TPS interviews for board seat to remain closed
School watchdog group critical of decision not to open process
By IGNAZIO MESSINA, BLADE STAFF WRITER
Saturday, January 8, 2005
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050108/NEWS04/501080334/-1/NEWS
The Toledo Board of Education will interview applicants in private next week for its vacant seat, a move that has drawn objections from critics who want the interviews to be public.
The school board met in private during its organizational meeting Tuesday to discuss an appointment to the seat. After a 40-minute closed session, President Larry Sykes announced that the board would begin private interviews with applicants on Jan. 11.
Mr. Sykes said yesterday morning that he would consider opening the interviews to the public after discussing it with other board members, but later changed his mind.
He said the process would be turned into a "circus," punctuated by "catcalls" from district critics who are calling for the interviews to be open.
Steven Flagg, a member of the Urban Coalition, a school district watchdog group, is urging the school board to open the interviews.
"We find it difficult to believe that an elected board will hold interviews for an elected position in private," Mr. Flagg said in an e-mail sent to The Blade. "While the open-meetings laws may give the board the right to go into executive session for personnel issues, the process of going into executive session to interview candidates for an open school board seat runs counter to democratic traditions. รข€¦ Does this secret process engender trust in the current school board?"
Board member Anita Lopez resigned her seat to take over as county recorder, an office she won in the Nov. 2 election.
Fifteen people have so far submitted their names for consideration. Mr. Sykes said the board will interview about six people.
The people who have applied so far are:
Denise Alvarado-Haack, of Dorr Street, a districtwide parent involvement coordinator for Toledo Public Schools.
Becky Berry, of Oswald Street, a home instructor and former teacher.
Jimmie Cisco, whose address was not available, a construction worker.
Brian Epstein, of Bowen Road, manager of major and planned gifts for the Toledo Museum of Art.
Carolyn Jean Eyre, of Charlestown Avenue, a licensed minister and former teacher at Calvary Christian School in South Toledo.
Theresa Gabriel, of Independence Road, former Toledo Municipal clerk of courts.
Barbara Jean Jacobs, of Mount Vernon Avenue, tax auditor for the city of Toledo.
Chris Myers, of Talbot Street, a Web master at the University of Michigan.
Gerald McClintick, of Lakeside Avenue, a former Toledo Public Schools teacher and coach who later worked for Rowe Industries.
Ken Roach, of Moran Avenue, a business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8 since 1993.
Steven Steel, of Parkwood Avenue, a former Toledo Public Schools teacher. He is an assistant professor at Bowling Green State University.
Steven Thomas, of Wellesley Drive, business manager of Laborers International Union of North America Local 500.
Robert Torres, of Arlington Avenue, director of Toledo's Office of Latino Affairs.
Eva Vindas, of Kenyon Drive, a lawyer with the law firm Gallon & Takacs Co., L.P.A.
Nick Wichowski, of Heatherdowns Boulevard, an accountant who unsuccessfully ran for Toledo mayor in 1997.
Contact Ignazio Messina at:
imessina@theblade.com
or 419-724-6171.
.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
IBEW System Council U-3 Pans JCP&L Service During Strike; Thousands Affected
Union pans pickets' emergency site protest
By SARA LEITCH, The Express-Times
Saturday, January 08, 2005
WHITE TWP. -- A group of striking electrical workers picketed a work site where out-of-state crews were repairing downed power lines Friday, to the dismay of their union's leadership.
"We do not picket where emergency work is being done," said Jack Moriarty, a spokesman for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Systems Council U-3, which includes about 300 workers of Phillipsburg-based IBEW Local 327. "The issues are with the company, and they're legitimate issues. But we do not want to add to the burden of electrical customers."
The local's president was asking the workers to disperse, he said.
Seven union workers at Jersey Central Power & Light Co. were picketing Friday afternoon at the intersection of Route 519 and Brass Castle Road, while out-of-state crews worked nearby to fix wires that fell after Thursday's ice storm.
The flashing red light that usually hangs at the intersection was gone and a tangle of wires lay along Route 519 south of the intersection, which was closed to traffic.
"We should be the ones doing the work, not these scabs," said Lance Vannatta of Harmony Township. "We want to go back to work, but we want a fair contract."
JCP& L, the state's second-largest electric utility, serves about 108,000 customers in Warren and Hunterdon counties. Workers have been on strike since Dec. 8 over health insurance costs and work rules. Talks between the company and the union are scheduled to resume Wednesday.
About 3,000 JCP& L customers were without power on Friday afternoon, out of a total of 24,000 affected by the storm, spokesman Ron Morano said. He said the company hoped to have service restored by Friday night.
"We have support here from out of state assisting during the strike," he said. "The personnel who are performing this job have line experience and are trained to work safely."
Meanwhile, one JCP& L union employee lamented the poor response to restore service to her home in Monroe County.
Lois Buckman, a technician and 18-year employee with JCP& L and a Metropolitan Edison Co. customer, said it took workers almost two days to restore her power about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Met-Ed and JCP& L are owned by FirstEnergy Corp. of Akron, Ohio.
Scott Surgeoner, another company spokesman, said he couldn't comment about a specific customer's complaint. But in general, he said the company places priority on restoring service to public facilities, including hospitals, then addresses residential customers' service.
Surgeoner said that as of Friday evening about 10,000 customers remained without service in Northampton, Monroe and Pike counties.
"Hopefully, she did report the outage on the 800 number," Surgeoner said.
Buckman, who lives in Ross Township, said she did call the utility's emergency number, and she also notified the state Public Utility Commission and elected officials.
She said the company doesn't understand that the people answering the emergency number aren't properly trained in dispatching crews and knowing the area.
She said the strike has left many workers upset and bitter, but she stressed workers love their jobs and want to return to them.
"We need the public to back us," she said.
Reporter Sara Leitch can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at sleitch@express-times.com. Express-Times reporter Anthony Salamone contributed to this report.
.
By SARA LEITCH, The Express-Times
Saturday, January 08, 2005
WHITE TWP. -- A group of striking electrical workers picketed a work site where out-of-state crews were repairing downed power lines Friday, to the dismay of their union's leadership.
"We do not picket where emergency work is being done," said Jack Moriarty, a spokesman for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Systems Council U-3, which includes about 300 workers of Phillipsburg-based IBEW Local 327. "The issues are with the company, and they're legitimate issues. But we do not want to add to the burden of electrical customers."
The local's president was asking the workers to disperse, he said.
Seven union workers at Jersey Central Power & Light Co. were picketing Friday afternoon at the intersection of Route 519 and Brass Castle Road, while out-of-state crews worked nearby to fix wires that fell after Thursday's ice storm.
The flashing red light that usually hangs at the intersection was gone and a tangle of wires lay along Route 519 south of the intersection, which was closed to traffic.
"We should be the ones doing the work, not these scabs," said Lance Vannatta of Harmony Township. "We want to go back to work, but we want a fair contract."
JCP& L, the state's second-largest electric utility, serves about 108,000 customers in Warren and Hunterdon counties. Workers have been on strike since Dec. 8 over health insurance costs and work rules. Talks between the company and the union are scheduled to resume Wednesday.
About 3,000 JCP& L customers were without power on Friday afternoon, out of a total of 24,000 affected by the storm, spokesman Ron Morano said. He said the company hoped to have service restored by Friday night.
"We have support here from out of state assisting during the strike," he said. "The personnel who are performing this job have line experience and are trained to work safely."
Meanwhile, one JCP& L union employee lamented the poor response to restore service to her home in Monroe County.
Lois Buckman, a technician and 18-year employee with JCP& L and a Metropolitan Edison Co. customer, said it took workers almost two days to restore her power about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Met-Ed and JCP& L are owned by FirstEnergy Corp. of Akron, Ohio.
Scott Surgeoner, another company spokesman, said he couldn't comment about a specific customer's complaint. But in general, he said the company places priority on restoring service to public facilities, including hospitals, then addresses residential customers' service.
Surgeoner said that as of Friday evening about 10,000 customers remained without service in Northampton, Monroe and Pike counties.
"Hopefully, she did report the outage on the 800 number," Surgeoner said.
Buckman, who lives in Ross Township, said she did call the utility's emergency number, and she also notified the state Public Utility Commission and elected officials.
She said the company doesn't understand that the people answering the emergency number aren't properly trained in dispatching crews and knowing the area.
She said the strike has left many workers upset and bitter, but she stressed workers love their jobs and want to return to them.
"We need the public to back us," she said.
Reporter Sara Leitch can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at sleitch@express-times.com. Express-Times reporter Anthony Salamone contributed to this report.
.
IBEW Local 1744 (Fort Francis, ON CAN) Reaches Agreement With Atibi-Consolidated
Union locals set to vote on deal
By Staff
January 07, 2005
Two local mill unions are slated to vote over the next two weeks on a proposed contract reached in late November.
Voting will start Monday.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1744 and the International Association of Machinists Lodge #771 reached an agreement in principle with Abitibi-Consolidated on Nov. 25.
Both unions have been without a contract since May 1.
The first set of negotiations was held at the beginning of September. More talks were held in October, and then Nov. 16-18 and Nov. 23-25.
Members of Locals #92 and #306 of the Communications, Energy and Papermakers Union of Canada ratified a new five-year deal with Abitibi-Consolidated back in July.
