By Marilyn Miller
A crowd estimated at 75 to 100 people, many of them past and present employees of the City of Minden, watched as the Mayor and City Council members simulated the midnight handoff of electricity from SWEPCO to the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) in front of Minden’s Historic Steam Power Plant on Horton Street.
“It’s never been about us, it’s always been about the City of Minden…the people. You know, it’s kind of crazy…but it’s also kind of amazing.” Councilman Andy Pendergrass said. Councilmen Buddy Myles and Michael Roy had similar statements, all thanking the people of Minden for their support.
LEPA General manager Kevin Bihm, who delayed his retirement because of Minden’s “nearing win” in their mission to separate from SWEPCO, stated that “We are excited to share in your excitement.” He then briefly outlined the background of Minden joining LEPA in 1984 and key happenings since that time.
“Minden is one of 20 LEPA member cities,” Bihm said. “We’ve had a long-term relationship, and we are, when I say EXCITED to have Minden back, we’re EXCITED…to share in your excitement, just as we are tonight.”
Bihm credited Mayor Cox as being instrumental in pushing the transition forward. “Mayor Nick Cox was the catalyst for all of this to happen; it couldn’t have been done without him.”
Mayor Nick Cox told the story of Franklin Roosevelt upon entering World War II from the movie “Pearl Harbor” and the large number of naysayers who had surrounded him at the war table. At one point in the constant barrage of negative reactions, President Roosevelt rolled his wheelchair back, shook off his braces, stood up and loudly yelled, “Don’t tell me it can’t be done!!”
“Don’t tell me it can’t be done!!” Mayor Cox repeated. The mayor, the council, and others worked tirelessly for three years to “do it.”
Mayor Cox stated that “we owe a lot to the Public Works Department, especially Gary Moreland, who laid out the transition plan.
The switch, which took place officially Sunday, June 1, 2025, is expected to reduce electrical costs for residential consumers and business owners. There will probably be no noticeable reductions until late August or early September because of the high heat.
“God has blessed the City of Minden,” Mayor Cox stated. “And God will continue to bless the City of Minden.”
