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PECPickwick Electric CooperativeAll in a day’sand night’s worklong day for him after working outcy winds blow swirling flakes ofdoors for most of the day in freezingsnow through the darkness of a winter’s night. With temperatures predicted temperatures. Suddenly, he is awakened by the piercingto plummet into thering of the telesingle digits, thephone. He doesn’tweather is fit for neihave to guess who isther man nor beast.on the other end ofAs you settle in forthe line. His instinctsa good night’s rest,tell him there isyou take a moment totrouble caused byglance out the winthe weather. Thedow and shiver at thecooperative’s afterthought of being outhours dispatcherdoors. You thankfullyrelates to him thatsnuggle down in yourcalls are coming innice, warm bed withfrom customersthe sounds of thereporting their elecKarl Dudleycold, wintry nightPresidenttric service has gonejust a few feet awayPickwickElectricout. He rolls out offrom where you rest.Cooperativebed and gets dressedSeveral hours pass.kdudley@pickwick-electric.comas quietly as possiIt’s well after midble, trying not tonight by now, andwakehisfamily.Andso, in the bitteryou are in deep, peaceful slumber.Suddenly, a sharp blast of wind startles cold night, in the blinding snow, heslips out the door and heads for hisyou awake, and you hope it doesn’ttruck. He knows there’s a job to betake the roof off. Tall trees on the hilldone.just behind your home sway back andThis scenario is not unfamiliar toforth as the wind gains momentum.Pickwickemployees. Our line crews doAnd then it happens — a 60-foot-tallall that is humanly possible to keep thepine can no longer withstand the preslights burning for the cooperative’ssure and is taken down.customers in all weather conditionsYou are fully awake by now and areand face unpredictable situations on aaware that total darkness surroundsroutine basis. Their line of work isyou. You reach over to turn on yourfilled with potential hazards under thebedside table lamp, but nothing hapbest of circumstances, but harsh weathpens. You fumble for the flashlight iner and long hours without rest makethe table drawer and shine it on yourthe job even more dangerous.watch lying on the table. It’s a littleWhile this is certainly not intendedafter 2 a.m., and the electricity hasbeen knocked out by the ferocious win- to take away from all the other dedicated employees in our cooperativeter wind. The pine that crashed to thefamily, it is simply meant to recogground took the power line with it,nize our line crews who have such aeven though it was outside the line’stremendous amount of responsibilityright of way.on their shoulders and do their jobsNot too far away, a man is in a stateso well.of deep, restful sleep. It had been aI16Th e Te n n e s s e e M a g a z i n ePickwickElectricCooperativeServing members in all ofMcNairy County andportions of Chester,Hardeman and Hardincounties in Tennessee andAlcorn and Tishomingocounties in Mississippi530 Mulberry AvenueP.O. Box 49Selmer, TN 38375Phone Numbers:(731) 645-3411(731) 632-33331-800-372-8258Web site:www.pickwick-electric.comThese five pages contain localnews and informationfor members of PickwickElectric Cooperative.
PECPickwick Electric CooperativeEmployees completeCertified Power Executive ProgramFour PEC employees recently completed the CertifiedPower Executive (CPE) program, sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA).TVPPA’s Certified Power Executive is a unique programof professional certification specifically designed for management of public power distribution systems. It providesmanagers with a better understanding of their duties androles in the utility industry.The target group for the CPE program has been “redefined” as mid- to upper-level managers who have fundamental supervisory skills and are ready to proceed to thenext level of leadership proficiency. Core competencies atthis level include planning, organizing, allocating, delegating, scheduling, problem-solving and relating.The recent graduates agreed that the CPE program is avery beneficial tool that can be used to acquire valuableknowledge and insight for utility industry employees.They felt the program provided them with the knowledgethat will allow each to be a valuable asset to PickwickElectric Cooperative.Two competencies — business planning and publicspeaking — further distinguish members of this group.Employees to complete CPE Certification are, left to right,Brad Howell, human resource director; Chris Combs, accountant; Donna Kennedy, executive secretary; and Steve King,office manager.The curriculum is designed to provide participants withthe skills to meet the competencies outlined above.All course requirements are to be completed within fiveyears of starting the program.Doyle