CONSUMER UPDATE

Summer 2001 Consumer Newsletter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

• This GEUS is for You!
• Notes From The Corner Office
• Meet The Board!
• GEUS Awards $500 Scholarship
• Energy Conservation Tip
• As a matter of fact, you DO own the electric company!
  

This GEUS is for You!

CONGRATULATIONS! You are now the proud owners of a utility offering CABLE TV and HIGH SPEED INTERNET. Announced in January of 2000, voted for in May of 2000 and supported by the consumer/owners of the utility community, Cable & high speed Internet has arrived. After months of planning and budgeting, laying miles of fiber optic cable, constructing a building, installing headend equipment and satellite dishes, non-ceasing negotiations with networks, we are only a couple of days away from turning on the TV and computer for the first customer. Once again, Greenville will claim the distinction of being the first in Texas to venture into a market never attempted by a municipally owned entity.

After months of anxious inquiries ... "When are we going to have your cable?" ... "How soon can we have the high-speed Internet?", ... "I'm ready to switch, when can I get service?"... GEUS is happy to announce the Community Choice Cable TV line-up, high speed Internet, and pricing. Your questions and comments throughout this past year have not only been an encouragement to us, but reinforce the value of being consumer owned. Offering a service through a non-profit utility with the support of the OWNERS allows us to be competitive, and being locally owned gives our consumers the security of knowing the provider and having a voice in what happens in our community.

From all of us at GEUS,
THANKS FOR LETTING US BE YOUR
CABLE & INTERNET PROVIDER!
Sign ups are now available at both locations.
6000 Joe Ramsey Blvd. and 2821 Washington (the Municipal Bldg.)

Notes From The Corner Office

Most of the news for this issue describes how GEUS will begin providing cable TV and high-speed Internet service starting June 1. You told us that you wanted us to provide these services, to stop the rising cost of cable service in Greenville and to provide high-speed Internet service that was not being provided by anyone else.

Southwestern Bell told us that they did not plan to deploy high speed Internet service in a letter addressed to then Mayor Sue Ann Harting, dated July 8, 1999. A representative of Time Warner/AT&T Partners, Inc. stated that they had no intention of deploying high-speed Internet in the year 2000 and did not know when they would.

We started this process back in 1999. We studied the matter thoroughly. We used statistically valid survey and focus group analysis, and this told us clearly that you wanted us to move forward. We didn't stop there. We conducted three public hearings at various locations in the city during February of the year 2000.

Finally, the matter was brought to a vote and you authorized GEUS to proceed even though Time Warner tried to get you to vote against the Charter amendment. It is now up to us to deliver what we promised - more services at less cost.

Meet The Board!

The Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 6 p.m. at the GEUS Service Center, 6000 Joe Ramsey Blvd., Greenville, TX 75402.

GEUS continues to improve its reliability and service while planning future changes as a result of deregulation. Greenville played a major role, in conjunction with the Texas Public Power Association, in protecting our local citizens' right to retain local control of the electric system through action of the Electric Utility Board. Our entry into cable TV and high speed Internet was done to enhance the services we provide for our consumer-owners in Greenville.

We would like to extend a special thanks to retiring Trustee Dwain Phillips for six years of dedicated service. The Board welcomes William Rapp as Mr. Phillips' replacement.

GEUS Awards $500 Scholarship

This year's scholarship award goes to Lauren Parker. Ms. Parker was born in Greenville and attended The Phoenix School before entering the GISD in the 5th grade. Aside from being very competitive in volleyball, basketball, and track & field, she has been selected to all-district and all-region choirs. At Greenville High School, some of Lauren's extracurricular activities and honors include: Latin Club, Native American Club, Foreign Language Honor Society, National Honor Society, Superintendents Scholar, and PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership). She has been a member of the GHS Girl's golf team for four years. The team has won district and advanced to regional competition all four years.

Lauren is active in her church and youth group at Wesley United Methodist Church, where she teaches 2nd grade Sunday School. She has been accepted at Texas A&M/College Station and will pursue her goal to be an Elementary Education teacher and, eventually, a principal and superintendent.

Lauren is the daughter of Joe and Tricia Parker and graduated from GHS this May.

Energy Conservation Tip

Did you know that you can save money by replacing your light bulbs? Replacing your regular incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb could cut the cost of energy for that bulb by as much as 75%! Office buildings have used this technology for several years and it is now more available for use in your home fixtures. The initial cost of the bulbs is a little more, but manufacturers claim they will last several years. A 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb will emit the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

Cory Hogan, GEUS Consumer Services
and John Sutton, Board Chairman of WIN

GEUS recently donated 20 compact fluorescent light bulbs to the new Women In Need Shelter. WIN's use of these bulbs will save them approximately $1100 during the life of the bulbs.

As a matter of fact, you DO own the electric company!

But we're not just your electric company anymore. At 6000 Joe Ramsey, we have a 'store' of services for you to choose from. Just check these out:

• Moving heavy furniture? We have appliance dollies for you to borrow.
  
• Have you considered using our Equal Payment Plan?
  
• Have you bought new Heat & Air unit lately? Ask about the appliance rebate program.

There's more! Stop in and take advantage of the variety of services offered by GEUS or visit this website for a complete list of services.