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News & Views from Your Elected Representatives
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Board Meeting
March 26, 2002
The
meeting was called to order by President Bonesteele at 7:00 pm with all members
present.
Bonesteele
welcomed Carl Beach and Jerry Berger to the Board.
The
meeting agenda and Consent Calendar were approved unanimously.
Information Items:
Administrative Services Manager Jack Belleque distributed graphs illustrating
the amount of patronage refunded, unclaimed and forfeited back to Salem
Electric since the program began in 1978.
Engineering
& Operations Manager Roger Kuhlman provided a brief report on the
installation of another alternate electric feed to the downtown area. Kuhlman
also reported that crews have been working in the area of the automatic
transfer switch under the bridge. Kuhlman stated that power poles on Orchard
Heights near the new West Salem High School were scheduled to come down in
early April.
Terry
Kelly, Member Services Manager, provided a brief update on the Salem Electric
Member Assistance Program. He said Helen Findley has appointments through the
25th of April with an estimate of $177,000 being paid out in assistance
payments. In response to a question from board member Anderson, Findley
mentioned that the federal Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) was out
of funds to assist Salem Electric customers.
Kelly
reported that Salem Electric reached a milestone as the co-op has paid out the
$1 millionth dollar in energy assistance. The board, by consensus, agreed to
make acknowledgment at the Annual Meeting slated in May.
Leadership
Youth Representative Angie Thomas reintroduced herself and briefly described
the Leadership Youth Program for the benefit of the new directors.
General
Manager Bob Speckman reported on the Northwest Requirements Utilities (NRU)
which represents Salem Electric in discussions of a Regional Transmission
Organization (RTO).
Speckman
reported on legislative matters pending before the U.S. Senate that effect
cooperatives.
Speckman
stated that the annual meeting preparations are proceeding smoothly.
Action Items:
Heating System Replacement: Kuhlman asked the board to approve staff's
recommendation to adjust the budget by $105,000 for the design and installation
of a new heating system. After much discussion the board approved a motion by
director Horn to accept staff's proposal.
Under
"New Business", Director Dyer briefed the board on the Last Mile Electric Coop
(LMEC) meeting he attended in Pasco, WA. Dyer provided the new Directors with
the history of LMEC and reported that some test wind sites would be activated
in the next few months.
The meeting adjourned at
8:25 pm
Jeff Anderson
Secretary/Treasurer
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Due to resignations of some board members and the recent
passing of Curt Culver, there have been three positions recently filled by the
Salem Electric board. I applied and was appointed to fill John Elliott's
position, as he was transferred out of the area by J C Penney.
I am a
native Oregonian, having been born and raised in Salem and living in Keizer
since 1950. My wife, Mary, and I celebrated our 52nd anniversary last year. We
have two daughters, Kathy and Laurie, and four grandchildren.
My
educational experience includes graduation from North Salem High, two years at
Oregon State University, and graduating from Chemeketa Community College, with
a Banking & Finance Associates Degree. I also took numerous courses through
the American Institute of Banking. My employment experience includes Manager of
the Keizer Branch of U.S. Bank and Bank Examiner for three years for U.S. Bank.
I was also employed by West Coast Bank for 20 years, working as Bank Card
Department Manager, Credit Analyst and Commercial Lending Officer. I also
worked as a Controller for Ryerson Hardwood Floors for three years prior to my
retirement. An interesting side note - I worked for three years, during the
canning season, at Oregon Fruit Products, owned and managed by Mark Gehlar, a
former Salem Electric director.
My
extensive public service includes currently serving on the Salem/Keizer School
District Bond Steering Committee and the City of Keizer's Budget Committee.
During my term as a Keizer City Councilor, I voted with the majority and Dennis
Koho, Mayor, and former Salem Electric Director, to bring the Salem/Keizer
Volcanoes to town. My community involvement also includes:
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Keizer City Councilor - four years
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Salem/Keizer School District Budget
Committee - six years
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Courthouse Square Citizen's Advisory
Committee - two years
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Mid-Willamette Valley Economic
Development Board - four years
My concern is
that Salem Electric continues to meet its goals of service reliability,
financial integrity, good member relations, healthy employee practices and the
lowest cost affordable power. I am also very pleased with the contributions and
participation Salem Electric makes on a regular basis to our Salem/Keizer
community activities. My philosophy is that the board of directors works as
your representatives as part of the team of staff and employees. We want to
continue to provide electrical power, in an efficient, low-cost and effective
manner.
I want
to commend Robert Speckman, General Manager, for the very thorough and
comprehensive orientation program he organized for the three new directors:
Jerry Berger, Paul Ennor and myself. I believe we covered Salem Electric's
operations very well and the programs and services that are offered to all of
our members.
My goal
is to serve all of our co-op members, so if you have any questions or comments,
please feel free to contact me at my home phone 503 393-2927.
Carl Beach
Director
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