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HOME >
ABOUT US |
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About Cordova Telephone
Cooperative Inc. |
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Mission Statement |
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Cordova
Telephone Cooperative, Inc. is committed to
the provision, improvement and expansion of
quality, competitively priced communication
services in Cordova and the surrounding
service area. |
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Just a little history |
In 1978 the
voters of Cordova approved a resolution
providing for the transfer of assets of
Cordova Public Utilities-Telephone Utility
to Cordova Telephone Cooperative, INC (CTC).
And thus, a member-owned telephone
cooperative was established.
CTC was one of the first local providers of
access to the Internet, America's
information super highway. It's just one
more way CTC brings the world a little
closer to its members.
In 1997 CTC again broadened its scope of
services and established two subsidiaries,
Cordova Wireless Communications (CWC) and
Cordova Long Distance (CLD). However, no
long distance wholesale prices were
available, therefore this service was never
offered through CTC until 2012.
Below is a schedule of Patronage Capital
payments that have been distributed in
recent years. These payments represent the
return on patrons contributions to their
cooperative.
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Year |
Amount Allocated |
Scheduled
Payment/Retirement |
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1982 |
$289,320.43 |
1997 |
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1994 |
$ 83,012.33 |
1998 |
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1983 |
$224,815.22 |
1999 |
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1984 |
$194,309.40 |
2000 |
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1985 |
$314,610.77 |
2002 |
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1986 |
$267,472.72 |
2008 |
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The growth and
success experienced by CTC over the many
years of its existence did not happen without the
conscientious efforts of its board of
directors. Board members have volunteered
numerous hours in service to the cooperative. Their
decisions have charted the course of our
telecommunications system in Cordova. We
salute their dedication and hard work.
And, appreciation is given to all past and
present employees. A company's greatest
asset is its employees. CTC is fortunate to
have had and continues to have employees
that have greatly influenced the success of
our cooperative.
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"In
1978"
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By more than a six to one margin,
Cordova voters approved Cordova
Telephone Cooperative and Cordova
Electric Cooperative reorganizing as
private non-profit cooperatives.
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Bait Herring Fishery started in the
Prince William Sound.
St. Elias Cannery (Ocean Beauty) made
major improvements at a cost of $3
million.
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State Senate passed SB401, which
includes a feasibility study for a
prison in Cordova.
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Cordova's small boat harbor expansion
project in the amount of $2.5 million
gets underway.
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Cordova Community Hospital begins
sending its laundry to Anchorage to be
cleaned.
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Live TV from California airs first
time in Cordova.
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Cordova's new leash law becomes the
subject of many heated debates.
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Subject of creosote danger begins to
surface.
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Alaska Airlines flies four non-stop
flights between Seattle and San
Francisco/Los Angeles.
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Cordova's Annual Kelp Box Derby Race
held on Fourth of July.
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Then and now
Seated on the first CTC Board
of Directors in 1978 were: President Robert
Nippell, Vice President Jay Bynum, Treasurer
Al Fulton, Secretary Robert Turner, John
Hewitt, Harold Richardson and Bill Webber.
The first CTC General Manager was Doug
Bechtel. Mr. Bechtel was the general manger
of Cordova Electric Cooperative, Inc. also.
He held these dual positions from 1978 until
May of 1983.
CTC's Original Staff in 1978: General
Manager Doug Bechtel, Bookkeeper Ruth
Steele, Clerk Carol Bauer, Working Foreman
Ron Stephens, Combination Technician Randy
Poor, and apprentice Technician Randy Peace.
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Telephone Rates in 1978 |
Single Party Rate - $10 per month
Business Line - $18 per month |
Deposit - $60
Deposit - $100 |
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Telephone Rates in 1998 |
Single Party Rate - $11.50 per month
Business Line - $19.50 per month |
Deposit - $60
Deposit - $100 |
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Telephone Rates in 2005 |
Single Party Rate - $13 per month
Business Line - $21 per month |
Deposit - $60
Deposit - $100 |
In 1978
there were 640 Members; in 1998 there
were 1,209.
In 2004 there were 1,113 members. |
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What is a cooperative? |
Cordova
Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (CTC) was
established in 1978 under a cooperative form
of business. CTC is governed by a seven
member board of directors elected by its
members at the annual membership meetings.
