If you’ve read Today in Mississippi, then you know East Mississippi Electric Power Association is an electric cooperative—as a result, you and everyone else who receives electric service from us is a member, not a customer. Because you and your fellow members govern how EMEPA operates, our top priority remains providing safe and reliable service and keeping your electric bills affordable. Local control also means we’re in the business of improving the quality of life in the communities we serve, from offering youth leadership programs to advice on how you can make your home or business more energy efficient.

Electric co-ops are just one type of cooperative operating in America. Dairy cooperatives produce nearly 90 percent of our nations’ milk. Credit unions? They’re cooperatives, too, with more than 8,000 across the country serving 91 million consumers. You can also find housing, hardware and even funeral co-ops throughout the U.S.

Some agricultural marketing cooperatives have become household names: Sunkist, Ocean Spray and Blue Diamond Almonds for example. But we have other cooperatives right here in our town: Lauderdale County Farm Supply, Muna Federal Credit Union and Meridian Artist Co-op, just to name a few.

            Together, all of us are a key part of our local economy. We provide good jobs to folks who live right here?your neighbors and friends. We deliver goods and services that keep our communities humming. We’re happy to lend a hand when we’re able, and we enjoy being involved with schools and community organizations.

While not a new concept? Benjamin Franklin started the first cooperative, the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, in 1752 (it still operates today!)?the cooperative form of business continues as an integral part of our lives each day.

We often find joy in the success of others and pride in knowing our community is nurturing some of the world’s future leaders, but how can we make sure that the young children in our community have people to look up to? It is what we teach children at a young age that creates a passion in them to do great things. This is why our local Heroes are important to the East Mississippi.

Unfortunately the word hero is used so frequently these days. Athletes that score the winning touchdown and earn a six-figure salary are often the most featured “heroes” a boy knows. What about the heroes from our own community, the ones that set an example by how they live for others instead of what they earn for doing it?

First Lieutenant Tommy Horne, son of State Representative District 81 Steve Horne and wife, Suzy, is a true example of a local hero. Born and raised in Meridian, he graduated in 2005 from Lamar High School and began college at the University of Southern Mississippi. As a student at USM, Horne was involved in numerous honor societies such as National Scholars, Golden Key International and Pi Sigma Alpha. He was chosen among his peers for Who’s Who of American College Students and for the USM Pre-Law Book Award. He graduated in 2009 with high honors and a degree in Political Science.

Horne is currently serving in the active duty Army as a Field Artillery Platoon Leader at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He previously completed a one year deployment in the Pech River Valley, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 82^nd Airborne Division, and his platoon was attached to multiple Task Forces during the deployment under the 101^st and 25^th Infantry Divisions. Horne served as a Fire Direction Officer and was promoted to Platoon Leader during his operations there. While in Afghanistan, he was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal, Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Overseas Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO ribbon.

Horne’s childhood friend, Jeff Tate, cannot remember a time when Horne did not want to join the Military. “Since we were six years old, Tommy knew that he wanted to serve. Defending the nation was something that was important to him, no questions asked, 100 percent - you could not change his mind,” says Tate. Even Horne states, “I have always believed Military service to be a calling for me.”

In the future, Horne will continue working on achieving his 3^rd Dan Black Belt in Han Mu Do. Other plans include following the scripture Matthew 6:33-34:“³³ seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Horne is very proud to be serving in the Army. He says he is even more proud to lead and serve a great group of Soldiers. “I am very grateful to Jesus for the opportunity to serve and to have returned home.” He asks that each of us pray for all of the men still serving and especially for the families of those Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and sailors who’s sons did not return home.

 While serving overseas 1LT Horne never forgot about his family and friends at home. He was constantly writing letters to his church family at Oak Grove Baptist Church and remembering those on the prayer list. Pastor Roy Dabbs remembers hearing about a lady in the church who did not know Tommy, but was extremely thankful for the time he took to let her know he was praying for her. “How great it is to know personally, a man of God that is serving our country.” Most of us cannot even imagine what our service men and women deal with day-to-day. Yet, First Lieutenant Horne still took the time to remember his community and where he came from.

It is local heroes like Tommy Horne that set the stage as examples for our young children. It is the remarkably brave and selfless actions of young people like him that earn the designation of hero. As we talk to our friends and share what our families are accomplishing, let us remember to be thankful, thankful for our school systems, thankful for our legislation and thankful for our community that nurtures our local heroes.

            Because EMEPA is a not-for-profit enterprise—which means your money stays local; we don’t have to worry about distant shareholders—we are well-positioned to make any necessary investments for ensuring safe, reliable and affordable electricity. However, fulfilling our commitment to environmental stewardship in a fiscally responsible manner has become more challenging. Today, many environmental laws that were adopted by Congress decades ago are being used by federal agencies and the courts to address issues for which they were never intended.

            For example, the federal Clean Air Act is now 40 years old and was last amended in 1990—more than two decades ago. Much has changed in the intervening years, including technology, our understanding of the environment and the electric utility industry.

            Today, officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?often under court order—are trying to modify the Clean Air Act to fit new circumstances. Without a doubt, new EPA rules being issued will wind up back in the courts?and lengthy litigation will ensue.

Reasonable people can and will disagree over how to find a balance between protecting the environment , guaranteeing a reliable supply of power and keeping electric bills affordable. ?Under the right circumstances, Congress eventually will have to revisit the Clean Air Act and update it to fit the needs of the 21st century. In the meantime, EMEPA will keep you updated on our efforts to encourage lawmakers and regulators to strike the proper balance on these concerns.