A Road Trip Into PEC's Netherlands

By Linda Kaye Rogers

Most PEC members do not realize that we have a huge service area in Kimble county (Junction is the county seat) and parts of surrounding counties.

In 2000, Kimble Electric Coop merged with PEC. This area is as big as the original PEC service area, constitutes almost 25 percent of the line and pole distribution and services about 7,000 members. Like all the Hill Country, it is growing. Currently most of the service is to the rural areas and ranches. And, since the merger, the area has not had a voting director on the PEC Board. Instead, they were given a non-voting Advisory Director and lumped into District 5, which includes Blanco, Johnson City, Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay. This remains an issue of contention with the locals.

With this knowledge, I thought a road trip was in order to the outer reaches of PEC territory. My intent was to visit with members and get their input on the current situation in PEC and to do a little campaigning. Candidate Eric Stratton from District 3 heard my plan and asked to come along. So off we went to the “Land of Living Waters” (Junction area) following the May 1 Candidates' Forum in Johnson City. An interesting fact about this area is that it serves as the main transit point for PEC's renewable West Texas wind energy source.

We started our first day with breakfast at the Sunshine Cafe, where owner Karen greeted us and allowed us to visit with customers. Right away we became aware of the savvy of the locals. They had all the information that was being reprinted from the Austin Statesman in their local Junction Eagle. And their questions and concerns were no different from what has been voiced everywhere else. We were a little early for the Chamber of Commerce, so we stopped by the Junction National Bank where President Rob Roy Spiller greeted us and steered us to other gathering places for locals. While there, Connie Booth from the chamber asked us to leave our campaign info and then gave us greater insight into the delights of the area. Pretty soon we were having a very good time.

Next stop was the Junction PEC office where we met Doug Hanes, the local manager. Doug was very helpful in answering our questions and furthering our education on the history of PEC in the area. We learned that when Kimble Electric merged with PEC, the lines were still cedar posts with frayed wires and service was rather “iffy." No wonder that everywhere we went we heard praises for the great service provided by PEC.

During lunch at the Senior Citizens Center we heard some real history of the area and PEC. George and Carol Wright shared their concerns regarding the settlement (George and Carol didn't like the idea that no one on the current PEC Board of Directors was being held accountable) and we heard more of the anger and frustration regarding the actions and behavior of PEC's previous top management.

Everyone wanted to know why they do not have a full vote on the PEC Board. We were unable to answer this question – it remains a secret probably hidden somewhere in PEC archives. We spent some time speculating and Mr. Wright said he thought it was the fault of the KEC management who did not take care of its members when they "sold out" or merged with PEC. This may well be the origination of the problem, but that was eight years ago. During the day we repeatedly heard this “why” question. I had discussed this issue with new PEC General Manager Juan Garza prior to making the trip, so I was in a position to share a possible resolution. Eric and I also discussed it and eagerly shared our proposed resolution with members.

The entire day was spent moving from one local business to another: the Super S Food Store, the lumber yard, the feed store/general store and both beauty shops. At the Tip Top Beauty Shop, Mrs. Murr shared her pride in Senator Troy Fraser, who is the brother of her son-in-law.We had a quick rush into the Junction First State Bank, where president John Murr greeted us and supported our efforts.

Everywhere we were met with delight that "someone” was paying attention to them as PEC members. We ended the day with a fabulous fish fry at the local Baptist Church. Here we ran into several retired and current PEC employees. And for the first time we began to hear some of the anxiety employees are experiencing in response to the changes and unknown future changes. Eric and I both began citing the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” routine. PEC Staff and service are not the issues and therefore do not need to be messed with at all. We attempted to assure them that this is the thinking of all the board candidates. It is clearly recognized that the problems are at the top, not in the rank and file. We hope we were successful in this endeavor.

The second day sent us up the road to Rock Springs. Along the way we stopped and talked to some fellows unloading a trailer. Turns out we were talking to County Commissioner Jame Epperson! At the Super S Food Store, about the only action in town, we met with a few of the ranchers who were coming in for supplies.Then we moved on to the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the fair grounds. Here we were greeted by the Mayor, and her husband, the County Judge. We also spent quite a bit of time talking with other local officials, including candidates for City Council and Sheriff. We munched on homemade flautas and sipped fresh melon water.

Linda Kaye Rogers grew up on a small family farm in the Rio Grande Valley. She received her BA and Masters of Science in Social Work from UT Arlington. She has taught smoking cessation, communication skills, stress management and parenting in hospitals, corporations, community groups and churches. Linda Kaye moved to Wimberley in 2000 where she built a straw-bale cottage and immediately established a rainwater collection system as her water supply. That same year she began volunteering at the Katherine Anne Porter School and has worked in various capacities at the school. She is an avid organic gardener, animal lover, conservationist, and environmentalist. In 2005 she spearheaded efforts to defeat a road bond that would have benefited a developer and cost Woodcreek North residents a dramatic and 20-year tax increase. Linda Kaye is a member of PEC4u, the group of PEC members who initiated the investigation of PEC Board governance and practice.