P.O. Box 1335, 3230 N. 14th Ave. Dodge City, KS 67801 620-227-2139 www.victoryelectric.net thE Victory ElEctric coopEratiVE electronews

the Victory Electric FROM THE MANAGER cooperative assn., inc. an honor to serve the membership It has been my honor to Board of trustees serve the members of Vic- Kenny Wehkamp tory electric. As I prepare I would like to thank President to retire, I would like to John Leis the membership and Vice President thank the membership and Pat Morse the community for their community for their Secretary/Treasurer Cedric Drewes support. support over the years. Trustee Victory electric Jim Imel originally began as a small Trustee Gary Gillespie electric co-op serving farms ness to go the extra mile to Trustee and rural customers. Our ensure our success. Terry Janson Terri Larson Trustee fi rst offi ce was in a Dodge I have no doubt I am Richard Lightner City shed. We soon moved leaving Victory in capable more responsibility is put Trustee to a small offi ce on Wyatt hands. The employees at upon Victory electric’s Loren Ochs Trustee earp. The offi ce at our cur- Victory are loyal and as board of trustees in making Randy Quint rent location was built in dedicated to the commu- decision regarding rates. Trustee 1976 and expanded to the nity as they are to Victory The board of trustees is ac- Ken Schulte Trustee current offi ce in 2009. electric. Many employees countable to the members Daryl Tieben When I started in serve the community of the cooperative. Trustee 1971, Victory electric had through volunteer work, Victory electric is staff revenues of $628,610 and civic clubs and we even owned and controlled by Terry Janson the wholesale kWh cost have employees serving the members its serves. As CEO was $0.0093. In 2012, we as mayors, school board an electric cooperative, the Karla Durrant had revenues of more than members and a county membership elects trustees Mgr of Finance and Admin. Tom Lowery $60 million and a wholesale commissioner. annually to serve on the Director of Operations kWh cost of $0.0614. I am As a fi nal note, I may board of trustees. each Ryan Miller Supervisor of Operations grateful to have had the be leaving, but there are trustee is a member of the Mike Clark opportunity to be a part of still a few issues Victory cooperative and elected Manager of Purchasing/Stores the growth and success of electric will be facing in the from districts within the Greg Underwood Manager of Engineering our small electric coop- future. The most immediate service area. Jerry King erative. It is because of the being deregulation. In my A rate case under Marketing and Communications support of the community opinion, deregulation would regulation would probably Monica Lampe Human Resources and Victory’s dedicated and be a positive move for the cost between $500,000 Jim Meis committed employees con- membership of Victory and $750,000, and those Mgr of Electricians tinue to show the willing- electric. With deregulation, costs are passed on to Jerri Imgarten Editor Continued on page 20-B f

SepTeMBer 2013 KaNsas couNtry liViNG 20-a ElEctroNEws from thE Victory ElEctric coopEratiVE

