MG_NL_0604

June 2004

Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter

June 2004

Member Newsletter

Middle Georgia

The Official Newsletter of Middle Georgia Electric Membership Corporation

P.O. Box 190, Vienna, GA 31092

MANAGER'S

Comments

By Hugh Richardson

n the 64-year history of this cooperative, we have

probably employed several hundred different peo-

ple, but none that I can think of fits the "good per-
son, good employee and good friend" profile better
than Rickey Carroll.

But tragedy struck our EMC family on April 26,

when we lost him.

Rickey began working with us in 1980 as a line-

man-trainee and was promoted to the position of
purchasing agent in 1984. He fit into the job perfectly
because it takes a very accurate, very honest and
very detailed person to handle the requirements. He
was dedicated and arrived at work one hour early
every day for 20 years. That was his choice, not a
requirement. Rickey worked directly for me, and he

was one I was always sure
that whatever he was
asked to do, the task
would get done.

In the early '80s, our

EMC went through many
challenges, including employ-
ee turnover. Therefore, it was
my duty to make sure the proper people were in the
right positions. I got lucky with Rickey--he was per-
fect for the job then, a fact that held true for two
decades.

If I had to keep describing the good things about

Rickey Carroll, it would take several pages. If I had to
describe him in one word, it would be "integrity."

ne of the early pioneers of Middle Georgia EMC,

Horace J. Royal, passed away April 17.

Horace began with Middle Georgia EMC in 1946

as a lineman helper, was promoted to construction

foreman in the 1950s, and became a line inspector

before he retired in 1974. He was the last remaining

lineman who worked during the era when poles

were set with pike-poles and pickup trucks, and

underground trenchers didn't exist. He was featured

in the EMC's 50th anniversary video, in which he

recalled the days when line construction was slower

and tougher without

the benefit of derrick

trucks, and when

climbing poles was

an everyday job.

Horace will

always remain in

the history of Middle

Georgia EMC, and

his dedication and contributions will remain in the

minds of those who worked with him.

Remembering a true pioneer

Remembering a truly good person

Rickey Carroll

Horace Royal and a derrick truck,
circa 1966

GEORGIA MAGAZINE

Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter

School's out, but the lessons aren't over. Parents

and grandparents, pay attention:

sum´mer va·ca´tion, n. Time of year when

your child's freedom-induced ecstasy gradually gives
way to bleats of "I'm bored!" until you order them
outside.

out´side, n. Primary residence of a child (bored

or otherwise) in summer (see definition above).

e·lec´tric´i·ty, n. Necessity and luxury, friend

and enemy, indispensable and dangerous. Lurking in
trees, yards and just about everywhere else, this
dichotomy's life-threatening qualities demand extreme
caution.

Your homework: After you sit down with your

children and teach them to recognize "Danger--High
Voltage" signs, and tell them that this means STAY
AWAY because it's very DANGEROUS, teach them
these things:

Playing with toys outside

Never fly kites or model airplanes or play with
balloons anywhere near power lines, because
electricity can travel down strings and cause shock
and even kill. Play with "flying toys" in open
areas, away from overhead lines (parks are good).

Don't throw anything at electrical equipment or
power lines--toys, clothing, shoes, anything.
Sometimes kids throw tied-together sneakers at
lines, hoping the shoes will get caught and dangle
up there. This type of play is dangerous and could
lead to injury or, worse, death.

If a toy gets into power lines or a substation, ask
an adult to call the power company and report it.
NEVER retrieve it yourself.

(Parents, please: Keep metallic balloons, which are

highly conductive, indoors, and make sure your chil-
dren's kites, remote-control planes or other "flying
objects" have no wire or metal parts on them.)

Climbing in, on or around things

Never in a million years climb utility poles, trans-
mission towers, or brick or metal fences surround-
ing electric substations.

Stay away from power lines, pad-mounted trans-
formers or electrical utility boxes--that is, those
green boxes that appear in the occasional yard

and, despite appearances, do NOT make good
"clubhouses," "forts" or hiding places, because
they house high-voltage equipment.

Never climb or play around trees near power
lines.

What not to do with water

Don't aim water at electrical outlets, power lines
or transformers. Electricity travels through water
and can cause shock and serious injury.

Never touch electrical appliances, light switches
or anything else using electricity if you have wet
hands or are standing on a wet surface.

Where not to put things

Do not stick metal things in electrical outlets.

