Upcoming eventsHomeowners’ Association MeetingThe next Cobb EMC Homeowners’ Association Meeting will be held Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP: www.cobbemc.com/hoa

Open board meetingThe Cobb EMC board of directors will host an open board meeting on Nov. 24 at 4 p.m. in the Cobb EMC community room. To RSVP: www.cobbemc.com/boardmeeting

Office closingWe will be closed Nov. 26-27 in observance of Thanksgiving. Crews are always standing by for emergencies. In the event of an outage, please call our automated outage system at 770-429-2100.

TIP OF THE MONTH Reduce energy for water heating. Take simple steps like lowering your heater’s temperature and installing low-flow showerheads to reduce your water heating bills. —Source: energy.gov

CONNECTIONSNOVEMBER 2015 | THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF COBB ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

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Cobb EMC’s fifth annual Five Alarm, an appreciation luncheon for firefighters and emergency medical crews, honored more than 100 first responders from communities across the cooperative’s five-county service district at its headquarters.

Prior to remarks, Christina Sidlow-Doud sang God Bless America and the National Anthem. The Presentation of Colors was conducted by Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. During the LongHorn® char-grilled steak lunch, guests enjoyed live music by Fish and Picks bluegrass band.

Lucky first responders also received door prizes donated by Cobb EMC, Norred & Associates, Ronnie Thames Foundation, Ten-8 Fire & Safety Equipment, Bennett Fire Products,

NAFECO, and Gloves Inc.

Other guests included Cobb County Public Safety Director Sam Heaton, and Fire Chief Randy Crider; and Marietta Fire Chief Jackie Gibbs. Mark Mathews, Mayor of Kennesaw, and Tim Prather, Fire Chief of Cherokee County and David Soumas, Fire Chief of Woodstock, also attended, along with Puckett EMS and Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service.

Cobb EMC President and CEO Chip Nelson thanked the dedicated first responders who serve the co-op’s service district. “We appreciate what you do for us as citizens of the community and for Cobb EMC,” he said. “We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We could not make it in this world without you.”

Five Alarm event honors first responders

Cobb EMC President and CEO Chip Nelson (center) stands with leaders and first responders from across the cooperative’s service district.

B R I N G I N G Y O U T H E POWER O F M E M B E R S H I PCONNECTIONSCobb Electric

Membership Corporation

www.cobbemc.comEmail: memberservices@cobbemc.com

President and CEO Chip Nelson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman Bryan Boyd

Vice Chairman Tripper Sharp

Secretary-Treasurer Malcolm Swanson Eric Broadwell Kelly Bodner Edward Crowell David McClellan David Tennant Rudy Underwood

Editorial Staff Brooke Melton Angela Croce, CCC

Contacts & Office HoursPhone: 770-429-2100Report an outage: 770-429-2100Fax: 770-429-3330

In person:1000 EMC Parkway Marietta, GA 30060

Walk-in hours:Monday – Friday (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Drive-through hours: Monday – Friday (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

Member Care Center hours: Monday – Friday (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)Saturday (8 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Express Pay drop box is available for non-cash payments 24/7

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77th Annual Meeting celebrates low rates, co-op milestones

Cobb EMC celebrated its 77th annual meeting of the members, which was held Saturday, Sept. 19, at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. A record-breaking 2,601 members registered for the meeting. We thank all of the members, friends and family who spent their morning with our co-op family at the annual meeting. Chairman of the Board Bryan Boyd kicked off the meeting with three important milestones our co-op has reached this year. First, we’ve lowered operating expenses and increased service reliability. Keeping our overall operations low allowed us to pass along not one but four Wholesale Power Adjustment (WPA)

credits. Since the meeting, we returned a fifth credit. This means we’ve saved members an estimated $11 million in 2015 by passing along WPA credits on monthly bills. These savings coupled with our low rates—second lowest out of Georgia’s 41 EMCs and fourth lowest out of all 94 providers in the state according to the Georgia Public Service Commission—reaffirm our commitment to deliver competitively priced electricity. Second, your generosity has put more than $1 million back into the community. Thank you for rounding up your bill to the nearest dollar to aid more than 100 nonprofits. That’s something to be proud of! Third, our board of directors fulfilled the promise they made to our membership. Over the last few years, Cobb EMC worked with a team of auditors to complete a thorough forensic audit. During the meeting, members voted on bylaw amendments—proposed both by members and the board of directors—and elected board members. Members were offered three methods of voting—in-person at the annual meeting, by mail-in ballot or electronically. Subsequent to in-person voting at the meeting, Election Services Corp., a third-party election services provider, announced the results of all votes cast regarding proposed bylaw amendments and director elections.

• Members approved Amendment 1, deleting “Conflicting Provisions” from the “Member Bill of Rights” and prohibiting the board of directors from making future amendments to respective sections, which was proposed by the board of directors.

