BATH, S.D. (Press Release) – Northern Electric Cooperative will hold a drive-in annual meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the cooperative’s headquarters office on U.S. Highway 12 in Bath. Due to COVID-19 members are being asked to attend and participate in the meeting from their vehicles. The cooperative’s 73rd annual meeting will be like a drive-in movie with members listening to the meeting through the radio in their vehicles. There will be no meal or prizes due to the ongoing pandemic.

“Several other electric co-ops have had success with drive-in annual meetings, and we believe this will be the safest way to conduct co-op business this year,” Northern Electric Cooperative Board President Donna Sharp said. “We’re looking forward to seeing our members and hope they will be understanding about the changes we are making to this year’s annual meeting.”

An election for the Northern Electric Board of Directors will be held prior to the business meeting on Sept. 22. Jeff Vander Wal of Brentford and Danny Miles of Conde are both running for the open District 7 seat. District 7 covers rural areas of southern Brown County around Stratford and Verdon and northern Spink County in the rural areas surrounding Mellette, Brentford, Conde, and Turton. Only members who live in District 7 are eligible to vote. The election will be held at the Northern Electric office from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Registration for all members will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22. A brief business meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. The winner of the District 7 election will be announced, and the new board member will be seated, at the end of the business meeting.

Members who have questions about the format of the 73rd annual meeting or their eligibility to vote in the District 7 election should call 605-225-0310 before the meeting. More information can be found on the co-op’s website at www.northernelectric.coop/annualmeeting
Northern Electric is a member-owned Touchstone Energy Cooperative serving Brown and Spink counties.