By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
A snap of cold weather didn’t impact turnout at the Guthrie County REC annual meeting on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center. More than 260 people braved the cold temperature to receive updates from REC, enjoy a free meal and win prizes.
Property owners residing in Districts 1, 2 or 3 also had directors up for reelection. Julie Kiley, Jim Mazour and Ron Bristle were all reelected.
Lucas Obert of Coon Rapids shared stories about the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. Lucas was chosen to represent all of Iowa’s electric cooperatives as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) youth leadership program.
A flashlight registration gift was provided to all members in attendance, as was a free membership meal catered by Lidderdale Country Store Catering. Numerous door prizes were also awarded including:
- Black and Decker Electric Knife
- LED Work Light
- Single Flip Waffle Maker
- Boot/Glove Dryer
- 7 Qt Crock Pot
- Google Nest Mini
- 18 Qt Roaster
- Ninja Single Serve Blender
- Instant Pot 6 Qt Pressure Cooker
- Keurig Single Serve
- Combo Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm
- Deep Tissue Massager
- Wireless Weather Station
- Air Pop Popcorn Maker
- George Foreman Smokeless Grill
- Pizzazz Rotating Pizza Oven
- Heated Electric Fleece Throw Blanket
- Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker
- Clothes Steamer
- Oral B Electric Toothbrush
- American Express Gift Cards
According to reports supplied at the meeting, Guthrie County REC built 15.1 miles of overhead line in 2024; added 44 new services; began installing underground line at the third Wambold addition in Stuart that will allow for 42 more residential lots; and acquired a new mini-Bobcat excavator and trailer from Haley Equipment for linework as earmarked in the 2024 capital budget.
In addition, Guthrie County REC started construction at two new substations: Mockingbird substation near Hamlin and Bluejay substation near Perry. These substations add power and reliability to support business expansions in both areas of the service territory.
Guthrie County REC also updated three sets of breakers to reclosers in the Industrial and Diamondhead substations. Reclosers have more capability to capture and remedy outages quickly, reducing the inconvenience for members.
Also noted was the installation of a new Honeywell AMI meter system and the exchange of all active meters in the service territory. The new system updates operations analytics and improves the efficiency and reliability of the electric system.
Guthrie County REC serves more than 4,600 members in Adair, Audubon, Cass, Dallas, Greene and Guthrie counties.
Jeff and Anna Marie Nielsen won the waffle maker.
Michele Crabbs won the Ninja Fit Blender.
Teresa Mowrer won the Google Nest Mini.
Charlie Bilbrey won the electric grill.
REC Board Vice President Joni Rees addresses the crowd.
Lucas Obert of Coon Rapids shares stories about his Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C.
More than 260 members were in attendance at the annual meeting.
REC Secretary and Treasurer Julie Kiley shares financial information.
REC employees Lori Hix and Rebecca Schwartz were recognized for their years of service.
REC Board Vice President Joni Rees recognizes the REC staff.
REC Board President Steve Bireline welcomes the members.