As a cooperative, Paul Bunyan Communications is governed by a seven-person member-elected Board of Directors.  In 2022, there are Board of Directors positions up for election representing Districts 3, 7, and 9.

Article III, Section 3 of your Cooperative’s Bylaws requires any member interested in serving as a Director to submit a candidate packet to the Cooperative headquarters at least 25 business days prior to the Caucus Election date.  This enables the Cooperative to properly verify the eligibility of all candidates to serve as a member of the Board if elected.  Members interested can find the candidate application packet and related information online at https://paulbunyan.net/cooperative/documents/

The deadlines for completed Director-candidate packets to be returned to the Cooperative are:

District 7 deadline is February 17

District 9 deadline is February 22

District 3 deadline is February 24

If there are less than two pre-qualified candidates seeking election/re-election to the Board of Directors from the same district (an uncontested district election), no in-person Caucus and Caucus Election for that district will be held.

If there are two or more pre-qualified candidates seeking election from the same district, the in-person Caucus will be held and all members residing within the district will be notified by mail of the caucus date, time, and location.  The purpose of the in-person Caucus is to select two pre-qualified candidates to seek election/re-election to be the district’s representative on the Paul Bunyan Communications Board of Directors. Directors serve a five-year term through 2027, however in the case of District 3, the election will fill the remaining four years of the existing term ending in 2026.

The current director for District 7 is Board Secretary Bruce Campbell and he has expressed his intent to seek re-election.

The current director for District 9 is Board Treasurer Tim Hins and he has expressed his intent to seek re-election.

The current director for District 3 is Tracy Mistic-Schaar and she has expressed her intent to seek re-election.

Based on the results of any contested Caucus Election, the names of two candidates are listed on the ballot to be voted on by the general membership of the Cooperative.  Votes are tallied at the Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 25, 2022.  The candidate from each respective district with the greatest number of votes from the general membership is elected/re-elected as the Director for such district.

At their monthly meeting in November, the Paul Bunyan Communications Board of Directors accepted Kathy Peterson’s retirement notice and appointed Tracy Mistic-Schaar to fill the District 3 seat.

We thank Kathy for her dedication by serving over 25 years on our cooperative’s Board of Directors!  Kathy was first elected in 1995 and led our cooperative as Board President for an incredible 20 years from 1998-2018.

So much has been accomplished in the two and a half decades Kathy has been on the Board of Directors it is hard to put into words.  Our cooperative has grown significantly in membership, employees, and the technology and services we offer.  When Kathy first started on the Board, Paul Bunyan Net was just formed to offer dial up Internet service, cellular service was transitioning from bag phones to flip phones, and there was no such thing as Paul Bunyan Television, high speed Internet, or the GigaZone.  It was under Kathy’s leadership that Paul Bunyan Communications developed into one of the most progressive communications cooperatives in the United States now providing an industry-leading multiple gigabit Internet service across 6,000 square miles of northcentral Minnesota.

“Kathy is very humble and I know she won’t take any personal credit for the many accomplishments and progress our cooperative has experienced over the past 25 years, but her steady leadership has played a pivotal role in all of our growth and subsequent success.  She and fellow board members had the foresight to diversify our service offerings and to boldly authorize the construction of one of the largest rural all-fiber optic networks in the country nearly a decade before most other service providers.  Recognizing the critical role broadband now serves in education, healthcare, work, e-commerce, government, and entertainment, you cannot overstate Kathy’s impact on the lives of thousands across our region.  Her sincere dedication to our cooperative and our members has been incredible and we can’t thank her enough.  We are going to miss her leadership, support, and positive attitude, but wish her the very best in retirement,” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.

As is called for in the Cooperative’s bylaws, the Board has appointed District 3 member Tracy Mistic-Schaar as the new District 3 Board Member.  We look forward to working with Tracy and appreciate her willingness to serve on behalf of the members of District 3.  That position is up for election/re-election this year.  Tracy has expressed her intent to seek re-election.

For the second time in as many games, there was a winner of the Paul Bunyan Communications Hockey Hot Shots Promotion during a Bemidji State University men’s home hockey game!

Brittany Perry of Columbia, MO made her shot at center ice during a period intermission at the Beavers game Friday, December 31 against St. Cloud to win a 70” Smart HDTV.  Brittany was in town for the holiday with her boyfriend Sam Rydeen who graduated from BSU in 2018.  It was the first time she’s attended a college hockey game and the first time she held a hockey stick.