By Staff
January 07, 2005
Two local mill unions are slated to vote over the next two weeks on a proposed contract reached in late November.
Voting will start Monday.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1744 and the International Association of Machinists Lodge #771 reached an agreement in principle with Abitibi-Consolidated on Nov. 25.
Both unions have been without a contract since May 1.
The first set of negotiations was held at the beginning of September. More talks were held in October, and then Nov. 16-18 and Nov. 23-25.
Members of Locals #92 and #306 of the Communications, Energy and Papermakers Union of Canada ratified a new five-year deal with Abitibi-Consolidated back in July.
IBEW Local 1632 (Horseheads, NY) Negotiates Severance for members at MT Picture Tube Plant
From Television Station WENY, Channel 36 in Elmira, New York:
http://www.weny.com/News-Local.asp?ARTICLE3864=35834
Tentative Severance Package Agreement
By Lee Bacalles
Local 1632 I.B.E.W.and MT Picture Display officials have reached a tentative agreement on a severance package for workers at the Horseheads plant.
The package includes one weeks pay for every full year of service, plus three hundred dollars and three months of paid medical premiums.
Company Spokesman Mike Lenzner says employees need to sign a general release in order to get those benefits. He says since the company's announcement on October 27th that the plant was shutting down, employees worked without incident to produce more than 72-thousand picture tubes.
Company officials blame the closure on a sagging cathode ray tube industry and foreign imports. Hourly union workers will vote on the severance package next Wednesday.
.
http://www.weny.com/News-Local.asp?ARTICLE3864=35834
Tentative Severance Package Agreement
By Lee Bacalles
Local 1632 I.B.E.W.and MT Picture Display officials have reached a tentative agreement on a severance package for workers at the Horseheads plant.
The package includes one weeks pay for every full year of service, plus three hundred dollars and three months of paid medical premiums.
Company Spokesman Mike Lenzner says employees need to sign a general release in order to get those benefits. He says since the company's announcement on October 27th that the plant was shutting down, employees worked without incident to produce more than 72-thousand picture tubes.
Company officials blame the closure on a sagging cathode ray tube industry and foreign imports. Hourly union workers will vote on the severance package next Wednesday.
.
IBEW System Council U-3 (New Jersey) Pickets Ohio's FirstEnergy HQ over Refusal to Bargain
From the Akron Beacon Journal
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/business/10587847.htm?1c
Picketers in Akron protest strike in N.J.
FirstEnergy Corp.'s downtown Akron headquarters and Fairlawn service center office were the sites of union informational pickets Wednesday protesting a strike in New Jersey and stalled contract talks in Toledo and Shippingport, Pa.
About 30 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Utility Coordinating Council-2 (note: 3 is proper number) began the informational picketing early Wednesday morning.
About 1,350 IBEW workers, many of them linemen, are striking at FirstEnergy subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light. Contract talks broke down in December." >>
Perry nuclear plant closed for repairs
FirstEnergy Corp.'s 1,235-megawatt Perry nuclear plant east of Cleveland shut down shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday after two recirculation pumps unexpectedly slowed.
The plant may stay shut down for a week while a team of 15 to 20 people pinpoints the cause of the problem and repairs are made, a FirstEnergy spokesman said.
The single-reactor plant can supply power to about 988,000 typical U.S. homes.
***********************************************************
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/business/10587847.htm?1c
Picketers in Akron protest strike in N.J.
FirstEnergy Corp.'s downtown Akron headquarters and Fairlawn service center office were the sites of union informational pickets Wednesday protesting a strike in New Jersey and stalled contract talks in Toledo and Shippingport, Pa.
About 30 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Utility Coordinating Council-2 (note: 3 is proper number) began the informational picketing early Wednesday morning.
About 1,350 IBEW workers, many of them linemen, are striking at FirstEnergy subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light. Contract talks broke down in December." >>
Perry nuclear plant closed for repairs
FirstEnergy Corp.'s 1,235-megawatt Perry nuclear plant east of Cleveland shut down shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday after two recirculation pumps unexpectedly slowed.
The plant may stay shut down for a week while a team of 15 to 20 people pinpoints the cause of the problem and repairs are made, a FirstEnergy spokesman said.
The single-reactor plant can supply power to about 988,000 typical U.S. homes.
***********************************************************
IBEW Local 2287 (Oxford, Oh) faces Square D cutbacks
From the Oxford Press
http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/01/07/OP0107yearnreview.html
"Oxford did not find itself immune from the generally weak economy in 2004. Square D officials said they were under increasing economic pressure to lower production costs and announced tentative plans last summer to close their Oxford plant at the end of 2005. An agreement to keep 242 jobs in town was reached this fall with a three-year contract extension negotiated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2287. It called for substantial cuts in wages and benefits."
http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/01/07/OP0107yearnreview.html
"Oxford did not find itself immune from the generally weak economy in 2004. Square D officials said they were under increasing economic pressure to lower production costs and announced tentative plans last summer to close their Oxford plant at the end of 2005. An agreement to keep 242 jobs in town was reached this fall with a three-year contract extension negotiated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2287. It called for substantial cuts in wages and benefits."
Friday, January 07, 2005
IBEW System Council U3 (New Jersey) stands up for workers against Jersey Central Power and Light
01/07/05 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
Jersey Central Power & Light workers have been on strike for nearly a month.
JCP&L, union will resume talks next week
'Christmas was slim' as striking workers remain on picket line
By David P. Willis, Gannett State Bureau
MIDDLETOWN - On strike for nearly a month, Jersey Central Power & Light lineman Michael Hornung of Oceanport knew why he was standing in the cold rain Wednesday morning outside the Central Jersey headquarters.
"I am trying to make a point to the company," he said. "We stand united."
About 1,350 union workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have been on strike since Dec. 8.
As passersby honked car horns, about 150 striking workers handed out fliers as commuters arrived at the office complex. Another demonstration was held at JCP&L headquarters in Morris Township.
"There are a lot of good people out there standing up for what's just," said Barnegat resident Cliff Aguado, a JCP&L lineman for almost 29 years.
Negotiators from the company and IBEW System Council U-3, which represents five union locals, met for more than five hours Wednesday with a state mediator but failed to reach an agreement.
More talks are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday.
Hornung, 44, a JCP&L lineman for 20 years, said the strike has been tough on him and his family.
"I have bills and everything else," he said. "There is pressure on me, my family. Christmas was slim for everybody. New Year's? We stayed home rather than going out and celebrating."
The negotiation session Wednesday focused on work rules, JCP&L spokesman Scott Surgeoner said.
The company has said it wants to change employee work rules, especially those related to making sure enough workers are available during an emergency.
"It is a critical ingredient in driving down customer outage time," JCP&L President Steve Morgan said in an interview.
Now, the company must make several telephone calls to get enough workers. The utility wants to make fewer calls to get the numbers needed.
"I want to call three people to get three people," Morgan said. "We are here for our customers because if we are not, then the customers will do what they have, which is rise up and say 'I am not going to pay more for this product. I don't like the service. I don't accept the reliability that you are providing.'"
Union spokesman Ed Modzelewski said the union has given JCP&L proposals on that issue but they have been rejected.
Since 2000, the company has cut its workforce by 18 percent in key positions, the union spokesman said.
David P. Willis can be reached at (973) 428-6650.
Jersey Central Power & Light workers have been on strike for nearly a month.
JCP&L, union will resume talks next week
'Christmas was slim' as striking workers remain on picket line
By David P. Willis, Gannett State Bureau
MIDDLETOWN - On strike for nearly a month, Jersey Central Power & Light lineman Michael Hornung of Oceanport knew why he was standing in the cold rain Wednesday morning outside the Central Jersey headquarters.
"I am trying to make a point to the company," he said. "We stand united."
About 1,350 union workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have been on strike since Dec. 8.
As passersby honked car horns, about 150 striking workers handed out fliers as commuters arrived at the office complex. Another demonstration was held at JCP&L headquarters in Morris Township.
"There are a lot of good people out there standing up for what's just," said Barnegat resident Cliff Aguado, a JCP&L lineman for almost 29 years.
Negotiators from the company and IBEW System Council U-3, which represents five union locals, met for more than five hours Wednesday with a state mediator but failed to reach an agreement.
More talks are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday.
Hornung, 44, a JCP&L lineman for 20 years, said the strike has been tough on him and his family.
"I have bills and everything else," he said. "There is pressure on me, my family. Christmas was slim for everybody. New Year's? We stayed home rather than going out and celebrating."
The negotiation session Wednesday focused on work rules, JCP&L spokesman Scott Surgeoner said.
The company has said it wants to change employee work rules, especially those related to making sure enough workers are available during an emergency.
"It is a critical ingredient in driving down customer outage time," JCP&L President Steve Morgan said in an interview.
Now, the company must make several telephone calls to get enough workers. The utility wants to make fewer calls to get the numbers needed.
"I want to call three people to get three people," Morgan said. "We are here for our customers because if we are not, then the customers will do what they have, which is rise up and say 'I am not going to pay more for this product. I don't like the service. I don't accept the reliability that you are providing.'"
Union spokesman Ed Modzelewski said the union has given JCP&L proposals on that issue but they have been rejected.