attends lineman schoolLogan Doyle has completedApprentice Lineman FundamentalTraining School in Atlanta, Ga.Through hands-on experiences, the 10day school, which attracts studentsfrom all over the U.S., provides futurelinemen with a good understanding oftheir job responsibilities.During the first day of school, students were issued tools they woulduse during their training. They alsostudied rules and regulations andwatched training films.The following day, the studentsattended a safety meeting and receivedinstructions on pole-climbing and howto properly tie knots. They learned totie 14 different knots, and each had tobe tied in less than six seconds.After that, it was off to the poleyard where each student started learning climbing techniques. Eeach prac-ticed on 10-foot poles, and as theygained confidence at this level, students gradually worked their way upto 35-foot poles.During the school, students alsotook 22 tests and were required tomaintain a 70 average for a passinggrade.“We feel that this training is thebest available for future linemen,” saidPickwick Electric Cooperative President Karl Dudley. “We are confidentthat once the trainee completes thiscourse he will be very knowledgeableof all aspects of the lineman position.”Logan agreed that the school was a“tough and demanding” 10 days, butsaid it was definitely worth it. Hehighly recommends this school to anyone who wants to become a lineman.Logan is a 2005 graduate ofMcNairy Central High School. HeLogan Doylelives in Chewalla and enjoys playingsoftball, hunting and fishing.Congratulations, Logan.Fe b r u a r y 2 0 0 617
PECPickwick Electric CooperativeCooperative appreciates cardsPickwick Electric Cooperative would like to express appreciation for the beautifulChristmas cards received from these cooperative members and friends.Jimmy and Patricia HillYouth TownJames Edward WrightJohn and Frances WrightBilly and Frances WrightMike Reppert, MEGGERLocal 474 IBEWBobby and Teresa StanfordAlvine BoydMary and Frances WrightCommunity SouthCentral Services AssociationSELCATCaney Fork Electric CooperativeCity of MichieNashville Electric ServiceVolunteer Energy CooperativePat and Helen MontgomeryDavid and Carlean GrayMcNairy County Adult Education CenterBarbara BrockMeriwether Lewis Electric CooperativeTammy GriswellJerald CasteelShirley CasteelCumberland Electric MembershipCorporationHealth Partners, Work Partners andEmployer ServicesHollingsworth Locksmith ServicesUtiliCorCentral BankMiddle Tennessee Electric MembershipCorporationGibson Electric Membership CorporationCarolyn, Dennis and Danny CotnerAllen and HoshallPlateau Electric CooperativeProfessional Parks Inc.C.H. Guernsey and CompanyTennessee Job Training and SafetyJunell MooreJerry ClauselR.A. PhillipsAllen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie andGresham, PLLCRandy’s Dental LabTri-County Electric MembershipCorporationCenwood Appliance DistributorsBobby and Lorena Browder18Th e Te n n e s s e e M a g a z i n eHopkinsville Electric SystemPennyrile ElectricCarl and Virginia CrabbFort Loudoun Electric CooperativeAlmae Chappell and familyService Electric Co.United Utility Service Inc.Midsouth Utility Consultants, LLCJerry and Belle JarrettUnited Utility SupplyFisher and Arnold Inc.Maudine DancerBaldwin Pole and Piling Co. Inc.Tennessee Valley Electric CooperativeBill and Betty RickmanTennessee Electric CooperativeAssociationPatterson and Dewar Engineers Inc.Tri-State Electric Membership CorporationThe Henry FamilyDon and Nevella SmithPaducah Power SystemMcWhorter and Franklin EngineersAlcorn County Electric Power AssociationEllis Brothers Office SuppliesJohn WilliamsInman Brothers Wrecker ServiceTennessee Valley AuthorityParis Board of Public UtilitiesJeannie SloanMcNairy County Mayor’s OfficeJohn E. and Phyllis Ann DunwoodyMary EnglishLonnie GarnerYounger AssociatesEnvironmental Protection ServicesElectric Power Services Inc.Joyce JamesDuck River Electric MembershipCorporationHarold HugginsLeon and Eyvonne ManessBarbara MartinTennessee Valley Public PowerAssociationElectric Power BoardAppalachian Electric CooperativeHolston Electric CooperativeVenture TechnologiesVerble NixonAmerican Red CrossMike Bowles and familyRuffin and AssociatesBetter Source SupplyPowell Valley Electric CooperativeNaturChem Inc.National Rural Utilities CooperativeFinance CorporationEstel and Mary R. MillsDoug and Judy RainesUpper Cumberland Electric MembershipCorporationJoe and Donna KingSouthwest Electric CompanyDavis H. Elliot ConstructionComvergeSungard ExpDavid HatchMrs. Sue BakerHunt Technologies Inc.Southern WoodWilliam, Jerrolds, Godwin andNichols PLLCElizabeth ClarkSamco CapitalKenny, Rhonda and CourtneyLambertHarlod and Frankie FinleyMarie SandersDora RileyLois MoffettFisher and Arnold Inc.Ruby Lambert and familyGlidewell Trailer Sales and Titan CoachesBertha TreeceTeen Challenge MemphisWESCOTorco Testing Services, Inc.Robert and Jane TaylorHVAC Design and Build SystemsThe Tennessee MagazineNational Rural Electric CooperativeAssociationBill and Brenda BeaversVerble NixonBobby and Shirley JohnsonAbraham TaylorT. C. KennedyTown Of MilledgevilleBlueCross BlueShield of TennesseeStephen Lee and Family
