United Electric

By Dianna Troyer

Minico High School agriculture teacher Brandi Milliron and her former stu-dents often laugh about life lessons they learned in her classes.

“Remember when we did a weld we were so proud of?,” asks U.S. Army medic Austin Garner, 23, while dropping in to visit Brandi in the school shop.

“You always said, ‘This looks really good. Run a twin. Only A-plus welds are acceptable here.’”

A self-described perfectionist, Brandi says she refuses to accept mediocrity.

“They need to do quality work con-sistently to help them develop self-confi-dence,” says Brandi, 40, who was hired at her alma mater in 2005. She replaced her father, Steve Bott, when he retired. “They need to have high expectations of them-selves no matter what career they choose after high school.”

“You never let us quit,” Austin says. “You always told us straight up what was on your mind even if we didn’t want to hear it.”

For Brandi, perfectionism paid off when she was her students’ age.

As a Minico High School junior, she

Firing up More Than a Welding TorchMinico ag teacher Brandi Milliron inspires students at her alma mater

Brandi Milliron sparks creativity and confidence with her welding instruction at Minico High School.Photo courtesy of Austin Garner

4 M AY 2016

won first place in the National Lincoln Arc Welding Contest for building a hydraulic lift to transfer a sow and litter to a farrowing shed.

Besides encouraging her students to set high standards for themselves, Brandi emphasizes the value of a firm handshake.

“I start classes shaking my students’ hand,” she says of the tradition her father started. “A former student has a success-ful career in sales and told me the impor-tance of making a good first impression with a handshake. She said she got com-pliments for her handshake.”

While Brandi hopes to impart life les-sons to her students, she says she will

always be a student herself.“One of the lessons I’ve learned is to

never say ‘never,’” she says. “God has used my never attitudes to guide my life and teach me.”

When Brandi started college, she did not intend to be a teacher.

“Animal genetics fascinated me, so I wanted a career in that field,” she says. “Then an adviser pointed out to me that those jobs were in cities. I’m not a city person and didn’t know what I wanted to do.”

Uncertain of a career, she came home for Christmas break and was reminiscing with high school friends.

“Some of them said they probably wouldn’t have graduated if it wasn’t for my dad encouraging them,” Brandi says. “That’s what made me decide to become a teacher.”

Since Brandi graduated from high school, the ag program has changed.

“Most of the kids used to have farming or ranching backgrounds, but not any-more,” she says. “About two-thirds of our students are from town, and that’s great.”

Along with welding, horticulture and livestock management, the program teaches entrepreneurship, public speaking

skills, leadership, and parliamentary procedure.

“Those skills are valuable wherever students live and whatever their careers,” she says.

Brandi says students who struggle academically often blossom in the ag program.

“They find something they’re good at in the shop and develop confidence,” she says.

Some students take every class offered in the program for four years.

“They become like family, and the shop is their second home,” she says.

Brandi says she never tires of watch-ing some students transform as they participate in the program’s numerous activities.

Gabe Branson, a junior, was shy and quiet when he enrolled in ag classes. He now is a leader and serves as secretary of the FFA chapter.

Gabe says he plans to be an ag teacher one day.

“She’s done a lot for me, so I’d like to do the same for others,” he says.

For Brandi, one of her biggest job perks is having students come back as adults to visit.

“That’s priceless to me,” she says. “I love my job and seeing how kids’ lives are changed through this program.” n

Brandi visits with former student Austin Garner, left, and student Emilee Taylor, above, as they discuss ag projects past and present.

Left, Brandi encourages students to set high expectations and focus on doing quality work.

M AY 2016 5

United Electric

United Electric Announcements

Summer Hours for United ElectricUnited Electric Co-op summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Offices are closed Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day.

Annual Meeting ReportOur annual meeting this year was great. Minico High School provided warm, comfortable seating, and the homemade soup and cinnamon rolls prepared by the Minidoka Food Service Association were delicious. Wheelchairs were again provided to help members travel from the cafeteria to the audi-torium with ease.