Since 2000, the company has cut its workforce by 18 percent in key positions, the union spokesman said.
David P. Willis can be reached at (973) 428-6650.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
IBEW Local 8 (Toledo) Member takes Lucas County Treasurer's Post, Donates Salary to Charity
Article published January 6, 2005
Isenberg, Duffey rally to reunite Democrats
Treasurer's meeting called embarrassing
By FRITZ WENZEL
BLADE POLITICAL WRITER
When it was all over Tuesday night, Sandy Isenberg declared it an "embarrassment."
But by yesterday afternoon, the chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party said she thinks the raucous meeting of the party's central committee may have been a low point from which the party will inevitably rebound - the political equivalent of an addict hitting bottom.
Yesterday came the intervention. Ms. Isenberg met for more than three hours with Dennis Duffey, the winner of the Tuesday night vote to replace Ray Kest, a fellow Democrat who stepped down as Lucas County treasurer at the end of November to avoid a felony theft charge.
Mr. Duffey, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8 and chairman of the party central committee, defeated Toledo Councilman Wade Kapszukiewicz, who was supported by Ms. Isenberg and who was elected treasurer on Nov. 2 for the term beginning in September.
Both said they regretted the untamed nature of the meeting, but agreed yesterday's conclave was a first step in uniting the party.
While Ms. Isenberg said there is a possibility that some may yet challenge the vote, she said after yesterday's meeting with Mr. Duffey that she considers him the winner.
"I still look at the people in that room [Tuesday night] as all good, passionate, dedicated Democrats, regardless of how they look at this situation. I will work diligently with as many people as I possibly can to help solve some of the issues that are there," Ms. Isenberg said.
"I just feel badly that it erupted into such a chaotic meeting. It was a business meeting. I am just looking forward to moving on, getting this all behind us, getting this settled, having heartfelt discussions," Ms. Isenberg said.
"I wish I had a magic wand to bring this [party] all back together," said Mr. Duffey. "We've had some conversations, and we're going to continue to have some conversations until we can figure out what the problems are. We can point fingers and make accusations, which accomplishes absolutely nothing but leads to a further divide. If we get some key people to the table, and they can put their honest concerns on the table, that's the only way we can address it."
Mr. Duffey and Ms. Isenberg are part of what has for decades been known as the party's "B team," who until last year never seemed able to wrest control of the party from the "A team," which includes Mr. Kapszukiewicz.
But since taking over last spring, the B team has found stormy weather at the top.
Conditions turned particularly nasty in recent weeks, as party leaders looked for a replacement for Mr. Kest.
The battle even caused a rift between Mr. Duffey and Ms. Isenberg that yesterday's meeting was intended to help heal.
"I would prefer not to keep calling it the A and B teams. I would prefer to be calling it the Democrat Party that has great, passionate feelings on many different sides of an issue," she said.
"We've made a lot of changes here, and we've done a lot of great things. I am looking forward to good days," Ms. Isenberg said.
Mr. Duffey said he was preparing to take over as treasurer immediately, and spent some time finding out what paperwork needed to be completed. He said he was considering the offer of an "olive branch" to Mr. Kapszukiewicz, which could include the offer of a job in the treasurer's office to help him learn how the office operates before his four-year term begins Sept. 12.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he would decline such an offer.
"The voters said overwhelmingly that I am qualified and ready, I am experienced enough, in their minds, to serve in the office. Voters didn't say that I will assume office only after I serve a probationary period or after I serve an internship, or any of that stuff. They said that 'You're the guy we want as Lucas County treasurer.'●"
He said he resigned last week from his job as a grant writer for Compass, an alcohol and drug addiction treatment organization, in anticipation of being named treasurer this week. He said he will continue as a Toledo councilman.
Mr. Duffey said he plans to keep intact the staff of the treasurer's office, relying on the expertise of top assistants, including top aide John Irish, during this, one of the busiest tax collection seasons of the year.
"Like anything else, the new guy comes in, eases in and observes what's going on. If it looks like there are some inefficiencies that I am aware of, some needs of the office, we'll address all of them. I don't think I'm going to be there 40 or 50 hours a week," he said. "Whatever is needed."
He said he will retain his job at IBEW Local 8, and will donate his treasurer salary, minus any taxes, to the Old Newsboys Goodfellows Association, a local charity group.
The treasurer is paid $68,064 per year.
Contact Fritz Wenzel at:
fritz@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.
Isenberg, Duffey rally to reunite Democrats
Treasurer's meeting called embarrassing
By FRITZ WENZEL
BLADE POLITICAL WRITER
When it was all over Tuesday night, Sandy Isenberg declared it an "embarrassment."
But by yesterday afternoon, the chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party said she thinks the raucous meeting of the party's central committee may have been a low point from which the party will inevitably rebound - the political equivalent of an addict hitting bottom.
Yesterday came the intervention. Ms. Isenberg met for more than three hours with Dennis Duffey, the winner of the Tuesday night vote to replace Ray Kest, a fellow Democrat who stepped down as Lucas County treasurer at the end of November to avoid a felony theft charge.
Mr. Duffey, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8 and chairman of the party central committee, defeated Toledo Councilman Wade Kapszukiewicz, who was supported by Ms. Isenberg and who was elected treasurer on Nov. 2 for the term beginning in September.
Both said they regretted the untamed nature of the meeting, but agreed yesterday's conclave was a first step in uniting the party.
While Ms. Isenberg said there is a possibility that some may yet challenge the vote, she said after yesterday's meeting with Mr. Duffey that she considers him the winner.
"I still look at the people in that room [Tuesday night] as all good, passionate, dedicated Democrats, regardless of how they look at this situation. I will work diligently with as many people as I possibly can to help solve some of the issues that are there," Ms. Isenberg said.
"I just feel badly that it erupted into such a chaotic meeting. It was a business meeting. I am just looking forward to moving on, getting this all behind us, getting this settled, having heartfelt discussions," Ms. Isenberg said.
"I wish I had a magic wand to bring this [party] all back together," said Mr. Duffey. "We've had some conversations, and we're going to continue to have some conversations until we can figure out what the problems are. We can point fingers and make accusations, which accomplishes absolutely nothing but leads to a further divide. If we get some key people to the table, and they can put their honest concerns on the table, that's the only way we can address it."
Mr. Duffey and Ms. Isenberg are part of what has for decades been known as the party's "B team," who until last year never seemed able to wrest control of the party from the "A team," which includes Mr. Kapszukiewicz.
But since taking over last spring, the B team has found stormy weather at the top.
Conditions turned particularly nasty in recent weeks, as party leaders looked for a replacement for Mr. Kest.
The battle even caused a rift between Mr. Duffey and Ms. Isenberg that yesterday's meeting was intended to help heal.
"I would prefer not to keep calling it the A and B teams. I would prefer to be calling it the Democrat Party that has great, passionate feelings on many different sides of an issue," she said.
"We've made a lot of changes here, and we've done a lot of great things. I am looking forward to good days," Ms. Isenberg said.
Mr. Duffey said he was preparing to take over as treasurer immediately, and spent some time finding out what paperwork needed to be completed. He said he was considering the offer of an "olive branch" to Mr. Kapszukiewicz, which could include the offer of a job in the treasurer's office to help him learn how the office operates before his four-year term begins Sept. 12.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he would decline such an offer.
"The voters said overwhelmingly that I am qualified and ready, I am experienced enough, in their minds, to serve in the office. Voters didn't say that I will assume office only after I serve a probationary period or after I serve an internship, or any of that stuff. They said that 'You're the guy we want as Lucas County treasurer.'●"
He said he resigned last week from his job as a grant writer for Compass, an alcohol and drug addiction treatment organization, in anticipation of being named treasurer this week. He said he will continue as a Toledo councilman.
Mr. Duffey said he plans to keep intact the staff of the treasurer's office, relying on the expertise of top assistants, including top aide John Irish, during this, one of the busiest tax collection seasons of the year.
"Like anything else, the new guy comes in, eases in and observes what's going on. If it looks like there are some inefficiencies that I am aware of, some needs of the office, we'll address all of them. I don't think I'm going to be there 40 or 50 hours a week," he said. "Whatever is needed."
He said he will retain his job at IBEW Local 8, and will donate his treasurer salary, minus any taxes, to the Old Newsboys Goodfellows Association, a local charity group.
The treasurer is paid $68,064 per year.
Contact Fritz Wenzel at:
fritz@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.
Toledo Blade Pokes Fun at Democrats as long time IBEW Member Dennis Duffy is Appointed to Fill Interim Lucas County Treasure Position
Article published Thursday, January 6, 2005
Democrats' family feud is must-see TV
FROM THE BLADE'S WIRE SERVICES
TOLEDO, Ohio - High-ranking local Democrats here face embarrassment after an internal strategy memo became public.
The ploy was known in inner circles as Operation Sally Struthers, a reference to the party's shameless bid to tug at voters' charitable instincts.
Said newly crowned Democratic Queen Sandy Isenberg: "If we'd known this memo would be leaked, we'd have been a lot more careful with punctuation."
The document, "How To Win Friends and Influence Voters," outlined a Democratic plan to leave the local party in such shambles that "the public would have no choice but to cast 'pity votes' for party candidates."
