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Co-op News
SAN BERNARD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Utility Poles Are Not
Bulletin Boards
San Bernard
Electric Cooperative
P R E S I D E N T/ G E N E R A L M A N AG E R
Billy Marricle
MESSAGE FROM
PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER BILLY MARRICLE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gus H. Miller Jr., Chairman, District 6
Bruce Pilcik, 1st Vice Chairman, District 3
Karl N. Micklitz, 2nd Vice Chairman, District 2
Sammy Condra, 3rd Vice Chairman, District 5
Charles Matula, Secretary-Treasurer, District 7
Elroy Kiecke, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer,
District 4
Frank Pokluda, District 1
Colt Haack, District 8
John Allen, District 9
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE WORKERS find all kinds of no-nos on utility
poles such as yard sale signs, basketball hoops, deer stands, satellite dishes, lights and birdhouses. These obstructions are dangerous for lineworkers.
Unwelcome clutter on utility poles can compromise linemen’s safety equipment,
leaving them vulnerable to electrocution.
Anyone posting items on utility poles also is at risk of exposure to thousands of
volts of electricity pulsing overhead. Always stay at least 10 feet away from utility
lines. Unauthorized pole attachments also violate the National Electrical Safety
Code. Think before you post that sign!
October is National Cooperative Month, and co-ops across the United States convene every October to celebrate the cooperative movement’s history and economic
impact on communities nationwide. The annual awareness month provides an
opportunity to celebrate the many ways that co-ops are building better businesses,
better communities and, ultimately, a better world. Please see more information
about National Cooperative Month later in this issue.
Until next time, take care.
Contact Us
HEADQUARTERS—BELLVILLE
(979) 865-3171
1-800-364-3171
309 W. Main St. • P.O. Box 1208
Bellville 77418
COLUMBUS SERVICE CENTER
(979) 732-8346
4285 Highway 71 South • P.O. Box 309
Columbus 78934
FIELDSTORE SERVICE CENTER
(936) 372-9176 or
(936) 372-9177
29244 FM 1488 • P.O. Box 1367
Magnolia 77353
HALLETTSVILLE SERVICE CENTER
(361) 798-4493
1686 U.S. Hwy. 90A East • P.O. Box 610
Hallettsville 77964
FIND US ON THE WEB
sbec.org
N RECA
facebook.com/sbecoop
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1-800-364-3171 | (979) 865-3171 | SBEC.ORG
Co-ops Build Celebration for National Co-op Month
BEING PART OF A COOPERATIVE MEANS being part of something
special. To celebrate National Cooperative Month in October,
San Bernard Electric Cooperative is celebrating along with
30,000 other cooperative businesses serving more than 120
million people nationwide.
“Cooperatives Build” is the theme of this year’s National
Cooperative Month, spotlighting the advantages that cooperatives offer to their members and the communities where they
live and work.
Across the U.S., cooperatives provide 850,000 jobs that
collectively pay $74 billion in yearly wages. They also generate more than $650 billion in sales and other revenue
annually.
Rural America is served by a network of more than 900
electric cooperatives, most of which were formed in the 1930s
and ’40s to deliver electricity to farms and communities that
large, investor-owned power companies had no interest in
serving because of the higher costs involved with electrifying
broad areas with small populations.
Your co-op’s board, staff and management direct all of our
efforts toward enhancing quality of life for you, the members.
This goes beyond the delivery of reliable and affordable electricity to include expanded services, support for community
service endeavors, and scholarships and educational opportunities for youths.
Our cooperative delivers electricity to about 25,000 meters
in our service area. Revenue beyond what is required for
salaries and expenses is either returned to members as capital
credits or is reinvested to make system upgrades that improve
the delivery of electricity to our members. Either way, our coop revenue goes back to Main Street, not Wall Street.
Consider these ways that co-ops build:
Cooperatives Build Trust
Co-ops strive to adhere to the Seven Cooperative Principles,
which combine to help build trust between the co-op and its
members. Through the fifth principle—Education, Training
and Information—we enable members to learn about the
way co-ops work and contribute to the development of our
cooperative.
Cooperatives Build Community
The seventh cooperative principle is Concern for Community.
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their
communities through employee involvement in local organizations, charitable contributions to community efforts and
support for schools.
Cooperatives Build Jobs
San Bernard EC is also a major employer in the region, with a
full-time workforce of 120. Through the property taxes it pays,
the co-op is a major contributor to the tax base of local government, helping to support schools, police and fire protection
and other vital community infrastructure.
Cooperatives Build Democracy
The second cooperative principle, Democratic Member Control,
gives members a voice in the co-op’s policies and decisions.
Members control the co-op by voting on candidates for the
board of directors.
The democratically elected directors keep members’ wellbeing in mind each time they make a decision on behalf of the
co-op. This arrangement keeps local communities strong and
stable while showing how combined effort can improve conditions for everyone.