• Members approved Amendment 2, clarifying one of the requirements of being nominated for a director or remaining a director, which was proposed by the board of directors.

• Members approved Amendment 3, ensuring voting remain open for members attending the annual meeting until after candidates or bylaw amendment sponsors have had an opportunity to present their respective positions, which was proposed by the board of directors.

• Members approved Amendment 4, allowing member attendance at meetings of the board of directors including committee meetings whenever a quorum of directors for the transaction of business is present, which was proposed by member Mark Hackett.

• Members elected Rudy Underwood (District 2), Kelly Bodner (District 3) and Eric Broadwell (District 9).

Once business was complete, the Cobb EMC volunteer Women’s Task Force raffled a handmade quilt to raise money for local student scholarships, and attending members enjoyed door prizes including tablets, Visa® gift cards, a bill credit, Big Green Egg® grills and a refurbished Cobb EMC truck. It’s exciting to see how your cooperative is moving forward. We’re focused on bringing you safe, reliable electric service 24/7, 365 days a year. If we missed you at the annual meeting this year, we hope to see you next year!

Chip Nelson President and CEO

Annoying power blinks?At one time or another, we’ve all returned home or awakened late for work to see a blinking “12:00” on our digital alarm clock. You then have to reset every digi-tal clock in your house-hold that doesn’t have a battery backup, from the microwave oven to the answering machine. Usually, this state of “blinking clock” was caused by a “blink” in the electrical system. While blinks can be annoying, they show that an electrical system is working exactly as designed. And while Cobb EMC has taken steps to reduce the number of blinks across its power system, there are measures you can take as well.

Why blinks? Blinks are created when a breaker, or switch, opens along any portion of the power system. The breaker usually opens because of a large, quick rise of electrical current. This large rise, called a fault condition, can occur when a tree branch touches a line, a squirrel or rodent climbs on a switch or lines, lightning strikes or a wire breaks. When this happens, a relay senses the fault and tells the breaker to open, prevent-ing the flow of power to the problem site. After opening, the breaker quickly closes. The brief delay, which allows the fault to clear, usually lasts less than 2 seconds. If the fault clears, every home or business that receives electricity off that power line has just experienced a blink. This could include thousands of accounts if the breaker protects a transmission line or a substation.

Reducing the blink’s effects Your co-op employs methods to reduce blink frequency by tree trimming and by deploying squirrel guards on the power poles. Meanwhile, you can reduce the frustra-tion of blinks by purchasing an alarm clock equipped with a battery backup. This type of digital clock offers “ride through” ability for momentary outages. It will also keep the correct time and sound an alarm in case of a long-duration outage, provided a charged battery is in place. If you work from home and use a computer, a blink may cause your computer to reboot, and you may lose unsaved data on the computer. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) on your computer can help prevent information loss. The UPS incorporates surge suppression technology with a battery backup and provides you some time to save what-ever you were working on and exit your computer properly.

The future of blinks Cobb EMC operates an active system maintenance program and works hard to identify and fix sources of service interruptions. Even though blinks will never disappear from our electrical energy delivery system, by working together we can minimize effects of the interruptions and the frequency with which they occur.

Power OF ENERGY

Don’t let energy dollars spin round and round! Use your dryer’s moisture sensor to auto shut off once clothes dry. www.cobbemc.com/conserve

POWER OF MEMBERSHIP

Cobb EMC’s 99.99 percent reliability rating helps assure our members that they can count on us, rain or shine. www.cobbemc.com/aboutcobbemc

POWER OF SAFETY

Avoid an overload—plug no more than one high- wattage appliance into a single receptacle.www.cobbemc.com/safety

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>> Primary wires run on top. Each usually carries 7,200 volts of electricity from a substation.

>> Transformers convert higher voltage electricity from primary wires to lower voltage for use by consumers.>> A secondary service

drop carries 120/240-volts of electricity to the end user. It has two “hot” wires from the transformer, and a bare neutral wire connected to the ground wire on the pole.

>> The neutral wire acts as a line back to the substation and is tied to ground, balancing the electricity on the system.

>> Pole ground wire—running the length of the pole—con-nects to the neutral wire to complete the circuit inside the transformer. It also directs electricity from lightning safely into the earth.

>> Co-ops are respon-sible for keeping vegetation around poles trimmed to avoid interference with the electric system.

>> A head-high “birth-mark” shows the size of the pole, as well as where and when it was made.

>> 40-foot poles are sunk six feet into the ground.

>> Insulators (made of porcelain or a composite) prevent energized wires from contact-ing each other or the pole.

>> Guy wires help stabilize poles. They also are connected to the pole’s ground wire.

>> Surge arrestors protect the transformer from lightning strikes.

