Current Lines:  June 2005

Welcome to the June edition of Current Lines newsletter, a monthly publication of Tri-County EMC. Below are a few samples of the articles in this current newsletter. To read the full article, just click on the "Click here to read more" link.

Tri-County's Relay For Life Team Helps County to Exceed Goal   For the fifth consecutive year, Tri-County EMC employees  supported cancer research through the Jones County Relay for Life. This year, the team raised $2,157. A group of employees dedicated their time and efforts to a variety of fundraisers including bake sales, car washes, cookouts, raffles and yard sales. The remaining employees donated their money to the frequently held on-site fundraisers. Click here to read more.   >> Tri-County Team Member William Hubbard bags items sold at one of two yard sales held to benefit the American Cancer Society. <<

Critical Co-op Issues Tackled in Washington Representatives from Tri-County EMC joined cooperative leaders from around the country in May at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.  Tri-County CEO Hill Bentley, Chairman Tom Thompson, Secretary/ Treasurer Thomas Noles and Tri-County Attorney Tom Daniel met with Congressmen Jim Marshall (D-3rd), Lynn Westmoreland (R-8th) Phil Gingrey (R-11th) and Charlie Norwood (R-9th) and the chiefs of staff for Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson. Click here to read more.

Bill to Benefit Rural Communities   Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue recently signed a bill that could bring thousands of dollars annually to communities served by Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs), including Tri-County. House Bill 431, allows EMCs to retain unclaimed capital credits for the sole purposes of funding education, economic development and 501 (c)(3) charitable organizations in the EMC service area. Click here to read more.

Lightning. You May Never See it Coming. Lightning strikes the United States as many as 20 million times each year. Lightning prevails over tornadoes or hurricanes in the number of deaths it causes. The National Weather Service indicates that lightning strikes are fatal in approximately 10 percent of strike victims. Another 70 percent of survivors suffer serious long-term effects. Click here to read more.

Community Blood Drive June 21

Tri-County EMC will host a Blood Drive Tuesday, June 21 from 2 until 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the Gray office.  Members of the community are invited to participate.  To schedule a time to donate, please call Beverly Smith at (478) 986-8135 or 1-866-254-8135. 

Every two seconds someone in America needs a blood transfusion according to the American Red Cross. Your donation could aid trauma victims; patients undergoing treatment for cancer or other diseases; patients of heart surgery, organ transplants or help those in childbirth. Your blood could also be the difference between life and death for a premature baby.

 AARP Offers Mature Driver Safety Class

On July 26 - 27, Tri-County EMC and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will offer a Mature Driver Safety program. The class will be held in the Community Room at Tri-County EMC in Gray from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to avoid accidents and traffic violations and develop defensive driving techniques. Class members may qualify for a 10 percent savings on their insurance. The cost is $10 per person. To register, call (478) 986-8126.  

Did You Know ...

For the last five years, since Tri-County EMC has participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay-for-Life, it has raised a total of $8,213 in the fight against cancer. (2986-01)

 Try at least one quick fix listed below to reduce your summer electric usage.                                                                                               
s Set your thermostat at 78 degrees during the summer and run ceiling fans to circulate
     the air. 
     For every degree you lower it, you will pay around three percent more than if you just left 
     the setting at 78. (Closing registers in unused rooms will not reduce operating hours and may 
     reduce your system's efficiency.)
s Let nature work for you. On warm days, line-dry your clothes outside. You'll be surprised at how 
     fast they dry.  
s Don't use your oven on hot days.
s Draw window coverings on the sunny-side windows during the day.

 
Please send your summer favorites to: Margaret Morris, Tri-County EMC, P.O. Box 487, Gray, GA  31032 or margaretm@tri-countyemc.com.