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Cheeseburgers, Fries and Life Lessons from Dad

In late May, a line of strong thunderstorms passed through Lake County creating widespread outages for SECO Energy members in Clermont. The storm damage was substantial but service was restored within the hour. The next day, however, members in the same area experienced an additional service interruption due to multiple equipment failures caused by the previous day’s lightning damage.

 

Tony Marshowsky, a SECO Energy member in Clermont, was understandably frustrated by multiple outages on consecutive days. He contacted SECO via Facebook for information about the outages. SECO had posted photos, video and other details, and Tony was happy to learn that crews were repairing the damage. The repair was extensive, as the capacitors had arced and created a fire. The pole split and broke where the capacitor bank was attached and crashed to the ground.

 

Coincidentally, Marshowsky and his nine-year-old son Tony, Jr. drove by the crew repairing the pole in the rain on their way to Wendy’s for a milkshake. As a blue-collar worker himself, Marshowsky empathized with the crew, and stated, “These men were working in the rain. I imagine they were tired, hungry and working late so that my family and neighbors would have power and air conditioning. I decided I could teach my son a life lesson, reminding him to thank the people around us who are working for our benefit.”

 

SECO Energy, Cheeseburgers, Fries and Life Lessons from Dad

 

Armed with multiple bags of Wendy’s cheeseburgers and fries, Marshowsky and his son delivered dinner and a heartfelt thank you to the SECO crew working to replace the damaged pole. Marshowsky later added, “The little guys, the blue-collar workers, the men and women who aren’t always remembered or rewarded for their hard work – they are away from their own homes missing dinner with their own families. It felt good to help someone else and to show my son respect for handworking people.”

 

The SECO Energy Facebook post about Marshowsky and his son’s goodwill grew quickly, reaching almost 20,000 Facebook users in just days. It is also one of the cooperative’s most frequently shared posts this year. The Marshowsky family met up with the SECO crew for a group photo opp and official thank you.

 

Photo caption:  SECO Energy Line Tech David Olszanski, Service Tech David Kerns, Crew Supervisor Jason Merrill, Tony Marshowsky Jr., Line Tech Doug Stanley, Line Tech Garret Keller and Tony Marshowsky Sr.  (not pictured; Line Tech Clint Brighurst and Line Tech Justin Smothers)

 

Learn more about SECO Energy at SECOEnergy.com>Your Co-op. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page to view the video footage of the pole and capacitor damage. Follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases, outage information and cooperative updates.

Scammers Target Business Owners in The Villages

Just this week, several SECO members in The Villages recognized and reported scam phone calls.  SECO Energy is warning its members about scammers on the loose on the phone and in person in its service area.  Members have reported threatening phone calls from persons masquerading as SECO employees and employees of other utilities.  Small business owners in the area seem to be a prime target.

 

Owners receive a phone call, during business hours, from an individual claiming to be a representative of SECO.  The individual then threatens a service disconnection if the member does not pay immediately by credit card over the phone.  Scammers have even demanded owners meet with them at an off-site location and pay cash.

 

Please be advised: SECO will not call members – either residential or commercial – and demand credit card payment over the phone.  SECO uses an automated robo-call phone call system after hours to remind members of late payments.  A live person will never call and harass a SECO member for immediate payment.

 

Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services, cautions members to be wary of payment demands.  “Scammers can be sophisticated thieves – they use threatening language to create a sense of urgency in their victims.  Scammers choose their victims carefully, they call businesses during busy times, looking for a distracted person who may fall for their scheme.”

 

Gloria adds, “Above all, be cautious about sharing personal information with callers or making utility payments over the phone.  If you receive a phone call and question its legitimacy, hang up immediately and call SECO.”

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO News, May 2016

SECO News, Duncan's Digest, May 2016

 

If you were one of the over 3,000 SECO members and guests who attended SECO Energy’s 2016 Annual Meeting of the Membership, you will probably agree that our 78th Annual Meeting was one of the most comprehensive in recent memory. Members joined us for breakfast biscuits, cookies, coffee and donuts; and to listen and dance to classic and recent country music hits by Margo Rochelle & the Rodeo Drive Band.

 

Several hundred SECO employees arrived before dawn to prepare for a very large crowd of excited SECO members and guests. The light rain didn’t deter attendees from enjoying breakfast biscuits, browsing energy saving displays at the Energy Showcase, receiving gifts, winning door prizes, hearing an update on the business side of the cooperative and enjoying the renowned hospitality of SECO employees.

 

SECO News May 2016, Annual Meeting

 

The 78th Annual Meeting boasted some of the newest product ideas and displays designed to save energy and help members lower their electric bills. The revamped Energy Showcase tent displayed a working rooftop and ground mounted solar panel system along with a touchscreen tool to estimate the amount of utility-supplied energy a home might off-set using a rooftop solar panel system.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO Energy is operated for and owned by its members; as such, SECO does not share dividends with investors or stockholders. Members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting for an update on cooperative business and information on how your cooperative is meeting the challenges occurring within the industry and controlling costs. SECO’s Board of Trustees, senior staff and 400+ employees are committed to successfully managing the challenges SECO faces in a changing arena while continuing to offer members low rates, reliable power and excellent customer service.

