Event Deemed a Success
Kaukauna Team Takes First Lineman Rodeo Title

Under a brisk sunrise on the shores of Lake Winnebago, the first annual MEUW Lineman’s Rodeo got underway at Jefferson Park in Menasha on Saturday, Oct 14. This was MEUW’s first attempt at conducting a lineman’s rodeo for public power communities in Wisconsin, and by all accounts the event was a success.

Eight teams from seven MEUW communities competed for the title of “Grand Champion” Line Crew. They included: Cedarburg, Hartford, Kaukauna (two teams), Menasha, Oconomowoc, Shawano/Gresham (combined team); and Sturgeon Bay. The crews competed in four events to accumulate a total score. With a score of 769 out of a possible 810, the team from Kaukauna consisting of Corey Huntley, Brian Willms and Neil Jack, was crowned the 2006 MEUW Lineman’s Rodeo Grand Champions.

Coming in second place was the team from Menasha Utilities: Joel Heider, Matt Stuewer, and Lonnie Mesar. Rounding out the top three was the crew from Oconomowoc Utilities: Andrew Evans, Mark Niggemeier, and Todd Tremaine.

Organizers of the Rodeo say next year’s competition will feature three new events, while the Pole Top Rescue event will remain. The individual Pole Top Rescue State Champion was Chas Schink from Sturgeon Bay Utilities, who took only 2 minutes and 36 seconds to successfully complete the task. He’ll be the one all competitors will be gunning for when the 2007 MEUW Lineman’s Rodeo convenes next fall.

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Thanks to Our Sponsors!

MEUW and the Rodeo Committee would like to thank the following sponsors for helping make the 1st Annual MEUW Lineman’s Rodeo a great success. We look forward to working with you next year!

Aluma Form, Inc.
Bell Pole
Best Western Hotel
Border States Electric
City of Menasha
Cornell & Associates
Crescent Electric
Ditch Witch Midwest
DUECO
Electrical Resources Co.
Electrotech
FCI Burndy
General Cable
Hartford Utilities
Hasting Equipment
HDW Electronics, Inc.
IBEW Local 2150

Kaukauna Utilities
KPE Engineering
Laser Technology, Inc.
L.E. Myers Co.
Marshfield Utilities
Martenson & Eisele Inc.
Maysteel
Menasha Utilities
Meyer Services
MEUW
New Holstein Utilities
Oconomowoc Utilities
Primus Marketing
R.K. Enterprises ﷓ Utility Construction
Rainbow Technology
RESCO
Schonstedt Instrument Co.
Seiler Instrument
Speed Systems Inc.
Sun Prairie Water & Light
T & R Electric Supply Co.
Tech Products Inc.
Turner Electric Company
Utility Sales & Service Inc.
WI Utility Suppliers Assn.
WESCO

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MEUW Members Celebrate Public Power Week

While Governor Doyle issues his annual “Public Power Week” proclamation, the real public power week celebrations occur in MEUW Member communities. Open houses, energy star appliance raffle prizes, local talks at schools and organizations all help community owned electric utilities draw attention to Public Power Week, which was held on October 1-7, 2006.

Here are a couple of highlights from around the MEUW membership:

• River Falls Utilities celebrated Public Power Week with “Christmas in October.” Santa and his elves (utility staff and commission members) were on hand to meet and greet customers while tours of the power plant were given, pedal power demonstrations were available, and a comparison of incandescent vs LED holiday light strings was set up with Kill﷓a﷓Watt meters to show the benefit of LED technology. Free strings of LED holiday lights were distributed while supplies lasted and energy savers calendars were given away as well. The grand prize of an energy efficient refrigerator was also given away.

• Stoughton Utilities celebrated with their third annual public power walk. An energy star washer and dryer was raffled off as the grand prize.

• Reedsburg Utilities issued a news release and also held a public power walk, and also raffled off an energy star washer and dryer.

