COMPILED BY VICTORIA SCHARF DECASTRO  A great year at the rodeo
Georgia's electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) performed extremely well in the International Lineman's Rodeo competition held Oct. 27 in Kansas City, Kan.
Each year, the rodeo brings together linemen from around the world to compete in timed events that mirror the challenges they face every day. Contestants must climb poles, change insulators, reconfigure fiberglass arms and complete a simulated rescue of an injured co-worker, all while racing against the clock.
Seven journeyman teams represented six Georgia EMCs, including Carroll EMC in Carrollton, Cobb
EMC in Marietta, Flint Energies in Reynolds, GreyStone Power in Douglasville, Jackson EMC in Jefferson and Snapping Shoals EMC in Covington.
The Cobb EMC team of journeymen Ken Brumelow, Willie Nelson and Keith McCart won first place overall for the 2007 rodeo. They also placed first in Hurtman Rescue and the No. 2 Mystery Event. Mystery events are not revealed until the day of the rodeo. The linemen have to be prepared for any type of event they may have to compete in. The No. 2 Mystery Event involved changing out an insulator using hot sticks (insulated tools that allow lineworkers to work on energized lines).
 Georgia was also represented by 16 apprentices from seven co-ops: Carroll EMC, Cobb EMC, Flint Energies, GreyStone Power, Jackson EMC, Snapping Shoals EMC and Walton EMC in Monroe.
In the REA (Rural Electric Association) Apprentice Division, Georgia's EMCs took the top eight positions: 1. Cobb EMC, Aaron Willmert
2. Snapping Shoals EMC, Chris Harper
3. Cobb EMC, Robert Chastain
4. Flint Energies, Jerry Drazny
5. Jackson EMC, Jeff Sutton
6. Cobb EMC, Wesley Thames
7. GreyStone Power, Daniel Wix
8. Cobb EMC, David Barclay In the Apprentice Hurtman Rescue, overall divisions, Georgia's EMCs took the top five positions: 1. Cobb EMC, Aaron Willmert
2. Walton EMC, Charles Ryan West
3. Cobb EMC, Scotty Lyons
4. Cobb EMC, Jeremy Norment
5. Walton EMC, Bradley McCallister In the Apprentice Mystery Event, overall divisions, first place went to Snapping Shoals EMC's Chris Harper. Third place went to Cobb EMC's Lance Ballenger.
It was a great showing for the EMCs of Georgia.
 Riding for charity
Close to 50 motorcycles took to the highway in October to raise money for the Southeastern Firefighter's Burn Foundation at Doctor's Hospital in Augusta at Jefferson Energy's 5th Annual Cooperative Bike Day.
"It's great to see the support we get each year for this great event," says Steve Chalker, director of public relations for Jefferson Energy in Wrens. "From the volunteers, to all our great sponsors, to the riders -- everybody does their fair share to make this event successful each year. This year, the event raised close to $4,500 for the charity."
Following the nearly two-hour ride through the East Georgia countryside, participants enjoyed lunch at Jefferson Energy's headquarters, and numerous door prizes were given away.
Honoring our 'Greatest Generation' Last year, Cobb EMC presented a check in the amount of $11,126.40 to the Georgia Veterans Leadership Program for ribbons and pins commemorating the more than 9,200 World War II veterans in Marietta-based Cobb EMC's service area.  Tommy Clack, president of the nonprofit organization, a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee, is campaigning to honor the memories of what many Americans call our "Greatest Generation." And there's no time like the present. Several thousand World War II veterans die every day in this country, and with each one goes the story of what they witnessed and experienced.
"Those are the people, in my opinion, who made this country what it is," says Dwight Brown, chief executive officer of Cobb EMC. "You couldn't have a better man out campaigning for those people."
Two for the road Making a difference begins with just a single step. For instance ...
 Kim Sachau: Kim Sachau of Coastal Electric Cooperative in Midway participated in the Freedom Walk at Fort Stewart Sept. 9. Kim was one of more than 600 participants in the national America Supports You Freedom Walk.
America Supports You is a nationwide program launched by the Defense Department to recognize citizens' support for military men and women and communicate that support to members of the armed forces at home and abroad.
The event commemorated the sixth anniversary of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and honored the 3,593 soldiers killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
-- Anne Cordeiro, Coastal Electric Cooperative
Laine Wood: GEORGIA Magazine advertising representative Laine Wood joined daughter Kristen Foster in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in Atlanta Oct. 12-14. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. The 3-Day Walk has helped raise  $1 billion to fulfill the organization's goal of becoming the world's largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to fighting breast cancer. Walking in honor of Laine's long-time friend Karen Cusimano, who died of the disease in 2006, Laine covered 54 miles and raised $4,864, and Kristen walked 58 miles and raised $2,800.
To learn more about Laine and her friendship with Karen, see "Why I'm walking," in GEORGIA Magazine's September 2007 issue on page 53.
The Seven Cooperative Principles The principles have evolved over the years, but no matter the industry, today all cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles. Below is the fifth in a series of seven to appear in Currents each month. #5) Education, Training and Information: Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives. |