More about Telephone Cooperatives:
More than 1.2 million rural Americans
receive their local telephone service from a
telephone cooperative. Approximately 260
telephone cooperatives provide service in 31
states.
The "Rochdale Principles," a set of
practices and procedures, have served as
guideposts for cooperatives around the
world. In essence, the Rochdale Principles
establish:
- Open
membership - Anyone who can use a
cooperative's services and is willing to
accept the responsibilities of membership
is eligible to join.
- One
member, one vote - Power is shared
equally among all members, rather than
concentrated in the hands of a few.
Cooperatives are based on democratic
principles. Members elect a board of
directors and, when necessary, vote on
specific issues.
- Limited
return on investment - The purpose of
a cooperative is to provide a service to
its members, not to make a profit.
- Surplus
is returned to the members - Margins
above and beyond the costs required to
cover operating expenses are returned to
the members in proportion to their
patronage. The more business a member does
with the co-op in a given year, the
greater the amount of the patronage refund
for that year.
Each year,
America's cooperatives generate more than
$100 billion in economic activity.
Cooperatives serve more than 120 million
people in cities, towns, suburbs, and
throughout rural America.
Cooperatives embody the best of American
self-reliance and independence. Cooperatives
are successful because they provide
non-profit services to their communities
that may not be readily available otherwise.
The cooperative movement will continue to
thrive because it is based on the most
powerful force in the world - a good idea.
(Excerpts from the national Telephone
Cooperatives Association brochure,
"Telephone Cooperatives - Keeping Rural
America connected")
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Community Outreach |
As a
member-owned cooperative, Cordova Telephone
Cooperative encourages active support of the
community we serve by providing sponsorships
and donations to tax exempt, nonprofit
organizations and community groups.
Scholarship Programs
The 2009 CTC Scholarships for high school
seniors were awarded to Elizabeth Collins,
daughter of Richard and Debbie Collins, Trae
Lohse, son of Linda and Ralph Lohse, Olivia
Kelly, daughter of Linda and Paul Kelly,
Kyle Irving, son of Robin and Mark Irving,
Marissa Merritt, daughter of Carol and Terry
Merritt, and Emma Roemhildt, daughter of
Bootslyn and David Roemhildt. These students
were awarded a total of $16,000 towards
their college education.
The 2009 NTCA Youth Tour Scholarship was
awarded to high school student Kellie
Fisher, daughter of Michele and Bill Fisher.
This scholarship covers all of the student’s
expenses, totaling over $2,000, to
participate in this four day tour of our
Nation’s Capitol.
Educational and Community Programs
• Mt. Eccles and Cordova Jr/Sr High School
Students of the Quarter and Students of the
Year Programs.
• Cordova School District Sports Program
• PWSSC Science of the Sound Educational
Programs
• Safe & Sober Graduation Program
• Cordova Trap and Gun Club
• Native Village of Eyak Sobriety
Celebration
• Cordova Volunteer Fire Department
• Cordova District Fisherman United/Fish
Prom
• Cordova Iceworm Festival
• Cordova Parks and Recreation Commission
• Sheridan Ski Club
• Cordova Chamber of Commerce
• Arts and Pageants
• Alaska/American Red Cross
• Cordova Family Resource Center
Cordova Telephone Cooperative invites
interested tax exempt, non profit
organizations and community groups to
contact the CTC Business Office for a copy
of our policy on donation guidelines and the
application process. Consideration will be
given to organizations that do not
discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race,
color, national origin, religion, or creed.
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Board of Directors |
The Cordova
Telephone Cooperative Board of Directors
holds its regular monthly meetings the
fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM
in the conference room located in the main
building on 611 Second Street. Special
meetings are held when needed.
Elections are held for Board members at the
Cooperative’s annual meetings in March. All
ballots are mailed to the membership with
member’s choice to vote by mail or at the
annual meeting. Directors are elected to
serve for a three year term, or until their
successors have been elected and qualified.
Directors elected to fill vacancies serve
only for the unexpired portion of the term
vacated. This term shall then be filled at
the next annual meeting’s election. |
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2013 Board of
Directors |
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David
Allison, President |
Janice Warga, Vice President |
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Robert
Beedle, Treasurer |
Ann
Schultz, Secretary |
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William
Osborn, Director |
Bob
Bercelli, Director |
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Laurie
Phillips, Director |
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