Do not fasten anything--anything--to utility
poles. Yes, maybe those poles seem to suggest
"Wow, great place to hang a basketball hoop!"
or perhaps your budding entrepreneur sees mar-
keting potential in posting flyers on them to
advertise lawn-mowing or babysitting services.
But hanging things on these poles is very dan-
gerous and can damage poles (and hurt line-
men). It's illegal, too.

Two final thoughts

Stay out of open areas and away from trees dur-
ing electrical storms. Go indoors.

If you see a downed power line, stay away!
(Tell children to ask an adult to call their electric
cooperative to report it.)

What you MUST tell
your children about
electricity

June 2004

Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter

Middle Georgia EMC employees celebrating an anniversary in May 2004 are:

Bobby Easom

, Middle Georgia EMC's staking

technician, who has been employed here for 28 years;

Johnny McGlamory

, one of our line crew leaders, who has been here for

26 years;

Marquies Fields

, first class lineman, who has worked here for 10 years; and last (but not least),

Pamela Simpson

our part-time cashier, who has been with us for an entire year now.

Years of Service Recognition

iddle Georgia Electric Membership

Corporation is the recipient of feder-

al financial assistance from the Rural

Electrification Administration, an agency of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is
subject to the provisions of Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
as amended; the Age Discrimination Act of
1975, as amended; and the rules and regula-
tions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
which provide that no person in the United
States on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age or handicap shall be excluded
from participation in, admission or access to,
denied the benefits of, or otherwise be sub-
jected to discrimination under any of this
organization's program or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating

this organization's nondiscriminating compli-
ance efforts is Lisa L. Laney, Secretary to the
General Manager. Any individual, or specific
class of individuals, who feels that this
organization has subjected them to discrimi-
nation may obtain further information about
the statutes and regulations listed above
and/or file a written complaint with this
organization; or the Secretary, U.S. Dep-
artment of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20250; or the Administrator, Rural Elec-
trification Administration, Washington, DC
20250. Complaints must be filed within
180 days after the alleged discrimination.
Confidentiality will be maintained to the
extent possible.

Statement of

Nondiscrimination

Statement of

Nondiscrimination

"In the first month of exercising regularly, you'll start to feel

the difference. In the second month, you'll see the difference.
In the third month, others will notice the difference."

--K

AREN

OIGHT

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambi-

tions. Small people always do that, but the really great make
you feel that you, too, can become great."

--M

ARK

WAIN

"Life does not have to be regarded as a game in which

scores are kept and somebody wins. If you are too intent on
winning, you will never enjoy playing."

--T

HOMAS

ERTON

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and

hang on."

--F

RANKLIN

D. R

OOSEVELT

"Children need love, especially when they do not

deserve it."

--H

AROLD

S. H

ULBURT

"Some people make things happen. Some people watch

things happen. Some people wonder what happened."

--U

NKNOWN

"Dogs never talk about themselves, but listen to you while

you talk about yourself and keep up an appearance of
being interested in the conversation."

--J

EROME

K. J

EROME

"Words of comfort, skillfully administered, are the oldest

therapy known to man."

--L

OUIS

IZER

Quotable Quotes

GEORGIA MAGAZINE

Middle Georgia EMC Newsletter

Board of Directors

Don Wood

President

Johnny Noble

Vice President

Kay West

Secretary

Johnny Bloodworth

Treasurer

Royce Conner

Director

John David McCall

Director

Ronnie Fleeman

Director

Ronnie Youngblood

Director

David Dunaway

Director

Davis and Forehand

Attorneys

Staff

Hugh Richardson

General Manager

Lisa Laney

Executive Secretary,

Newsletter Editor

Randy Kent

Office Manager

Mike McGee

Manager of Operations

and Engineering

Vienna Area (229) 268-2671

Rochelle

(Day) (229) 365-2263
(Night) 1-800-342-0144

Hawkinsville

(Day) (478) 892-3436
(Night) 1-800-342-0144

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

(Branch offices closed from

12-1 p.m. daily)

Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.

There is a dispatcher on call 24 hours

a day for your convenience.

June 19, 2004

9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

Wilcox County

Chamber of Commerce

13th Annual

Cantaloupe Classic

Golf Tournament

Hole-in-One Prizes, Closest to

Pin on All Par-3 Holes,

and Longest Drive on All

Par-5 Holes

Refreshments served at Club House

by Cantaloupe Queens

4-man Scramble

Bring your own team.

Call Mallard Point Golf Club

at (229) 365-7810 for team

details and entry.