 

SECO News May 2016, Hot Bucks Bill Decrease

 

SECO Energy is expanding its presence on social media with the goal of engaging its 200,000 members online. These communication channels save the cooperative money and improves satisfaction. Members who “liked” SECO’s Facebook page and uploaded a photo to or commented on the Annual Meeting page during the event were entered into a drawing to win a $300 electric bill credit. The photos make it clear that members having a good time with the Facebook Help Squad and were treated to our one of a kind SECO hospitality. You can “like” SECO’s Facebook page today for outage information, company news and future chances to win.

 

A number of members voiced their concerns about how the EPA’s Clean Power Plan will affect the reliable service and low rates SECO offers. These members pledged $25 annually to The Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE). This political action committee uses contributions to fund candidates who support the interests of electric cooperatives such as SECO.

 

SECO Energy 2016 Annual Meeting Slideshow, Facebook contest winner

 

Prize winners and event photos are posted on SECO Energy’s Facebook page. The video of the Business Meeting with reports is available at here. Next year’s meeting date will be announced in the coming months once the Board of Trustees approves the date. I invite members to come for breakfast and stay for the band. From the number of line dancers and two-steppers who kicked up their heels this year, SECO may need a larger dance floor next year! Thanks again to all who attended. It is our privilege to host this event every year for you.

 

 

SECO News May 2016, SECO is storm ready

 

SECO is Storm Ready

 

Whether it is an afternoon thunder and lighting storm, tropical storm or hurricane, at SECO Energy our members can count us to be Storm Ready. SECO Energy’s Dispatch center is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and uses the latest technology available to track weather patterns affecting our area. A brigade of employees stands ready to respond to members experiencing power outages. They jump when called, brave the storm and work quickly and safely to restore power.

 

SECO is Storm Ready, and as a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we are committed to being our members’ first source for accurate storm communications and updates. SECO utilizes today’s mainstream communication channels to inform members when inclement weather is approaching. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to stay in touch with SECO and receive instant updates on storm activity and news releases.

 

As a member, how can you be Storm Ready and stay up-to-date on the latest restoration efforts in the event of a storm that takes down lines and poles? If you haven’t already, invest in a smartphone or tablet and batter-operated or solar charger. Pack the charger in your emergency supply kit with water, flashlights and other emergency items.

 

Bookmark our website www.secoenergy.com on your desktop browser and smartphone for quick access to SECO’s Storm Center to report a power outage and stay updated on restoration efforts.

 

SECO is Storm Ready. Are you?

 

 

SECO News May 2016, Winner Winner! $300 Electric Bill Credit!

 

Winner, Winner! $300 Electric Bill Credit!

 

Congratulations to SECO Energy member Richard (Rich) Scheiterle from Center Hill. Rich’s name was randomly selected from those who correctly answered three trivia questions related to our 2015 Annual Report on SECO’s Facebook page.

 

Do you want to be our next winner? Log in and head over to SECO’s Facebook page today. First, please “like” SECO Energy’s page. Second, correctly answer the three outage prevention trivia questions on SECO’s Facebook page for a chance to win a $300 electric bill credit. All answers can be found in SECO Energy’s 2015 Annual Report, available on our website at www.secoenergy.com.

 

Outage Prevention Trivia Questions:

SECO Energy works diligently to offer members reliable power by inspecting and upgrading its distribution and transmission poles, underground equipment and substation infrastructure each year. We invest in a comprehensive vegetation management program that dramatically reduces outages as well.

  1.  How much does SECO spend on vegetation management annually?
  2.  How many distribution poles were inspected in 2015?
  3. What web address (URL) can members visit online to find SECO Energy’s website?

 

Want to double your odds with another chance to win? “Share” the trivia post on your page for a second entry into the drawing. Not tech savvy? If you’re not a Facebook user, there’s a simple way to win every month. Just look for the last six digits of your account number in this month’s SECO News for a chance to win a $25 restaurant gift certificate. You can email us at customerservice@secoenergy.com or call if you number appears. Good luck!

 

 

SECO News May 2016, Safety Corner: Generators

 

Safety Corner: Portable Generators

 

During storm and hurricane season, a portable generator can come in handy if your power is interrupted, but portable generators must always be used with safety in mind. Read and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions contained in the generator operations manual.

According to the National Safety Council, www.nsc.org, portable generators should NEVER be used in an enclosed space; always run the generator outdoors away from windows, vents and doors. Portable generator engines emit carbon monoxide (CO) that if inhaled can be fatal to humans and pets. CO is a colorless, odorless, invisible killer. Do not attempt to use a generator when it is wet, this poses a risk for electrocution and death.

For more information about generator safety, visit our generator safety page or contact us for additional assistance.

Permanent Generators:

Are you thinking of installing a generator at your home or business for use during power interruptions? If so, heed these tips before purchasing and installing:

  1. Installing a generator is not an average do-it-yourself project.
  2. A qualified electrical contractor must perform the installation of the emergency generator, as well as the disconnect and transfer switchgear.
  3. Do not attempt to connect the generator directly to your electric panel.
  4. Always properly disconnect from SECO’s service before starting your generator.
  5. Before use, read and follow the safety instructions contained in the generator operations manual.

Improperly installing or using a generator can lead to property damage, injuries or even death. Learn more about generator safety here or contact us for additional assistance.

 

Read the full May 2016 SECO News here.