Photo (l to r): Adams Telephone Co-Operative Elected Board Directors Matt Dearwester, District 3, and Jeff Phelps, District 7
Golden, IL — Adams Telephone Co-Operative held its 65th Annual Meeting of Members on September 13, 2017 at their Cooperative headquarters in Golden. A record number of over 1,300 people were in attendance to enjoy an evening of family fun. The night included a meal prepared by the Mendon Lions, business meeting, several giveaways, and the unique opportunity for members to connect with their Cooperative. Each active membership in attendance also received a $65 bill credit.
During the business meeting, members heard updates about Adams’ operations and re-elected Matt Dearwester to represent Coatsburg-Paloma and Mendon exchanges, and elected Jeff Phelps to represent the Plymouth exchange.
Adams Telephone Co-Operative’s vision to maintain the Cooperative’s standing as a leader in innovation and technology was highlighted in the Chief Executive Officer’s Report. Jim Broemmer, Chief Executive Officer, reported that there is now 718 miles of fiber in the Cooperative serving over 2,700 members in our 13 exchanges and another 572 miles of fiber outside the Cooperative in our Edgeout areas.
Broemmer reported, “Over 85% of our members are served by fiber. This is triple the national average of 25%.”
Broemmer also stated, “This fall, we will be building another 83 miles of fiber in our Chambersburg and Hersman exchanges. This $1.8 million dollar fiber build will connect another 200 members with fiber-optic service. And next year, in 2018, we will finish the fiber builds in our exchanges of Fishhook, Golden, Lima, Mendon, and Meyer. This $3.7 million dollar build will add another 163 miles of fiber to our infrastructure and connect another 350 members to fiber. With these two builds, we’ve committed to 100% fiber in our Cooperative.”
Members enjoyed visiting an Adams Fiber TV display to learn about quality video entertainment services delivered right though our fiber connection to their homes. Adams Fiber TV offers a variety of channels and TV options from sports to movies, music and more with packages beginning at less than $40 a month. Members also had a chance to ask Adams Experts employees computer related questions as well as learn more about the custom built AE Advantage PC, starting at $650. Members also had the opportunity to sign up for free technology classes to be held this fall and winter.
Three area youth were recognized at the Annual Meeting of Members for their achievements. Through Adams’ partnership with the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), Unity High School graduate, Kiersten Pratt, received a $2,500 college scholarship. Winners of Adams “Youth to Washington” program, PJ Hildebrand of Mendon and Emily Lucie of Basco reported on their weeklong trip to our nation’s capital sponsored by Adams.
