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Aiken Electric Cooperative’s 2008 Annual Meeting a record breaker

 Aiken Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, held its Annual Meeting Saturday, May 17, 2008. A new all-time record of more than 4,500 member-owners registered and a crowd of more than 10,000 enjoyed the many festivities. The meeting was highlighted with energy-saving themes, hybrid vehicles, beach music and door prizes. Each registered member also received an energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) along with the news that the cooperative will be sending two more to each household beginning this week.

 Two unopposed incumbent candidates and one petition candidate running for the Board of Trustees were elected during the Annual Meeting. The Board members who were re-elected are: Theo R. Williams, Trustee District No. 2 and V. Wayne Furtick, Trustee District No. 7. Also elected for Trustee District No. 5 was Linda Bramlett. These trustees are serving a three-year term as of May 17, 2008.

 Special guests in attendance included Senators Shane Massey and Greg Ryberg; Representatives Skipper Perry, Roland Smith, Jim Stewart, Bill Clyburn and Marion Frye; Aiken City Council member Beverly Clyburn; and Aiken County Treasurer Linda Sharpe. Also attending were Mayors C. H. Williams of Burnettown as well as Aiken County School Board members John Brown and Wesley Hightower. Other guests included Fred Humes, Chairman of Economic Development Partnership and David Walker, NAACP.

 The Midland Valley High School Band Booster Club provided refreshments for the attendees as the Headliners from Hilton Head provided traditional beach and classic rock music.

 Displays included indigenous reptiles and wildlife from the Savannah River Ecology Lab, a hydrogen powered truck from the Savannah River National Laboratory’s Hydrogen Lab and an electric hybrid car from Central Electric Power Cooperative. A Green Power display educated attendees on renewable energy sources and the CFL display showed that they use about 75-percent less energy than ordinary bulbs. Activities for the day also included face painting, a health fair by Aiken Regional Hospital and a bake sale and silent auction by Women Involved in Rural Electrification (WIRE).

 In keeping with Aiken Electric’s annual meeting policy, after registering, members do not have to be present to win the grand prizes or special door prizes. Aiken Electric Cooperative awarded three grand prizes this year. Tara Moody of Aiken won the John Deere lawn tractor, Margorie Bush of New Ellenton and Freda Smith of Aiken each won a $1,200 electric service credit. In addition to over forty door prizes, members registered and won two 27” televisions, $100 cash and eight $25 electric service credits.

 Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide reliable, competitively priced energy and other services desired by their members. To date, it serves more than 44,000 customers in a nine county area.

Tara Moody of Aiken won a John Deere riding mower at Aiken Electric Cooperative’s 2008 Annual Meeting.