Dean Nielsen and Brent Bowen were re-elected to continue serving on the board of directors.

The amendment to the bylaw concerning capi-tal credits was approved by majority vote from the members. United Electric now has more flexibility when paying capital credits, which allows them to be returned to the cooperative’s longest-served mem-bers and also to the co-op’s newest members.

Congratulations to Cheryl Van Meter, who won the $500 shopping spree.

Do we have your new phone number?Many of you are moving to cellphone numbers and disconnecting your landline phones. Please keep us informed of your current phone number so you can be contacted in the event of planned outages or given other important information concerning your account. Update your phone number by calling the office at 679-2222.

Above, United Electric Co-op office staff from left, Carla Beck, Tami Hutchison, Liz Phillips, Trisha Moultrie and Denise Rollins are ready for annual meeting registration.

Below, board members Dean Nielsen, left, and Brent Bowen are ready for the meeting.

Linemen Frank Matthews, left, and Wade Williams, right, con-gratulate Cheryl Van Meter for winning the $500 shopping spree.

8 A P R I L 2016 8 M AY 2016

United Electric

May is National Electrical Safety MonthElectrical Safety Foundation International addresses common home electrical hazardsMay is National Electrical Safety Month. United Electric Co-op is teaming up with the Electrical Safety Foundation International to spearhead the annual effort to raise awareness of potential home electrical hazards and the impor-tance of electrical safety.

“Extension cord misuse and overbur-dened electrical systems are two of the main causes of home electrical fires,” says ESFI President Brett Brenner. “It is important to be aware of these common and preventable hazards, as well as other safety measures you can take to ensure that your home is electrically safe.”

The National Fire Protection Association estimates 47,700 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments each year involve some type of electrical malfunction as a factor con-tributing to ignition. These fires result in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries and more than $1 billion in property damage. Awareness

and education are critical to reduce the incidence of electrical fires, and ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to educate the public.

ESFI encourages the sharing of its campaign resources. It developed The National Electrical Safety Advocate Guide to provide the resources neces-sary to raise awareness of safe practices. Whether you want to educate a loved one or raise awareness in your community, school or workplace, this guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to be an electrical safety advocate and help cham-pion the cause of minimizing electrically related deaths and injuries.

Electrical safety awareness and education among consumers, families, employees and communities prevents electrical fires, injuries and fatalities. Visit www.esfi.org for more information about electrical safety.

Make the most of Electrical Safety Month by taking time to teach your loved ones about outlet safety.Photo by Mike Teegarden

M AY 2016 25

Please support these businesses that participate in the Co-op Connections Card program

Co-op Connections CardA&T Construction194 E 200 S, Rupert 436-07385 percent off labor.

Animal Medical Clinic284 S 600 W, Heyburn 679-45505 percent off all cash services.

Arby’s 594 N Overland Ave., Burley 678-842610 percent off purchase.

Barclay Mechanical Services Inc.100 S 490 W, Paul 438-81085 percent off metal purchase.

Barry Equipment & Rental159 W Hwy 30, Burley678-736810 percent off daily rates; 15 percent off select Walker and Bobcat parts.

Clayville Insulation250 E 100 S, Burley 678-97915 percent off existing residential insulation.

Clegg’s Service ’n RepairBrad Clegg, owner703 W Main, Burley 678-7697, Cell (208) 670-7624Lube, oil and filter; up to 5 quarts with card, $24.95.

Columbia Electric Supply Co.1027 Normal Ave., Burley 878-9035slockner@cesburley.comWholesale pricing on cash sales.

Connections Credit Union510 21st St., Heyburn233-5544New members receive a free welcome gift and $5 deposit.

D.L. Evans BankNorth Burley BranchSouth Burley BranchRupert Branch

• Free small business checking. • Complimentary Visa check debit/ATM card. • No annual fee Visa with a business checking account (upon approved credit). • Free introductory checks.Member FDIC

Farmers Corner202 S Highway 27, Burley 678-5130Free pop with gas purchase.

