83rd annual Cullman Electric Cooperative meeting Sept. 14

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Left to right are Cullman Electric Board of Trustees candidates Sheila Sizemore, Kathy Scruggs James Fields and Daryl Calvert. (Courtesy of the Cullman Electric Cooperative)

CULLMAN, Ala. – The 83rd Annual Meeting of the Cullman Electric Cooperative will take place Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at Northbrook Baptist Church, starting at 8 a.m. Registration and activities will conclude at 11 a.m., at which time the business meeting will begin in the church sanctuary.

All Cullman Electric Cooperative members received their annual meeting packet in the mail last month, including a registration card, ballot and return envelope. Members also have the option to register and vote at the meeting.

Prizes

Co-op members who attend the meeting will receive a $15 power bill credit and be entered to win the grand prize drawing for a 2003 Ford Ranger truck. Members who register — either by mail or at the meeting — will be included in a drawing for one of 10 power bill credits worth $100, $250 or $500.

Activities

Co-op members and their guests can enjoy a variety of free activities from 8-11 a.m. at the annual meeting.

  • Free hot dogs, drinks and popcorn
  • Cullman Regional health fair
  • Inflatables, rides, arts & crafts and other activities for children
  • Bucket truck photo booth with Cullman EC linemen

Entertainment

Award-winning southern gospel group The Freemans will be in concert at the annual meeting, starting at 9 a.m. It has recorded more than 25 albums and has humbly enjoyed the success of seven No. 1 songs on the Singing News charts as well as more than 20 Top 10 songs. In 2010, “Three Rugged Crosses” was voted Song of the Year by the Singing News Fan Awards.

A new feature at this year’s annual meeting is live music located with the outside activities in the parking lot. Avenue G Band will perform starting at 9 a.m., playing a fun mix of classic rock, classic country and today’s hit songs.

Board of Trustees election

Three positions on the co-op Board of Trustees are up for election. Board member Sheila Sizemore is running against Kathy Scruggs in District 2. James Fields (District 4) and Daryl Calvert (District 6) are running unopposed.

Candidate profiles

DISTRICT 2 — Sheila Sizemore has worked as vice president and chief accounting officer at Peoples Bank of Alabama for the past 16 years. She is responsible for regulatory reporting and the daily accounting functions of the bank. Sizemore graduated from Vinemont High School, earned her associate degree from Wallace State and her bachelor’s degree from Athens State. She also earned a graduate degree from the Louisiana State University School of Banking. She has been in the Kiwanis Club for 20 years, is an active member at Seventh Street Baptist Church and is a member of the Cullman Women Sing group.

Sizemore has successfully completed the curriculum of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to become a Credentialed Cooperative Director.

“I have learned so much about the electric energy industry and enjoy working together with the other board members to strengthen the co-op,” Sizemore said. “I want to continue the work of making Cullman Electric the best electric cooperative in the state.”

DISTRICT 2 — Kathy Scruggs is a retired educator, having worked for 25 years as a teacher in Cullman. Today, she and her husband, Steve, are co-owners of A-1 Pool Service. Scruggs graduated from Cullman High School, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from UA-Huntsville, and earned her master’s degree from UAB. She is an active member of Cullman Church of Christ, and has previously served on the board of the Cullman Community Concert Association.

Scruggs said her experience as a teacher and small business owner have taught her valuable lessons in managing finances and building relationships with people.

“My entire life I have been taught that a life of service is a life worthwhile,” she said. “I want to serve the people of my community, my friends and neighbors anyway I can. I would love to have this opportunity on the co-op board of trustees to do just that.”

DISTRICT 4 — James Fields is a graduate of Hanceville High School. He continued his education at Jacksonville State University where he earned a B.S. degree in Law Enforcement and Sociology. During his career with the Department of Industrial Relations, Fields worked as the assistant administrator and North Alabama supervisor in the department’s Fraud Unit.

Fields has successfully completed the curriculum of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to become a Credentialed Cooperative Director, and has gone further, earning his NRECA Director Gold Credential as well.

With the business knowledge he has gained through the years and his concern for the community, Fields believes he brings strong leadership qualities to the Cullman EC Board of Trustees. “I hope to continue the contributions I have made to Cullman Electric Cooperative and its members during my years on the board,” said Fields.

DISTRICT 6 — Daryl Calvert retired from Wal-Mart Fleet Maintenance as shop supervisor after more than 20 years of service. Today, he is owner and operator of a small lawn care business, DC Lawn. Graduating from Cold Springs High School in 1974, Calvert worked as a diesel mechanic for 27 years and farmed for 10 years.

He feels these experiences allowed him to develop good people skills and a strong work ethic. Calvert enjoys lawn work, hunting, fishing and woodworking. In addition, he likes to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Calvert has successfully completed the curriculum of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to become a Credentialed Cooperative Director.

“I would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving my community on the Cullman Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees,” said Calvert.