Cooperatives Build a Better World
When people talk about “the cooperative difference,” they’re
referring to the advantages that co-ops offer their members.
With the Seven Cooperative Principles binding these unique
and diverse businesses, co-ops truly can build a better world.
For more information, visit coopmonth.coop.
Electric cooperatives Build a Better World
sbec.org
October 2016 SAN BERNARD EC
Texas Co-op Power
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SAN BERNARD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
What They Do
Might Shock You
Scare up some savings
this Halloween.
Save on tricks and treats using your Co-op Connections card.
Look for discounts on costumes, decorations, candy
and more this Halloween.
YOU SHOULDN’T BE SURPRISED if you see
your co-op’s lineworkers repairing a
downed power line or climbing a 40-foot
pole to change out broken equipment—
even in the worst of weather or the middle
of the night. That’s their job.
But you might be shocked to hear
about some of the other things linemen
do in the course of a day’s work.
They help stranded motorists. They
keep a vigilant eye out for suspicious
activities. They help newcomers find their
way around. They participate in the activities of local teams and charities. Linemen
coordinate the hanging of a banner or flag
from the lift buckets of their trucks, if the
cause is worthy and you ask them nicely.
They also save lives. In recent years,
co-op linemen in Texas have pulled people
from fires, rescued them from automobile
wrecks and rendered aid during a heart
attack. These heroic measures have garnered praise and awards—but to lineworkers, it’s just part of the job.
As your neighbors and fellow community members, your co-op’s linemen
always want to do their share. Even if it
has nothing to do with electricity, it has
everything to do with the job.
Whether working high in the sky or on the
ground, co-op linemen are ready to serve.
CH RI STOP HER BADZI OCH | I STO CK.COM
San Bernard
Electric Co-op
sbec.org
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ANDRE W RICH | ISTOCK.COM
RIMDRE A M | ISTOCK.COM
1-800-364-3171 | (979) 865-3171 | SBEC.ORG
Turn your kids into safety superheroes by teaching them how to keep themselves and others
safe in dangerous situations.
Creative Safety Lessons for Kids
WE ALL KNOW ELECTRICITY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE in our everyday lives, and it is a powerful resource that should be respected. Unfortunately, our children often do not
understand the dangers of electricity.
At San Bernard Electric Cooperative, we encourage you to share electrical safety
tips and lessons with your little ones as often as possible. We also understand that
their attention spans run short, so here are a few creative ways to get them involved.
Depending on the age of your child, consider designating an “electronics deputy.”
The deputy should be responsible for pointing out electronics in your home that
are not in use and for keeping appliances safe from liquids. Reward your deputy for
pointing out overloaded outlets or other potentially dangerous situations.
Emphasize the importance of fire prevention with your children, and create a family fire drill plan as an extra precaution. Give your children an incentive by rewarding
those who followed the plan and made it safely out of the home during a drill.
A note: Although it is fun and engaging to turn safety into a game, it is important
to ensure that your children understand the real risks they are facing if they do not
practice electrical safety.
One of the most important safety tips you can give your kids is to avoid any downed
power lines. It is best to avoid power lines, transformers and substations in general. A
downed power line can still be energized, and it can energize other objects, including
fences and trees. Make sure your kids understand the potential dangers of coming
into contact with a downed power line or low-hanging wire. Ask them to tell you or
another adult if they encounter a downed power line. Then call the co-op and 911.
Here are a few other safety tips you can share with your kids:
a Never put metal objects in outlets or appliances.
a Do not overcrowd electrical outlets.
a Never mix water and electricity.
No matter how you choose to get your kids interested in staying safe around electricity, San Bernard Electric Cooperative is here to help. To learn more about electrical safety, visit sbec.org.
sbec.org
Electrical Safety for
Pokémon Go Players
POKÉMON GO PLAYERS must stay away
from power lines, transformers and substations while playing the augmented
reality smartphone game, warns San
Bernard Electric Cooperative.
The game allows players to train,
battle and capture Pokémon characters
through “geocaching,” during which
players use their smartphones to hunt
the monsters hiding in the real world.
Online threads are reporting that the
“electric-type” Pokémon can be found
near electrical sites.
Your co-op encourages users to exercise extreme caution when joining this
phenomenon. Electric utilities do not
control where the Pokémon appear,
making it important for players to catch
their monsters from a safe distance.
Pokémon players should observe
these safety tips:
a Stay away from power lines, transformers, substations and electrical
worksites.
a Never jump on, sit on, kick, throw
things at or stick anything inside a
transformer, including padmount transformers.
Do
not climb power poles or throw
a
things into power lines.
a Stay away from power lines that
have fallen because they could still
be energized.
a Power lines near trees also pose a
danger; exercise caution and check
for power lines before climbing a tree.
