Over 500 people, including 421 registered Pointe Coupee Electric Membership Corp. (PCEMC) members, packed the Scott Civic Center in New Roads on Jan. 31 for the Co-op’s 68th annual membership meeting where they heard Louisiana Public Service Commission Chairman Dale Sittig praise the Co-op board and employees for providing reliable service at the lowest cost in the area.

“This is the twelfth annual meeting I’ve attended and I can tell you your Co-op is a good working utility that provides reliable service. Reliability in this day and age is a big issue. We like our electricity and I can tell by the lack of complaints I get from PCEMC consumers that your Co-op is doing a good job,” Sittig told the gathering. “My district covers 20 parishes and I’m pleased your Co-op holds public meetings like this so I have a chance to meet and talk to you. Your board has done a good job providing reliable service at a low cost.”

During the meeting it was announced that the membership had re-elected incumbent directors Jimmy Ewing Jr. (District 2), Ralph B. Chustz Sr. (District 4) and Al Smith Jr. (District 6), who ran without opposition for the board.

Serving on the PCEMC board are directors Jimmy Ewing of Morganza, president; Irvin E. Settoon Sr. of Bayou Pigeon, vice president; Ralph B. Chustz of New Roads, secretary-treasurer; Al Ewing of Batchelor, George G. LaCour Jr. of Morganza, Peter Rumfola Jr. of Port Allen, and Alton B. Smith Jr., Maringouin. Rumfola was unable to attend this year’s meeting due to a death in his family and director Al Ewing was ill.

Pointe Coupee Parish Associate County Agent Steve Borel offered a review of the agriculture industry in the tri-parish area. He summarized changes in production between 2005 and 2006, noting the 2005 hurricanes affected crop yields that year. He cited parish agricultural production for 2005 and 2006 in Pointe Coupee, Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes for cotton, soybeans, corn, sugar cane, milo, rice and animals. Combined, agriculture in the tri-parish region contributes millions of dollars to the local economy.

PCEMC also presented $500 4-H endowments to the organization in each of the three parishes it serves. Receiving checks were Iberville Parish Associate County Agent Shannon Dietz, Pointe Coupee Associate County Agent Steve Borel and West Baton Rouge Assistant Extension Agent Jennifer Belle.

Board President Jimmy Ewing welcomed members and their families to the meeting. Ewing said he was honored to work with fellow board members in making PCEMC one of the best Co-ops in Louisiana while playing a vital role in making agriculture in the tri-parish more efficient. He added that the board is cooperating with its power provider, Louisiana Generating, to attract more light and heavy industry to the region because such electric loads help reduce energy costs for residential consumers.

Ewing noted completion of a new bridge across the Mississippi River at New Roads as part of the Zachary Taylor Parkway would have a great economic effect on the area. Pointe Coupee is already experiencing residential growth across its system.

“PCEMC will keep you informed of the impact that new environmental rules will have on coal-generated electric power in Louisiana. All utilities across the nation will deal with these new rules and they will have an impact on rates. PCEMC provides quality service, and we’re proud to report the Co-op you own is in great shape,” Ewing stressed.

General Manager J.H. “Jodie” Cotten announced that PCEMC exceeded 10,000 accounts in 2006 for the first time and reminded members they pay some of the lowest electric rates in the area. The Co-op benefits from a 25-year contract with its power provider, Louisiana Generating. He reported PCEMC operates on a three-year right-of-way cycle and urged all consumers to cooperate with crews performing vital clearance work that is essential to maintaining service during hurricanes and severe weather.

“Reliability is our first concern,” Cotten stated, “but our climate and the long growing season means right-of-way work never ends. During 2006 PCEMC also implemented a program to change out its older copper power line with more durable aluminum wire. Some of the old copper wire dated back to the 1950s and 1960s.

“Commissioner Sittig does a good job on the LPSC and the board of directors works closely with the Commission and other state and local agencies in a variety of areas for the welfare of our consumers and the public. The board and your employees share the common goal of continuing to provide you with the best service and best rates in Louisiana.”

In his report to the members, Secretary-treasurer Ralph B. Chustz noted that every member attending the meeting received the Co-op’s financial statement and balance sheet. He noted Pointe Coupee Electric had $23,945,187 in total assets as of Dec. 31, 2006 with net operating margins of $769,276. The Co-op operates 990 miles of distribution line and 50 miles of transmission lines serving 10,088 accounts.

For the sixth consecutive year, PCEMC offered a scholarship to a graduating senior from a parish that the Co-op serves. Winning the scholarship was Kati Jo Cashio who attends Catholic of Pointe Coupee and whose parents are John M. and Bonnie Cashio. The West Baton Rouge Parish scholarship went to Bryce Kaylen McLin, the daughter of Steven Wayne and Tammy McLin, who attends Redemptorist High School. There was no qualifying applicant for the Iberville Parish scholarship this year.

Cotten thanked employees for their hard work and informed members that Pam Bergeron had been chosen the 2006 Spotlight Employee of the Year by her fellow employees. Among guests were 2006 Youth Tour winners Tenoa Vessel, Hannah Best and Jeremy Swanson. Vessel addressed the members, thanking them for supporting the annual Youth Tour and calling it “a life changing experience that gave me the opportunity to make new friends and see Washington, D.C. It was a wonderful opportunity. I urge every student in the tri-parish area to enter the contest.”

Before the meeting opened, consumers took advantage of free health screenings offered by the Innis Community Health Center, Pointe Coupee Homebound Health Services, Better Access for Community Health (BACH) and Pointe Coupee General Hospital. Pointe Coupee Electric along with the La. Cooperative Extension Services, the Association of La. Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), H.O.P.E. Ministries of Pointe Coupee, New Beginnings, Pointe Coupee Health Unit, Battered Women’s Program and LTC-Jumonville Memorial Campus had special exhibits and displays at the meeting.

Entertainment was provided by DJ Mitch Langlois and the event opened with an invocation by Rev. Marvin Dixon.

This year’s annual meeting closed with the awarding of over 60 door prizes and a lunch of poboys and soft drinks.