Kittanning Additional Historical Information
As late as the mid-1930s, nine out of ten rural homes in this area were without electric service, and this was primarily true throughout our great nation. Farmers milked cows by hand in the dim light of a kerosene lantern. Wives were slaves to a wood range and washboard. Children pumped water by hand from a well in the yard and carried it into the house and barn by the bucketful. Ice cut from a pond in winter and stored underground was the only means of keeping food fresh. Outdoor privies were standard 'conveniences' for rural living, and they were a health hazard.
No one talked about agriculture as an industry because all the work had to be performed by manpower, animal power, and gasoline-driven tractors.
Investor-owned power companies served most of the nation's cities, and gradually extended their poles along main roads leading out into the countryside. Some farmers (those living close to the city edges or along highways) enjoyed electric service. Even in these favored locations, the price was high and service was sometimes erratic. Farmers beyond this point who requested electric service were either asked to pay for the line to serve them as well as to pay a high rate for electricity or were told they did not need electricity. They were further told that they would not use enough to make it profitable for the private power companies to build the lines. Meanwhile, a growing number of farm leaders demanded the installation and availability of electric power on their premises.
On May 11, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the first step leading to rural electrification by signing executive order 7037, creating the Rural Electric Administration. Then on May 30, 1936, President Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act which is probably one of the most significant and far-reaching pieces of legislation in the history of the United States. Following the passage of this act, it became clear that the practical means for achieving rural electrification was organizing local electric cooperatives throughout the country.
When this good news reached our area, many families without this "now vital necessity" concluded that joining together in a member-owned organization was the feasible means to get electricity. Faced with this seemingly impossible task, rural electric leaders throughout the nation began forming rural electric cooperatives.
Locally, Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) -- originally named Central Pennsylvania Rural Electric Cooperative Company, the name was changed in September 1938 -- was legally incorporated in Pennsylvania on July 12, 1937. The original incorporators were outstanding citizens from this area who organized this electric distribution system some 85 years ago. The incorporators were: W.P. Snyder, West Monterey, Clarion County; F.W. Macdonald, Nickleville, Venango County; R.C. Dickson, Slippery Rock, Butler County; C.T. Smith, Kittanning, Armstrong County; and C.H. Smith, Parker, Armstrong County.
Attorney Harry P. Boarts (office at 110 North McKean Street, Kittanning) helped to organize and to incorporate CEC in 1937. He then served faithfully as counsel for CEC for 25 years.
On Aug. 14, 1937, REA approved a loan to CEC for $447,000 to cover the construction of 400 miles of line to serve some 1,500 members. One of the incorporators, William P. Snyder, put up his own farm as collateral to make sure CEC got the loan.
At the time of conception of CEC, it was the aim of the dedicated men and women responsible for its organization to provide dependable, low-cost service and thereby bring about these changes to every rural family within reach of its lines. Their success is readily seen today.
Despite many problems and obstacles, CEC has grown substantially over the years. Today, CEC provides service to over 25,000 members over approximately 3,200 miles of distribution line.
CEO and General Manager Matthew Boshaw is responsible for the day-to-day operations and carrying out the long-range objectives of providing dependable quality service at the most reasonable cost to the members.
Elected from the members are eight directors who meet monthly to review and determine policies and procedures that are in the best interests of CEC. CEC's current Board of Directors consists of: Nancy Lendyak, Armstrong County, Board President; Kenneth Etzel, Venango County, Board Vice President; Althea Smith, Venango County, Board Secretary/Treasurer; John Campbell, Forest County; Kenneth Durrett, Butler County; Robert Smith, Butler County; Jody Weaver, Clarion County; and Richard Weaver, Clarion County.