an honor to serve touching hearts Victory Electric and Dodge city Days parade fContinued from page 20-A Dodge City Dollies Club Celebrating 30 years the member in the rates. Under Age is just a number in the deregulation, the fees would run world of dolls. Young and between $20,000 and $35,000 for old, many women in Dodge rate studies. City, Garden City and the Deregulation eliminates the surrounding area enjoy get- need for legal representation at ting together for monthly hearings and fees associated with “Dollies” meetings to discuss fi ling for a rate case. The diff er- dolls, community service ence in cost could be more than and enjoy the fellowship of 2,000 percent if we continue to be other doll enthusiasts. 1. Train driver extraordinaire, regulated. The Dodge City Dollies Steve Day. 2. Martha Ruiz and The board of trustees will raise are celebrating their 30th kids Aubrey, Austin and Aydin. 3. CEO Terry Janson on his rates only to meet the debt service anniversary on September throne in the bucket truck. 4. and fi nancial covenants of the 14, by hosting a celebratory Marissa Day and Autumn Klein cooperative. All rates are available doll show. The event will sporting their mustaches. 5. Jer- on our website and in our offi ce for be held at the First Church emy Pruitt and family. 6. Noah members to see and discuss at any of God (1701 Central Ave, Day, Derrick Sprott and Tyler Pruitt handed out candy to time with the board of trustees, Dodge City) from 10 a.m. to the parade crowds. 7. Magaly, CeO or Victory staff . This gives 3 p.m. The doll show will Myrka and Maryah Morales. 8. members an input on any increase feature many vendors selling Victory teamed up with the in rates as well as any future rate dolls and doll accessories. Aquatic Park Task Force for a Pictured are Dodge City Dollies members, Mary Lou water themed fl oat. 9. The Vic- increases. “There will be a variety Zerr, Pat Anders and Barbara Halbgewachs. tory Electric group. Deregulation from the juris- of dolls at the show,” said diction of the Kansas Corporation Barbara Halbgewachs, Dollies secre- feel of a doll in my arms. Dolls have Commission will not lessen the tary/treasurer. “We are hoping to have the ability to touch hearts and bring commitment to the quality of demonstration on building dollhouses people together.” service the Victory electric trustees, and rooms and also show a short fi lm Zerr also communicated that management and employees have produced using dolls.” dolls are for all ages and believes they held and continue to hold. Dolls attract women for many provide a great opportunity for moth- It has been my pleasure to diff erent reasons, but many times ers and daughters or grandmothers serve the members of Victory elec- there is a common theme. and granddaughters to bond over a tric and the wonderful communities “The one common reason I hear common interest. we serve. I only hope to continue among many older women is she only The Dollies Club is much more to serve in the future. had one doll as a child growing up than dolls; community service is also ‘Til Next Time, TJ and in many cases that doll was bro- at the heart of the organization. ken or given away,” said Halbgewachs. “Although we are a doll club, we Join Victory online! “She may see a similar doll later in life also commit to being good citizens and it brings back memories. Once a and giving back to our communities,” Visit us at www. woman purchases a doll, many of the Halbgewachs said. “We adopt a family victoryelectric.net ladies choose to continue and build a in need every Christmas, donate to to pay your bill collection.” Methodist Youthville of Dodge City, and fi nd energy Dolls bring back memories and and we have donated books about calculators–just to are a creative outlet for many Dollies dolls to several local libraries.” name a few tools! members. The Dodge City Dollies Club Find us “I just love dolls,” said Mary Lou started in 1983. The club meets at 6:30 on Facebook at Zerr, Dollies member. “I love the way on the fi rst Monday of the month facebook.com/ they are created and the clothes they at the Dodge City Senior Center. For VictoryElectric for wear. Certain dolls catch my eye and more information on the doll club or updates and energy effi ciency tips. remind me of one of my children. My how to join, please contact Barbara children are all grown, so I like the Halbgewachs at 620-227-3950.

20-B KaNsas couNtry liViNG SepTeMBer 2013 ElectroNews from The Victory Electric Cooperative

Touching Hearts Victory Electric and Dodge City Days Parade Dodge City Dollies Club Celebrating 30 years

1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Train driver extraordinaire, Steve Day. 2. Martha Ruiz and kids Aubrey, Austin and Aydin. 3. CEO Terry Janson on his throne in the bucket truck. 4. Marissa Day and Autumn Klein sporting their mustaches. 5. Jer- emy Pruitt and family. 6. Noah Day, Derrick Sprott and Tyler Pruitt handed out candy to the parade crowds. 7. Magaly, Myrka and Maryah Morales. 8. Victory teamed up with the Aquatic Park Task Force for a Pictured are Dodge City Dollies members, Mary Lou water themed float. 9. The Vic- Zerr, Pat Anders and Barbara Halbgewachs. tory Electric group. 5. 6. feel of a doll in my arms. Dolls have the ability to touch hearts and bring people together.” Zerr also communicated that dolls are for all ages and believes they provide a great opportunity for moth- ers and daughters or grandmothers and granddaughters to bond over a common interest. The Dollies Club is much more than dolls; community service is also at the heart of the organization. 7. 8. “Although we are a doll club, we also commit to being good citizens and giving back to our communities,” Halbgewachs said. “We adopt a family in need every Christmas, donate to Methodist Youthville of Dodge City, and we have donated books about dolls to several local libraries.” The Dodge City Dollies Club started in 1983. The club meets at 6:30 on the first Monday of the month at the Dodge City Senior Center. For more information on the doll club or how to join, please contact Barbara Halbgewachs at 620-227-3950. 9.

