The 86th Annual Meeting for Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) was held April 18 at Iola-Scandinavia High School in Iola. There were 236 members and guests in attendance, with 177 of them registered members of the co-op.
For the safety message, Kevin Kurtzweil, vice president of Operations for CWEC, told those in attendance that only CWEC personnel are qualified to remove an electric meter. If a member needs a meter removed for any reason, the member should contact CWEC to have a lineman come remove the meter.
Kurtzweil also provided an update on the installation of CWEC’s new meter system. The project is 95% completed, with only 459 meters remaining to be installed. Kurtzweil also highlighted the annual inspections that were completed in 2023, as well as work plan projects that were completed.
A recap of the outages in 2023 was also reviewed. The number of outages decreased from 512 outages in 2022 to 318 outages in 2023.
Kurtzweil also spoke about the co-op’s vegetation management program. The CWEC budget includes $490,000 on right-of-way clearing.
Brenda Mazemke, manager of Member Relations for CWEC, shared information about the numerous ways in which the co-op provides assistance to communities the co-op serves.
Information about the Energy Conservation Rewards program offered by CWEC was also reviewed by Mazemke. This included a list of projects and products that are eligible for rewards. Information about the process members must follow to obtain those rewards was also shared.
Key statistics for 2023, the statement of operations, and the balance sheet for the co-op were presented by Stacy Claussen, manager of Accounting & Finance for CWEC. Members were also informed about how CWEC’s investment in the West Riverside Power Plant has been beneficial for members.
During the Chairman’s Report, Board Chairman Tom Smith shared information about the transition to renewable sources of energy, and the impact it is having on the co-op and its members.
CEO & President of CWEC Lila Shower shared information about the Light Up Navajo Project, in which CWEC sent two linemen to Arizona in May 2023 to help bring electricity to members of the Navajo Nation. She explained that this was done because Kurtzweil became aware of the project and presented a plan to the CWEC Board of Directors to get CWEC involved in the project. The ensuing publicity helped spark interest in the project, and more Wisconsin co-ops will be sending linemen to help on the project in 2024. CWEC will once again send two linemen this year to help on the project.
To recognize his efforts for developing a plan for CWEC’s involvement in the project, Kurtzweil was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation award at the Annual Meeting.
Director Ron Onesti was unopposed in his reelection bid and was reelected.
Director Lou Oppor was challenged by Nathan Reichle. Oppor was reelected after receiving 251 votes, while Reichle received 121 votes.
A total of 27 door prizes were given away to members during the Annual Meeting.
Members also donated 241 non-perishable food items to be donated to area food pantries.
After the Annual Meeting, the CWEC Board of Directors met to elect the officers for the board. Tom Smith was reelected as Chairman, while Lou Oppor was reelected as Vice Chair, and Allen Zander was reelected as Secretary-Treasurer.
ANNUAL MEETING DOOR PRIZE WINNERS
Helen & Gerald Basinski – $50 electric bill credit, Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative
Dick & Donna Golomski – $100 Amazon gift card, Altec Industries
Janet Hoks – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
Margaret Jordan – Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, The Benefit Works
Steven Marquardt – $25 BP/Amaco Gas gift card, AJ Construction of Wisconsin
Jorja Zoromski – Husqvarna Chainsaw, Zielie’s Tree Services
Vernon Bricko – Collapsible Backpack Cooler, NISC
Barbara Marks – 6-quart Digital Air Fryer, RESCO
David & Barbara Kurszewski – Hooded Sweatshirt/Golf Balls, Irby Utilities
Geoffrey Anderson – $50 BP/Amoco gift card, Utility Sales & Service
Randy Torzala – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, Recloser Services, LLC
Jennifer Henselin – $100 Kwik Trip gift card, Weld Riley, S.C.
Steven & Diane Henry – $25 BP/Amaco Gas gift card, AJ Construction of Wisconsin
Clare & Leonard Oppor – “Travel Pack” ($50 Kwik Trip gift card & Goodies), Alliant Energy
Alan & Lynn Tesch – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
David & Kimberly Paulson – $50 VISA Debit Card, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
Elizabeth Giese – Yeti Rambler Bottle, Bell Lumber & Poll
Virginia Wentzel – Free Oil Change, Schierl Tire & Service
Zufriedenheit Farms – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
Brittany Falkvage/Matthew Cisewski – Yeti Rambler Bottle, Bell Lumber & Poll
Chris & Jennifer Brindley – $30 Kwik Trip gift card, Complete Office
Jon & Danette Dalton – $50 VISA Debit Card, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
Debra & Michael Omernik – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, American Transmission Company
Norman & Susan Groshek – $50 Kwik Trip gift card, Recloser Services, LLC
Glen Wiza – $50 Service & Repair Gift Certificate, Gordy’s 66 Service & Towing
Jessica Zoromski – $100 Amazon gift card, Alltec Industries
Roger Worzalla – Gift Basket, Bank First
Rhonda Hollfelder – Electric Grill, Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative
We would like to thank all the vendors for their generous door prize donations to the 2024 CWEC Annual Meeting. We also congratulate the winners of those door prizes.