Published: August 15, 2008 11:06 am            

RTMC has blossomed

ASHEBORO — From an organization with no assets or technical expertise, Randolph Telephone Membership Corporation has become a cutting-edge communications provider for nearly 14,000 customers.

The telephone cooperative’s 50th annual meeting last Saturday at Southwestern Randolph Middle School was a celebration of that growth and a look to even better things to come.

A record 453 members and a crowd of more than 650 crowded into the gym, enjoying entertainment by “Patsy Cline,” receiving complimentary folding chairs and, for many, being awarded door prizes. A barbecue lunch completed the festivities.

General Manager Steve Cox gave the keynote speech, taking the audience on a “trip down memory lane to reflect on how we got to where we are today.”

He said RTMC “started with a group of friends and neighbors looking to improve communications within their community and beyond.”

Cox introduced Buren Surratt and Wallace Garner, both in the audience, who were among the first members of the board of directors.

RTMC was chartered in 1954 and the first telephone service began in 1957 with 97 phones in Farmer. The first annual meeting was held in August 1958.

Today, Cox said, the cooperative offers high-speed Internet service, cell phones, camera surveillance, business phone systems, computer networking and repair, and has begun cable TV service. RTMC employs 54 local people.

The organization now has $33 million in assets, Cox said, and will return $2.25 million to the membership in December.

“You should understand that you are Randolph’s only stockholder,” he said, “and any excess operating capital earned is returned to you when it is no longer needed to invest in new technology or improvements in our network, as compared to a cable company paying dividends to investors only interested in a profit.

“Randolph is evolving, investing in network enhancements and new products to offer to you,” Cox said. “And just like our founding fathers in 1954, we continue to find ways to bring more advanced communications services to our neighbors and communities.”

Mandy Cheek of Swansboro got the event started, performing many of the late Patsy Cline’s greatest hits. Joe Allen of the board of directors awarded cash prizes to Alvin McDowell, the oldest man in attendance at age 91; DeEtte Jones, the oldest woman at 94; and Katie Jones, the youngest RTMC member at 23.

        

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