Spoon River Electric shows cooperative spirit
Posted on 06-25-2010
Several Spoon River Electric employees, directors and the manager gave up a Saturday and volunteered to work on a project that made the electrical system at the Fulton County Fairgrounds safer and more reliable.
Even though the fairgrounds property is outside of Spoon River's territory, they decided it was a worthwhile project that would benefit members and other community members.
The work consists of two phases. This year was focused on the fairground's grandstand. Three large poles with low-hanging wires were removed and the wire was buried underground. New light fixtures were also installed to help illuminate the popular events in the grandstand and help save money with their energy efficiency.
"That wire was a safety hazard," said Bill Dodds, President/CEO of Spoon River Electric. "Kids would hang on the guy wires that supported those aging poles, and it would make the wires bounce. If it had ever fallen on the aluminum bleachers at the grandstand, people could have been really hurt."
"Service to community is important to cooperatives," said Dodd. "The Fulton County Fair is something that so many people here look forward to every year, and if we made it safer and more enjoyable, that's a rewarding thing for all of us."