September 2013 Kansas Country LivinG 20-C ElectroNews from The Victory Electric Cooperative Pinkerton, Wise & Bittel Attend Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp Victory Electric sent local students refund, they Byrum Bittel, Spearville; Aaron made donations Everly Wise Pinkerton, Dodge City; and to the Tourette’s The trip to Steamboat Springs, CO, was anything but boring! From Everly Wise, Fowler; to Steamboat Syndrome the very beginning, we were put on a bus filled with other kids from Springs, CO, along with 29 other high Foundation and Kansas and Oklahoma. I’m a very shy person at first, and wasn’t to school students from Kansas. the Muscular sure about how I felt about it, but it was quite an experience. I met “Victory Electric is proud to Dystrophy Asso- one of the ambassadors first, and we sat on the bus and talked the support the Cooperative Leadership ciation Founda- whole way until we reached the next stop. The bus ride was so long, Camp and send our youth to learn tion. There are but once everyone started getting to know each other, it was great! first-hand how cooperatives function,” students who I definitely made life-long friends just from the bus ride alone. said Terry Janson, CEO. “Our hope attended camp At camp, we elected a board of directors and a general is that local students will gain some this year with manager just like a cooperative. We learned how different types of awareness of how our electric coop- these disabilities. electricity are generated, from wind turbines to coal power plants. erative works and how important it The camp- We experienced a voltage display, which showed me how dangerous is for the youth to be involved in our ers also took a lineman’s job is, and how important it is to check safety factors community.” part in legislative before you mess with the wires. The students joined youth from presentations, From day-to-day, we had many different activities planned for Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming a high voltage From left: Everly Wise, Byrum Bittel and Aaron Pinkerton pose at us. We went river rafting (which was a ton of fun...even if you did at the Cooperative Youth Leadership safety demon- Lookout Mountain in Colorado. get soaked), played sand volleyball, toured a power plant, visited Camp, July 13-19, 2013. stration and a Fish Creek Falls, made a short skit/commercial, danced the night While in Colorado, the students competition to build a model trans- I met will be with me for a very long away, and had a barbeque. learned about cooperatives by creat- mission line from craft supplies. They time.” Without realizing it, I learned that Touchstone Energy Coop- ing a “candy cooperative.” When the also toured the Craig Power Plant and Pinkerton, Wise and Bittel were eratives are all non-for-profit, and any left-over money the co-op students arrived at camp, they paid Trapper Mine. selected from a group of high school makes goes back to the members. We built a minature diarama membership dues, established a board “Working on projects as a small applicants by Victory Electric. To win demonstrating how electricty gets to members by traveling through of trustees and selected a general group, such as the model transmission this trip, high school juniors were the lines after it was generated. I don’t think I would have ever manager who held daily membership system took a great deal of coopera- asked to submit a résumé, take a 35 learned that from just sitting in school. meetings. At the end of the week, tion and teamwork,” Pinkerton said. question quiz on cooperatives, and in- This trip was truly remarkable and I know I have made friends the group decided how to handle any “Growing together through activity terview with judges. Victory sponsors from Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma that I will never profit margins. The students earned a also led our group to be the volleyball the trip of three students each year. forget. My favorite part of this trip was making new friends, not $194 margin from their co-op canteen. tournament champs! Winning the For more information, contact Jerri only from my own group, but also everyone who came up to just Rather than receive a capital credit tournament and the amazing people Imgarten at 620-370-7730. talk to you. I am very thankful I was able to go on this trip, and I hope everyone who goes in the future loves it as much as I did.

