Protect yourself from scammersUse these tips to avoid falling for the call

You don’t think you will be the one to fall for the call. But when someone says your power will be disconnected in 30 minutes and you have a business to run, the sense of urgency and realness may overcome your good sense.

Every day, people fall victim to scams. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any. Utility scams often involve an individual or group posing as an employee(s) of TCEC. The scammer may use threatening language to frighten you into o� ering your credit card or bank account information. It is important to understand the threats posed by these types of scams and your best course of action.

If someone calls you demanding you pay your electric bill immediately, gather as much information as you can, then hang-up and contact local authorities. Scammers often use threats and urgency to pressure you into giving them your bank account number or loading a prepaid credit or debit card (such as a Green Dot card).

TCEC will never ask you to give personal fi nancial information over the phone. If you have any doubts

about your utility bill, call us at 580-652-2418.If someone comes to your home claiming to be an

employee of TCEC to inspect parts of your property, call us to verify they are, in fact, an employee. If they are not, do not let the individual into your home and call local authorities for assistance.

If you have any questions or would like more information about how you can protect yourself from scammers, contact us at 580-652-2418 or www.tcec.coop.

LIVEWIREP U B L I S H E D F O R M E M B E R S O F T R I - C O U N T Y E L E C T R I C C O O P E R AT I V E

Be wary of callers who ask for fi nancial information. Don’t fall for the call.

GET

TYIM

AG

ES/O

LEKS

II S

PESY

VTS

EV

TCEC will never ask you to give personal fi nancial information over the phone.

JUNE 2019 TCEC LIVEWIRE

OKL_JUNE19_TCEC.indd 1 5/7/2019 2:17:01 PM

Electrical SafetyT I P O F T H E M O N T HLook up and live. Keep yourself and equipment at least 10 feet from overhead power lines. Always carry ladders horizontally and never spray water near power lines. Stay at least 35 feet from fallen power lines.Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi.org)

Energy E�iciencyT I P O F T H E M O N T HOUTDOOR LIGHTING TIP: Want to light up your outdoor space without increasing your energy use? Try outdoor solar lights! They’re easy to install and virtually maintenance free.

Source: energy.gov

M E M B E R M AT T E R S

Engaging Our Members B Y Z A C P E R K I N S , C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R

M E M B E R M AT T E R S

Engaging Our Members B Y Z A C P E R K I N S , C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R

TCEC CEO Zac Perkins

If you need to visit with someone at TCEC, we are here. We are out in the community talking to members like you. Because we’re local, your voice is heard.

In 2019, you will see us doing a few things di� erently. Our board of trustees worked with our leadership team to establish strategic initiatives at the end of 2018, one of which is educating and engaging all our members. Some of the ways we plan to engage with our membership haven’t changed. For example, we will hold three district meetings in August. We do that every year on a rotation according to our bylaws.

New this year, board members and I will be driving around their respective districts to meet with business owners, community leaders and members. We call these “drive-arounds.” They’re informal conversations to fi nd out what is on our members’ minds and better understand what’s happening in the area.

In April, we joined with three trustees to host Co-op Chats in each of their districts. Members were invited to enjoy a meal and discuss cooperative topics in an informal setting. We will continue having these chats on a rotation similar to district meetings.

I’m also conducting unplanned business visits while in the community, connecting with more members to see how we can best meet their needs.

We also plan to post more videos on relevant topics and may even conduct a Facebook live video town hall for anyone interested. If that is something we

decide to do, we’ll announce it in the local papers and on our Facebook page well in advance.

We will also be adding more content to our website, www.tcec.coop, this year to ensure our members have easy access to important information.

The good thing is, you don’t have to wait for an event to talk to your cooperative. If there’s something on your mind, contact us at 580-652-2418 or info@tcec.coop. Or stop by our o� ce at 995 Mile 46 Road in Hooker if you’re in the area. We’re here for you.

Lyle Mathis, vice president of engineering and operations at TCEC, talks to members about repairs for the 2017 storms at a Co-op Chat.

2TCEC LIVEWIRE JUNE 2019

L I V E W I R E F RO M T R I - CO U N T Y E L E C T R I C CO O P E R AT I V E

OKL_JUNE19_TCEC.indd 2 5/7/2019 2:17:04 PM

M E M B E R M AT T E R S

Engaging Our Members B Y Z A C P E R K I N S , C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R

Safety Poster Contest WinnersLocal winners of “Don’t be shocked” safety month poster contest announcedStudents across the TCEC service area in third through sixth grades created posters for the cooperative’s contest.

Every year, the cooperative conducts a poster contest in honor of National Electrical Safety Month in May. The theme of this year’s contest was “Don’t be shocked” with a focus on appliance and electronics safety. First place winners received a backpack and a notebook. Second place winners received a backpack.