October 2016 SAN BERNARD EC
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SAN BERNARD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
TRADING
POST
FOR SALE
remodeled, to be moved, Frelsburg area. Call (979)
203-2200 or (979) 733-2763.
and dressings, no peelings, never used, $50. Magnolia
area. Call (936) 372-3822.
BARBECUE PIT, 10 ft. long, 30 in. wide, 10-ft. prep
58 ACRES, w/older model manufactured home,
TRACTOR, 1962 Massey Ferguson MF85, runs on
table, new tires, single axle, bumper pull, 2-in. wrap
hitch. Call (979) 733-0577 or (979) 270-3319.
2 ponds, 2 water wells, septic tank, deer, hogs and
turkey, 1997 CR 106, Columbus. Call (956) 279-8607.
propane, great engine, make an offer. Call (713)
417-7117.
BUILDING to be moved, 18x24 ft., on 2 double
FURNITURE. King-size bed, Bassett solid wood
TRACTOR, Massey Ferguson Diesel #135, 4,075
wooden skids 2x10-in.x24 ft.-long, cement pads, 3
average-size windows, 1 picture window, white vertical draw shades with valance, white/beige wood
paneling, beige carpet/floors, metal roof w/attic fan,
AC and wall heater, ceiling lights, 11 4-prong electrical outlets, nice closet/shelves, enclosed porch w/
5-ft.-wide steps, very clean and sturdy, $6,500, or
make offer. Call (979) 263-4124.
bookcase headboard, dresser, $275; queen bed, $50;
sectional sofa w/bed, $75; 4-drawer chest, $30; wood
table w/4 chairs, $150; small metal desk, $20; end
tables, $25–35; table lamps, $10–25; coffee table
w/cabinet, $50; various chairs, swivel bar stools,
$25–35; wood cabinet adj. shelves, $60; various
wood shelves, $5–20; bumper pool table, $25;
vacuum, $20; soft toolbox, $50; and lots more. Call
(417) 263-0220.
hours, new battery, good tires; rear round hay bale
mover w/front weights; 4-shank land renovators.
Call (979) 733-2784 or (979) 357-2214.
cleaning oven, black, $150; Whirlpool Quiet Partner II
dishwasher, black, $75. Call (713) 385-7141.
68 ACRES with 1 BR/ 1 BA; or 39 acres partial, no
cottage. Vienna. Call (281) 351-4727.
CAMPER, pop-up, good condition, good tires and
AC. Call (979) 732-2110.
VEHICLE, 1994 Oldsmobile, 4 doors, motor not
good, selling for parts, $200. Call (979) 357-4843.
BULL, Black Angus, 4 yrs. old, gentle. Call (713)
240-9234.
VARIOUS ITEMS. Shingles, asphalt, 10 bundles;
CRUTCHES, stainless steel, never used, $11; folding
aluminum walker, $10; rollator, drive adjustable,
foldable, locking hand brakes, $50; 13-in. Sylvania
TV/VCR; Sharp VHS VCR; Total Vision 10-in. TV;
Symphonic VHS VCR, Panasonic cassette recorder;
GE cassette recorder; Kenmore vacuum, tank, barely
used, $50; treadmill, self-propelled, adjustable
height, $60; Head titanium metal tennis racquetstringing machine, extra strings, instructions, $100;
hutch, 6.5x2 ft.x8 in., glass doors, 2 middle drawers,
2 glass bottom spaces, $100; Troybilt trimmer/vac,
4 wheels, Tecumseh engine, $125; Jack Lalanne
Power Juicer, fruit and vegetable juices, salsa, sauces
white bricks, 8x5x3 in.; classic 1959 Buick, 2-door,
51,000 miles, $8,900; classic 1993 Buick Riviera,
white leather, landau top, $5,200. Call (979) 865-8499.
VARIOUS ITEMS. Franklin wood stove, matte
black, cast iron, heat shields, tools, interior piping
30 in. wide, 28 in. deep, 32 in. high, never been used,
$1,500; Magnavox console AM/FM stereo w/turntable,
diamond needles, 4 legs, 25 in., 17 in. deep. 50 in.,
$150. Call (979) 732-5467 or (979) 732-1358.
Advertise in the
TRADING
POST
square; sprayer; John Deere grain drill; Sears power
washer, never used; black tubs; 2 bundles hay twine;
set of twin size box springs and mattress. Call (979)
836-9685.
DINING TABLE, 1970s vintage Tell City maple
trestle, 36x72 in., w/6 chairs and two 12-in. leaves,
$300. Call (979) 968-3359.
INDIAN MANNEQUIN, fully clothed, wearing old
blanket, $250. Call (281) 639-4049.