Byrum Bittel The Electric Cooperative Leadership Camp was a great learning experi- ence for me and all who attended. I learned a lot about the cooperatives and had fun along the way. One of the highlights of the trip was being elected to the cooperative board of directors. Being a board member taught me to understand how our local cooperative, Victory Electric, works. It does take time and there are a lot of decisions to be made. White water rafting was an experience I may have never thought was possible. But it was possible, and I made down the river even though my boat dominated the water fight. We had many guest speakers but my favorite was the mock leg- islative simulation presented by Randy Dwyer and Amanda Wolfe from NRECA. In this simulation, each group got to make decisions like they The 2013 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp delegation included more than 100 students who couldn’t contain their excitement when were a freshman member of congress. It showed just how hard it is to posing at their camp in Steamboat Springs, CO. be a politician. I have made many new friends and I believe the kids

20-D Kansas Country Living September 2013 ElectroNews from The Victory Electric Cooperative Pinkerton, Wise & Bittel Attend Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp Everly Wise Aaron Pinkerton The trip to Steamboat Springs, CO, was anything but boring! From My trip to Steam- the very beginning, we were put on a bus filled with other kids from boat was one of Kansas and Oklahoma. I’m a very shy person at first, and wasn’t to the most incredible sure about how I felt about it, but it was quite an experience. I met opportunities I have one of the ambassadors first, and we sat on the bus and talked the ever experienced. whole way until we reached the next stop. The bus ride was so long, At first, I was but once everyone started getting to know each other, it was great! extremely anxious I definitely made life-long friends just from the bus ride alone. to go on the trip so At camp, we elected a board of directors and a general far away, for a whole manager just like a cooperative. We learned how different types of week, with people I electricity are generated, from wind turbines to coal power plants. didn’t know. When We experienced a voltage display, which showed me how dangerous camp ended, I would a lineman’s job is, and how important it is to check safety factors tell you even the Aaron (second from left in back) and his before you mess with the wires. long bus rides were small group were the proud winners of From day-to-day, we had many different activities planned for fun; I knew these the sand volleyball tournament. From left: Everly Wise, Byrum Bittel and Aaron Pinkerton pose at us. We went river rafting (which was a ton of fun...even if you did people and had formed strong bonds with many of them; and that a Lookout Mountain in Colorado. get soaked), played sand volleyball, toured a power plant, visited week wasn’t long enough. Fish Creek Falls, made a short skit/commercial, danced the night My small group, was an amazing team. Together we did activities I met will be with me for a very long away, and had a barbeque. throughout camp, ate together, worked together, and we even won time.” Without realizing it, I learned that Touchstone Energy Coop- the camp volleyball tournament together! Pinkerton, Wise and Bittel were eratives are all non-for-profit, and any left-over money the co-op Another great group of people were the ones I shared my cabin selected from a group of high school makes goes back to the members. We built a minature diarama with. Living with those guys was a blast, and we made some pretty applicants by Victory Electric. To win demonstrating how electricty gets to members by traveling through great breakfast burritos, if I do say so myself. this trip, high school juniors were the lines after it was generated. I don’t think I would have ever I rafted with a whole different group from the previous two, and asked to submit a résumé, take a 35 learned that from just sitting in school. then there were even more friends you spend time with on the long question quiz on cooperatives, and in- This trip was truly remarkable and I know I have made friends bus rides. terview with judges. Victory sponsors from Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma that I will never I think its safe to say what had the most impact on me from the trip of three students each year. forget. My favorite part of this trip was making new friends, not camp would be getting to know so many incredible people, and form- For more information, contact Jerri only from my own group, but also everyone who came up to just ing relationships with these people through the activities we did at Imgarten at 620-370-7730. talk to you. I am very thankful I was able to go on this trip, and I camp. I am very blessed to have been given this opportunity and will hope everyone who goes in the future loves it as much as I did. remember it for many years to come.