>> A crossarm holds power lines, allowing required clearances between lines.

>> Telephone and cable TV lines are typically the lowest wires.

Illustration by Erin Binkley

>>This illustration shows basic equipment found on electric power distribution poles. Not all poles have all this equipment on them. They vary according to location and the service they provide.

>> What’s on that pole?

B R I N G I N G Y O U T H E POWER O F M E M B E R S H I PCONNECTIONS

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Your co-op gives you more reasons to be thankful!As a member of Cobb EMC, you are connected to valuable discounts from hundreds of local businesses through your Co-op Connections® Card. Present your Co-op Connections Card at any participating business and save. Find a complete list of participating businesses and the discount they offer at www.cobbemc.com/discounts.

Don’t have your discount card handy? Download the free Co-op Connections app on your phone. Don’t forget to pick Cobb EMC as your electric provider.

Automotive

Auto Cool Inc.www.autocool.biz Autossey Automotive www.autossey.com Cedarcrest Auto Care www.cedarcrestauto.com Integrity Car Carewww.1ntegrity.net Kams Auto Service Centerwww.kamsauto.com NAPA’s Premier Service Centerwww.premierservicecenter.com Southern Imports Automotive Inc.www.southernimportsautoinc.com Speedemissions www.speedemissionsinc.com

Attorney

Divorce Money Matterswww.divorcemoneymatters.com DivorceTown Help and Hope Fairwww.divorcehelpandhope.com Wade H. Everett, P.C. Attorney at Lawwww.wadeeverett.com

Health Care and Fitness

Anytime Fitness www.anytimefitness.com Blumsack Family Chiropractic www.blumsackfamilychiropractic.com Brilliant Eyes Vision Center www.brillianteyesmarietta.com CareMinders Home Care www.careminders.com/marietta Chiropractic Wellness by Dr. George www.drgeorget.com Curves of Kennesaw www.curveskennesaw.com Eaton Chiropractic www.eatonchiropractic.com Foothills Chiropractichttp://foothills-chiropractic.com Highland Family Chiropracticwww.highlandfamilychiro.com Iron Tribe Fitnesswww.irontribefitness.com Max Muscle Sports Nutritionwww.maxmusclecobb.com Nutrition House Atlantawww.oswsatl.com Ping Hai DDS & Associates PC www.drhai.com Right Path Hypnosiswww.rightpathhypnosis.com Shirley’s Helping Hands www.shirleyhelpinghands.com Smith Smile Orthodonticswww.smithsmile.com Quick Weight Loss Centerswww.qwlc.com Women’s Premier Fitnesswww.womenspremierfitness.com

Beauty and Bridal

CTO Bridalwww.ctobridals.com Gary and Elaine’s Photography www.garyandelainesphotography.com Merle Norman Cosmeticswww.merlenormanstudios.com

Air Conditioning and Heating

AccuTemp Heating & Cooling Inc. www.accutempair.com

Casteel Heating, Cooling and Plumbingwww.casteelair.com Cheshire Heating & A/C Co. Inc.www.cheshirehvac.com Extreme Mechanical Inc. www.extremelytrane.com

GUS HVAC Inc.www.gushvac.com Hammock’s Heating & Airwww.hammockshvac.com R&D Mechanical Services Inc. www.randdmechanical.net Ragsdale Heating, Air & Plumbing www.ragsdaleair.com

*online offer must be redeemed at www.cobbemc.com/discounts

More participating businesses:

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Retail

D F Global https://www.amway.com/dfglobal Just T-shirt Quilts www.justtshirtquilts.com/cobbemc NG Apparel www.ngapparel.net Picture Frame Depot www.pfdatlanta.com

Prospector’s Pouch Fine Jewelrywww.prospectorspouch.com

Learning and Education Services

Kreative Learning Resource Center Inc.www.kreativelearningcenter.org Music by Debra www.musicbydebra.com One Taekwondo Center Inc.www.theoneTKD.com

Take advantage of local savings!

Financial Services

Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC* www.53.com Organized Daily Money Matters www.organizeddailymoneymatters.com

Entertainment and Event Planning

Atlanta Party Doctors, DJsEmail: atlantapartydoctors@gmail.com

Exclusive Entertainment Productionswww.djbally.com

Gala Events Facility www.galafacility.com Georgia Aquarium* www.georgiaaquarium.org/emcmembers

Jump Ovation Partieswww.jumpovation.com

Magic Man Entertainment Inc.www.magicmanentertainment.com

O’Brien Productionswww.obrienproductions.com Six Flags Over Georgia* www.sixflags.com Stone Mountain Park* www.stonemountainpark.com

Wishdrawals Disney Travel Email: ashley@wishdrawals.com

Printing and Business Services

5 Degrees North www.5dnorth.com/project-planner Amway Distributors www.amway.com/dfglobal Allegro Business Products www.allegrobusinessproducts.com Classic Impressions www.classicimpga.com