Said one party insider: "We thought, let's just destroy everything, then wait for public sympathy. Plus, this kind of pathetic helplessness works real good for fund-raising."
Recent polls show that, after viewing photos of local Dems, 68 percent of Lucas County voters reported hearing music from Keystone Cops' movies playing in their heads. Eighty-eight percent, meanwhile, believed that Lucas County Dems are "highly likely" to wear clown costumes.
The polling data reflect a growing perception that the Democratic Party's main value is for entertainment purposes.
In a related development, married couple Bernadette and Tom Noe - both former county Republican chairmen - were hospitalized yesterday, reportedly for injuries suffered while biting deep holes in their tongues in an effort not to laugh at their political rivals.
Ms. Isenberg ascended the throne last year after a vicious, interparty palace coup. Goings-on of late suggest no end to the squabbling; most recently, it took the form of a battle over an acting county treasurer.
(We would like to give readers necessary background info, but no one at The Blade is an experienced soap-opera screenwriter. We apologize.)
At a Democratic Central Committee meeting Tuesday, the reigning Queen Dem stood by treasurer-elect Wade Kapszukiewicz. They faced off against union strongman Dennis Duffey, who won the temporary appointment until Mr. K's official term begins in September.
See? We told you it was complicated.
The plot twists and turns are so Byzantine they've attracted Hollywood. Location scouts arrive soon, readying for the fictionalized celluloid version of The Man Who Would Be Treasurer-King.
Brian Dennehy is cast as Mr. Duffey, the union honcho. Frankie Munoz has been offered the part of Wade Kapszukiewicz.
Jerry Chabler, meanwhile, will play himself; casting directors admitted choosing him after mistakenly thinking they recognized him from a nonspeaking role in Ocean's Twelve.
("Why, he's a natural!" gushed a casting agent.)
Bette Midler is rumored to be "waiting for the final script" before deciding on the complex role of Sandy Isenberg, who is well-known for her voice (mouth?), if not her singing.
The part of Jack Ford will be played by a bolster cushion.
But the role of former treasurer Ray Kest remains
uncast. As one agent said, "It's hard to find anyone in Hollywood capable of portraying such ego."
Democrats' family feud is must-see TV
FROM THE BLADE'S WIRE SERVICES
TOLEDO, Ohio - High-ranking local Democrats here face embarrassment after an internal strategy memo became public.
The ploy was known in inner circles as Operation Sally Struthers, a reference to the party's shameless bid to tug at voters' charitable instincts.
Said newly crowned Democratic Queen Sandy Isenberg: "If we'd known this memo would be leaked, we'd have been a lot more careful with punctuation."
The document, "How To Win Friends and Influence Voters," outlined a Democratic plan to leave the local party in such shambles that "the public would have no choice but to cast 'pity votes' for party candidates."
Said one party insider: "We thought, let's just destroy everything, then wait for public sympathy. Plus, this kind of pathetic helplessness works real good for fund-raising."
Recent polls show that, after viewing photos of local Dems, 68 percent of Lucas County voters reported hearing music from Keystone Cops' movies playing in their heads. Eighty-eight percent, meanwhile, believed that Lucas County Dems are "highly likely" to wear clown costumes.
The polling data reflect a growing perception that the Democratic Party's main value is for entertainment purposes.
In a related development, married couple Bernadette and Tom Noe - both former county Republican chairmen - were hospitalized yesterday, reportedly for injuries suffered while biting deep holes in their tongues in an effort not to laugh at their political rivals.
Ms. Isenberg ascended the throne last year after a vicious, interparty palace coup. Goings-on of late suggest no end to the squabbling; most recently, it took the form of a battle over an acting county treasurer.
(We would like to give readers necessary background info, but no one at The Blade is an experienced soap-opera screenwriter. We apologize.)
At a Democratic Central Committee meeting Tuesday, the reigning Queen Dem stood by treasurer-elect Wade Kapszukiewicz. They faced off against union strongman Dennis Duffey, who won the temporary appointment until Mr. K's official term begins in September.
See? We told you it was complicated.
The plot twists and turns are so Byzantine they've attracted Hollywood. Location scouts arrive soon, readying for the fictionalized celluloid version of The Man Who Would Be Treasurer-King.
Brian Dennehy is cast as Mr. Duffey, the union honcho. Frankie Munoz has been offered the part of Wade Kapszukiewicz.
Jerry Chabler, meanwhile, will play himself; casting directors admitted choosing him after mistakenly thinking they recognized him from a nonspeaking role in Ocean's Twelve.
("Why, he's a natural!" gushed a casting agent.)
Bette Midler is rumored to be "waiting for the final script" before deciding on the complex role of Sandy Isenberg, who is well-known for her voice (mouth?), if not her singing.
The part of Jack Ford will be played by a bolster cushion.
But the role of former treasurer Ray Kest remains
uncast. As one agent said, "It's hard to find anyone in Hollywood capable of portraying such ego."
IBEW Local 53 (Kansas City, MO) Happy with New Contract with City of Independence
IBEW satisfied with agreement
The accumulating ice is creating a lot of work for many local crews, including the men and women of Independence Power and Light.
They are on the job today, not only restoring power for those affected by the ice storm, but with a renewed confidence in their job security.
Union members of the Local No. 53 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers recently reached an agreement with the city of Independence for a five-year work agreement that includes pay raises and an employee savings plan.
The Independence City Council approved the agreement Monday by emergency ordinance.
Bruce Van Compernolle, treasurer of the union, said negotiators on both sides worked out most of the big issues.
"Overall, I think IBEW Local 53 is happy with the agreement," he said. "The negotiation process was stressful at times, but we were able to work with them on issues throughout the negotiating process, and got them worked out in the end."
City Manager Robert Heacock in May outlined a plan for modest pay raises for union employees in this year's budget.
"I think it is a positive step forward," Heacock said. "I think it's a positive sign of the city's commitment to its employees."
Last year, city officials said the money wasn't there for employee raises for firefighters, police officers, or steel, water or electrical workers.
Mayor Ron Stewart has gone on record several times to explain the city's dilemma last year.
"Last year we were very sincere ... we just didn't have the money," Stewart said. "At no time did I or anyone on this council feel the employees weren't deserving."
The electricians' agreement was the last work agreement between the city and the bargaining agencies.
"This takes a load off of us, not to have to deal with contracts as often as we have," Council Member Don Reimal said.
The electrical workers' raises are best explained as 3 percent, effective each November until 2006, followed by a 4-percent raise in 2007 and 2008.
In year two, employees can begin investing into a savings plan, which the city will match, at one-half of one percent of their pay. The city will increase the available matching funds for the next three years at 1 percent, one-half percent, and 1 percent until 2008.
The union managed to include three new job classifications into its work agreement, namely district planner, specialized computer personnel trained on the SCADA system, and warehouse clerks.
"We haven't had an agreement go through since they voted to have us represent them," Van Compernolle said. "We've been working to get something on that ... we ended up including them in the main agreement."
The union compromised on the buyback policy for personal business leave and accepted the city's cross-the-board language.
"We ended up going with the language that is pretty generic to what the other bargaining units have agreed to," Van Compernolle said. "It will only be paid if the council agrees to it in the budget."
Van Compernolle said despite a successful negotiation, the city's retirement plan, known as LAGERS, remains an ongoing issue for all city employees.
"Personally, we feel (LAGERS is) below level for the city employees," Van Compernolle said.
The local union of IBEW has about 150 members, paid out of the enterprise fund generated by Independence Power and Light.
Van Compernolle said the local employee unions have moved forward over the years, and in doing so, have drawn closer together.
"We've seen an increase in solidarity among the unions in the city of Independence," he said. "In many ways, the city has helped the bargaining units unite."
To reach David Tanner e-mail david.tanner@examiner.net or call (816) 350-6324.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.examiner.net/stories/010605/new_010605006.shtml
The accumulating ice is creating a lot of work for many local crews, including the men and women of Independence Power and Light.
They are on the job today, not only restoring power for those affected by the ice storm, but with a renewed confidence in their job security.
Union members of the Local No. 53 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers recently reached an agreement with the city of Independence for a five-year work agreement that includes pay raises and an employee savings plan.
The Independence City Council approved the agreement Monday by emergency ordinance.
Bruce Van Compernolle, treasurer of the union, said negotiators on both sides worked out most of the big issues.
"Overall, I think IBEW Local 53 is happy with the agreement," he said. "The negotiation process was stressful at times, but we were able to work with them on issues throughout the negotiating process, and got them worked out in the end."
City Manager Robert Heacock in May outlined a plan for modest pay raises for union employees in this year's budget.
"I think it is a positive step forward," Heacock said. "I think it's a positive sign of the city's commitment to its employees."
Last year, city officials said the money wasn't there for employee raises for firefighters, police officers, or steel, water or electrical workers.
Mayor Ron Stewart has gone on record several times to explain the city's dilemma last year.
"Last year we were very sincere ... we just didn't have the money," Stewart said. "At no time did I or anyone on this council feel the employees weren't deserving."
The electricians' agreement was the last work agreement between the city and the bargaining agencies.
"This takes a load off of us, not to have to deal with contracts as often as we have," Council Member Don Reimal said.
The electrical workers' raises are best explained as 3 percent, effective each November until 2006, followed by a 4-percent raise in 2007 and 2008.
