December 2013

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Dec 22, 2013 ... district, retired August 2 after 44 years of service. Donald was hired as a .... 1996 Chevy Silverado 1500 - AT, has chrome, 4x4, runs good, good ...
Vol. 16, No. 12

Now Serving 67,694 Members

December 2013

Rutherford EMC Employee Retires Donald Carswell, line superintendent in Rutherford EMC’s Burke-McDowell district, retired August 2 after 44 years of service. Donald was hired as a right-of-way cutter in 1969. He was promoted to groundman in January 1971 and was named line truck operator later in the year. In 1975, Donald started lineman training, beginning as a third class lineman. He worked his way up to first class lineman in 1979 and earned the energized line crew (ELC) designation in 1987. The ELC designation is awarded to first class linemen who demonstrate they can work on energized power lines safely. In 1977, Donald participated in the first lineman training school, coordinated by the North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives in Raleigh, and held at Caldwell Tech in Lenoir. Donald was named line superintendent of the co-op’s Burke-McDowell district in 2002, a position he held until his retirement. As line superintendent, he assigned construction jobs to the co-op’s line crews in his district, which includes Burke, McDowell, Caldwell and Mitchell counties. He also made sure that power was restored as quickly as possible during minor and major outages. “We appreciate everything Donald has done for Rutherford EMC,” said Jeff Brittain, vice president of engineering at REMC, at a dinner held in Donald’s honor. “Donald always loved to have fun, even during tough conditions. That made getting the work done a lot more bearable.” “I worked my way up from ground zero,” said Donald. “I have enjoyed my job and have had a good career at REMC.” “Now I get to stay home and go fishing while all of you are working,” he quipped.

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Donald and his wife, Jan, plan to do some work around their home now that he is retired. “Jan and I plan to do some traveling and just enjoy life as well as we can,” said Donald. “And I hope to have more time to hunt.” Rutherford EMC’s board of directors, employees and members congratulate Donald on his retirement and wish for him many happy and healthy years ahead.

Donald Carswell (right), line superintendent in Rutherford EMC’s Burke-McDowell district retired August 2 after 44 years of service. Jeff Brittain (left), REMC’s vice president of engineering, presented Donald with a gift certificate in appreciation of his many years of service.

In Memory of Memphis B. Wilkins

It is with deep sorrow that Rutherford EMC reports the recent death of former director Memphis Baker Wilkins, age 79, of Greensboro and formerly of Columbus. Mrs. Wilkins passed away on October 22, after several years of declining health. Mrs. Wilkins served on the cooperative’s board of directors for 11 years. She represented the members in the cooperative’s Rutherford-Polk district and was the first female to serve on the board. Mrs. Wilkins was a native of Chesterfield County, S.C. One of 9 children, she was born and raised in Pageland, S.C., and graduated from Pageland High School. Following her retirement in 1986 from Hoechst Fibers in Spartanburg, S.C., Mrs. Wilkins worked at the post office in Greenville, S.C., for three years. Mrs. Wilkins resided in the Hickory Grove community of Polk County, where she was a faithful member of Union Grove Baptist Church in Columbus for 25 years, sang in the choir, served as deaconess and was on the pastor’s aide committee. After retirement, she kept busy gardening, delivering “Meals on Wheels,” and helping friends who were ill or in need of assistance. Mrs. Wilkins lived and worked in Greensboro, N.C., in the early 1960s and moved back there,

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after the death of her husband, to be closer to her children. She transferred her church membership to New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she became an active member, and she also volunteered at the Greensboro Urban Ministry. Mrs. Wilkins is survived by two daughters, Wanda Bryant of Greensboro and Sharon Baker of Washington, D.C.; three sons, Antwon Baker of Spartanburg, S.C. and Roy Wilkins, III, and Paul Wilkins, both of Greensboro; three sisters, Beulah Clark of Detroit, Mich., Merlene Wallace of Columbus, Ohio and Mae Baker of Greensboro; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Rutherford EMC’s directors, employees and members extend their heartfelt sympathy to the Wilkins family. Carolina Country Rutherford EMC DECEMBER 2013 21

S WA P S H O P

Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation provides Swap Shop ads as a free service to its members. Guidelines are as follows: Ads are published first-come, first-served. When the space allotted for ads each month is full, remaining ads will be held over for the next issue. Ads will not be run more than once. Commercial ads will not be accepted. We reserve the right to edit, condense or deny publication of any advertisement. Rutherford Electric Membership Corp. assumes no responsibility for the content of any advertisement and does not endorse or warrant any of the goods so advertised. Please include your account number with your ad.

