The 80th SLEMCO Annual Meeting attracted thousands of members to Lafayette’s Cajundome on Saturday, each hoping to win one of several valuable prizes. The winner of the 1st Grand Prize, Mrs. Marie Laviolette, of Abbeville, selected the 2017 Lincoln MKC provided by Courtesy Automotive.
Sitting up in the second level of the Cajundome, when her name was called, the family rushed Mrs. Laviolette to the elevators in her wheelchair. Though she is 88 years young, she had no problems standing up from that wheelchair and sliding behind the steering wheel of her shiny new Lincoln.
“I’ve been a member for 40 years and I’ve attended the meeting every year,” said Mrs. Laviolette. This was my year!” Shouts of congratulations, spoken in both English and Cajun French, could be heard from the audience and Mrs. Laviolette promptly replied her “thank you” in the appropriate language.
Mrs. Laviolette braved the rain that greeted meeting attendees on Saturday in the hopes of winning the grand prize to replace her current 16 year-old car. Despite all the rain, she easily proclaimed, “It was worth it!”
The second grand prize winner, Mrs. Michael Hardy of Opelousas, took home $7,500, while the 3rd Grand Prize winner, Mrs. Lloyd Degueyter of Youngsville, walked away with $2,500. The early bird prize of $5,000 was won by Pamela Ballback of St. Martinville.
Earlier during the meeting, SLEMCO awarded $40,000 in college scholarships to twenty students who will be attending college this fall. Winners included Ryne Mayet of Broussard, Julia Solano of Carencro, Seth Latiolais of Arnaudville, Sydney Guidry of Rayne, Anla Johnson of Youngsville, Julia Ardoin of Abbeville, Brennan Goss of Crowley, Jordan Conner of Crowley, John Treme of Church Point, Ian Miguez of Washington, Justin Simon of Church Point, Bobby Miniex of Opelousas, Imani Malbrough of Opelousas, Emily Robin of Arnaudville, Jaylen Small of Lafayette, Alaina Guilbeau of Carencro; McKenzie Richard of Carencro, James Rogers III of Broussard, Stephen Marcantel of Youngsville and Ashley Broussard of Gueydan.
During the official business portion of the meeting, Don Resweber of St. Martin Parish, David Simon of Vermilion Parish and Gary Soileau of St. Landry Parish, were nominated and approved to serve three-year terms as Board Members.
Board President David Simon of Gueydan and Glenn Tamporello, chief executive officer and general manager, addressed the crowd, updating SLEMCO members on major projects the company has been focusing on since the last meeting. In celebrating SLEMCO’s 80th year in business, both renewed their commitment to members and pledged to embrace technological advances.
just as they have done in the past, always seeking more efficient ways to provide reliable electric service.
Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis and Interim Public Service Commissioner Damon Baldone, both committed to work hard to ensure fair rates for Louisiana’s electric customers.
United Blood Services held their annual blood drive as part of the meeting. A record breaking 377 units of blood products were drawn to help save the lives of people throughout Acadiana needing blood.
SLEMCO provides electric power to over 108,000 residents and businesses in the parishes of Acadia, Avoyelles, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermilion.