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908 4th Ave. NE Watford City, ND | Outpost - Killdeer, ND | 701-444-9288 | 800-584-9239

SEPTEMBER 2016

Do you know someone or an organization that could use a little help?

Fall application deadlineOct. 21, 2016

Deadlines are drawing near for the fall Operation Round Up applications. Visit McKenzie Electric Cooperative’s website for more information at www.mckenzieelectric.com.

www.mckenzieelectric.com McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , SEPTEMBER 2016 C1

Capturing McKenzie County:Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer shoots a story of the people hereBY KATE RUGGLES

Recently, Kim Komenich, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, and frankly someone people here would not expect to meet, came to McKenzie County. Though he

is an “outsider,” he did not, like so many who came before him, highlight the negativity of recent years. Rather, Komenich spent time with a community of people who banded together in the face of so much negativity.

He found them to be a people who turned what could have been into what wasn’t, and were, in many ways, similar to a people he had photographed years earlier - a people he believes changed the world in some ways.

“I like to gravitate to places like this,” Komenich states. “But I

Kim Komenich photographed a sugarcane worker in Victorias, Negros Occidental, Philippines, in 1985.

In this photo taken by Chad Ziemendorf, Kim works during his time in the area.

C2 SEPTEMBER 2016 , McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS www.mckenzieelectric.com

do not get to that often.” That is an understatement.

Komenich has worked as a staff photographer and editor for both the San Francisco Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle. He has been an assistant professor at San Jose State University and is currently working as an assistant professor for photojournalism at San Francisco State University. He was born in Laramie, Wyo., but started kindergarten in California.

And he has covered conflicts in the Philippines, Vietnam, Guyana, El Salvador, the former Soviet Union, and, most recently, Iraq. The last time Komenich says he was in the Dakotas was in 1984 to photograph Tom Brokaw’s brother for a story he

was working on for the Examiner.Kim has spent most of his life

living on the West Coast, covering the world. It was his coverage of the Philippine Revolution that earned him the 1987 Pulitzer Prize in spot news photography, and laid the foundation for his current work, “Revolution Revisited.”

So spending nine days in rural North Dakota, shooting things like fireworks, Fourth of July celebrations, 4-H’ers and the McKenzie County Fair, could have seemed like small-time stuff to a photographer of Komenich’s caliber. But to the contrary, it did not.

“Willa Cather once said something to the effect of ‘When walking into a room, a writer owes it to themselves

to be struck by something.’ I feel that way about being a photographer,” Komenich says. “Photos are the most powerful stories. The camera does not photograph the past or the future, it captures moments in real time, and gives people an authentic view of the story.”

Komenich brought his passion for authenticity with him to McKenzie County to shoot what is called a photo essay for Intersection Journal. Wearing blue jeans and dark T-shirts to take the notice off him and his camera, he walked up and down Watford City’s Main Street in a “meet the people” kind of way. He simply asked people if he could spend time with them. He was not looking for news, but rather silly

A photo of the monsoon boys by Kim Komenich.


PHO

TO BY KIM

KOM

ENIC

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things and lighthearted moments, seemingly inconsequential stuff that, when put together, told a story.

According to Chad Ziemendorf, founder of Intersection Journal and one of Komenich’s former students, “Kim teaches a very delicate form of storytelling as a professor. The pictures are on the other side of the door, Kim teaches, and the way to get to them is to do all the things that your parents told you not to do – introduce yourself to strangers and invite yourself in.”

“I was just trying to witness people doing what they were doing,” Komenich says. “I am a people photographer, which is very different from being a landscape photographer. People tend to want to move. More than that, people want to pose. Facebook is posing. It is very rarely a real moment.”

According to Kim, his job is to get people past the tendency to want to perform. One way to do that is to take a lot of pictures. However, sometimes, the trick is to wait until it is time to take a picture.

“The goal, always, is to record things the way they would be remembered,” Komenich says.

Komenich refers to the photo

essay he came to McKenzie County to work on as a “different animal.” He states that the picture ratio for a photo essay is about 100 to one, which means that for every one photo that was displayed at the project’s unveiling, about 100 photographs were taken. Komenich averaged 400 frames per day, for the nine days he was here.

“The best photographers are not necessarily the ones who go out

and look for pictures, they are just ready when the picture presents itself,” Komenich says. “The best photographers are the ones who go out and practice and practice, the same way a piano player or an athlete does. They just go out and take pictures.”

Revolution RevisitedIt is an extensive process, one

Ziemendorf learned from Komenich and one Komenich teaches about as a professor. It is the technique he used for the work he did here, and the work that won him the Pulitzer Prize, a work that is contained in his book, “Revolution Revisited.” And a work that he brought with him to McKenzie County to share with the people here.

“It was a special honor to have been able to work with Kim on this project for Intersection Journal, as well as sponsor the showing of his work, ‘Revolution Revisited,’ here in McKenzie County on its 30th anniversary,” Ziemendorf says.

It was not only special because it gave Ziemendorf and Komenich the chance to show people the process of making a photo essay, taking a lot of

Chad Ziemendorf during a photo shoot in San Francisco.


pictures and picking the right ones. And how sometimes a picture is amazing, yet it is not chosen because it does not lend to the story. It was also special because it coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize, which the North Dakota Humanities Council has been celebrating.

This year, the North Dakota Humanities Council has been awarding grants, called Game Changer Grants, to projects that have involved Pulitzer Prize winners. The initiative has been in celebration and recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize, and has involved events across the state showcasing Pulitzer Prize winners and their work. The events that have taken place will lead up to a larger event that will take place in Bismarck on Sept., 6.

“It was a really competitive grant cycle, but they were giving priority to grant projects that involved Pulitzer Prize winners,” Ziemendorf says. “Therefore, we were awarded one of the grants, which helped us to bring Kim here.”

Komenich, in addition to taking photographs of the people of

McKenzie County, shipped his exhibit, “Revolution Revisited,” and put it on display at the Power Fuels Apartments Community Center July 14. The event highlighted photographs taken by Komenich, which documented the fall of the Marcos regime in the Philippines.

“Marcos was president in the Philippines in the 1970s, but he did what every leader does when they want to stay in power, he declared

martial law when his term was up,” Komenich states. “Through that, Marcos extended his six-year term to 20 years.”

Komenich believes this was one of the most important revolutions in history, because it leveraged media coverage to produce non-violent mass action.

“The people just came together. They did not try to fight the military, they just stood in front of them,” Komenich says. “The reason this was significant, I believe, is because the world was watching. The government could not just mow these people over, because everyone had access to satellite technology. Pictures could be seen instantaneously, and they knew the world was watching.”

This revolution, the 1986 “People Power” Revolution, not only launched a new president, the rightful president, into power in the Republic of the Philippines. It set the stage, according to Komenich, for other cultures to stand up against the governmental powers.

“Europe in the 1990s, the former Soviet Union, all had its roots in what happened here in Manilla,” Komenich says. n

Kim Komenich shoots riders in the Arnegard Fourth of July parade.

Children catch candy being thrown from passing cars and floats during the McKenzie County Fair parade in Watford City in this photo by Kim Komenich.


Do you have money waiting for you?Th e following people have capital credit checks for which we do not have a current address. Please notify us if you

have a current address for any of these people, or if you are entitled to the capital credits in the case of an estate.Information must be received by Nov. 30, 2016, to McKenzie Electric, P.O. Box 649, Watford City, ND 58854-

0649; or call toll-free 800-584-9239 or 701-444-9288. In December 2016, checks will be reissued with the updated information for the eligible members.

American Tele & Telegraph

Anderson, Susan Anr Production Armbrust, Rocky Baker, Ethel Bartels, Lucille Bears Tail, Daryl Becken, Lola Beimler, Marilyn aka

Marilyn Quale Berkley, Terri Beston, Britnee Big Back, Eugene Buckingham, John Bull, Lois Chamberlain, Ronald Charging, Mcroy Chase, Belle Costilla Energy Inc Country, Michelle Crutcher, Michael Dakota Poultry Danks, Maurice Jr. Dean, Iva Deegan, Dana Defoe, Toni Dollinger, Megan Dubois, Gabriella Dubois, James Dubray, Rhonda Duckett, Delores Dukart, Cody Dukart, Kerry

Duvall, Desri Dvirnak, ElmerDwyer, Ben Eberts, Catherine Edward, Mike Eide, Tim Ficek, Mary A. Fimbres, Bonnie Fox, Bernie Fox, Justin Fox, Th omas Freeman, Beulah Fru-Con Const. Corp Good Bird, Ann Good Bird, Renae Grady, Calvin Sr. Grady, Donna Grubb, Tawna Hale, Geralyn Hall, Melvin Halsey, Jonelle Hamilton, Charles Hammel, Terral Haugan, Syvert Henderson, Michael Highway 8 C-Store Hovland, Blaine Hull, Ken Hutchinson, Patti Jacobs, Sharon Jensen, Rusty Kinden, William R. Koch Service Koozer, Raily

