www.marshallremc.com

CONTACT US

OFFICE: 574-936-3161OUTAGES: 866-936-3161FAX: 574-935-4162EMAIL•General inquires: mail@marshallremc.com•Website issues: webmaster@marshallremc.comOFFICE HOURS 8 a.m–5 p.m., Monday-FridaySTREET ADDRESS 11299 12th Road, Plymouth, IN 46563MAILING ADDRESSP.O. Box 250, Plymouth, IN 46563

BOARD OF DIRECTORSRobert Broeker, CHAIRMAN

Dr. Richard Leeper, VICE CHAIRMAN, INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES DIRECTOR

Jon Rettinger, SECRETARY/TREASURER, WABASH VALLEY POWER DIRECTOR

Andy LemlerMikel LargeSteven RobertsStephen Ringer

OUTAGE INFORMATIONIn case of a power failure:1. Check your fuses or breakers.2. Call your neighbors and ask if they have service.3. Have your location number ready.4. Call 866-936-3161.

SERVICE CHARGESIf it is a problem on your end:•$40 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)•$100 (after 3 p.m.)•Collection charge: $30•Reconnection charge: $40 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)•Reconnection charge: $100 (after 3 p.m.)•Insufficient funds check: $30

Power of policy impacts members

Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/Marshall CountyREMC

Follow us on Twitterwww.twitter.com/MarshallCoREMC

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATIVE

It seems you can’t turn on a TV, listen to the radio or pick up a newspaper with-out hearing about ineffec-tiveness in government. It often seems that no matter what we do or who we vote for, we don’t feel truly repre-sented in either our state or

national governments. At Marshall County REMC, we under-

stand how that feels, and we have been there ourselves. That feeling, along with a strong desire to take action, is the reason why we have dedicated staff mem-bers who work to ensure our members’ interests are represented, and heard, by elected officials.

Members of our government relations and policy teams work tirelessly to tackle complicated regulatory and policy issues. They apply these issues to the ever-chang-ing energy market and then evaluate how those issues impact our communities. They have a deep understanding of the needs of the communities we serve, and they use that knowledge to ensure that your needs are represented in major legis-lative decision making.

The ability to impact change is a huge part of being a member of Marshall County REMC. We don’t lobby elected officials on behalf of investors with the

aim to increase profit margins. We work with elected officials to make sure that your interests are being considered to ensure that you will always be provided with safe, reliable and affordable electric service. That is the cooperative difference.

But it isn’t just our government rela-tions team that helps us affect policy and legislative change. Your voice makes a huge difference in how quickly and effec-tively we can drive change. Through our grassroots advocacy programs we encour-age you to bring your ideas to the table and to make your voice heard. This is how we show state and national officials that we are acting in your best interest. Your collective voice shows that we represent communities and families, not corporate interests.

The next time you are feeling frus-trated, the next time you want to be heard or the next time you want to make a change in your community, call Marshall County REMC. Find out what we are doing to represent your interests, and find out how you can help affect impactful change in our communities.

MARK BATMAN is CEO of Marshall County REMC.

MARK BATMAN

“We work with elected officials to make sure that your interests are being considered to ensure that you will always be provided with safe, reliable and affordable electric service. That is the cooperative difference.”

4 ELECTRIC CONSUMER • JANUARY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATIVE

Seeking nominations for REMC board election

k Non-payment disconnect day: Jan. 8k Scheduled meter read date: Jan. 10k Payment due date: Jan. 15

Important dates in January

The nominating committee of Marshall County REMC will meet Friday, Jan. 23, at 9:30 a.m. in the REMC board room to select candidates for the contested election. The election will take place at the REMC Annual Meeting to be held Tuesday, April 7, at Plymouth High School.

Directors are responsible for establishing, reviewing, and revising corporate policies to insure that Marshall County REMC continues to keep service to the membership foremost in mind, while maintaining a stable, yet competitive position in the industry by setting rate structures.

Any REMC member who wishes to be consid-ered as a director candidate or would like to make a recommendation may contact Communications Specialist Emily Howard by calling the Marshall County REMC office at 574-936-3161.

KALI ROSE

Remember to use your Co-op Connections Card to get discounts on automotive services, clothing and accessories, dining, energy efficiency, dental and vision, travel and so much more! Find a full list of national and local savings at connections.coop.

ElectricConsumer.org • JANUARY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 5

Page Day: Apply by Jan. 19On Monday, Jan. 26, the Indiana General Assembly will host Indiana Electric Cooperative Page Day.

Students between the ages of 13-18 who are affiliated with an Indiana electric cooperative are eligible to participate. The day will feature a tour of the governor’s office and the Indiana Statehouse, as well as the opportunity to meet the students’ local state representative. Pages will also observe floor sessions and committee meetings and assist staff members.

Apply by Jan. 19 at www.surveymonkey.com/s/IECPageDay.

Youth Tour: Apply by Feb. 13The Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., is an annual weeklong event giving students who’ve just finished their junior year in high school the opportunity to see the nation’s capital and the workings of our government in person.