In year two, employees can begin investing into a savings plan, which the city will match, at one-half of one percent of their pay. The city will increase the available matching funds for the next three years at 1 percent, one-half percent, and 1 percent until 2008.
The union managed to include three new job classifications into its work agreement, namely district planner, specialized computer personnel trained on the SCADA system, and warehouse clerks.
"We haven't had an agreement go through since they voted to have us represent them," Van Compernolle said. "We've been working to get something on that ... we ended up including them in the main agreement."
The union compromised on the buyback policy for personal business leave and accepted the city's cross-the-board language.
"We ended up going with the language that is pretty generic to what the other bargaining units have agreed to," Van Compernolle said. "It will only be paid if the council agrees to it in the budget."
Van Compernolle said despite a successful negotiation, the city's retirement plan, known as LAGERS, remains an ongoing issue for all city employees.
"Personally, we feel (LAGERS is) below level for the city employees," Van Compernolle said.
The local union of IBEW has about 150 members, paid out of the enterprise fund generated by Independence Power and Light.
Van Compernolle said the local employee unions have moved forward over the years, and in doing so, have drawn closer together.
"We've seen an increase in solidarity among the unions in the city of Independence," he said. "In many ways, the city has helped the bargaining units unite."
To reach David Tanner e-mail david.tanner@examiner.net or call (816) 350-6324.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.examiner.net/stories/010605/new_010605006.shtml
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Long-Time IBEW Local 8 (Toledo, OH) Member May Take Lucas County Treasurer's Post Until Sept. 12
tp://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050104/NEWS09/501040347/-1/NEWS
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Meeting to pick treasurer likely will be heated
By FRITZ WENZEL
Blade Political Writer
The Lucas County Democratic Party central committee will meet tonight to choose a new county treasurer in a meeting that promises to be acrimonious, as factions of the party fight over a temporary appointment that will expire in September.
Candidates representing different factions of the party include Wade Kapszukiewicz, a Democratic Toledo councilman who won a race for the seat in the November election, and Dennis Duffey, business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8, who also serves as the chairman of the party's central committee.
No matter who is appointed to the seat tonight, Mr. Kapszukiewicz will begin a fresh four-year term on Sept. 12.
At issue in the race is the fate of several underlings to former Treasurer Ray Kest, a fellow Democrat who resigned in late November to avoid a felony theft charge. Mr. Kapszukiwicz has promised to clean remnants of the Kest political machine from the office once he takes over, while Mr. Duffey represents a faction of the party intent on saving the jobs of the Kest assistants, giving them until Mr. Kapszukiewicz takes over next fall to find new employment, or to retire. At the top of the Kapszukiewicz hit list is top Kest aide John Irish, the deputy treasurer who needs just a matter of months to meet the goal of 30 years in the government pension system.
The central committee meeting tonight, which is open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in the United Auto Workers Local 12 hall on Ashland Avenue. Under state law, county party central committees are charged with filling vacancies in county administrative offices.
Also at issue is how the meeting will be conducted. Because of Mr. Duffey's position as chairman of the committee that will make tonight's appointment, Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he is concerned the meeting may not be fair.
"If it's a fair election, I think the members of the committee will do what they have always done, and that is to reflect the will of the voters," Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. "If there's some attempt to have a Soviet Union show trial, then, obviously, there's an awful lot that can be done to thwart the will of the voters."
Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and others were instrumental in the coup that ousted former chairman Paula Ross, and replaced her with Sandy Isenberg, who said yesterday she was distraught that intraparty squabbling could spoil the party's prospects at the polls.
With Mr. Duffey or a hand-picked assistant running the meeting, Ms. Isenberg feared it is almost certain they would first nominate Mr. Duffey for the post.
"They want to run this like the Gestapo, seriously, like a Third World country," she said. "This is not the People's Republic of China. What is this?"
Mr. Duffey did not respond to a call for comment. Mr. Irish said yesterday that procedures governing tonight's meeting "are still being worked out."
Contact Fritz Wenzel at:
fritz@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Meeting to pick treasurer likely will be heated
By FRITZ WENZEL
Blade Political Writer
The Lucas County Democratic Party central committee will meet tonight to choose a new county treasurer in a meeting that promises to be acrimonious, as factions of the party fight over a temporary appointment that will expire in September.
Candidates representing different factions of the party include Wade Kapszukiewicz, a Democratic Toledo councilman who won a race for the seat in the November election, and Dennis Duffey, business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8, who also serves as the chairman of the party's central committee.
No matter who is appointed to the seat tonight, Mr. Kapszukiewicz will begin a fresh four-year term on Sept. 12.
At issue in the race is the fate of several underlings to former Treasurer Ray Kest, a fellow Democrat who resigned in late November to avoid a felony theft charge. Mr. Kapszukiwicz has promised to clean remnants of the Kest political machine from the office once he takes over, while Mr. Duffey represents a faction of the party intent on saving the jobs of the Kest assistants, giving them until Mr. Kapszukiewicz takes over next fall to find new employment, or to retire. At the top of the Kapszukiewicz hit list is top Kest aide John Irish, the deputy treasurer who needs just a matter of months to meet the goal of 30 years in the government pension system.
The central committee meeting tonight, which is open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in the United Auto Workers Local 12 hall on Ashland Avenue. Under state law, county party central committees are charged with filling vacancies in county administrative offices.
Also at issue is how the meeting will be conducted. Because of Mr. Duffey's position as chairman of the committee that will make tonight's appointment, Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he is concerned the meeting may not be fair.
"If it's a fair election, I think the members of the committee will do what they have always done, and that is to reflect the will of the voters," Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. "If there's some attempt to have a Soviet Union show trial, then, obviously, there's an awful lot that can be done to thwart the will of the voters."
Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and others were instrumental in the coup that ousted former chairman Paula Ross, and replaced her with Sandy Isenberg, who said yesterday she was distraught that intraparty squabbling could spoil the party's prospects at the polls.
With Mr. Duffey or a hand-picked assistant running the meeting, Ms. Isenberg feared it is almost certain they would first nominate Mr. Duffey for the post.
"They want to run this like the Gestapo, seriously, like a Third World country," she said. "This is not the People's Republic of China. What is this?"
Mr. Duffey did not respond to a call for comment. Mr. Irish said yesterday that procedures governing tonight's meeting "are still being worked out."
Contact Fritz Wenzel at:
fritz@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.
IBEW System Council U-3 (New Jersey) will resume Talks in Jersey Central Power & Light Strike
Talks to resume Wednesday in JCP&L strike
(Tue, Jan/04/2005)
NEWARK, N.J. - The state's second-largest power company and union workers who have been on strike for nearly four weeks are to resume negotiations Wednesday.
A state mediator is to join representatives of Jersey Central Power & Light Co. and the union on Wednesday morning. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union went on strike Dec. 8.
The cost of health care for retirees is the main sticking point in negotiations, along with what the company terms "responsiveness" to customer needs involving overtime work.
The company is using management workers with training as line workers to fill in during the strike.
In September, the company offered a 9 percent wage increase over three years, but the union rejected it. The company said the cost of providing health coverage to the union workers has doubled from $7 million in 2000 to $14 million this year.
The strike is the first since 1987 for JCP&L, which provides electricity to 1 million customers in 13 counties, primarily in the northern part of the state.
The five local unions that comprise IBEW System Council U-3 represent linemen, technicians, clerks, mechanics and other employees of the Morristown-based company.
Article's URL:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-01042005-426762.html
(Tue, Jan/04/2005)
NEWARK, N.J. - The state's second-largest power company and union workers who have been on strike for nearly four weeks are to resume negotiations Wednesday.
A state mediator is to join representatives of Jersey Central Power & Light Co. and the union on Wednesday morning. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union went on strike Dec. 8.
The cost of health care for retirees is the main sticking point in negotiations, along with what the company terms "responsiveness" to customer needs involving overtime work.
The company is using management workers with training as line workers to fill in during the strike.
In September, the company offered a 9 percent wage increase over three years, but the union rejected it. The company said the cost of providing health coverage to the union workers has doubled from $7 million in 2000 to $14 million this year.
The strike is the first since 1987 for JCP&L, which provides electricity to 1 million customers in 13 counties, primarily in the northern part of the state.
The five local unions that comprise IBEW System Council U-3 represent linemen, technicians, clerks, mechanics and other employees of the Morristown-based company.
Article's URL:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-01042005-426762.html
IBEW Local 53 (Kansas City, MO) Inks Five Year Contract with 3% Annual Increases for City-Employed Electrical Workers
http://www.examiner.net/stories/010405/new_010405011.shtml
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Story last updated at 11:46 AM on Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Independence City Council
The Independence City Council meets regularly the first and third Mondays of the month, with study sessions on the second and fourth Mondays. The council met Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, to conduct its regular business. Council Members Jason White and Will Swoffer were absent. All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise stated. All dollar figures have been rounded off.
Opening action
The council:
- Named Khristina Eades, administrative specialist with the Water Pollution Control Department, Employee of the Month for January.
Consent agenda
The council approves items in the consent agenda, including resolutions, with one motion and vote. The council:
- Approved a price agreement with Aerotek Energy Services to provide short-term plant operations support personnel for the Power and Light Department for one year.
- Approved a $33,037 purchase order to Altec Industries for a hydraulic aerial device for the Power and Light Department.
