To protect the health and safety of its members and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative will be conducting its 84th annual meeting virtually this month instead of holding its traditional in-person annual meeting and member appreciation event.
The annual meeting and member appreciation day had been scheduled to take place July 28 during the Troy Fair at Alparon Park. Out of an abundance of caution, the co-op’s board of directors opted to cancel the public gathering and, instead, hold the annual meeting virtually. Subsequent to the board’s decision, fair officials announced the cancellation of this year’s Troy Fair.
Tri-County’s virtual annual meeting will take place at 1 p.m. July 29. Co-op members will be able to access the virtual meeting via the Tri-County website, www.tri-countyrec.com, as well as through the co-op’s Facebook page.
The virtual meeting will feature updates about Tri-County and the progress of its broadband internet project from Tri-County President & CEO Craig Eccher and board Chairman Matthew Whiting, approval of routine annual reports and the 2019 annual meeting minutes, as well as announcement of director election results.
Three incumbent board members, Nicholas Reitter of Genesee, Matthew S. Whiting of Lawrenceville, and Lowell W. Geiser of Germania, are running for re-election in an uncontested race this year.
Tri-County mailed director election ballots to members residing in eligible voting districts last month. Members in voting districts 3, 5 and 9 have the option to vote using mail-in ballots, online, or in person at the Tri-County REC headquarters building in Mansfield. Members participating in online voting have until noon July 21 to cast their ballot. If voting by mail, ballots must be received no later than July 21. In-person voting at the cooperative office will remain open until 4 p.m. July 28.
“We are disappointed that we will not be able to meet in person with our members at the Troy Fair this year,” Eccher said. “In keeping with our efforts to promote a culture of safety at the cooperative, we felt it was prudent to forego our traditional in-person annual meeting and member appreciation day. We appreciate our members’ understanding and patience during these challenging times and look forward to gathering again someday soon.”