Byrum Bittel The Electric Cooperative Leadership Camp was a great learning experi- attending this camp were outstanding teenagers, leaving our coopera- ence for me and all who attended. tives to a bright future. I learned a lot about the cooperatives and had fun along the way. One of the highlights of the trip was being elected to the cooperative board of directors. Being a board member taught me to understand how our local cooperative, Victory Electric, works. It does take time and there are a lot of decisions to be made. White water rafting was an experience I may have never thought was possible. But it was possible, and I made down the river even though my boat dominated the water fight. We had many guest speakers but my favorite was the mock leg- islative simulation presented by Randy Dwyer and Amanda Wolfe from NRECA. In this simulation, each group got to make decisions like they The 2013 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp delegation included more than 100 students who couldn’t contain their excitement when were a freshman member of congress. It showed just how hard it is to posing at their camp in Steamboat Springs, CO. be a politician. I have made many new friends and I believe the kids Byrum (center) and the members of his small group

September 2013 Kansas Country LivinG 20-E ElEctroNEws from thE Victory ElEctric coopEratiVE

Victory Electric Bill co-op connections card protect your home from Electrical fires A new Co-op Connections Card ar- each year, electrical failures and payment options rived last month in members’ mail- malfunctions cause 43,900 home fi res, boxes. The card connects you with resulting in 438 deaths, 1,430 injuries, discounts on everything from hotel and $1.47 billion in property damage. stays to prescription drugs. The card But many home electrical fi res can be also gives you access to online savings prevented simply by understanding at more than 95 national retailers like basic electrical safety principles and Barnes&Noble.com, Hertz rental Cars, following safe practices. Best Western hotels and proFlowers. This year’s Fire prevention Week com. You can check out these great where that Co-op Connections cards campaign–Oct. 6-12–focuses on Pay your bill online at www. national discounts at www.connec- are taken. More than 350 electric kitchen fi res. The electrical Safety victoryelectric.net, at our offi ce, by mail tions.coop. cooperatives all across the United Foundation International (eSFI) and or at any of our pay stations. One of the most valuable States participate in this program, the National Fire protection Associa- Victory Electric has several convenient features of the Co-op Connections with thousands of businesses off ering tion (NFpA) have teamed up to off er options for you, the member, to pay Card is the pharmacy discount. While discounts. More businesses are being safety tips to help protect your home your bill. it is not insurance, the discount can added every day. The benefi ts of your and family: In addition to paying in our offi ce mean savings of 10 to 60 percent card are local, but also national - so fSafety should always be the top pri- or by mail, options include online bill pay on prescription drugs. The logo and the cards can be used while visiting ority when working with electricity. at www.victoryelectric.net, drop boxes at information on the back of your card other states or other parts of Kansas. eSFI recommends that a qualified, li- Victory Electric and City of Dodge City, is recognized at more than 60,000 na- Look for window and/or register censed electrician perform all home and a pay station at Mr. Payroll, 400 E tional, regional, and local pharmacies. stickers to identify local participating electrical work in compliance