- Delayed consideration of a bill for gas pumps and a convenience store at HyVee, 1525 E. 23rd St., until July 18, 2005, at the request of the applicant.
Resolutions
- Created an 11-member oversight committee, called the Independence Regional Medical Center Tax Increment Financing Plan Advisory Committee, and defined its purpose to oversee the $12 million rehabilitation fund for Independence Regional Health Center and Medical Center of Independence.
Ordinances
- Authorized a funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for a five-year program to study stream water quality in Independence. The agreement includes a commitment for the USGS to invest $465,000, and a city commitment of $879,400.
- Declared the necessity of acquiring temporary construction and grading easements, not to exceed $10,040, for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Noland Road Bridge replacement over K.C. Southern Railroad.
- Approved a rezoning request to include a special use permit for religious activities at East Side Baptist Church, 19901 E. M-78. The ordinance was necessary for the church to expand.
- Extended an agreement with Lawrence Hackman to Dec. 31, 2006, increasing his hourly rate to $75, and appropriating $35,000 from the tourism fund for expenses. Hackman is heading a study to revamp the National Frontier Trails Museum.
- Approved an $11,380 damage claim to Turf Management, for payment for mowing services on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department.
First readings
Ordinances require two readings before the council passes them. The following ordinances have been read once and will be on the Jan. 18 agenda for a vote.
- An ordinance authorizing a $9,194 increase to the contract with Joshua Investments for the 16621 Crackerneck storm sewer project.
- An ordinance authorizing an increase of $8,128 to the contract with Midwest Remediation, for the Spring Branch detention basin project.
- An ordinance authorizing an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the U.S. 24 project between 291 Highway and Davis Road.
- An ordinance authorizing a contract with Clay County Sanitary and Ditching for the 35th and Cottage storm sewer project, not to exceed $436,870.
- An ordinance authorizing a one-year $50,540 grant from the Assistance to Firefighter's Grant Program, Federal Emergency Agency, Department of Homeland Security for fire operations and firefighter safety, with a city match of $21,660.
- An ordinance accepting a $13,950 State Emergency Management Agency grant for the Independence Fire Department emergency preparedness budget to support the Independence Citizen Corps.
Emergency ordinances
The council can read emergency ordinances twice and pass them in one meeting with five votes. The council:
- Approved a five-year work agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 53, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2004. The agreement includes minimum wage increases of 3 percent each of the five years.
- Accepted a one-year grant for $54,000 from the Missouri Department of Public Safety for $54,000, to continue the Independence STOP Violence program.
- Moved to suspend the rules for committee members who are automatically dismissed for missing three meetings. The council is making a special case for Public Utilities Advisory Board member Marvin Sturgeon, who hasn't been able to attend meetings because of a health issue, but who wishes to return and serve his term.
- Moved to reinstate Al McGinnis to the Planning Commission. McGinnis had left Independence for a brief time to take a position out east, but he returned and city officials wished for him to keep serving.
Citizen requests
- Steve Chasteen, a parent of two children attending Ready, Set, Go! day care provided by Independence Regional Health Center and Medical Center of Independence, spoke against HCA Midwest's decision to terminate the daycare by Jan. 28. Chasteen asked for an extension so the parents can make alternate plans or lease the building and hire back the staff on their own.
Next meeting
- The Council is expected to vote on a management group for the city's proposed aquatics center at the next study session, 6 p.m., Monday.
Member comments
- Council Member Jim Schultz suggested the City Council rethink its process for public speakers. The council will discuss several rule changes.
One of the proposed changes is to eliminate the cut in time, from five minutes to three minutes, for people who have spoken on a specific topic more than once in a six-month period.
Schultz would like to see all speakers get five minutes.
"If a citizen is going to take the time to come up and visit with us, two extra minutes is not a lot of time to listen to what they have to say," Schultz said.
- Council Member Jim Page said his heart and soul goes out to the suffering people in south Asia, who were hit with disastrous tsunami waves on Christmas weekend.
"They need our prayer and support," he said.
Mayor Ron Stewart asked for city officials and citizens to pull together and find a way to help the victims and their families.
"I think we should do more ... Something we should do to collect something for those folks over there," Stewart said. The city will consider setting up a help line for donations.
- Stewart also mentioned a garage sale to benefit students from Fort Osage High School wishing to have a safe party on graduation night, free of drugs and alcohol.
The auction is Jan. 29 at Fort Osage High School. The contact person is Linda Morgan, (816) 650-5216.
Compiled by David Tanner
http://www.vindy.com/featured/282303761660338.php
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Story last updated at 11:46 AM on Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Independence City Council
The Independence City Council meets regularly the first and third Mondays of the month, with study sessions on the second and fourth Mondays. The council met Monday, Jan. 3, 2005, to conduct its regular business. Council Members Jason White and Will Swoffer were absent. All votes were 5-0 unless otherwise stated. All dollar figures have been rounded off.
Opening action
The council:
- Named Khristina Eades, administrative specialist with the Water Pollution Control Department, Employee of the Month for January.
Consent agenda
The council approves items in the consent agenda, including resolutions, with one motion and vote. The council:
- Approved a price agreement with Aerotek Energy Services to provide short-term plant operations support personnel for the Power and Light Department for one year.
- Approved a $33,037 purchase order to Altec Industries for a hydraulic aerial device for the Power and Light Department.
- Delayed consideration of a bill for gas pumps and a convenience store at HyVee, 1525 E. 23rd St., until July 18, 2005, at the request of the applicant.
Resolutions
- Created an 11-member oversight committee, called the Independence Regional Medical Center Tax Increment Financing Plan Advisory Committee, and defined its purpose to oversee the $12 million rehabilitation fund for Independence Regional Health Center and Medical Center of Independence.
Ordinances
- Authorized a funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for a five-year program to study stream water quality in Independence. The agreement includes a commitment for the USGS to invest $465,000, and a city commitment of $879,400.
- Declared the necessity of acquiring temporary construction and grading easements, not to exceed $10,040, for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Noland Road Bridge replacement over K.C. Southern Railroad.
- Approved a rezoning request to include a special use permit for religious activities at East Side Baptist Church, 19901 E. M-78. The ordinance was necessary for the church to expand.
- Extended an agreement with Lawrence Hackman to Dec. 31, 2006, increasing his hourly rate to $75, and appropriating $35,000 from the tourism fund for expenses. Hackman is heading a study to revamp the National Frontier Trails Museum.
- Approved an $11,380 damage claim to Turf Management, for payment for mowing services on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department.
First readings
Ordinances require two readings before the council passes them. The following ordinances have been read once and will be on the Jan. 18 agenda for a vote.
- An ordinance authorizing a $9,194 increase to the contract with Joshua Investments for the 16621 Crackerneck storm sewer project.
- An ordinance authorizing an increase of $8,128 to the contract with Midwest Remediation, for the Spring Branch detention basin project.
- An ordinance authorizing an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the U.S. 24 project between 291 Highway and Davis Road.
- An ordinance authorizing a contract with Clay County Sanitary and Ditching for the 35th and Cottage storm sewer project, not to exceed $436,870.
- An ordinance authorizing a one-year $50,540 grant from the Assistance to Firefighter's Grant Program, Federal Emergency Agency, Department of Homeland Security for fire operations and firefighter safety, with a city match of $21,660.
- An ordinance accepting a $13,950 State Emergency Management Agency grant for the Independence Fire Department emergency preparedness budget to support the Independence Citizen Corps.
Emergency ordinances
The council can read emergency ordinances twice and pass them in one meeting with five votes. The council:
- Approved a five-year work agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 53, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2004. The agreement includes minimum wage increases of 3 percent each of the five years.
- Accepted a one-year grant for $54,000 from the Missouri Department of Public Safety for $54,000, to continue the Independence STOP Violence program.
- Moved to suspend the rules for committee members who are automatically dismissed for missing three meetings. The council is making a special case for Public Utilities Advisory Board member Marvin Sturgeon, who hasn't been able to attend meetings because of a health issue, but who wishes to return and serve his term.
- Moved to reinstate Al McGinnis to the Planning Commission. McGinnis had left Independence for a brief time to take a position out east, but he returned and city officials wished for him to keep serving.
Citizen requests
- Steve Chasteen, a parent of two children attending Ready, Set, Go! day care provided by Independence Regional Health Center and Medical Center of Independence, spoke against HCA Midwest's decision to terminate the daycare by Jan. 28. Chasteen asked for an extension so the parents can make alternate plans or lease the building and hire back the staff on their own.
Next meeting
- The Council is expected to vote on a management group for the city's proposed aquatics center at the next study session, 6 p.m., Monday.
Member comments
- Council Member Jim Schultz suggested the City Council rethink its process for public speakers. The council will discuss several rule changes.
One of the proposed changes is to eliminate the cut in time, from five minutes to three minutes, for people who have spoken on a specific topic more than once in a six-month period.
Schultz would like to see all speakers get five minutes.
"If a citizen is going to take the time to come up and visit with us, two extra minutes is not a lot of time to listen to what they have to say," Schultz said.
- Council Member Jim Page said his heart and soul goes out to the suffering people in south Asia, who were hit with disastrous tsunami waves on Christmas weekend.
"They need our prayer and support," he said.
