CELINA-Approximately 1,000 people showed up for the first-ever Tri-County Electric Annual Members Meeting held here in Celina earlier this month at Clay County High School making the trip to town a success for the cooperative.

Ronald Bailey, Director of District C, welcomed everyone to the meeting, Paul Thompson, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Tri-County Electric, introduced business, and political leaders, as well as other Tri-County Electric partners, including TVA were also on hand.

During the business meeting David Callis, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, and Bill Corum, President of the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, addressed the members.

During his report, Thompson thanked the members for their attendance and support of Tri-County Electric.  He highlighted the theme of this year’s Annual Meeting–“A Powerful History: a future built on a strong foundation;” reported on Tri-County Electric’s strong financial position and the fact that as a local member-owned cooperative the revenue generated is reinvested through system upgrades, maintenance and expansions; and remarked on Tri-County Electric’s involvement throughout our service area in many areas including economic development, school based programs and local civic organizations.

Many members took advantage of free blood pressure checks and information provided by Cumberland River Hospital and information booths were also set-up by TVA and the Clay County Chamber Partnership.  Caricaturist Denny Whalen and t-shirt airbrush specialist Robert Hollingsworth were also very popular and busy thanks to the many children in attendance.

Tri-County Electric provided information on our products and services and members could also take bucket truck rides and observe the safety demonstration.

Numerous door prizes were awarded during the evening’s activities, including the Grand Prize 2005 Chevy Silverado 4×4 won by member-owner Daniel Cohen of Red Boiling Springs, TN.  Tri-County Electric’s logo was displayed on the umbrellas given to members at registration and, as mentioned earlier, each child was given a Tri-County Electric T-shirt. Free refreshments were also provided for everyone.

Principal John Denton was very kind in allowing Tri-County Electric to utilize the school facilities, and special thanks goes to Laura McLerran, Nutrition Supervisor for the Clay County Board of Education for ordering, Paula Scott and LaDonna Netherton for preparing, and the CCHS Cheerleaders for serving the refreshments and custodian Vivian Watson for all of her assistance.

Bonnie Phelps of Burkesville, KY was the winner of the $100 drawing to begin the meeting and Caleb Weir of Celina, TN was drawn as the winner of a new Dell laptop.  Caleb is the son of Robert and Monica Weir.  Tri-County Electric also donated an identical computer to Celina K-8 where Caleb is a kindergarten student.

As required by the TCEMC bylaws, a meeting of the Board of Directors was held immediately following the Annual Meeting.  Officers elected were President, Jack Osgatharp, District R; Vice-President, Tommy Thompson, District H; Secretary-Treasurer, Ray Goad, District L.