with Wyatt Earp. You can use you card any- businesses. local and national safety standards. ffConsider having your circuit break- CFL Charlie Says ers replaced with arc fault circuit “Come Get Your Free CFL!” Check out these Local Discounts interrupters (AFCIs), which provide with the Co-op Connections Card enhanced electrical fire protec- This month’s lucky win- tion by detecting dangerous arcing ners are... Luis Zaldivar, Jeff ery ff4 aNGEls BoutiQuE–10% off ffla QuiNta iNN aND conditions. jewelry suitEs–10% off the BAR rate. Not dis- Wright, Amy S Winsor, Julio E ffMake sure all electrical panel ffacKErmaN computErs–10% counts for 3i Shows/Roundup Rodeo events Victorio, Earl Tompkins, Caroline off labor fflaNG DiEsEl, iNc.–10% off parts circuits are properly labeled. Always Romero, Michael Pelton, ffBailEys BoDy shop– 5% off parts ffmy-D haN-D., iNc.–10% off grain, replace fuses or circuit breakers with Matthew Lobmeyer and and labor hay and cattle equipment Chester Droste. Come by ffBElla italia–10% off ffrEGis saloN–10% off Victory Electric Cooperative to ffBoot hill BED aND BrEaK- ffscott's auto shop–10% off oil, Victory Electric launches redesigned website get your free compact fl uores- fast–15% off fi lter and lube. 10% discount on Traxxas radio Victory electric recently launched our updated website at cent light bulb (CFL). Every month ffcarlos Boots–10% off controlled vehicles and Traxxas parts. www.victoryelectric.net. Victory Electric will be giving ffDoDGE city ymca–Corporate rates ffsophia’s–10% off handbags The new design maintains all of the functionality of the previ- members free CFL light bulbs. with proof of being a Co-op Connections card ffstarr computEr solu- ous site, but boasts a new modern look. In addition to the changes Congratulations winners! holder tioNs–Three months free for new alarm in the design of the website, more information and resources were monitoring contracts (standard service) ffDulcE laNDia– 5% off piñatas and made available to our members. bouce houses ffsuNflowEr crEatioNs–7.45% Links are available to our online e-bill site, electrical safety in- health fair scheduled ffflatlaND Graphics– Free digitiz- off any new BERNINA sewing machine or 10% formation, energy effi ciency tips, and more. It also lists the coopera- The 6th Annual Victory Electric ing on pocket sized embroidery off regular fabric, books, notions, patterns, and embroidery supplies tive bylaws and tariff s. Community Health Fair has been ffflowErs By irENE–20% off (exclud- ffthE mattrEss huB–20% off bed Another new feature of the website is a feed showing Vic- scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2013. ing wire orders) ff sets $399 and up. Not valid with any other tory electric’s Facebook posts. It also allows you a direct link to our It will be held in a new location this year harDrocK saND & GraVEl, llc– 10% off materials, excluding delivery rebates, discounts or special off ers. (Off er ex- Facebook page. cludes Tempur-Pedics) Dodge City and Garden at the Western State Bank Expo center in ff Jim's auto salEs & salVaGE– City locations only All of Victory electric’s members received their Co-op Con- Dodge City. 5% off towing services ff nections Card in last month’s Kansas Country Living magazine. If The Health Fair will feature fl u shots, ff tropical islaND taN aND K. martiN JEwElEr– 20% off regu- fitNEss–No enrollment fees on fi tness you want to know more about the card and the discounts off ered blood screenings, hearing screenings, and lar priced merchandise (this does not include ff at local businesses, the new site has a whole page dedicated to the much more. We hope to see you there! items already on layaway) watErs truE ValuE–$5 off a $30 purchase Co-op Connections Card.