Mayor Ron Stewart asked for city officials and citizens to pull together and find a way to help the victims and their families.
"I think we should do more ... Something we should do to collect something for those folks over there," Stewart said. The city will consider setting up a help line for donations.
- Stewart also mentioned a garage sale to benefit students from Fort Osage High School wishing to have a safe party on graduation night, free of drugs and alcohol.
The auction is Jan. 29 at Fort Osage High School. The contact person is Linda Morgan, (816) 650-5216.
Compiled by David Tanner
http://www.vindy.com/featured/282303761660338.php
IBEW Local 369 (Louisville) Acts to protect non-union electricians from fraud and unapproved "education" programs
By Mark Pitsch
mpitsch@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
By Michael Hayman, The C-J
Keith Hagan of Sellersburg, Ind., who left the Decker College program, said, "From the get-go it was nothing but lies."
By Michael Clevenger, The C-J
The Kentucky Board for Proprietary Education, which licenses trade schools, has launched an investigation of Decker College.
Watch for Top Jobs coming to this space soon.
Keith Hagan quit a steady job in March and borrowed $6,000 to enter Decker College's new electrician training program, which the school promised would deliver "the highest level of proficiency" in the field.
Now Hagan has left school and is working two jobs to support his wife and toddler after learning that the program is not approved for state licensing of electricians.
"I feel sometimes I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown," said Hagan, 27, of Sellersburg, Ind. "From the get-go it was nothing but lies."
Other students who are military veterans say the for-profit Louisville college, which opened in 1989, misled them into believing they could use Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for the 10-month electrical program.
Gerald Woodcox, Decker's president, said there was "some misinterpretation" of recruitment materials by students, but he acknowledged some "reasonable complaints."
The Kentucky Board for Proprietary Education, which licenses trade schools, has launched an investigation of Decker and this month turned the case over to the state attorney general's office.
The Better Business Bureau is looking into complaints by Decker students.
Charlie Mattingly, president of the Better Business Bureau covering Louisville, Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana, said he has concerns "that some students and prospective students are being misled, perhaps."
A Decker brochure says graduates of its electrical training are "highly skilled employee(s) certified and accredited in the shortest time possible." The brochure does not say the program is approved for the training needed to get a Kentucky electrician's license.
TO FILE A COMPLAINT
Kentucky State Board for Proprietary Education
P.O. Box 1360
Frankfort, KY 40602
Phone: (502) 564-3296, Ext. 227
Web: www.state.ky.us/
agencies/finance/
occupations/proprietaryed/
complaintform.pdf
Better Business Bureau
844 S. Fourth St.
Louisville, KY 40203
Phone: (502) 583-6546
Web: www.ky-in.bbb.org
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580
Phone: (877) 382-4357
Web: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/
dod/wsolcq$.startup?
Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
Decker claims in a lawsuit that former instructor Brian Vandenburg, a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 369, intentionally encouraged 20 students to break their school contracts.
"Decker has a reasonable expectation of economic gain from the continued tuition payment of its students," the suit says, putting losses attributable to student withdrawals at $109,000.
But Vandenburg denied the allegations, saying, "If I felt everything was on the up and up, I would've just worked there."
Woodcox said he is willing to refund the $10,700 tuition for students who enrolled in March and April, when the electrical training program was launched. He said the school already has resolved some complaints, but he would not go into detail.
The program is still enrolling students.
New state law
Since 2003, more than 600 students have enrolled in Decker electrical programs in Indianapolis, Atlanta and Jacksonville, said Woodcox. He owns Decker with his brother, Jeffrey Woodcox of Louisville, and the New York investment firm of former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld.
In 2003, the Kentucky legislature passed a law requiring for the first time that electricians have a state license, said Frank Dempsey, legal counsel for the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction, which regulates construction codes.
Unlicensed assistants can work in the trade but must be supervised by licensed electricians who are ultimately responsible for the safety of the wiring, he said.
The state law requires electricians to pass a national test, have four years of supervised on-the-job training, and to either have an additional two years of on-the-job training or have passed a training program approved by the construction office to get a license, he said.
Decker's program is not approved and has not yet applied to the state, Dempsey said.
Students said that without state approval, the Decker program left them no closer to state licenses than they were before they enrolled.
"They just charged $10,000 for a nine-month program you didn't get nothing out of," said Randy Clark, 21, of New Castle, Ky.
Woodcox said Decker's program provides electrical training to those who don't want to go through the licensing process, and he is not sure if it will seek state approval.
"Our program is not so that you will in four years become a licensed electrician," he said.
Training
According to students and a Decker catalog, its electrical program holds classes every weekday for four weeks.
Then students are placed with an electrical company to get hands-on experience during the week for nine months while returning to the classroom on Saturdays.
Students said Decker's classroom work was hurried and that not all students were placed with an electrical company after four weeks.
"They rush everything and give you an open-book test and tell you what to highlight in the book that's on the test and where to even look in the book," said former student Jamie Blackburn, 27, of Elizabethtown, Ky.
"You learn a lot, but you learn at such a fast pace that you can't remember once you're working," said Daniel Hill, 20, of Custer, Ky., another former student.
Woodcox defended the instruction, saying it was sufficient to get aspiring electricians into the field.
Don Whyte, president of the National Center for Construction Education and Research, a Gainesville, Fla.-based group that promotes educational curricula for construction trades, said the Decker training model is emerging as an alternative to traditional apprenticeships. It shifts the cost of the instruction to students from employers, he said.
But union and nonunion construction officials — who operate multiyear apprenticeships approved by the state and the U.S. Department of Labor — questioned Decker's accelerated approach.
"The idea that you could train an electrician in nine months is ludicrous," said Scotty Pulliam of IBEW Local 369. "Bad wiring kills people."
Mary Jo Morton, education director for Associated Builders and Contractors of Kentuckiana Inc., said that Decker approached the group as a partner for its electrical program before starting it.
"We wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole," she said, saying the program offers only basics and doesn't prepare students for a career as an electrician.
Veterans complain
A seven-year Army veteran, Blackburn said he enrolled with Decker after school officials said he could pay for the electrical program with VA benefits. School promotional materials said Decker and its programs are approved by the VA.
But Blackburn said the VA denied his request, and state and federal VA officials said Decker's electrical program isn't approved. "They made it sound like it was a golden egg just waiting for you to take it," Blackburn said.
Woodcox acknowledged that promotional material mentioning VA approval "might have been confusing" to students. He urged Blackburn and other veterans to contact him directly if they have complaints.
"There is always the potential for a misunderstanding," he said. "And what we stand by is that we will work through those misunderstandings on a case-by-case basis."
mpitsch@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
By Michael Hayman, The C-J
Keith Hagan of Sellersburg, Ind., who left the Decker College program, said, "From the get-go it was nothing but lies."
By Michael Clevenger, The C-J
The Kentucky Board for Proprietary Education, which licenses trade schools, has launched an investigation of Decker College.
Watch for Top Jobs coming to this space soon.
Keith Hagan quit a steady job in March and borrowed $6,000 to enter Decker College's new electrician training program, which the school promised would deliver "the highest level of proficiency" in the field.
Now Hagan has left school and is working two jobs to support his wife and toddler after learning that the program is not approved for state licensing of electricians.
"I feel sometimes I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown," said Hagan, 27, of Sellersburg, Ind. "From the get-go it was nothing but lies."
Other students who are military veterans say the for-profit Louisville college, which opened in 1989, misled them into believing they could use Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for the 10-month electrical program.
Gerald Woodcox, Decker's president, said there was "some misinterpretation" of recruitment materials by students, but he acknowledged some "reasonable complaints."
The Kentucky Board for Proprietary Education, which licenses trade schools, has launched an investigation of Decker and this month turned the case over to the state attorney general's office.
The Better Business Bureau is looking into complaints by Decker students.
Charlie Mattingly, president of the Better Business Bureau covering Louisville, Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana, said he has concerns "that some students and prospective students are being misled, perhaps."
A Decker brochure says graduates of its electrical training are "highly skilled employee(s) certified and accredited in the shortest time possible." The brochure does not say the program is approved for the training needed to get a Kentucky electrician's license.
TO FILE A COMPLAINT
Kentucky State Board for Proprietary Education
P.O. Box 1360
Frankfort, KY 40602
Phone: (502) 564-3296, Ext. 227
Web: www.state.ky.us/
agencies/finance/
occupations/proprietaryed/
complaintform.pdf
Better Business Bureau
844 S. Fourth St.
Louisville, KY 40203
Phone: (502) 583-6546
Web: www.ky-in.bbb.org
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
CRC-240
Washington, D.C. 20580
Phone: (877) 382-4357
Web: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/
dod/wsolcq$.startup?
Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
Decker claims in a lawsuit that former instructor Brian Vandenburg, a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 369, intentionally encouraged 20 students to break their school contracts.
"Decker has a reasonable expectation of economic gain from the continued tuition payment of its students," the suit says, putting losses attributable to student withdrawals at $109,000.
But Vandenburg denied the allegations, saying, "If I felt everything was on the up and up, I would've just worked there."
Woodcox said he is willing to refund the $10,700 tuition for students who enrolled in March and April, when the electrical training program was launched. He said the school already has resolved some complaints, but he would not go into detail.