Mail your ads to: Newsletter Editor, Rutherford EMC, PO Box 1569, Forest City, NC, 28043-1569 or e-mail at [email protected]. No phone calls please.

FOR SALE Oil furnace - 83,000 Btu/hour, horizontal model, 8 years old, BO. 828-453-8545. 3-BR, 2-BA house in the country - convenient to Morganton & Lenoir, N.C., full basement, fenced yard, hardwood floors, 2 outbuildings, $85,000. 828-4389624. 1968 Ford Mustang hardtop - 289, AT, PS, show ready, 34,000 miles, fog lights, GT wheels, sunlit gold, $16,000. 828-584-4806. Firewood - oak, hickory & apple, seasoned, $65/ truck load, you pick up, Lincolnton, N.C. 704-3084466. Nursing scrubs - new & gently worn, over 200 sets, size small and a few size medium. 704-240-8467. Husky 27-ton wood/log splitter - 5.5-HP Honda motor, heavy duty with I-beam frame, exc. cond., $999. 704-732-1851. Two 2-1/2 acre plus plots near Lake James (N.C.) at reduced price - plots sold separately or together, Razor’s Ridge Rd. 828-439-2414. Electric organ - 6’ high on stand, over 200 instrumental songs, $125 negotiable; Teller twine, $2.00 each for Mary Teller; gun case, holds 7 to 8 guns,$75; push mower Husqvarna mower with Kohler engine & bagger, all new, $200. 704-462-4005 or 828-2340896. 2 burial plots at Burke Memorial Park, Morganton, N.C. - $950 for both. 828-433-7918. 5-BR house and 25 acres - 1 acre fish pond & campground, near Grandview Peaks, Nebo, N.C. 828659-6259. 12 nice acres near Morganton, N.C. - has highway road frontage, small stream borders land, located off of Hwy. 18 South on Rocky Ridge Rd., $39,000. 828652-7840. Large hay rolls - $20, $25 and $30, can be delivered, Morganton, N.C. 828-437-3033. Hunter wheel & tire balancer - $750; 1987, SRX Yamaha 250 street bike, $1,500; Hyosung motor scooter, needs motor, 10” wheels, 3,600 miles, $100; metal swing set, 2 or 4 swings, very strong, 15’ long, 10’ high, for adults & kids, $200; 1966 Ford F-100 pickup truck, no motor, good body & interior, new brakes, very little rust, $1,500. 828-5844901. Dining room glass top table, hutch and 8 chairs - all w/black lacquer finish, table is 40”x72”, hutch is 44”Wx18”Dx78”H and chairs have beige-colored cloth seats, hutch upper unit is lighted w/full open

glass doors and 3 glass display shelves, lower unit has 2 drawers and 3 cabinet doors for storage, all in very good cond., $500, pictures available by e-mail. 704-736-0883. Yorkie pups - AKC registered, father 3 pounds, born Oct. 22, ready before Christmas, vet care, tails, dewclaws, shots, wormed, males $450, females $600, taking deposits. 704-923-5834. Wurlitzer piano - exc. cond., owned by one family, model# 796129, year 1962, 56” long and 41” high, will help move it. 828-437-3033 or 828-390-6323. Autographed photos of Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, former Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, George Jones, Bela Lugosi, Dwight Eisenhower & Channing Tatum - also autographed notecards of Jerry Lewis and Fats Domino, $80 for all or will sell individually. 980-238-9544. 1996 Chevy Silverado 1500 - AT, has chrome, 4x4, runs good, good cond., new tires, 173,000 miles, $4,700 cash. 980-522-2843. 1953 Chevy pickup with 5 windows - $10,500 OBO; also, some automotive accessories. 704-263-5120. Water/fuel containers - 275-gallon, 5-1/2” hole at top, 2” cutoff at bottom, $100 to $125 each; 55-gallon metal burning barrels, $10 each; 55-gallon, plastic, solid top/open top, $10 each, also 55-gallon plastic w/lids & rings, $15 each. 828-327-4782. TX 4.9 electric treadmill - folds up & takes very little space, like new, $50. 704-745-6892. VIP motorcycle - 150cc, $800; bicycle carrier, holds 3 bikes, $150; white 30” gas cookstove, $100. 828438-4698. Horizon Fitness treadmill - model# T805, 13 monitor displays, all functions work, exc. cond. including treadmill belt, $350 OBO. Bob at 704-435-4391 or 704-860-3782. 4 Continental 215/50R17 tires - less than 100 miles, $300. 704-735-1075. Baja Warrior 200 minibike w/helmet - brand new, $650; Parker Bath Hydra-Spa w/walk-in door, good for elderly or handicapped person, $700; brown lift chair, $225; tan couch w/recliner on each side, $200. 828-894-3194. Guitar, mandolin & fiddle or violin. 704-735-3736. 1988 Ford Festiva - good body, runs good, great gas mileage, $700 OBO. 828-448-8195. 3/4” sheets of 4’Wx8’L plywood - $25/sheet; 1-HP air compressor, $125; dulcimer, $65; large pieces of insulation, make offer. 828-448-1096. 2004 Suzuki DRZL 125, 4-stroke dirt bike - exc. cond., helmet & chest protector included, $950. 828437-6402. 2 grave plots at Westview Gardens, Bessemer City, N.C. - beside sidewalk at the well, $2,000; Yamaha student trumpet, used one school year, $400. 704729-6066. Oak DR suite - oak china cabinet & table with 6 chairs (oak tabletop w/white legs & chairs w/oak seats, white legs & designed backs), exc. cond., $1,299; solid wood gun cabinet, holds 8 guns w/lock & locked storage space below, exc. cond., $150; small computer desk, $25. 704-435-0783. 32” Sony color TV w/stand with 2 shelves - hardly ever played, many different features, excellent cond., $200 firm; three 10-speed bicycles, good for Christ-

