A record nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in dividends were paid to members of the Duo County Telephone Cooperative, according to one of the board's directors.

Agency spokesman Eric West said the dividend checks mailed to over 15,000 members totaled about $40,000 more this year than last.

West said they were very proud that this was the 21st consecutive year that the cooperative has paid dividends to their members.

He said that the over $700,000 was mailed out over a week ago.

In addition to being proud of their continued strong fiscal performance West said they were proud of their improving system strength, expanding technical prowess and growing customer service.

"The new Columbia office offers telephone and telecom customer service including Saturday hours," West said.

That and other information will be presented to the members at a meeting on June 2nd in the high school gymnasium.

He said they will cover issues such as plans for expansions in the fiberoptic system and other improvements during a short business meeting, and as always there will be a number of door prizes.

This year, he said, they include a 32-inch television and Dell desk-top computer.