OAKDALE ELECTRIC 87th ANNUAL MEETING
The 87th Annual Meeting for Oakdale Electric Cooperative (OEC) was held on Saturday, April 30, at Tomah Recreation Park.
Attendance was close to years prior to the pandemic with 100 registered members and 256 total members in attendance.
General Manager & CEO Chris Tackmann shared his remarks how the pandemic is still having an impact on co-op operations.
“Even though COVID appears to be behind us, there are still supply chain issues that we are dealing with,” Tackmann stated. “We are already looking at what our needs are for 2024 and looking at getting our orders in so we are ready.”
The co-op continues their commitment to community programs including $18,500 presented in scholarships last year. OEC also partnered with CoBank on the Sharing Success Donations program, which provided $20,000 to six community meal sites last year.
Tackmann opened the floor to member comments and questions. Much of the discussion related to the transition to clean energy and concerns about the lithium shortage and battery disposal.
“What is happening right now in our world – we can’t fix everything. But we need to do the best we can,” Board Chairman Richard Barrett stated.
Cooperative members had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote by absentee ballot prior to the meeting with 1,337 ballots cast in the contested director election. Incumbent Jonathan Williams ran unopposed for district 6 and was re-elected. In district 3, incumbent Gregory Eirschele was re-elected against opposing candidate Todd Scholz.
Five $100 bill credits were drawn and the winners are as follows: Allen Pasch, Tomah; Ray Wadinski, Wilton; Tom Ewing, Tomah; Bruce Palamaruk, Kendall; and Vincent King, La Valle.
Special guests in attendance was Oakdale Electric Cooperative’s attorney, Mary Beth Peraneau; Wisconsin State Representative, Nancy Vandermeer; and Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association representative, Julie Lund.
At the reorganizational meeting, all officer positions remained unchanged. They are as follows: board chairman, Richard Barrett; vice chairman, Gregory Eirschele; secretary, Jonathan Williams; treasurer, James Van Wychen; assistant secretary, Deana Protz; DPC director, Robert Hess; and alternate DPC director – Richard Barrett.
Refreshments and donuts were served prior to the meeting. Following the business meeting, members were given a cheese and sausage to-go snack and a $10 Kentucky Fried Chicken gift card.