Over 700 Fayette Electric Co-op members, spouses, and guests gathered on the evening of July 17 for the Annual Membership Meeting. The event was held at the Knights of Columbus Community Center in La Grange.
After members registered, they visited the various booths where they could putt or play Plinko for prizes or try their hand at the Lineman Challenge Game wearing a lineman’s gloves and attempt to fasten screws on a simulated cross-arm. Children were able to take a photo with a lineman at the lineman photo prop. Members and parents of the Fayette County 4-H clubs served homemade cookies, lemonade, and coffee.
The business of the meeting included the election of three directors. Co-op members had previously nominated the following directors to represent their respective districts at meetings held in May: David Lehmann, District 1, Joseph D. Kruppa, District 2, and James A. Anderle, District 5. All three incumbents were elected by acclamation.
David Lehmann, who has served the Fayette Electric Cooperative Board as President since 1998, represents members in Warda, Winchester, Waldeck, Round Top, Warrenton, Rutersville and east of La Grange.
Joseph D. Kruppa, who serves as Vice President of the Board, represents members south of La Grange, Hostyn, Ammannsville, and Holman.
As District 5 Director, Anderle will represent members in or near these areas of Fayette EC’s service territory: Flatonia, Muldoon, Plum, West Point and Cistern.
As in previous meetings, members viewed a video presentation that highlighted a business review of 2018 that included improvements made to FEC’s distribution system, and the financial status of the cooperative.
After the video presentation, General Manager Gary Don Nietsche recognized six employees for their years of dedicated service: Justin Whited, five years; Debbie Klam, 10 years; Tracy Denton, 15 years; Gregory Noak, 20 years; Robert Thomas, 30 years; and David Caine, 35 years. Board President David Lehmann also recognized Karen Mahoney-Woods, legal counsel for 5 years of service. A tribute was paid to Groundsman David Caine, who will retire on July 31 after 35 years of dedicated service to the Cooperative.
Also during the business session, the six 2018 Rural Scholarship winners and the two students who represented the cooperative in Washington, D.C. on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour were introduced to the members.
Board President David Lehmann presented $7,500 “Sharing Success” matching grants to board representatives of Combined Community Action, Inc. and the Schulenburg Area Food Pantry.
During the meeting, drawings were held for 57 door prizes donated by FEC suppliers and energy gift certificates donated by the cooperative.
The meeting ended with a question and answer session for members giving them an opportunity to voice their questions and concerns.