20-f KaNsas couNtry liViNG SepTeMBer 2013

Continuacion pagina 20-G f ElectroNews from The Victory Electric Cooperative

Co-op Connections Card Protect Your Home from Electrical Fires Each year, electrical failures and the correct size and amperage. malfunctions cause 43,900 home fires, ffKeep the area around the electrical resulting in 438 deaths, 1,430 injuries, panel clear so you can easily shut and $1.47 billion in property damage. off power in an emergency. But many home electrical fires can be ffEvery month, use the TEST button prevented simply by understanding to check that ground fault circuit basic electrical safety principles and interrupters (GFCIs) at outlets and following safe practices. AFCIs are working properly. This year’s Fire Prevention Week ffBe mindful of warning signs of an where that Co-op Connections cards campaign–Oct. 6-12–focuses on electrical problem, such as outlets are taken. More than 350 electric kitchen fires. The Electrical Safety and switches that are warm or make cooperatives all across the United Foundation International (ESFI) and crackling, sizzling, or buzzing noises. home. States participate in this program, the National Fire Protection Associa- ffRegularly check cords, outlets, ffTest smoke alarms every month by with thousands of businesses offering tion (NFPA) have teamed up to offer switches, and appliances for signs pushing the TEST button. discounts. More businesses are being safety tips to help protect your home of damage. Do not use damaged ffCreate a family fire escape plan that added every day. The benefits of your and family: electrical devices. includes two ways out of each room. card are local, but also national - so ffSafety should always be the top pri- ffDo not use extension cords on a ffPick an easy-to-find meeting place the cards can be used while visiting ority when working with electricity. permanent basis, and never use outside, a safe distance from your other states or other parts of Kansas. ESFI recommends that a qualified, li- them with space heaters or AC units. home. Look for window and/or register censed electrician perform all home ffAvoid overloading outlets. ffPractice your escape plan by having stickers to identify local participating electrical work in compliance with ffDo not use lightbulbs that exceed at least two fire drills a year. One fire businesses. local and national safety standards. the recommended wattage of the drill should be at night while your ffConsider having your circuit break- light fixture or lamp. family is sleeping. ers replaced with arc fault circuit Despite your best efforts at ffIf anyone in your household is deaf, Check out these Local Discounts interrupters (AFCIs), which provide prevention, a fire could still happen. or if your own hearing is diminished, with the Co-op Connections Card enhanced electrical fire protec- Follow these tips to make sure your consider installing a smoke alarm tion by detecting dangerous arcing family is prepared to make a safe that uses a flashing light or vibration ffLa Quinta Inn and conditions. escape: to alert you to a fire emergency. Suites–10% off the BAR rate. Not dis- ff ff counts for 3i Shows/Roundup Rodeo events Make sure all electrical panel Install smoke alarms inside each Visit www.esfi.org for more elec- ffLang Diesel, Inc.–10% off parts circuits are properly labeled. Always bedroom, outside each sleeping trical safety information and for ESFI’s ffMy-D Han-D., Inc.–10% off grain, replace fuses or circuit breakers with area, and on every level of the Fire Prevention Week resources. hay and cattle equipment ffRegis Salon–10% off ffScott's Auto Shop–10% off oil, Victory Electric Launches Redesigned Website filter and lube. 10% discount on Traxxas radio Victory Electric recently launched our updated website at controlled vehicles and Traxxas parts. www.victoryelectric.net. ffSophia’s–10% off handbags The new design maintains all of the functionality of the previ- ffStarr Computer Solu- ous site, but boasts a new modern look. In addition to the changes tions–Three months free for new alarm in the design of the website, more information and resources were monitoring contracts (standard service) made available to our members. ffSunflower Creations–7.45% off any new BERNINA sewing machine or 10% Links are available to our online e-bill site, electrical safety in- off regular fabric, books, notions, patterns, formation, energy efficiency tips, and more. It also lists the coopera- and embroidery supplies tive bylaws and tariffs. ffThe Mattress Hub–20% off bed Another new feature of the website is a feed showing Vic- sets $399 and up. Not valid with any other tory Electric’s Facebook posts. It also allows you a direct link to our rebates, discounts or special offers. (Offer -ex Facebook page. cludes Tempur-Pedics) Dodge City and Garden City locations only All of Victory Electric’s members received their Co-op Con- Kansas Country Living ffTropical Island Tan and nections Card in last month’s magazine. If Fitness–No enrollment fees on fitness you want to know more about the card and the discounts offered ffWaters True Value–$5 off a $30 at local businesses, the new site has a whole page dedicated to the You can view Victory’s new website at purchase Co-op Connections Card. www.victoryelectric.net

