighborhoods. Along with PGE, Salem Electric
participated in Magic at the Mill, a spectacular lighting
event with more than 300,000 lights twinkling in the darkness.
The Star Trees at Willamette University were among many other
lighting exhibits to give us the beauty so special to the
holiday season. For most of us, the lights stayed on through
our recent windstorm. Some experienced short outages due to
falling branches and trees, but were able to return to
normalcy quickly as power was restored. We are reminded that
modern technology gives us computers, our washers and dryers,
hot water for showers and dishes, hair dryers, street lights,
heat in our homes, and the list goes on and on. Electricity is
not a luxury, it is a necessity. Abe Lincoln did well as he
read and wrote by firelight. We tend to take our electric
commodity for granted until it isn’t available. I doubt that
many of us would fare too well in an Abe Lincoln decade. We
celebrate and appreciate our way of life as we approach the
New Year. Let’s keep those lights glowing.
Alicia Bonesteele
Director
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Keizer
Ordinance Tax
The
City of Keizer is increasing its ordinance tax for electric
utilities from 3.5 to 5% effective February 9, 2001. The City
of Salem tax was increased to 5% in July 1999. All Salem
Electric customers within the Keizer city limits will see an
itemized 1.5% Keizer city tax on their electric bills after
February 9th, 2001. The average increase for residential
customers will be approximately $1.00 per month.
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