By Anngee Quinones-Belian
Correspondent
Members were treated to valuable information, lunch and lots of giveaways at the Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp.’s annual meeting Saturday.
The Kilowatts & Brats event was held in Glenn-McGinnis Hall at Young Harris College. The college’s student singers provided entertainment, followed by the North Georgia Honor Guard presenting the colors.
Roy Perren, president of the Blue Ridge Mountain EMC Board of Directors, called the Satterfield family members up to the stage and presented them with a framed resolution and special recognition of Roy G. "Joe" Satterfield for his years of service and dedication. Satterfield, who passed away earlier this year, served Blue Ridge Mountain EMC from 1984 until retiring as general manager in 2009.
The special guest speaker was Shirley Miller, former first lady of Georgia as wife of the late Zell Miller, who spoke of her early years living on a farm without electricity. She then moved through the start of and stages of the TVA and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC's growth to the present day.
Brad Baucom, customer relations manager with the Tennessee Valley Authority, called TVA’s partnership with Blue Ridge Mountain EMC “a thing of beauty when you consider that the mission of BRMEMC is all about enhancing the quality of life in our communities, and TVA's mission has been and continues to be founded in making life better for the people across the Tennessee Valley.
“Since 1933, our mission as a provider of low-cost, reliable power, as a steward of the valley's rich natural resources and as a partner in creating economic growth in a sustainable, impactful manner is how we try to show up everyday. In fact, in 2023, the TVA is celebrating our 90th anniversary with multiple community activities across the valley,” he added.
Members were also informed that power rates would be going up in October due to several factors.
Samuel Scoggins, a member of the audience, said he would like to see BRMEMC employees receive an annual bonus for the hard and often dangerous work they do.
"I ask that the board of directors create a box on the billing statement that would give members the opportunity to voluntarily contribute to a fund which would be distributed along the linemen and electrical workers as an annual bonus,” he said. "I've seen these guys in the middle of the night in icy-cold weather and in difficult and dangerous situations, working to get the power back on."
Scoggins shared how his father, being in the electrical industry, worked in difficult and dangerous situations with electricity, even under the best of conditions.
Prizes were also given away. The grand prize winner of $1,000 was Anthony Petty, a security officer.
"I can't believe it, I feel great,” he said, even though he had no idea what he would purchase with it.
Lunch was provided at no cost to the members, which included brats, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, chips, cookies and beverages.
There were informational sheets available from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s EnergyRight program, with subjects like “Making your home energy efficient,” “Air sealing,” “Windows and doors,” “Lighting,” “Electric water heaters” and “Attic insulation.” BRMEMC provided information on Lightning/Surge Protection Packages.
BRMEMC has been in business for 85 years and serves 49,535 members in five counties. The company also serves more than 15,000 broadband internet customers.
For details visit: brmemc.com.