We, the members and owners of Cherokee Electric Cooperative (Centre, AL), demand meaningful change.

We elect the Board of Directors. The Board hires and oversees management. Yet many of us feel the Cooperative no longer puts members first.

Key Facts from Public Records:

•  General Manager/CEO Randal Wilkie received $481,554 in total compensation (latest IRS Form 990).

•  CFO Honey Trammell received $229,320 in total compensation.

•  Elected Board members each receive between $34,000 and $41,000 per year in stipends.

At the same time, Cherokee Electric Cooperative’s residential electricity rates average approximately 13.8 – 14.8¢ per kWh.

For comparison:

•  Georgia Power (Rome, GA and surrounding areas) offers tiered residential rates starting as low as ~8.6¢ per kWh for the first 650 kWh in summer, with significantly lower average costs in many usage tiers.

Many members are paying noticeably higher rates than neighboring utilities while executive and board compensation remains high. Policies increasingly appear to protect the Cooperative’s bottom line instead of delivering affordable, reliable power to the members who own it.

Our Demands:

1.  Full transparency on rate-setting, power costs, and financial decisions.

2.  A comprehensive independent rate review comparing us to nearby providers.

3.  Stronger member input on major policy and rate changes.

4.  Accountability from the Board and management — including a serious review of compensation levels.

5.  Immediate steps to bring our rates more in line with regional averages.

This Cooperative was founded to serve its members — not the other way around. We have the right and responsibility to take it back.

If you are a Cherokee Electric Cooperative member (or affected customer) and support greater accountability, please sign this petition and share it with other members.

We will deliver this petition to the Board of Directors and make our voices heard at the next annual meeting and district elections.

Together, we own this Cooperative. It’s time we act like it.