
Posts by: Matthew C. Deaton
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The power of preparation
Since September is National Preparedness Month— and because severe weather events seem to be occurring more frequently — consider planning for bad weather now before storms hit. I urge you not only to have enough food, water and supplies to last at least a few days, but to take other practical steps to keep you… Continue reading.

Restoring power safely and efficiently
This summer we have experienced several strong storms that have brought down trees and caused outages. In those circumstances, here are some common things we hear from our members: When the power goes out, how do Orange County REMC crews know where to start working? How do you know if an outage has been reported? … Continue reading.

Know the signs of a scam
It’s no secret that consumers with a water, gas or electricity connection have long been targets for utility scams, but fraudsters have changed their tactics since the COVID-19 pandemic. As consumers became more reliant on technology for work, school and commerce, scammers noted these shifts and adapted their tactics to this changed environment. Imposter scams… Continue reading.

New ways to use electricity
If you listen carefully, you can hear a quiet transformation happening. Electric appliances and equipment are becoming more popular than ever among consumers. Advancements in technology and battery power, coupled with decreasing costs in technology development, are winning over consumers looking for comparable utility and versatility. A bonus is that use of electric equipment is… Continue reading.

Orange County Fiber opens Jasper office
Available and affordable high-speed internet is one of the most needed services in underserved, rural locations. Similar to the way we began setting poles and stringing electric wire to bring energy to rural areas in the past, our Fiber division is expanding to provide high-speed internet service to more and more communities. I am pleased… Continue reading.

The power behind your power
You’ve likely noticed Orange County REMC’s crews out and about, working on power lines and other electrical equipment in our community. It’s no secret that a lineworker’s job is tough — but it’s a job that’s essential and must be done, often in challenging conditions. This month, as we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April… Continue reading.

What does it mean to serve?
In one of the most notable inaugural speeches given, John F. Kennedy spoke his famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” His inspiring words urged Americans to take actions that benefited the greater good. In essence, Kennedy was saying our country thrives when… Continue reading.

5 reasons we love serving our members
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s packed with special observances. Besides Presidents Day, Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, there are a host of unofficial “national” days you’ve probably never heard of like National Tater Tot Day (which is celebrated on Feb. 2 each year). All these observances have something… Continue reading.

Co-op programs help you during the holiday season — and beyond
Just the thought of the holiday season brings a smile to my face and evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflection. At Orange County REMC, we’re driven by a sense of mission and purpose and our team feels a strong connection to our community and our members, because we live here too. While many community-focused… Continue reading.

It’s a matter of co-op principles (part 2)
For me, this is a time of year for reflection and recognizing many things for which I am grateful. At the top of this list is our wonderful community. I know I speak for all REMC employees when I say that we are thankful to be in such an incredible community. We are fortunate to… Continue reading.

It’s a matter of (co-op!) principles
ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land O’Lakes and Orange County REMC all share something in common: we’re all cooperatives. We may be in different industries, but we all share a passion for serving our members and helping our communities to thrive. In fact, all cooperatives adhere to the same set of seven principles that reflect… Continue reading.

Unplug and connect with meaningful community programs
Most adults have a vague memory of a time when “checking for messages” meant listening to an answering machine. We carried on with our days without relying on cell phones and managed just fine. But today, we are more connected than ever through our smartphones and other devices. Our phones are so much more now… Continue reading.