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July's 2005 Articles
Annual
Meeting Review
 Regardless
of the sweltering heat, another large crowd gathered Monday, June
13th, for the 68th annual meeting. 333 members registered for
the meeting with well over 600 people attending.
Pastor Richard Cryder of the Lafayette Federated Church opened
our meeting. Chairman Jack Haggerty introduced the board of director,
staff and employees, as well as our special guests Frank Betley,
CEO of Continental Cooperative Services (CCS), and Brian Stavish,
CFC representative.
Treasurer Ray Cordts announced the financial news from 2004. His
highlights included:
• SREC had operating revenues of $16,317,308;
• 2004 margins of $609,603;
• Equity increased by $609,603;
• Investment in plant increased by $1,742,690.
Chairman Jack Haggerty reminded everyone of one key difference
between investor owned utilities and the co-op: One member, one
vote. He stated, “We all have 1 vote. I have 1 vote, each
of you has 1 vote.” No one has more control than the other.
Haggerty also addressed the following issues:
• The continued operations and expansion plans at Picatinny
Arsenal;
• Completion of our automatic meter reading system;
• Thanked our line crews for their dedication, not only
to our co-op, but to our sister co-ops who were in crisis in 2004;
• Plans on retiring $551,334 in capital credits in November/December.
Next, guest speaker Frank Betley got quite a chuckle out of the
overheated crowd when he asked for a
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Chairman Jack Haggarty,
Jr. and CCS CEO Frank Betley pause for a photo after the
meeting. |
vote for permission to remove his jacket. Betley went on to comment
regarding the nation’s oil sensitivity and how rural residents,
especially those in the Northeast, are harder hit by the situation.
The good news in all of this, Betley reported, is that the New
Jersey & Pennsylvania electric cooperative power costs are
not directly dependent on oil prices. The electricity you receive
breaks down this way: 62 percent generated from nuclear energy
(based on a 10 percent cooperative ownership share of the Susquehanna
Steam Electric Station located in Luzerne County), 4 percent from
the cooperatively owned Raystown Hydroelectric Project in Huntingdon
County, and another 6 percent purchased from large hydropower
facilities on the Niagara River in upstate New York. Of the remaining
28 percent - bought off the wholesale market - most comes from
coal-fired power plants.
The bottom line, said Betley, is with little upward pressure,
the price of cooperative electric generation should hold relatively
steady into the foreseeable future.
Next, our attorney Rick Hollyer of Dolan & Dolan in Newton,
conducted the board election process of the meeting. Since the incumbents
ran unopposed, Hollyer requested and received a motion to cast a
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Co-op
member and Vernon H.S. Art Teacher Lisa Hirkaler conducts
our arts & crafts program. |
unanimous ballot. Therefore, Jack Haggerty, Jr. (District 1), Bill
Kovach (District 2), and Ray Cordts (District 3) were all reelected.
At the reorganization meeting held after the annual meeting, Haggerty
was reelected Chairman, Bill Kovach elected Vice-Chair, and Ray
Cordts was reelected Secretary/Treasurer.
President & CEO Bob Kolling introduced the Youth Tour Students
and their chaperones. This year’s students are Glen Karnas
of High Point and Loralyn Brinster and Anthony Cwirko of Vernon.
On this 20th journey to Washington, DC, chaperones will be Carol
Speck and Alison Stormes.
Kolling then presented his report by commenting how welcomed he’s
felt since moving here from Ohio in October 2004. He reminded the
membership, “We’re here for you! Please don’t
hesitate to contact me personally with any concerns or questions.”
Praising both the employees and the board for their dedication to
the co-op, Kolling remarked that this makes his job easier.
Mentioning that our 2005 Member Satisfaction Survey is currently
underway, Kolling asked the members in attendance that if they’ve
received surveys, to please complete and return them. Your opinions
matter and the results of these surveys help us with improvements
to existing programs and processes as well as developing new plans.
This fall, member meetings will be held to discuss the outcome
of the survey, Kolling said.
Kolling’s final duty at the meeting was the prize drawing
that brought cheers from the audience. This year’s meeting
feature 3 times the amount of prizes and a great grand prize -
a 24” DVD/VCR Combo TV!
Top
News & Events
SUSSEX / WANTAGE :
• Christmas in July - The Chinkchewunska Chapter
of the Daughters of the American Revolution is holding an Open
House Christmas in July celebration July 22, 23 and 24, 2005.
