Dear Members,
Summer is a busy season for us at the co-op. While we work year-round on projects to ensure your electric and internet services are safe and reliable, in the summertime we often receive more requests from members for new services or service changes.
It’s also a better time for our co-op maintenance projects that involve driving through fields or orchards. This summer, we’re continuing our build of the new transmission line in the Eastside/Pine Grove area. We are trimming and removing trees and other vegetation that are growing too close to the power lines to reduce the risk of fires being caused by vegetation coming into contact with our lines.
We encourage you to think about fire risk at your home, too.You can learn more about fire preparedness by visiting Hood River County's Emergency Preparedness Website.
For internet members, we are continuing work on our fiberto-the-home buildout. This multiyear project will enable us to provide gigabit internet service and Voice Over Internet Protocol phone service within a large portion of our service area.
We know many of you are anxious to have this service available as soon as possible. We launched our VoIP offerings recently, and now offer digital phone service plans starting at $20 a month, plus taxes and fees. Switching to this affordable alternative is easy. Call our office at (541) 354-1233 to see if you qualify.
To help us accomplish these important projects, we recently welcomed a few new co-op employees. Elliot Arens, Rosy Mendoza and Zach Henderson joined our team near the end of last year. Elliot is an apprentice lineman, Rosy is our internet support representative, and Zach is an internet installer technician.
Corben Olson joined us as a groundman in April. Most recently, Jamie Leiblein joined the team in June and serves as our new controller. Brian Sharr also began his service in June as our line superintendent.
I am proud of our team and all that we accomplish to make life a little easier for you, our member-owners. On behalf of all of us at Hood River Electric & Internet Co-op, thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Libby Calnon
General Manager