• Columbus Utilities offered bus tours of major local utility users. Small gifts and food coupons were given for the Chamber of Commerce food stand during “Harvest Days.” 

• New Holstein Utilities invited customers to stop by City Hall for refreshments, a small token of appreciation and a chance to win a Weber propane gas grill or a compact refrigerator.

Congratulations to these utilities for their creative ideas. And remember, it’s never too early to start planning for next year – Public Power Week 2007 is October 7-13, 2007!

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Four Groups Now Up and Running
Regional Safety Groups Thrive

A little more than three years ago, MEUW looked to our neighbors in Minnesota for an idea that has filled a glaring void in safety and compliance training for our communities and utilities. With several utilities believing this method of safety compliance is the most practical and beneficial, MEUW now boasts four strong regional safety groups made up of 21 different communities. 

What is a regional safety group? An RSG consists of several (usually 5) communities that come together to share in the cost of hiring a safety coordinator for the sole purpose of meeting and exceeding Dept. of Commerce and OSHA safety compliance standards. There is a vast distinction between “lineman safety programs” and health and safety compliance programs. The Regional Safety Coordinator (RSC) usually spends between two and five days per month in each community focusing on occupational health and safety programs and issues.

Some of the health and safety issues an RSC would customize for a utility or community are: bloodborne pathogens, hazard communications, confined space entry, and many others. Every community in Wisconsin must meet these safety standards as dictated by state and federal regulations, main-tain proper paperwork and receive peri-odic training in each topic. Belonging to an MEUW Regional Safety Group is one way MEUW communities and utilities are meeting these needs.

If you are interested in learning more about an MEUW Regional Safety Group in your area, or would like to talk with a utility or community that is a partner in one of the current groups, please contact MEUW Associate Director Scott Meske.

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Session A to Be Held on December 6 in Marshfield
MEUW Continues Management Certification Program

MEUW is continuing our program to provide education for “home grown” management personnel. Participants who missed some sessions in the program last time around, or those who have a particular interest in just one or two sessions, may attend just those sessions they need. MEUW Management Program certificates will go to those who complete all six sessions (A-F), regardless of the order or year in which they are completed. Certificates will be presented at the Annual Conference following the completion of all six sessions.

Session A (Communication Skills and Teambuilding) will be held on December 6, 2006 at the Marshfield Holiday Inn. Ann Zanzig, AZ Consultants, and Pat Alea, Alea & Associates, will be the presenters for this management training session. Ann and Pat have over thirty years of experience in supervising and motivating employees. Prior to becoming a consultant, Ann was a professional private college and public university administrator.

Registration materials will be sent out about the time this issue goes to press. You may also visit our website at www.meuw.org/events for another copy of the registration materials. Individuals wishing to reserve an overnight room should call the Holiday Inn at 715/486-1500.

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Now Accepting Nominations
4th Annual MEUW Outstanding Lineman Award

In 2003, MEUW created the MEUW Outstanding Lineman Award to recognize exemplary work by particular lineman in support of their municipal electric utility. 

Three outstanding individuals have been recognized so far: John Potier from Sturgeon Bay Utilities (2003); Richard Riederer from Algoma Utilities (2004); and Todd Tessmann from Hustisford Utilities (2005).

The award will be presented during the MEUW portion of the Joint Superintendent’s Conference, this year held January 17-19, 2007 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. 

The nomination deadline is December 11, 2006. The successful recipient and their manager or superintendent will be notified by mail in mid-December so they can make pre-parations to attend the Joint Superintendents Conference to receive the award.

The Outstanding Lineman Award Nomination Form and Eligibility Guidelines were recently sent to all MEUW Members. The nomination packet is also available on the MEUW website at www.meuw.org.

If you have any questions about the forms, process, or nominations, please contact Scott Meske, (smeske@meuw.org) MEUW Associate Director, or Linda Olson, (lolson@meuw.org) MEUW Office Manager, or by phone (608-837-2263).

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