Koplow, Steve Koy, Gary Kummer, Vera Lamarr, Allen Bea Lapierre, Clayton Lindvig, John Little Cubs Daycare Center Lone Fight, Brenda Lone Fight, Sharon Long, Nikki Loyas, Jackie Main Energy Mann, Jennifer Marvel, William Mckenzie, Tami Mcpherson, Brian Mellmer, Reuben Meridith, Loretta Mingus, Michelle J. Mosbrucker, Kenny Motschke, Jeff rey Nunberg, Teina Ott, Vince Paulson, Susan Pelton, Patricia Phelan, Randy Pinky’s Club Portley, Sharon Precision Cleaning Reed, Jason Reserve Royalty Corp. Rettig Family Trust Rivet, Pierre Rockeman, Tamy

Rosario, Katherine Satermo, Dwight Schwindt, Beverly Sherman, Lorrie Siers, Jolene B. Smith, Alan Smith, Brenda Smith, Larry Sobolik, Bill Standish, Leroy Sr. Starr, Mavis Stevenson, Jerry Th rams, Bryan Tipperary Petroleum Tortalita, Sherry Tschetter Shawn Union Pacifi c Res Weidert, Alda White Eagle, Wayne White Owl, Kathleen White Owl, Eugene Willcox, Kenneth Wilson, Carla Wolf, Clinton Young Bird, Darryl Zahnow, Vernon

CAPITAL CREDITS


On Sunday, July 10, residents of Killdeer took shelter from a massive hail storm, which

produced up to baseball-sized hail, leaving in its wake a mess of shattered glass, vinyl siding, shingles and anything else that was left exposed to its fury that evening. Yes. It was one for the decades, a storm like no one had ever seen. In just 15 minutes, the town of Killdeer had been transformed into what looked to be a war zone. Siding and shingles looked like mere tissue paper, after the pummeling force of the chunks of ice.

As residents slowly emerged from their homes to assess the damage, they began all that they could do – board up the windows, and begin cleaning up the broken pieces of their homes, which were now strewn across the lawn, as they began the process of restoring their town.

McKenzie Electric Cooperative volunteers anxiously made their way to Killdeer to assist in the cleanup effort. As a member of the Killdeer community, these residents

are our friends, colleagues and neighbors. It was our duty as your local cooperative, to grab our rakes, shovels and garbage bags and lend a hand where it was needed most.

The cleanup effort began at the Killdeer Lions Park, where the trees had been beaten nearly barren of their leaves. It took five hours and all seven dedicated volunteers to clear the park of its early fall-like blanket. The playground area was cleared of leaves, branches and other debris from the wrath of the weekend storm, so the children of Killdeer could once again have a safe environment to play.

It took the crew countless Bobcat buckets of leaves and eight heaping dump trailers to clear the majority of the park. It was just a small piece of the town that the crew was able to revive from its hail-pounded state.

On day two, a fresh crew returned to the streets of Killdeer. The goal was to help the residents in need of a few extra hands, raking and cleaning the debris from their yards. The crew listened to the stories of the

homeowners as they worked, as the residents recounted the ravishing storm and the toll that it took on their homes. Workers humbly accepted the words of gratitude from the residents who were so appreciative to have someone help.

The last resident that McKenzie Electric stopped to help that day was Melvin Schuh. Melvin’s home got hit hard by the storm, and his fenced backyard corralled the thousands of leaves from his and the neighboring properties. Swiftly, our crew of five made heaping piles of the leaves in Schuh’s yard, before grabbing a wheelbarrow to tow the piles to the front street, so the city could haul them away.

“I’m very thankful you came to help, it’s just so much for one person to clean up,” Melvin said, as together he and the crew marveled at the completed job.

There’s something about helping our communities in a time of need that makes being part of a cooperative so special. n

Lending a hand – and maybe a rake or two

Ending the day on a high note, the crew snap a quick shot alongside Shuh, behind a heaping pile of leaves.

McKenzie Electric volunteers make quick work of the leaves left in the Shuh’s backyard.


July 28, 2016The regular meeting of the McKenzie

Electric Board of Directors was held at the Headquarters Building in Watford City, North Dakota. Directors present were: Clayton Monsen, Rondee Hanna, Travis Thompson, Ray Tescher, Cameron Wahlstrom, Tim Wasem, Glen Houghton, Ken Sanford and Chris Link. CEO John Skurupey and staff personnel of McKenzie Electric were also present.

PRELIMINARIES: The agenda for the meeting and minutes of the previous board meeting were approved by the Board of Directors. Minutes of the reorganizational meeting and director expenses were also approved.

