MEC Annual Meeting Held

CHASE CITY - Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) member Phyllis Bowers of South Hill remarked, “What a great idea!  The Co-op gave us compact fluorescent light bulbs and an Energy Savers Handbook to help us save money!”  Receiving these items when registering at the Cooperative’s 2009 Annual Meeting of the Members was just the beginning of a productive business meeting for MEC members.

The June 17 annual meeting had almost 700 people in attendance.  Energy efficiency was emphasized under the meeting’s theme of “Working Together For Your Energy Future.”  Booths were set up with information on how to lower electric bills through energy efficiency and how to help keep electrical costs down by participating in programs, such as “Beat the Peak” and “Our Energy, Our Future.”

Prior to the business session, Director David Jones recognized all MEC members who had served in the military, as well as Robert Andrews, an MEC employee who recently returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq with the Virginia Army National Guard.  Andrews remained on the stage while a thank you video showing military personnel being welcomed home was shown.  The membership thanked Andrews for his service to our country by giving him a hearty round of applause and a standing ovation.

The business session followed, and comments concerning future energy needs were made by MEC Chairman Bobby Conner and guest speaker Richard Johnstone, executive vice president of the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives.  Johnstone spoke of the importance of making certain that federal legislators seek a balanced approach in energy legislation to assure that electricity remains affordable to all and urged those attending to contact their representatives in Washington as soon as possible.    

MEC President and CEO John Lee presented his report in which he said, “We work hard to keep your lights on, around the clock, and it is work worth doing because we know that having reliable, affordable electric service has a positive impact on your quality of life.”  Lee outlined the past, present and future challenges that Mecklenburg Electric and all electric cooperatives face and also urged members to stay informed on these issues and to make their opinions known to their elected representatives adding that “the time to act is now.”

Additionally, Lee reviewed the Cooperative’s performance over the past year and stressed the Cooperative’s three most important core values, safety, reliability and affordability.   Energy efficiency was also a focal point in his presentation and he outlined a number of programs offered by MEC to its members adding, “We will continue to make every effort to promote energy efficiency and address the environmental issues that are forefront today with a balanced approach that also supports our goal of keeping your rates affordable.”

The Cooperative’s annual meeting is held each June to conduct business with the membership and to elect directors for the Cooperative’s board.  This year three incumbent board members were re-elected to serve three-year terms:  Bobby Conner of Nathalie, Stan Duffer of Red Oak, and David Jones of Bracey. 

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative has been in business since 1938 and provides electricity to over 30,000 homes and businesses throughout nine counties.  It has offices located in Chase City, Gretna, and Emporia and maintains a utility plant valued in excess of $100 million.

# # #