Greener Valley Computer2853 Overland Ave., Burley 678-09645 percent off in-store software.

Hansen Sign Co.1625 W 16th St., Burley 678-889210 percent off all sign work, including trucks. Custom T-shirt at $5+ tax—one per customer.

Larry’s Electric & Heating1133 Albion Ave., Burley 678-4071 www.larryselectric andheating.com10 percent discount on filters and light bulbs bought in the store.

Lee’s Furniture Clearance Outlet459 Overland Ave., Burley 878-4433Receive up to a 5 percent discount on purchase.Marble-N-Counters1321 E Main, Burley 878-60425 percent off marble jobs.

Mind & Body Wellness Center2207 Overland Ave., Burley 878-941820 percent off any services, 15 percent off nutrition. Free consultation for Ideal Protein Weight Loss program.

Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce1177 7th St., Heyburn679-4793www.minicassiachamber.com25 percent discount on all Idaho gifts and jewelry items, excluding consignment and sale items.

NAPA Auto Parts501 Overland Ave., Burley 678-83117 percent discount on regularly priced items.

Ponderosa Golf320 Minidoka Ave., Burley 679-5730$1 off green fees, Monday through Friday before 4 p.m.

Pro Paint Inc.1116 Overland Ave., Burley878-0856$5 off a $50 purchase.

Quality Tire Factory822 S Onieda, Rupert 436-39006 percent off regularly priced items.

Sears Burley2338 Overland Ave., Burley 878-8004Owned and operated by Ron and Judy Fowler10 percent off any regularly priced merchandise.

Skaggs FurnitureOverland Shopping Center, Burley 878-5100Discount of up to 50 percent on regularly priced items.

Snake River Bowl725 Minidoka Ave., Burley 679-269510 percent off regularly priced bowling, food or merchandise (league and tournament bowling excluded).

Stars Ferry Building Supplies20 S 300 W, Burley 678-5562Free hat with $100 cash purchase.

Sweetheart ManorOverland & 42nd St., Burley 678-869210 percent off invitations or 30 percent off if Sweetheart Manor is used for receptions and tuxedo rental.

Ted’s Diesel Electric1141 South Hwy 30, Heyburn 878-499110 percent discount once a month on any rebuilt starter, alternator or generator.

The Gathering Place524 6th St., Rupert436-045510 percent off purchases, excluding kits, batting and quilting machines.

28 M AY 2016

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United Electric

ID-29

UNITED ELECTRICCO-OP, INC.

UnitedElectricCo-op Inc.Directors President Bruce BeckVice President David PhillipsSec./Treas. Cordell SearleBrent BowenDean Nielsen Ronald Osterhout George TonerJohn R. West

General ManagerJo Elg

Engineering and OperationsTrevor Parke

Line SuperintendentDan Kidd

Executive AssistantPenny West

Manager of Finance and Admin.Curtiss Peterson

Community Relations ManagerChris Seibold

Mailing address:1330 21st St.Heyburn, ID 83336Phone: (208) 679-2222Fax: (208) 679-3333Email: uec@unitedelectric.coopWebsite: www.uec.coopO� ce hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After Hours: (208) 679-4444

Don’t Be Surprised!

Dial 811 toll free to be connected toIdaho’s statewide one-call center

Before picking up a shovel, pick up the telephone. Electric, water, sewer, natural gas, telephone and cable television lines often are buried underground. One wrong move can cause you and your neighbors to be cut o� from vital services—or cause death or injury to you, from an electric shock or an explosion. At least two business days before you plan to dig, call Idaho’s one-call center. A� ected utility companies will come out and use color-coded paint to mark the locations of underground utilities. Calling ahead not only is common sense, it is the law.

Know what’s below.Call before you dig.

Bruce Beck PresidentDavid Phillips Vice President Cordell Searle Sec./Treasurer

32 M AY 2016