September 2013 Kansas Country LivinG 20-G Proteja Su Hogar Contra Incendios Eléctricos Cada año, fallas electicas y disfun- ffAsegúrese de que todos los A pesar de sus mejores esfuerzos ciones causan 43,900 incendios en circuitos del panel eléctrico están a la prevención, todavía podría ocurrir el hogar, resultando en 438 muertos, correctamente etiquetados. Siempre un incendio. Siga estos consejos para 1,430 lesiones y $1.47 billones en daños reemplace los fusibles o cortacir- asegurarse de que su familia está dis- a la propiedad. Pero muchos incendios cuitos con el tamaño correcto y puesta a hacer un escape seguro: eléctricos casero pueden prevenirse amperaje. ffInstale detectores de humo en simplemente por principios básicos de ffMantenga el área alrededor del cada habitación, fuera de cada área seguridad eléctrica de compresión y panel eléctrico claro así que usted de dormir y en cada nivel de la casa. seguir prácticas seguras. puede fácilmente apague la corriente ffRevisé las alarmas de humo cada Este año La Campaña de Preven- en caso de una emergencia. mes presionando el botón de ción de Incendios es la Semana del–6- ffCada mes, utilice el botón de prue- prueba. 12 de Octubre–se centra en fuegos de ba para comprobar que suelo inter- ffCrear un plan de escape de fuego la cocina. La Fundación Internacional ruptores (GFCI) en las salidas y AFCIs familiar que incluye dos maneras de de Seguridad Eléctrica (ESFI) y National están trabajando correctamente. salir de cada habitación. Fire Protection Association (NFPA) se ffSer consciente de las señales de ad- ffEscoge un lugar de encuentro fácil han asociado para ofrecer consejos de vertencia de un problema eléctrico, de encontrar afuera, a buena distan- seguridad para ayudar a proteger su como enchufes e interruptores que cia de su hogar. hogar y familia: están calientes o hacen ruido crujido, ffPracticar plan de escape al menos ffSeguridad siempre debe ser la máx- chisporroteando o zumbido. dos simulacros al año. Debe ser un ima prioridad cuando se trabaja con ffCompruebe regularmente los cables, simulacro de incendio en la noche electricidad. ESFI recomienda que un enchufes, interruptores y aparatos mientras duerme tu familia. electricista calificado con licencia re- para detectar signos de daño. No ffSi alguien en su hogar es sordo, o alice todo el trabajo eléctrico casero utilice aparatos eléctricos dañados. si se disminuye su propia audien- en cumplimiento con las normas de ffNo utilice extensión de manera cia, considera la instalación de una seguridad locales y nacionales. permanente y nunca utilizarlos con alarma de humo que utiliza una luz ffConsiderar reemplazar los interrup- calefactores o acondicionadores de intermitente o la vibración para que tores con interruptores arco voltaico aire. le avise a un fuego de emergencia. (AFCIs), que proporciona protección ffEvite sobrecargar los enchufes. Visite www.esfi.org para más in- contra el fuego eléctrico mejorado ffNo utilice bombillas que superan la formación de seguridad eléctrica en el mediante la detección de condicio- potencia recomendada de la luminar- hogar y para los recursos de la semana nes peligrosas de voltaico. ia o lámpara. de prevención de incendios de ESFI. Jason Lutz Earns Journeyman Electrician Status Victory Elec- to take the Journeyman's Electri- certification. tric electrician, cal Exam, which is administered by While a journeyman is permit- Jason Lutz, individual states based on principles ted to perform a broad range of recently passed in the National Electrical Code. tasks, he or she is not permitted to the exam to After receiving certification, a obtain electrical permits or complete earn his journey- journeyman is permitted to work design work for electrical systems. man electrician unsupervised on any type of electri- In order to perform these tasks, the license in Kansas. cal system. He or she may install journeyman electrician must gain two Lutz has and repair wiring and conduit, install additional years of work experience, spent several fixtures and equipment, or run power then sit for the Master's Certification years working lines for municipal organizations. On Exam. Upon successful completion of Jason Lutz as an apprentice the residential side, a journeyman the Master's exam, an individual may and preparing for the exam. The electrician can perform all aspects design systems and even open his or path to becoming a journeyman of creating a complete electrical her own business. electrician starts when an individual system in a home. A journeyman Victory Electric would like to enters an apprenticeship program. electrician may also train others, extend congratulations to Jason for After four years, he or she is eligible typically apprentices, working toward his achievements!

20-H Kansas Country Living September 2013