From the by M.D. Fletcher |
December 2011 |
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This is the last column I'll write for Columbus Currents. For the past 24 years or so, I've written one of these just about every month, so doing the math… lessee, that's 24 years times 12 months a year more or less, times the inflation figure divided by my birth weight, then you have to carry the naught… well, let's just say that's a bunch of columns. When I washed ashore here back in 1987, one of the many things the Cooperative didn't have was a way to communicate with its members on a regular basis. So we figured it would be a good idea to produce a newsletter for that purpose and just like that, Columbus Currents was born. It didn't cost much; just a single piece of paper printed on both sides and stuffed into each bill. But the inescapable problem with bill stuffers was the simple fact that very, very few people ever actually read them. They were most often immediately consigned to the kitchen trash and the money the Cooperative spent on them would therefore be wasted. So the back side of the newsletter became From the Manager's Desk and I started sharing my opinions with the membership on a variety of topics, mostly regarding the utility business, but not always. It wasn't long before some members noticed that instead of the sanitized company line usually featured in bill stuffers, I was instead sometimes rather candid – some might say outrageous - in my opinions. For my part, I thought I was simply telling what I perceived to be the truth. As it turns out, that was an unusual thing to do. So one member would tell another member, and that member would tell another, and so on and so forth, and eventually the definitely non-slick Columbus Currents became a popular monthly diversion to accompany the normally painful process of paying the light bill. Even those members that took vociferous exception to whatever sacred cow I had most recently desecrated still faithfully read the column, if for no other reason than to find even more material to fuel their indignation. I tried not to disappoint them. Aside from occasionally blurting the awkward truth, I tended to look at each column as a letter to home from an often bewildered traveler in an increasingly strange land. I've always considered the Cooperative as my family and my observations not unlike conversations around the dinner table. Humor was always an important ingredient and so was a fond regard for my reader. |
The most frequently asked question to me was how in the world I got away with it. The answer was simple: much to their credit the Board of Trustees let me. That's not to say they didn't have their concerns. Especially in the beginning, there was some squirming going on around the board table when I took on some political issues that I felt were important to the Cooperative but sure to tread upon certain extremely sensitive toes. But in the final tally, the Board recognized that the cooperative movement in this country was forged in political warfare and that battle will forever continue as long as we persevere as a viable and vibrant business model. The membership should be proud of the courage and leadership displayed by our Board of Trustees for all these years. I have been blessed to have worked for such fine men and women. We've accomplished much since 1987. We've made Columbus Electric an effective and efficient electric distribution cooperative with strong financial records, a dedicated, knowledgeable and ethical staff and a bright future. Every decision we've made was predicated on the well-being of our membership. My role in this project has been largely that of a cheerleader and it's difficult for me to express my appreciation for the faith shown in me by my Board and my employees. Most important to me are the members. I've come to know many of you personally and I want to thank you for your patience, support and understanding. We had some good times and some bad times and we celebrated and suffered through it all together. We are better for it now and while the future will undoubtedly present its own challenges, we are bigger and better than anything it may throw at us. I have to go now. I'm looking forward to whatever may be the next passage for me but I will always look back upon these years with great affection and no small amount of satisfaction from whatever positive contribution I may have made in this organization. I wish you all the very best. Goodbye. |