Crafters are needed. Space is available for one, two, or all three
days. For information please contact Wendy at 973-383-0015.
• Sussex Kiwanis - Sussex Kiwanis meets the 2nd
and 4th Wednesday of each month at the Bella Vita Restaurant located
on Route 23 & Libertyville Rd., Wantage.
• Firemen’s Bingo - Bingo will be played
every Sunday evening at the Beemerville Fire Hall. Doors open
at 5 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:15. Refreshments available. For more
information please call 875-2972.
• Ladies Auxiliary of the Sussex Fire Department-This
group was formed many years ago for the sole purpose of actively
supporting the Sussex Fire Department. The Sussex Fire Department
is a volunteer, self-funded, non-profit organization. We support
the organization by our very active fundraising campaign (to provide
the emergency service volunteers with costly safety equipment
that they would not be able to purchase otherwise) and by providing
refreshment at rescue scenes and Bingo. Contact Michelle Clark
at phone: 973-875-6848 / fax: 973-948-0292
VERNON:
• Cancellation of Recreation Board Meetings - Please
take notice that the July 5 and August 2, 2005 meetings of the
Vernon Township Board of Recreation have been canceled. The next
meeting will be held on August 16, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the Vernon
Township PAL Building, 25 Church Street, Vernon, NJ.
• Paving the Way for Main Street - By mid-July,
road construction for the Town Center Road will have begun. Construction
will be within the limits of the new road alignment and should
not cause any unnecessary delays to the traveling Public
• Senior Summer Festival - July 20th - Vernon Township
Senior Citizens are pleased to announce the Senior Summer Festival
at the Platzl Brauhaus. Cost per person is $40.00 for Vernon Resident,
$45.00 for non-resident. Fees are non-refundable. Bus departs
the Municipal Building at 9 a.m. sharp and will return approximately
6:30 p.m. Last day to signup is July 1st. Space is limited, first
come first serve. To sign-up, see Julie at the Senior Center or
call 973-764-4055 ext. 2294.
• Bingo Mondays - 6:00pm Monday. Games begin at
7:15pm Vernon VFW, Route 94, Vernon. Call 973-764-9380
• Blood Pressure Screening - The Vernon Township
Health Department conducts a free blood pressure screening every
month from 10-11am on the first and third Tuesdays. The screening
is open to all Vernon residents. No appointment is necessary.
• Vernon Kiwanis - They meet at 7:30am on the second,
third and fourth Tuesdays of every month at Vernon High School.
Call 973-827-1188.
COUNTY WIDE:
• The NAIW-SC holds it’s monthly meetings
at the Spring House, Spring Street, Newton on the forth Monday
of the month. The cost is $22. Please contact Donna Wiik at 973-764-8481
for reservations.
• Habitat for Humanity - Looking for volunteers
of time, talent or materials. Call John or Terry at 973-383-8882.
• Veterans’ Transportation - Free door-to-door
bus service is provided to Lyons and East Orange VA Medical Facilities
for Sussex County veterans. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 973-579-0480.
• The Center for Families with Special Needs, Inc.
- Is a support group with a mission to provide parents with connections
to already existing services that would benefit special needs
children and their families. For more info, call 973-827-4419
• Pass it Along - Sussex County is in desperate
need of canned goods and non-perishable food for the local food
panties. Pass it Along is asking groups of all ages to hold a
food drive. Whether you are in a youth group, Boy Scout troop,
church, or place of business, please consider collecting food
for Sussex County’s families in need. Call 973-726-9777
or Email: volunteer@passitalong.org
• Daytimers Retirees’ Group - Make some new
friends by joining this very interactive retirees’ group
where they exchange ideas and share experiences, hobbies and plans
for the future. Free. To register, call 800-336-5273 or visit
www.saintclares.org and register online.
• Meals on Wheels - Is seeking volunteers to deliver
a mid-day meal to homebound seniors in Sussex County. It would
just take an hour of your time one day a week. Call 973-383-3123.
POSTING OF ANNOUNCEMENTS:
If you would like to list your clubs and/or organization event
you can call, stop by or even e-mail us with the information.
Currents is published monthly, all submissions must be to SREC
by the 10th of the prior month of the event.
E-mail to: info@sussexrec.com.
We reserve the right to edit any requests.
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