HOUSE to be moved, built in 1971, cement founda-
tion, brick veneer, 2 BR, 3-yr.-old composite roof,
approx. 1,271 sq. ft., attached carport, 80-sq.-ft.
storage/laundry area, good fixer-upper project,
8410 N. 1371 near Buckhorn area, make offer. Call
(281) 236-7785.
SBEC members are invited to submit ads for the Trading Post to P.O. Box
1208, Bellville, TX 77418. However, no commercial business ads will be
accepted. Ads are placed on a first-come, first-served basis, and we
reserve the right to refuse any ad. Please submit your ad by the 20th of
each month. (If you submit an ad by October 20, it will be in the December issue). Your ad will be published in two consecutive issues then
deleted. If you want the ad to run another two months you must resubmit
the ad. The ad will not exceed four consecutive months.
MOBILE HOME, 1978, double-wide, 3 BR/2 BA,
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Texas Co-op Power SAN BERNARD EC October 2016
sbec.org
H EADER: H EMERA | T H IN KSTOCK
WHIRLPOOL, 4-burner electric stove with self-
VARIOUS ITEMS. Hay baler, New Holland No. 570,
SanBernardEC1610_ 9/14/16 11:01 AM Page 23
1-800-364-3171 | (979) 865-3171 | SBEC.ORG
MINI BALL SHELL, 1860s Civil War era,
Don’t Overload Your Home
mounted on wall plaque w/writeup, found on
southern battlefield, $100. Call (979) 733-2715.
VARIOUS ITEMS. John boat, $80; canoe,
$200; paddle boat, $150; junior drum set, red,
$125; power washer, needs work, $125. Call
(979) 234-3783.
BULLS, purebred Longhorn, 18 months old,
M/L. Call (361) 798-3900.
TRACTOR, 1953 Model CA (two row), AC,
south Weimar area. Call (361) 798-2470, (361)
772-5431 or (361) 772-3165.
VARIOUS ITEMS. Trailer ramps, heavy duty,
$75 OBO; 10-in. Sears Craftsman table saw, $150
OBO; playhouse swingset, includes clubhouse,
slide, swings, $350 OBO. Call (979) 732-2769.
DINING TABLE, wooden, 44x64 in., 2 exten-
sion leaves, $295. Call (979) 865-9530.
PICKUP, 2008 Tundra, 4-door, CrewMax CRW,
SRS, towing package, 75,600 miles, garage-kept,
CarFax available, really fine vehicle. Call (979)
865-2371
HUNTER’S HEAVEN, 93.6 acres, virgin land,
heavy woods, pond, creeks, with deer, hogs and
turkeys, CR 806 Colorado County. Call (281) 4155163 or (281) 370-1518.
TOOLBOXES, one large and one smaller. Call
(979) 732-2041.
WA N T E D
2-HORSE TRAILER, older model, bumper
pull, 2- or 4-wheel. Call (979) 877-0908 or (713)
562-1357.
ABOUT 47,700 HOME FIRES IN THE U.S. are caused by electrical failures or malfunctions
each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical
fires by not overloading your electrical system.
Warning signs of overloaded circuits include:
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
Flickering, blinking or dimming lights
Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
Warm or discolored wall plates
Cracking, sizzling, popping or buzzing from outlets
Burning odor coming from outlets or wall switches
Switches that lean to one side or feel loose when flipped
Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles or switches
A few vigilant measures can help prevent electrical overloads in your home:
Never plug major appliances into extension cords or multi-outlet converters. All
major appliances should be plugged directly into wall receptacle outlets. Plug only
one heat-producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time.
A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets
to address your needs. Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change
the amount of power being received from the outlet. Have a qualified electrician
inspect your home and add new outlets.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than half of the
electrical fires occurring every year in the United States can be prevented by arcfault circuit interrupters. Whenever an arc fault is detected in a circuit, these devices
interrupt the flow of power, preventing sparks and fires in the wiring. If your home is
older than 40 years and its outlets are not equipped with AFCIs, consider having
these installed.
All electrical systems should have an inspection conducted if the home is older
than 40 years, or has undergone a major addition or renovation, or has had a large
appliance added.
TO LEASE property for hunting, small fathers-
and-sons group. Call (281) 413-4396.
USED CATTLE SQUEEZE CHUTE. Call
(979) 732-2110, leave message.
FREE
SHIPPING CRATE, plywood 58 in. wide,
42 in. deep and 41 in. high. Call (979) 865-3805.
WILD HOG REMOVAL. Use dogs, well expe-
rienced, willing to travel. Call (832) 715-1130.
RV, 32 ft., water damaged. Will trade for a
fence, a circular driveway, finish work on an
unfinished house. Call (936) 372-3822.
sbec.org
G ORDANA JOVANOVI C | ISTOCK.COM
TRADE
Happy Halloween
San Bernard EC wishes you a safe and spooky Halloween.
October 2016 SAN BERNARD EC
Texas Co-op Power
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