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mas gifts, 1 blue, 1gray and 1 white, real nice, all 3 bikes for $75. 704-922-8383. Old fireplace mantel - $65; old drop-leaf table, $60; primitive bench, $50; large burlap pieces; 2 Italian gold end tables, $25 each. 704-678-9641. 75-gallon and 30-gallon aquariums w/stand & everything you need to start up - includes under gravel filters, does not include fish, $200. 704-675-4005. Large bales of grass hay in barn - never rained on, $2.50/bale, Iron Station, N.C. 704-483-2435. Golden Retriever pups - AKC & pedigree-registered, parents on site, pictures available per request, ready by Christmas. 704-732-8836, 704-309-4513 or 704-736-5736. U.S. Mint coin sets - 1956 to 1959, in original packs, $37 each, also half silver dollars, $25 each. 704-308-4466. 3-BR, 2-BA brick home in Vale, N.C. - LR, DR, den & kit., gas FP in den, in-ground pool, 2-car garage, 4-stall barn w/loft, small riding ring, large deck (1/2 covered and 1/2 uncovered), full basement, $175,000. 704-240-8467. Computer desk - full bookcase on left end of desk, computer terminal space on lower right of desk & pull-out keyboard section in middle of desk, like new, must sell (moving), $50. 704-732-1851.

MISCELLANEOUS For Free: To good home - pair of Min. Schnauzers, male is salt/pepper color & female is white/parti-color, proven pair, born in 2011, rabies shot up to date. 704-308-4498 (call or text). For Sale or Trade: Nice 2001, 4WD farm tractor 33-HP with 407 hours, $7,200 or trade on a tractor with front end loader & pay cash difference. 828437-5586.

WANTED Herman Miller or any 1970s retro style chairs. 828-228-1843. Good zero-turn or large tractor type mower - must be at least 46” deck & foot-operated hydrostatic drive. 828-437-5586.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP Electric bills rise in the winter for lots of reasons—holiday parties, house guests, and shorter days and longer nights. Take little measures to help control costs like turning down the thermostat, washing clothes in cold water, swapping out lightbulbs for high-efficiency versions, and using microwaves or toaster ovens to cook. Find more ways to save at TogetherWeSave.com. Source: TogetherWeSave.com

Co-ops Want a Balanced Approach to Energy Policy Electric cooperatives control more than five gigawatts of renewable energy capacity and lead the industry in promoting residential efficiency. Cooperatives are investing in new nuclear power plants and are researching an array of technologies to help reduce emissions, including greenhouse gases, from our power plants. We urge federal and state policy makers to work with us on a plan that will help us protect the environment while preserving affordable electric service for the nation’s 42 million co-op consumer-members. Regulations That Could Affect You We at Rutherford Electric are seeing state and federal laws and regulations take shape that could affect our ability to provide you with affordable, reliable energy. The goal of these proposed regulatory mandates is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electric power plants – primarily from fossil fuel-burning power plants, both new and existing. The current administration has instructed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act, a law last updated in 1990 that contains no mention of carbon dioxide. Complying with these EPA regulations will reduce the nation’s coal fleet by roughly 37 percent of generation capacity and will drive up electric bills for all consumers. Coal accounts for 55 percent of all electric cooperative electricity requirements. Here in North Carolina, we are fortunate to have 50 percent of our electricity generated by nuclear power and a good mix of coal, natural gas, hydro, renewables and market purchases make up the remaining half.

