A large celebration continues this afternoon in West Union for a major employer who has been in the electric meter production business in Oconee County for the last 50 years. U-S Senator Lindsey Graham and State Senator Thomas Alexander were among the special guests for a ceremony that attracted Itron officials from Washington State, as well as a yard full of many of Itron’s 600 company employees. The audience showed its appreciation during a recital of the company’s West Union history, which started in 1962 as the Sangamo Electric Company. But it reserved special applause when Itron’s Philip Mezey and Senator Graham talked about the hopes for a bright future, as workers continue to turn out the kinds of smart energy devices that are the marvel of countries in Asia and South America.