During the all-expenses-paid tour the students will visit the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pa., and monuments, memorials and museums along the Washington Mall. The week in Washington also includes a trip to Capitol Hill to meet Indiana lawmakers!

Applications are due Feb. 13 and can be found on the REMC website at www.marshallremc.com.

Touchstone Energy Camp: Apply by Feb. 20Touchstone Energy® Camp provides a fun, powerful and unique camp experience designed for seventh graders-to-be from all over Indiana. Students will start their summer vacation learning about electricity, trying cool activities, playing fun games and making new friends! It’s an electrifying camp they will never forget and it’s completely free! During the three-day camp students will participate in:

• Electric generation and transmission education• Horseback riding• Bucket truck rides • Rock climbing• Archery• Alternative Energy Education• Swimming• Live line safety demonstration• And much more!

For more information on youth programs, please contact Emily Howard, communications specialist, at 574-936-3161. …

Deadlines approach for youth programs

SAVE THE DATE!WHAT: 2015 Marshall County REMC Annual Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, April 7

WHERE: Plymouth High School

Don’t miss the entertainment: Kali Rose, 2013 Inspirational Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year!

Use Connections card for savings

Marshall County REMC News

“ That old saying ‘knowledge is power’ is very true, especially when electric power is involved. That’s why we take every opportunity we can to education our members, young people and other folks in the community about electric safety.”

— DAVE LEWALLEN, MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER, MARSHALL COUNTY REMC

When it comes to electrical safety, what you don’t know can kill you. Unfortunately, sometimes we think we’ve got the facts when what we really

know are popular myths perpetuated by the Web and unre-liable sources.

“That old saying ‘knowledge is power’ is very true, espe-cially when electric power is involved,” Dave Lewallen, member services manager at Marshall County REMC, said. “That’s why we take every opportunity we can to educate our members, young people and other folks in the commu-nity about electric safety.”

One myth that could be particularly dangerous this time of year is the one suggesting that when a power line falls on the ground, it automatically becomes dead.

“You should always keep at least 20 feet away from the line, even if you don’t see sparks,” Lewallen said. “Get far-ther away if you can. Assume a downed line is a live line.”

Call your electric cooperative or 911 immediately when you see a downed line so trained personnel can take care of the problem.

If you’re in a car when you encounter a downed line, don’t drive over it. Don’t try to move it or touch anything with which it may be in contact.

“Don’t leave the car unless it’s dangerous for you to stay put,” Lewallen said. “If you are in danger in the car, jump out of the vehicle as far from the downed line as possible with both feet together. Make sure you are not in contact with the car and the ground at the same time. Then, keep-

ing both feet together, shuffle or hop at least 30 feet away.” Among other electricity myths:Myth: Rubber gloves and rubber shoes protect you

from electricity. Truth: That’s true only if they are 100 percent pure

rubber with no holes or tears (the kind that electrical line-men wear). Typical cleaning gloves and shoes, which are made with rubber mixed with cheaper materials, aren’t going to protect you in an electrical encounter.

Myth: All power lines are insulated.Truth: As a rule, power lines aren’t insulated. So, how

come birds don’t get electrocuted when they perch on a power line? They don’t represent a path to the ground. If a bird were to touch two wires at once, or a wire and the ground, it would be electrocuted.

Myth: Power lines outside carry the same 110-volt elec-tricity we use in our homes.

Truth: Here in Indiana, most power lines carry 7,200 volts. Some carry up to 19,000 volts. You can’t tell the volt-age by just looking at it. …

Busting mythsABOUT ELECTRICITY

28 ELECTRIC CONSUMER • JANUARY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org

Members: Be aware of system upgradeM arshall County REMC is

currently working on a system upgrade that will

replace the old infrastructure and is a long range plan to improve connectivity between our Tyner substation (6th Road) and our Lawrence substation (King Road). This will result in greater reliability and service to our members.

The first portion of the con-struction, which began Nov. 17, will start from Lincoln Highway, down Quince Road to State Road 17. The second portion will con-tinue down Quince Road, around Pretty Lake Road to Queen Road, then down 11th Road ending at Olive Trail. We expect the project to be complete by late spring or early summer, depending on the weather conditions.

ElectriCom, an independently owned utility construction con-tracting company has been con-tracted to do the system upgrade. Its planned work schedule will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

It is Marshall County REMC’s mission to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric service to our members. These improvements are a necessary part of our efforts to improve that reliability for all our members.

For additional questions, please contact the Marshall County REMC office. …

Marshall County REMC is the recipient of federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution (Marshall County REMC) is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Mark Batman, CEO of Marshall County REMC. Any individual, or specific class of

individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination, may file a written complaint with this organization: the Director, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250; or the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, D.C. 20250. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discriminatory action. Identity of complainants will be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Statement of nondiscrimination

Busting mythsABOUT ELECTRICITY

ElectricConsumer.org • JANUARY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 29