The North Central Electric (NCE) membership elected two incumbents and a challenger to its board of trustees in the cooperative’s first ever mail and online election. The winners of the 30-day election were announced at NCE’s annual meeting held June 12 at the Seneca County Fairgrounds, Tiffin.
Incumbents Steve Seitz, 62, and Ron Frisch, 62, held their districts while David S. Green, 30, won his district to unseat Randy Armstrong.
In District 1, David S. Green, 30, of Cranberry Township near New Washington defeated incumbent Randall D. Armstrong of Holmes Township in Crawford County. Green, is an account officer of Ag Credit. District 1 includes the cooperative’s service territory in Crawford and Richland County.
In District 5, incumbent Ronald P. Frisch, 62, of Eden Township in Seneca County defeated Jeffrey C. Fox of Clinton Township. Frisch begins his 12th year on the board. He is a crop and beef cattle farmer. District 5 includes Clinton, Eden, and Pleasant townships in Seneca County.
In District 2, Steven J. Seitz of Tymochtee Township in Wyandot County, ran unopposed. The Wyandot County Commissioner has been a member of the NCE board member since 2014. District 1 includes the cooperative’s service area in Wyandot County.
About 1,550 members and guests attended the Family Fun Day and Annual Meeting, including about 700 registered members. A total of 1,116 members cast ballots in the election, which represents nearly 14 percent of the cooperative’s membership.
“We went from about 350 people voting at the annual meeting to more than 1,100 this year,” said Duane Frankart, North Central Electric president in his address to the membership. “You are a part owner. We always say you have a say in how this cooperative operates by voting for your trustees. Under these new procedures, more people now have an opportunity to cast ballots.
General Manager Markus Bryant addressed the members to wrap up his last meeting with the members as he announced his intention to retire in the coming months. Bryant reminded the members and employees in attendance of the cooperative’s three major goals:
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- Provide highly reliable electric service
- Provide superior customer service
- Provide innovative energy solutions at competitive prices
Bryant cautiously stated that a several-year trend of decreasing number of total services is looking better. “Perhaps we have turned the corner with the increase of five services in 2016 and 13 in 2017.”
Even with such slow growth, Bryant said the cooperative spends $2.5 to $3 million annually to maintain the quality of service. More than 60 percent of the cooperative’s major power lines have been replaced since 2000.
As the board begins its national search for the retiring Bryant, he said he has been very fortunate to work with board members and hard-working employees committed to serving the members of NCE.
Bryant closed his remarks by thanking the cooperative members. “I’m thankful for the strong cooperative support of North Central shown by its members over the years, especially when called upon to help defend against costly and unnecessary legislation and regulations.”
North Central Electric serves about 9,650 member consumers in Seneca, Crawford, Wyandot, Richland, Huron, Sandusky, Hancock and Wood counties.
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