TAMA NEWS-HERALD – TOLEDO CHRONICLE – The Grundy County rural electric cooperative will be holding their 74th annual meeting of the members at the Grundy Center High School auditorium in Grundy Center on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7:25 p.m. They will take action on the following matters: 1. The reports of officers, directors and committees. 2. The election of three directors of the Cooperative for a term of three years each. 3. All other business which may legally come before the meeting, or any adjournment, or adjournments thereof. 

In connection with the election of directors scheduled for this meeting, the following members were nominated for director by the Committee on Nominations appointed by the Board of Directors of the Cooperative pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation.

Three year term (three to be elected)

District 1: Kevin Pruisner (incumbent), Jim Beninga.

District 5: Ernie Podhajsky (incumbent).

District 7: Allen Gienger, Jason Paper. There were no nominations by petition. 

Short biographies of the candidates for directors:

District 1: 

Kevin Pruisner- Incumbent – and his wife, Patricia live northwest of Dike. Kevin raises corn, soybeans and finishes hogs on the farm where he has lived since 1977. The Pruisners are members of Fredsville Lutheran Church and  like to go camping when they have a chance to get away from he farm. Kevin has been on the REC board for six years and is currently the President and also is a Credentialed Cooperative Director. This means that Kevin has completed five courses designed to provide the essential knowledge and skills required of electric cooperative directors.

Jim Beninga and his wife Maggie have lived in Grundy County since 1986. They raise corn, soybeans and custom feed hogs. The Beningas have four children and one grandson. They are members of the Grundy County Farm Bureau and Lincoln Center Christian Reformed Church where Jim is currently serving on the building and grounds committee. Jim likes to play golf and watch car races. 

District 5

Ernie Podhajsky – Incumbent – still lives on the farm where he was born and raised in Tama County. Ernie and his wife Lillian raise seed corn and seed beans on their family farm. Ernie is a member of the Tama County Farm Bureau and is a past member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clutier. He enjoys hunting, fishing and trapping. He has been on the REC board for fourteen years and has served as Secretary and President. Ernie has continually updated his knowledge of rural electric cooperatives by completing the curriculum necessary to be designated as a Credentialed Cooperative Director.

District 7

Allen Gienger and his wife Janell have a grain and a small stock cow farm east of Gladbrook. Allen likes to travel and spend all the time he can with his three grandchildren. The Giengers are members of the United Methodist Church in Gladbrook. Allen is also a member of the Gladbrook American Legion. 

Jason Paper lives south of Conrad with his wife Valerie and their five children. Jason enjoys boating, fishing, woodworking and going to the children’s activities. He has worked for DeKalb, Asgrow for two years. The Papers are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Marshalltown. Jason is a certified crops advisor.