Dollar Wise Cartridge www.dollarwisecartridgemobile.com

Gaites Language Services www.gaitesco.com

Moonlighting In Tech www.mli-tech.com

One Hour Signs www.onehoursigns.com

Park ‘N Flywww.pnf.com

Relax and Waxwww.relaxandwax.com

Webb Supply Companywww.webbsupplycompany.com Windham Business Serviceswww.windhamservices.net

Xpress Ink & Tonerwww.xpressink.net

Home Services

2 Hip Chicks Designs www.2hipchicksdesigns.com All American Decorative Concrete www.aadecorativeconcrete.com All Phase Home Serviceswww.1stopshopatl.com American Maid Inc.www.americanmaidinc.net Atlanta Construction Enterprises Inc. www.atlantaconstructionenterprises.com Danny’s Pro Painting www.dannyspropainting.com Decorator’s Decision Inc. www.decoratorsdecisioninc.com Guso Janitorial Services LLCwww.gusojanitorial.org Healthy Home Termite & Pest Control www.pestzone.net Kay P. Morgan, High Caliber Realty www.kaypmorgan.com LOUD Security Systemswww.loudsecurity.com Major Appliance Repair Company LLCwww.tomarcollc.com Metro Home Improvements Inc. www.metrohome.biz Original Bug Man www.originalbugman.com Radco Electric www.radcoelectric.net Specialty Stump GrindingEmail: specialtystumpgrinding@aol.com VOGUE Properties and Interiors LLCwww.voguepropertiesandinteriors.com

The Cobb EMC Cooperative Solar program allows members to participate in solar energy production without the expense of purchasing and maintaining a solar energy system.

www.cobbemc.com/coopsolar

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Rental property tenants can participate.

Neighborhood covenants do not affect access.

Capture your share of the sun.

POWER OF ENERGYBRINGING YOU THE

No worries about holes in your roof, roof integrity or orientation to the sun.

No contract, affordably priced, maintenance free!

A little change can change livesOperation Round Up recipientsEach month, the Cobb EMC Community Foundation board of directors administers Operation Round Up® funds to local nonprofits. The foundation awarded more than $1,215,150 in Operation Round Up funds to date, with $75,000 going to the following nonprofits in September:

• Autism Speaks• American Cancer Society• Atlanta Dream Center Inc.• Booth Western Art Museum • Celebrate Life International• Cobb Community Foundation for Cobb Children’s Fund• Cobb Police Athletic League• Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta• Housing Initiative of North Fulton Inc./HomeStretch• KidS3

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society• Prevent Blindness• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia• Special Needs Development Group Inc.• Upper Etowah River Alliance

Visit www.cobbemc.com/roundup for a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding.

Keep safe this holiday seasonThe busy holiday season is just around the corner and will be here before you know it. While you’re busy preparing for holiday gatherings, remember to keep safety a top priority.

• Inspect all interior and exterior lighting to make sure it’s in good, working condition before use.

• Make sure outlets are equipped with properly tested ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent shocks.

• Don’t overload your outlets with appliances and lighting.

• To prevent fire hazards, electrical cords should never be run under rugs or across doorways.

• Keep live Christmas trees watered and away from fireplaces, space heaters, candles, overhead lights and radiators. Dry trees are a fire hazard.

• Always know the location of a working fire extinguisher, and know how to operate it.

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking and pay close attention to baking, boiling and simmering foods.

Cobb EMC wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.

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Energy-efficient Thanksgiving recipesNothing goes better with Thanksgiving turkey than an energy-efficient side dish! This year, give your oven a break and take advantage of your often-neglected appliances like the stove top, slow cooker and microwave. These cooking methods use less energy than the oven and might even cut down on your electric bills.

We’ve been pinning tasty and energy-efficient recipes for your table.

• Butternut squash soup• Sausage apple stuffing• Peanut butter pumpkin fudge• Slow cooker apple cider• Cinnamon, butter and brown

sugar carrots

Find these recipes and more on our Pinterest page: www.pinterest.com/cobbemc

cobbemc

POWER OF ENERGY

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You bring the sweets, we’ll bring the heat.

We’re committed to bringing you power safely at the lowest possible price. But we don’t stop there! Gas South, Cobb EMC’s wholly owned subsidiary, saves you money on natural gas. As a Cobb EMC member, you can receive a special discount off Gas South’s already great everyday low rates, as well as other money-saving benefits.

www.cobbemc.com/gassouth

That’s the power of membership. Money-saving benefits:

• 2–cent discount off already great everyday low rates — always!

• No deposit required.• No connection fee ($60 instant savings).• Bill credits: $25 for enrolling online.