February 2002

From A Director

News & Views from Your Elected Representatives

Board Meeting
December 18, 2001

The meeting was called to order by President John Elliott at 7:00 p.m. 
     Board members present expressed their sadness over the loss of board member Curt Culver, who passed away November 30, 2001.
     John Saven, Executive Director of the Northwest Requirements Utilities (NRU) and the Northwest Irrigation Utilities (NIU) provided an overview of his organization and their 2001 activities. Saven updated the board on current issues including: power supply and services to the Direct Service Industries; the group’s relationship with the Bonneville Power Administration; and regional transmission issues.
     Roger Kuhlman, Engineering and Operations Manager, reported that analog cellular phones in Salem Electric vehicles have been replaced with digital phones. Kuhlman updated the board on recent outages on the Salem/ Dallas Highway, which occurred during a recent windstorm.
     Angie Thomas, the Leadership Youth representative on the board provided an update of her activities, which included attending a Leader-ship Youth meeting during which three business owners discussed how they built their businesses. Thomas said there was also an interesting speaker who addressed personal and business etiquette.
     Terry Kelly, Member Services Manager, updated the board on the West Salem High School project that he has been involved with since 1997. Upon its completion, he reported that the school will be the largest building in Polk County. The school’s conservation measures, in concert with Salem Electric, will save over 900,000 kilowatt hours per year.
     Bob Speckman, General Manager, asked for board input on various requests from other utility organizations. The consensus of the board is to empower Speckman to use his judgment on urgent matters and to report actions to the board. Speckman reported on the Northwest Public Power Association’s search for a new Executive Director position, which he is involved in.
     Jack Belleque, Administrative Services Manager, presented three resolutions regarding restatement and amendments to the co-op’s 401(k) Profit Sharing and the Money Purchase Pension Plan. On a motion from Horn, and second by Anderson, the three resolutions were adopted unanimously. Belleque presented a resolution for forfeiture of unclaimed capital credits for 1976.
     Belleque reported that 80% of the credits for 1976 have been paid out. On a motion by Anderson and second by Dyer, the resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.
     The board adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

Jeff Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer

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For Our Community

In 2001 SE helped sponsor or participated in the following community activities:

• Keizer Iris Festival Run
• "Magic At The Mill" Holiday Lighting Display
• Salem Art Fair
• Willamette University "Star Tree" Lighting
• Summer In the City Celebration
• West Salem Waterfront Parade
• American Cancer Society Relay for Life
• United Way Campaign
• SE Drill Team in Waterfront & Festival of Lights Parades
• Needy Family Sponsorship
• Salem Rodeo
• Oregon Symphony in Salem
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing
• American Red Cross Blood Drive
• West Salem Little League
• Keizer Little League
• West Salem Business Association Business Fair
• Keizer Safety Open House
• Salem Police Department Toy Drive Collection Site
• Adopt-a-Block Participants
• Support of Destination Imagination Teams at Walker & Chapman Hill
• POWER After School Program at Walker Middle School
• Myers, Chapman Hill & Brush College Jog-a-thons

SE’s Special Recognition & Awards

• Several NWPPA "Excellence In Communication" Awards
• Selected "Best Marching Group" at the West Salem Waterfront Parade
• Recognized as Corporate Sponsor of the Keizer Iris Festival
• Raised $2,855 for American Cancer Society
• Selected "Best Use of Humor" at the Festival of Lights Parade

Since none of the community contributions and our reliable service could happen without people, this is a partial list of the awards and accomplishments, both personal and professional, that took place during the past year.

SE People

• Ed Johnson completes apprenticeship training; promoted to Journeyman Lineman
• Sandra Cruz & Michele Mogle join SE as Customer Service Representatives
• Lisa Wordeman "rejoins" SE as Customer Service Representative
• Jeff Lewis promoted to Member Services Supervisor
• Harold Backen Golf Tournament award winners: Tino Tovar, Jack Belleque, Steve Gehley and Nick Reding
• Steve Gehley promoted to 6th-step apprentice
• Bob Speckman elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Northwest Public Power Association
• Angie Thomas selected as Leadership Youth Representative
• Rob Thorn hired as full time Utilityman
• Jenny Knieling & Nick Gerig become engaged
• Richard Spangler & Carmen Fernandez married
• Gail Love & Joe Ripp become engaged
• Karen Thomas wins First Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
• Brittney Charnetzki wins $1,000 from G.I. Joes for the West Salem Little League For Our Members
• Sponsored Kristin Dahlin at the 2001 NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
• Improvements made to our web page
• Awarded $2,000 Electric Technology Grant to South Salem High School’s Electric Vehicle Club
• No outages in March 2001Ñ7th "no outage" month in SE history
• Provided fluorescent bulb coupons to our members and sold thousands of bulbs
• Crews complete conduit installation at West Salem High School
• Board increased Heating Bill Assistance Program budget to $150,000
• Approved patronage revolvement of $1.2 million dollars in capital credit refunds to our members
• Started the Residential Conservation Incentive Program to reward energy savings For Our Employees
• Spring break visits for employees’ kids
• 5th Annual Employee Appreciation Day
• Wellness Program continued
• Fitness awards provided
• Retiree informational lunches continued
• Volcanoes baseball game night
• Pottery night
• New evaluation system implemented

Saying Goodbye

In 2001, we said goodbye to retiree Walt Collier who was employed at the cooperative for over 14 years. Walt passed away on February 18.

We also said goodbye to board member Curt Culver. Curt died on November 30, after serving on the board of directors since 1996.

Both are greatly missed.

Thank you one and all for making Salem Electric the community-friendly organization that it is. And a huge thank you to Cindy Lenker for keeping this scrapbook each year. 

Nancy Horn, Director

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