While sitting in my office during an early January day I noticed fast moving clouds heading north passing by the window. It was an unusually warm day for January, as much as 25 degrees above the normal high temperature, giving this very windy day a March like feel and appearance. With the recent calendar change indicating a new year, our thoughts often turn reflective, possibly including:

• How does time, like the passing clouds, go by so quickly?
• What will happen within our family this year?
• What will happen in the world at large this year?

I will allow you to reflect on your predictions on the last two items for family and world events. Even though the time in each year is always the same (except for the leap year every four years), it seems that time passes more quickly as we age. Maybe it is because we are so busy doing “things” and reacting to life events that we do not take time to adequately consider future plans.

Recently my wife and I updated our original will, which dated to 1987. A lot changed in 31 years! The two children that were then three and five years old were joined by two others. All of the kids are now out on their own, ranging from 24 to 36 years in age, and are scattered across the country in four different states from their parents. I cannot explain why it took us that long to update such an important document.

The start of 2019 marked five years since I arrived at the cooperative. This time passed very quickly, even with time given to annual plans and goals, and the longer term strategic planning undertaken. In these five years, the cooperative has met its mission to provide safe and reliable service to members, while improving its financial position. During this time there have been many changes to our cooperative family of employees and directors, and this will continue in the future as time passes. Thank you for your consistent and loyal support of Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative over the years.

The utility industry in general is changing, seemingly at a more rapid pace as compared to history. Our longer-range view and plans must consider the possibility of viable alternative energy sources (such as wind and solar) paired with future battery storage that will challenge and possibly upset the cooperative business delivery model. Electric vehicles will likely become more prevalent as well, which will change energy consumption patterns.

If you made resolutions for the new year, now is the time to recommit to them. If you have not yet made or considered resolutions, there is still time – we can all improve in some facet of our lives.

I will make two bold sports predictions for 2019 – both the Cards and Cubs will make the playoffs, and both the Bears and Packers will make the playoffs. As a bonus prediction, Lovie and the Illini football team will win six games and go to a bowl!

Cooperatively,

Bob Hunzinger