Excellent Turnout As 1000 Attend 70th Annual Lewis Co REC Annual Meeting Thursday Evening

The members of the Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative gathered for an evening meeting under the big top tent on the Knox County School Grounds on August 2, 2007 to celebrate the 70th Annual Meeting.  The evening meeting was a change for the REC, which traditionally held daytime meetings., rotates between Knox, Lewis and Clark Counties.
“It’s working out very well for us,” Lewis County REC General Manager/CEO  John Bloom said.  “I’m seeing lots of new faces in attendance tonight.”
Travis Mathes, Manager of Government Relations and Member Services agreed.
“We had more registered by 6:00 PM than we usually have  when we’re in Knox County,” Mathes said.
“It used to be that most of the customers were farmers, and could come to a meeting in the daytime,” said Clark County farmer Milton Krueger.  “Now so many have jobs, and the evening meeting is easier for them to attend.”
Emery Geisendorfer Jr., President of the Board of Directors, called the meeting to order. John Bloom, reported that Lewis County REC is in very sound financial condition and ended 2006 with margins of $580,000.  He also reported on the challenges that the electric industry will face in the near future, and presented employees and directors with pins for years of service
 A representative from  Ninth District United States Representative Kenny Hulshoff’s office, a representative from United State Senator Kit Bond’s office, and 1st District State Representative, Brian Munzlinger were present to update members on legislation at hand.
There were 347 members registered to vote and approximately 1000 people were served dinner. The members elected three directors to serve a 3 year term to expire in 2010.  Elected to the board were DeWayne Selway, Williamstown, Larry Clark, Edina, and Bill TenEyck, Lewistown.
The Mystery Train Band performed and there were free children’s games.  Attendance prizes were given and there were other drawings for prizes throughout the evening.  The grand prize winner of a 32 inch digital television was Carolyn Primm, and the child’s grand prize, an inflatable bouncing kingdom, was won by Britiny Davis.  The youngest person in attendance was Destiny Rose Nichols 10 months and the oldest was Mildred Raleigh 101. Leroy and Evelyn Frazier received the prize for being married the longest, 65 years.