Winning posters are pictured on this page. Congratulations to all!1. Third Grade, First Place – Reese Chapman, Guymon

2. Third Grade, Second Place – Eli Naylor, Balko

3. Third Grade, Honorable Mention – Jolie Pinckard, Balko

4. Fourth Grade, First Place – Sophie Segelke, Guymon

5. Fourth Grade, Second Place – Naomi Salas, Guymon

6. Fifth Grade, First Place – Jacky Perez, Optima

7. Fifth Grade, Second Place – Yedelin DeHerrera, Hooker

8. Fifth Grade, Honorable Mention – Kegan Shaw, Elkhart

9. Fifth Grade, Honorable Mention – Tyree Jackson, Balko

10. Sixth Grade, First Place – Jaxon Towsley, Guymon

11. Sixth Grade, Second Place – Daniela Guzman, Guymon

7

8

9

10

11

3

4

5

6

1

2 JUNE 2019 TCEC LIVEWIRE

OKL_JUNE19_TCEC.indd 3 5/7/2019 2:17:14 PM

Bluebonnet Café in Boise City serves guests homestyle cooking with friendly service.

“We think of what we o� er as American comfort food,” says co-owner Karen Wagner. “Our green chili cheese chicken fry is our most popular item.”

KAREN and her husband, BUDDY WAGNER, have owned the café since December 2017.

“We wanted to serve people and we thought serving food was the ideal defi nition of that,” Karen said. “Buddy really enjoys cooking breakfast too.”

She added that the café’s employees have been a blessing, saying, “We wouldn’t be able to do this without them. We have some of the best employees around.”

Bluebonnet Café is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. It is located at 611 Main St. in Boise City, Oklahoma. The phone number is 580-544-2844. They often post their specials to their Facebook page, which can be found by searching “Bluebonnet Café.”

TCEC will be at the Bluebonnet Café from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4,

for a Co-op Connections Spotlight. The fi rst 15 people to arrive will receive a $10 gift certifi cate and everyone who stops by during that hour can enter a drawing for a $100 gift certifi cate to the Café.

TCEC members can show their Co-op Connections card, either on the mobile app or the plastic card itself, anytime at Bluebonnet Café to receive a free drink with any dinner entrée.

To get your free Co-op Connections card, download the Co-op Connections app on your phone and register as a TCEC member. If you have an electric bill in your name, you’re likely a member.

For questions, contact TCEC at 580-652-2418 or info@tcec.coop. Co-op Connections is a member benefi t brought to you by TCEC as part of our commitment to community.

C O - O P C O N N E C T I O N S S P OT L I G H T

Bluebonnet Café

Bluebonnet Café owners Buddy and Karen Wagner look forward to seeing you. Show your card to receive a free drink with any dinner entree.

Win a $100 Gift Card to Bluebonnet CaféStop by the restaurant from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. First 15 people will receive $10 gift certifi cate. Everyone who comes in can enter a drawing for $100 gift certifi cate.

Win a $100 Gift Card to Bluebonnet CafStop by the restaurant from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. First 15 people will receive $10 gift certifi cate. Everyone who comes in can enter a drawing for $100 gift certifi cate.

Contact UsTRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE 995 Mile 46 Road | P.O. Box 880 Hooker, Oklahoma 73945OFFICE HOURS:8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday580-652-2418 | 800-522-3315info@tcec.coop | www.tcec.coop

BoardRandy SchreinerDistrict 1

Gayla JamesDistrict 2

Ronny WhiteDistrict 3

Beau RappDistrict 4

Kyle HawkinsDistrict 5

Larry DunnDistrict 6

Shawn MartinezDistrict 7

VacantDistrict 8

Richard Radcli� District 9

TCEC board meetings are typically the fourth Friday of every month.

Payment OptionsAutoPay (Bank or credit card draft)

Pay As You Go (Prepay)

Online Bill Pay (www.tcec.coop)

Pay by Phone IVR (844-203-6547)

Payment Drop O� (O� ce in Hooker)

Payment Centers:

City Name and AddressBeaver Downing’s Market

216 Douglas St.

Boise City Moore’s Food201 East Main Street

Elkhart EPICTOUCH451 Morton St.

Goodwell 54 GAS-N-GO108 West Highway 54

Guymon Mitchell TheatersNorthridge Shopping Center, 1928 N. Hwy 64

Guymon Mora’s Market702 N. Main Street

Hooker TCEC O� ce995 Mile 46 Road

Texhoma Slats Food Market105 East Highway 54

TCEC LIVEWIRE JUNE 2019

L I V E W I R E F RO M T R I - CO U N T Y E L E C T R I C CO O P E R AT I V E

OKL_JUNE19_TCEC.indd 4 5/7/2019 2:17:20 PM