“We thought it would be a good idea to leave 61 degree weather to come to the coldest weather we had ever been a part of, -15 with a “feels like” -30. The BSU game was the first college hockey game I had ever been to and I’m not sure another could ever top it after this!” said Peterson.

“We’ve sponsored the contest for a long time but have never seen a win like Brittany’s.  She had never held a hockey stick before and you could tell.  She missed the puck on her first four tries and it seemed was about to give up but wouldn’t you know it, the fifth time she connected and it went straight down and in!” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

You can see video of Brittany making the shot on the Paul Bunyan Communications YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUI-3TAISg

The Paul Bunyan Communications Hockey Hot Shots contest is held during an intermission at select Bemidji State University Men’s Hockey home games. Three contestants are selected at random to participate each night. All contestants receive a coupon for a free PBTV On Demand movie rental, any contestant hitting the board receives a Paul Bunyan Communications Bluetooth speaker, and a contestant who puts the puck in the net through the middle of the Hockey Hot Shots board wins up to a 70” Smart HDTV.

For the first time since February of 2020, there was a winner of the Paul Bunyan Communications Hockey Hot Shots Promotion during a Bemidji State University men’s home hockey game!

Garrett Peterson of Hawley, MN made his shot at center ice during a period intermission at the Beavers game Friday, December 10 against Mankato to win a 70” Smart HDTV.  Garrett is a junior at Bemidji State University majoring in environmental science.

“I was pumped.  One of the contestants before me came close so I knew there was a chance.  There wasn’t much to cheer about for us Beaver fans that night so it was really cool to make it and hear the crowd come to life!” said Peterson.

“We’ve been sponsoring the contest for a long time dating back to games at the John Glas Fieldhouse.  The contest wasn’t held during the 2020 season with no fans in the stands so it’s great to have it back and to get a winner again!” said Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

You can see video of Garrett making the shot on the Paul Bunyan Communications Facebook page, Twitter page, or YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmzn4zz55Vg

The Paul Bunyan Communications Hockey Hot Shots contest is held during an intermission at select Bemidji State University Men’s Hockey home games. Three contestants are selected at random to participate each night. All contestants receive a coupon for a free PBTV On Demand movie rental, any contestant hitting the board receives a Paul Bunyan Communications Bluetooth speaker, and a contestant who puts the puck in the net through the middle of the Hockey Hot Shots board wins up to a 70” Smart HDTV.

Get in to win with the 6th Paul Bunyan Communications Pick-it Bowl Challenge, a free online contest for participants to pick the winners for the 2021-22 College Bowl games for a chance to win a credit on a Paul Bunyan Communications account.

The top 10 finishers will win a credit on their Paul Bunyan Communications account. First place winner will receive a $500 credit, second place is a $250 credit.

To sign up for the Pick It Bowl Challenge go to http://paulbunyan.pickitchallenge.com

The first official College Bowl game is Friday, December 17 so be sure to register and make your picks by December 17 for the best chance at winning!

The Pick-it Bowl Challenge is a fun and free way to interact with others in northern Minnesota and enjoy a little friendly competition.  Must be 18 years of age or older. Limit one entry per person. Prizes not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions may apply. See Pick It Bowl Challenge website for complete contest rules.

Friday, December 24

Offices will be closed in observation of Christmas holiday.  Our regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 27.

Friday, December 31

Offices will be closed in observation of New Year’s holiday.  Our regular office hours will resume on Monday, January 3.

Emergency 24 hour repair will remain available and can be reached at 1-800-475-8309.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Paul Bunyan Communications!

Our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 25 in observation of the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Our regular office hours will resume on Friday, November 26 at 7:30 a.m.

Emergency 24 hour repair will remain available and can be reached at 1-800-475-8309.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Three local high definition weather channels have been added to Paul Bunyan Television service!

Channel 801 is the new Bemidji area high definition weather channel providing forecasts, current conditions, and more for the Bemidji region.

Channel 802 is the new Grand Rapids area high definition weather channel providing forecasts, current conditions, and more for the Grand Rapids region.

Channel 803 is the new regional radar channel providing the up to date regional radar 24/7/365.

This week is Lifeline Awareness Week!  Lifeline is a federal program dedicated to making phone and internet service more affordable for low-income households. Paul Bunyan Communications is authorized to provide this program to our customers.

To find out more or to see if you qualify, visit https://paulbunyan.net/residential/voice-services/lifelinetelephone-assistance-plan/