PECPickwick Electric CooperativeSandra Brush retires with 32 years of servicesnow and ice storms and floods thats we eagerly await the changesforced the cooperative employees tothe new year will bring, so doeswork around the clock. But she saysSandra Brush. She will be looking forduring her career at PEC, the goodward to something new in her life:times have outweighed the bad.retirement. Her last day of work wasDuring Brush’s career at PEC, sheFriday, Jan. 27.has worked for five different managersBrush, a native of McNairy County,— William M. Roberts, T. Waynebegan her employment with the cooperBrown, Noel Landreth (who served asative on July 30, 1973, as consumeracting manager on two different occarecords clerk. She held this job untilsions), Leslie Gwin and current PresiApril 1979, when she was promoted todent Karl Dudley.engineering clerk, where she remained“Sandra’s tenured experience willuntil her retirement.certainly be missed at PEC, but we areWhen Brush came to work in 1973,all proud to see her reach this milethe cooperative was serving in excessSandraBrushstone,”Dudley said. “We truly appreof 11,000 members. Now, the cooperaciate all the hard work that she hastive has grown to almost 20,000 memcontributed to the cooperative. We wish her a happybers with approximately 2,000 miles of lines to maintain.retirement.”When asked what was the most significant changes sheBrush has three children and four grandchildren withhad seen at PEC, she replied, “The most noticeable to mewas the emergence of the computer age. I came to work at a whom she plans to spend more time.“I’ve been blessed by my Lord with a good job and goodtime when everything was done by hand. Through the yearslife,” Brush said.everything has gradually moved to computers.”“I’m fortunate to have worked with some good and kindOver her 32 years, there have been some happy occasionspeople. But now I’m looking forward to retirement andto celebrate with members and fellow workers as well asdoing some things I have a desire to do.”some difficult times. Brush has experienced tornadoes,AIn memoryPickwick Electric CooperativeDirector David Lawson passedaway on Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, at hishome in Ramer.Mr. Lawson was elected to thePEC board on Aug. 19, 1997. Hewas the former owner of LawsonWelding Inc. in Ramer and a U.S.Army veteran of the Vietnam War.He was a charter member of UnityBaptist Church, where he served as adeacon.Mr. Lawson is survived by his wife,Janice Suggs Lawson; two sons, Chrisand Brandon, both of Haleyville, Ala.;and four grandchildren.Funeral services were held Sunday,Jan. 1, 2006, at the ShackelfordFuneral Home Chapel with burial inthe Mt. Vernon Cemetery near Ramer.David LawsonFe b r u a r y 2 0 0 619
PECPickwick Electric CooperativeMcNairy County Family and CommunityEducation clubs make a differenceFor more than 75 years, McNairy County Familyand Community Education (FCE) clubs haveshared common goals with other clubs across the stateto learn through shared experience, improve home andcommunity life, strengthen adult education and promote projects that enhance family and community life.Through their rich history, these clubs have grownfrom small community groups to a worldwide network. In the past, these clubs were known as HomeDemonstration Clubs and Homemakers.Today, McNairy County has five FCE clubs —Acton, Lawton, Leapwood, Stantonville and Selmer —with a membership of more than 100.McNairy County FCE clubs meet monthly. Eachmeeting includes an education program that focuseson a subject relating to family and consumer science.Topics include family economics, healthy eating,money management, environmental education andsafety.Community service is the cornerstone for FCEclubs. Each year they provide the opportunity to makea difference in the lives of families by participating inprojects that meet the needs of each local community.If you would like to become a member of an FCEclub, please contact extension agent Rita Casey at645-3598. Casey meets monthly with each of theseclu
doors. You thankfully snuggle down in your nice, warm bed with the sounds of the cold, wintry night just a few feet away from where you rest. Several hours pass. It’s well after mid-night by now, and you are in deep, peaceful slumber. Suddenly, a sharp blast of wind startles you awake, and you hope it doesn’t take the roof off. Tall trees on the hill just behind your home sway back and .