DIRECTOR DISCUSSIONS: President Monsen announced former director Donald Link had been nominated by MEC and would receive an NRECA regional award at the Region 6 meeting in Minneapolis. The Board discussed recent storm damages within MEC’s service area, and then considered MEC’s options to replace facilities in the event of a catastrophic storm (ice storm, tornado etc.) The Board also discussed the 345-kv transmission line, Timber Creek Substation, leaning transmission line poles and disconnects.

ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS: Director Tim Wasem reported on the recent North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperative (NDAREC) board meeting held in Crosby. The NDAREC board toured the SaskPower Plant in Estevan, Canada, which provided a demonstration of carbon capture. The Board cast their vote in the CoBank director election.

POWER SUPPLY: Director Travis Thompson reported on the recent Upper Missouri Board meeting. Director Ray Tescher reported there was no Mid-West Electric Consumers Association Board meeting on which to report.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT: Attorney Dennis Johnson was not in attendance but provided Headquarters property “Bidding Rules” and “Purchase Agreement” documents for Board review.

CEO REPORT: CEO John Skurupey reported on a recent Basin Electric Managers Advisory Committee meeting during which there was significant discussion concerning the August 1, 2016, wholesale rate increase. Staff is working on the 2017 budget in conjunction with a rate study being prepared by HDR Engineers. The Board approved a resolution authorizing a waiver for Basin

Electric to represent MEC in regard to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) rules that require MEC to purchase electricity from a qualifying generating facility of 150kV or greater.

HUMAN RESOURCES. The Board reviewed the written report.

OFFICE REPORT: Financial and statistical reports for June were reviewed with the Board along with a budget-to-date comparison and the comparative cash report. A review of the headquarters project and project to date expenses were provided to the Board. Other report highlights included the capital credit present value offer has generated many calls to the Cooperative and the Board was briefed on several member inquires. The Board approved the special capital credit retirements as presented.

ENGINEERING REPORT: A report was given on the progress of the headquarters building, McKenzie County and their desire to have MEC disconnect service for planning and zoning violations, information systems update, substations and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition). The Board approved a budget deviation for electric utility conflicts on the BIA Route 12 highway move. An update was given from the recent Producer meeting along with the power point presentations.

OPERATIONS/CONTRACT MANAGEMENT REPORT: An update was provided on projects currently being worked on by MEC contractors and a work order progress report. The report also indicated the following: the Werner Substation was de-energized; Basin Electric re-energized the Timber Creek delivery transformer; the July 10th hail storm resulted in damage to the Killdeer outpost building, Killdeer and Dunn Center substation buildings and one truck; cable replacement in Scairt Woman was completed; crews have been working on outages, conversion in the 4Bears and Blue Buttes areas, work orders, switching and maintenance.

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR: An update was given on the continuing process to develop policies and programs for MEC to become NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) compliant—the Asset Management Program continues to be populated and staff is preparing a request for relay testing pricing for the bulk electric system substations. An update was given on the status of substation land acquisition and the progress of right of way acquisition for transmission projects. The Board

approved the vacation of a blanket easement upon execution of the new easement for current electrical facilities located at the McKenzie County Hospital/Good Shepherd Home site.

MEMBER SERVICE REPORT. The Annual meeting recap was reviewed and discussed. MEC staff assisted the Killdeer community with cleanup efforts after the July 10th hail storm by cleaning debris and leaves from the local park, around the Hilltop Home and at several residences in town.

NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date was set for August 30, 2016 at the Watford City Headquarters building.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. n

Board report

Tescher

Link

Hanna

Thompson

Wahlstrom

Sanford

Monsen

Houghton

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Wasem

908 4th Ave. NEWatford City, N.D. 58854

Phone: 701-444-9288Toll-free: 800-584-9239

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:Clayton Monsen, President Director, District 2B, Arnegard .................. 586-3336Travis Thompson, V. President Director, District 1C, Charlson ................. 675-2373 Upper Missouri Power Cooperative DirectorRondee Hanna, Sec.-Treas. Director, District 2C, Watford City ......... 675-2516Glen Houghton, Director At Large Director, District 3B, Grassy Butte ........... 863-6606 Tim Wasem, Statewide Director Director, District 3C, Halliday ................... 938-4376Cameron Wahlstrom Director, District 1A, Alexander ............... 770-6631Ken Sanford Director, District 1B, Watford City .......... 842-2581Ray Tescher Director, District 3A, Beach ....................... 565-2342Chris Link Director, District 2A, Alexander ............... 651-6524

CEO:John Skurupey701-570-3542

Web page: http://www.mckenzieelectric.com

Email: [email protected]


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