FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER/CEO: DENNIS SVANES
As we begin a new year, I want to remind our members of several important events that help shape the future of 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative. Ballots for the 2025 board of trustees election will be mailed later this month. Your participation is essential to ensuring strong, member-driven leadership for our cooperative. Ballots must be received or postmarked no later than Feb. 20 to be counted. I encourage every member to take a few minutes to review the candidates, consider the responsibility entrusted to our board, and make your voice heard.
Looking ahead, our annual meeting will be March 23 in Emporia. This gathering provides an opportunity to hear updates on the cooperative’s financial health, ongoing projects, and future plans. It’s also a chance to visit with employees and trustees, ask questions, and engage directly with your co-op. We look forward to seeing many of you there.
With winter now in full swing, it’s also a good time to revisit a few important safety reminders. Kansas winters can be unpredictable — sometimes calm, sometimes harsh — and even routine cold snaps can strain electrical equipment and home heating systems. Taking simple precautions can help protect your home and your family.
If an outage occurs, stay clear of any downed power lines and treat all lines as if they are energized. Report outages immediately in the SmartHub app or call 620-364-2116.
If you use a generator, be sure it operates outdoors and away from vents or windows to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
For those relying on space heaters, keep them at least 3 feet from curtains, bedding or furniture, and plug them directly into a wall outlet — never into an extension cord or power strip.
Now is also a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if needed. Insulating exposed pipes, sealing drafts, and checking your home’s weatherproofing can reduce energy use and prevent cold-weather damage.
When driving after storms, please watch for crews working along roadways and give them room to work safely.
Winter brings its challenges, but it also highlights the strength and resilience of the rural communities we serve. Thank you for your continued support of 4 Rivers, and for doing your part to stay safe and prepared. I look forward to a productive and positive year together.
(Originally printed in January's KCL Centerspread)