Consumer-owned electric co-ops have long advocated for a balanced, technically realistic, and economically feasible approach to environmental and climate change policy. Without significant modifications, co-ops feel these EPA regulations will increase electric bills for those who can least afford it – our consumer-members. Make Your Voice Heard As a cooperative member, your voice should be heard by elected officials and regulating agencies to make sure they consider your economic needs when making policy decisions. You have the opportunity to be involved by joining the Cooperative Action Network at www.action.coop. A video on this new website illustrates how affordable energy for co-op members is important to local businesses and communities that co-ops serve. While the website is still in development, you’ll be able to sign-up to receive updates and “action alerts” that keep you informed. The website also provides a way for you to contact elected officials or regulating agencies to encourage them to consider the impact of their actions on your family budget and on your cooperative’s ability to provide affordable, reliable power. We encourage you to visit www.action.coop and join the group of informed and motivated advocates speaking on behalf of electric cooperative members. Making your voice heard about energy issues that will drive costs is an important part of the cooperative difference. Make your voice heard at www.action.coop.

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Rutherford EMC Celebrates 76th Annual Membership Meeting Some 1,500 people, including 706 registered members, came to Rutherford EMC’s 76th annual membership meeting, held at East Rutherford High School in Forest City on October 26. A frosty morning turned into a beautiful day for the cooperative’s 76th anniversary meeting. Everyone attending the meeting enjoyed entertainment, numerous prizes and refreshments following the meeting. As members registered for the meeting, they received an outdoor thermometer, a tote bag and a cookbook. During the business meeting, reports were given by board president J. Dean Carpenter and general manager Joseph H. Joplin. A highlight of the meeting was the announcement by Mr. Carpenter that the board had approved the return of over $3.5 million in capital credits to members in mid-November. Following Mr. Joplin’s report, Youth Tour coordinator Denise Gavin recognized this year’s Youth Tour winners—Sarah Cash, Jesse Bunton and Ken Bass. Sarah then gave a nice summary of the tour. One of the last matters of business was the election of directors for three-year terms. Robby R. Eurey and Jill P. Lovell were reelected from Directorate District One, and H. Frank Queen and Joseph N. Quinn were reelected from Directorate District Two. Robyn D. Houser was elected from Directorate District Three. Following the adjournment of the business meeting, 100 prizes were given out during the annual prize drawing, including two Nintendo portable game consoles with $50 Wal-Mart gift cards and two iPod Touch units with $25 iTunes gift cards for girls and boys, and $500, $300, $200, two $100 and two $50 cash prizes. Later, refreshments were served outside.

Mrs. Marvis Hall of Columbus, age 98, was the eldest lady present at this year’s annual meeting, and Mr. Carl Wolfe of Marion, age 97, was the eldest gentleman present at the meeting. Mr. Wolfe was also recognized as the eldest person serving in our nation’s military.

Siblings Tess and Matthew Lail (above) of Hickory were each the lucky winner of a Nintendo portable game console with a $50 Wal-Mart gift card, and Aaliyah Norman of Lawndale and Adam Richards (below) of Shelby each won an iPod Touch unit with a $25 iTunes gift card.

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hunt of Casar were noted as being the longest married couple at 68 years.

Mrs. Timothy Starnes of Lincolnton won the grand prize, $500 cash, at the annual meeting.

Energy Audits Offer Competitive Edge to Rural Small Businesses Small businesses, from convenience stores to machine shops, can discover ways to reduce their energy bills with a USDA - sponsored energy audit. This no-cost energy audit provides a financial analysis of techniques that a business can employ to reduce their energy bills and become more efficient. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping to support the cost of these audits for qualifying rural small business across North Carolina. “We found that the energy assessments were extremely beneficial,” states Jim Clarke, vice president of Manual Woodworkers and Weavers in Spindale, N.C. The energy audits are conducted by Waste Reduction Partners, a program of the Land of Sky Regional Council, and utilizes a unique state technical team of highly experienced engineers.

“The WRP team has helped nearly 2,000 organizations achieve more than $50.1 million in utility savings over the past ten years,” states Terry Albrecht, Waste Reduction Partners director. “We look forward to helping businesses identify and pursue cost savings while helping reduce energy consumption.” WRP engineers typically identify no- and low-cost energy efficiency measures that can save 10 to 20 percent of a business’s total energy bill. For more information, contact Russ Jordan at e-mail: Russjordan.wrp@ windstream.net, (828) 251-7477 or go to www.wastereductionpartners.org.

All Rutherford EMC Offices will be closed December 24 and December 25, 2013, & January 1, 2014, for Christmas and New Year’s. 24 DECEMBER 2013 Rutherford EMC Carolina Country