The program is still enrolling students.
New state law
Since 2003, more than 600 students have enrolled in Decker electrical programs in Indianapolis, Atlanta and Jacksonville, said Woodcox. He owns Decker with his brother, Jeffrey Woodcox of Louisville, and the New York investment firm of former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld.
In 2003, the Kentucky legislature passed a law requiring for the first time that electricians have a state license, said Frank Dempsey, legal counsel for the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction, which regulates construction codes.
Unlicensed assistants can work in the trade but must be supervised by licensed electricians who are ultimately responsible for the safety of the wiring, he said.
The state law requires electricians to pass a national test, have four years of supervised on-the-job training, and to either have an additional two years of on-the-job training or have passed a training program approved by the construction office to get a license, he said.
Decker's program is not approved and has not yet applied to the state, Dempsey said.
Students said that without state approval, the Decker program left them no closer to state licenses than they were before they enrolled.
"They just charged $10,000 for a nine-month program you didn't get nothing out of," said Randy Clark, 21, of New Castle, Ky.
Woodcox said Decker's program provides electrical training to those who don't want to go through the licensing process, and he is not sure if it will seek state approval.
"Our program is not so that you will in four years become a licensed electrician," he said.
Training
According to students and a Decker catalog, its electrical program holds classes every weekday for four weeks.
Then students are placed with an electrical company to get hands-on experience during the week for nine months while returning to the classroom on Saturdays.
Students said Decker's classroom work was hurried and that not all students were placed with an electrical company after four weeks.
"They rush everything and give you an open-book test and tell you what to highlight in the book that's on the test and where to even look in the book," said former student Jamie Blackburn, 27, of Elizabethtown, Ky.
"You learn a lot, but you learn at such a fast pace that you can't remember once you're working," said Daniel Hill, 20, of Custer, Ky., another former student.
Woodcox defended the instruction, saying it was sufficient to get aspiring electricians into the field.
Don Whyte, president of the National Center for Construction Education and Research, a Gainesville, Fla.-based group that promotes educational curricula for construction trades, said the Decker training model is emerging as an alternative to traditional apprenticeships. It shifts the cost of the instruction to students from employers, he said.
But union and nonunion construction officials — who operate multiyear apprenticeships approved by the state and the U.S. Department of Labor — questioned Decker's accelerated approach.
"The idea that you could train an electrician in nine months is ludicrous," said Scotty Pulliam of IBEW Local 369. "Bad wiring kills people."
Mary Jo Morton, education director for Associated Builders and Contractors of Kentuckiana Inc., said that Decker approached the group as a partner for its electrical program before starting it.
"We wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole," she said, saying the program offers only basics and doesn't prepare students for a career as an electrician.
Veterans complain
A seven-year Army veteran, Blackburn said he enrolled with Decker after school officials said he could pay for the electrical program with VA benefits. School promotional materials said Decker and its programs are approved by the VA.
But Blackburn said the VA denied his request, and state and federal VA officials said Decker's electrical program isn't approved. "They made it sound like it was a golden egg just waiting for you to take it," Blackburn said.
Woodcox acknowledged that promotional material mentioning VA approval "might have been confusing" to students. He urged Blackburn and other veterans to contact him directly if they have complaints.
"There is always the potential for a misunderstanding," he said. "And what we stand by is that we will work through those misunderstandings on a case-by-case basis."
IBEW Local 150 (Waukegan, IL) provides help for living in the name of deceased members
Help Them to Hope 2004-05 (from the Waukegan, IL "News Sun" 12/28/04)
Editor's note: This season, the agencies supported by the News Sun's Help Them To Hope fund are sharing articles about clients who have benefited from their services.
Community Social Services helps single mom
This is about a single young mother with four kids and another due at the end of the year. Her husband abandoned her six months ago, with no means of support. She was forced to get a job at a fast-food restaurant and tried to make ends meet. Community Social Services was able to help her with food and clothing and a baby crib. She just couldn't believe that someone was willing to help her and the kids, and the tears just kept rolling off her face. If you want to make a donation, send a check or money order payable to Help Them to Hope in care of The News Sun, 2383 N. Delany Road, Waukegan, Ill. 60087 or deposit your contribution in the Hope Box in the lobby at The News Sun office on weekdays during business hours.
Contributions go to Lake County residents through several area charities:
Catholic Charities
Christian Outreach of Lutherans
Holy Family Parish / Community Social Services
Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault/Zacharias Center (LaCASA)
PADS Crisis Services, Inc.,
A Safe Place / Lake County Crisis Center
Salvation Army
The Help Them to Hope effort does not authorize any door-to-door collecting, street solicitation or caroling for money in the fund's name.
People with questions concerning contributions may call (847) 336-7000.
Donations Saturday totaled $12,185. The total to date is $53,329.25.
Gifts received were:
Antioch
Elizabeth Sheehan, in memory of Joe and Richard "Tiny" Sheehan, $50.
Beach Park
J.D. Valaitis and Ginger Vehrs, in memory of our parents, William and Esther Valaitis, $100; anonymous, to all those who died defending freedom in 2004, check No. 3283, $100.
Gurnee
Anonymous, check No. 2010, $200.
Lake Villa
Tom Ruhl Plumbing, $150.
Libertyville
IBEW Local Union 150, in memory of deceased members, $1,200.
Wadsworth
Anonymous, check No. 1095, $50; Elizabeth Hogan, holiday greetings to my Wadsworth friends and neighbors, $20.
Waukegan
Donna Burnside, for my friends and neighbors who have lost loved ones this year, $100; Frank Sun, M.D., $10,000; Richard Shultis, in memory of Shirley Shultis, $25; Bertrand's Bowling Thursday Night Moonlite Ladies Bowling League, $70.
Zion
Employees of the Zion Park District, "Happy Holidays," $120.
12/28/04
Editor's note: This season, the agencies supported by the News Sun's Help Them To Hope fund are sharing articles about clients who have benefited from their services.
Community Social Services helps single mom
This is about a single young mother with four kids and another due at the end of the year. Her husband abandoned her six months ago, with no means of support. She was forced to get a job at a fast-food restaurant and tried to make ends meet. Community Social Services was able to help her with food and clothing and a baby crib. She just couldn't believe that someone was willing to help her and the kids, and the tears just kept rolling off her face. If you want to make a donation, send a check or money order payable to Help Them to Hope in care of The News Sun, 2383 N. Delany Road, Waukegan, Ill. 60087 or deposit your contribution in the Hope Box in the lobby at The News Sun office on weekdays during business hours.
Contributions go to Lake County residents through several area charities:
Catholic Charities
Christian Outreach of Lutherans
Holy Family Parish / Community Social Services
Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault/Zacharias Center (LaCASA)
PADS Crisis Services, Inc.,
A Safe Place / Lake County Crisis Center
Salvation Army
The Help Them to Hope effort does not authorize any door-to-door collecting, street solicitation or caroling for money in the fund's name.
People with questions concerning contributions may call (847) 336-7000.
Donations Saturday totaled $12,185. The total to date is $53,329.25.
Gifts received were:
Antioch
Elizabeth Sheehan, in memory of Joe and Richard "Tiny" Sheehan, $50.
Beach Park
J.D. Valaitis and Ginger Vehrs, in memory of our parents, William and Esther Valaitis, $100; anonymous, to all those who died defending freedom in 2004, check No. 3283, $100.
Gurnee
Anonymous, check No. 2010, $200.
Lake Villa
Tom Ruhl Plumbing, $150.
Libertyville
IBEW Local Union 150, in memory of deceased members, $1,200.
Wadsworth
Anonymous, check No. 1095, $50; Elizabeth Hogan, holiday greetings to my Wadsworth friends and neighbors, $20.
Waukegan
Donna Burnside, for my friends and neighbors who have lost loved ones this year, $100; Frank Sun, M.D., $10,000; Richard Shultis, in memory of Shirley Shultis, $25; Bertrand's Bowling Thursday Night Moonlite Ladies Bowling League, $70.
Zion
Employees of the Zion Park District, "Happy Holidays," $120.
12/28/04
IBEW Local 983 (Huntington, IN) Hosts Christmas Party for children
(photo) (From the Huntington Herald Press)
Kaylee Binnion, 23 months, gets some encouragement from her great-aunt, Linda Conliff, in sitting on Santa's lap during IBEW Local 983's Christmas party for employees' children. The party was held Dec. 11 at the union hall on Etna Avenue. In addition to visiting with Santa, who was played by Brad Woodring, each child was given a stocking filled with toys and goodies. / Photo by Todd Campbell
Kaylee Binnion, 23 months, gets some encouragement from her great-aunt, Linda Conliff, in sitting on Santa's lap during IBEW Local 983's Christmas party for employees' children. The party was held Dec. 11 at the union hall on Etna Avenue. In addition to visiting with Santa, who was played by Brad Woodring, each child was given a stocking filled with toys and goodies. / Photo by Todd Campbell
Monday, January 03, 2005
IBEW Local 81(Scranton) Member off with the 365th Engineer Battalion to Iraq
01/03/2005
More local soldiers leave for duty
By Robert L. Baker and Josh Brodesky TIMES-SHAMROCK NEWS WRITERS
Seventy-five area soldiers with the 365th Engineer Battalion's electrical unit were treated to a Sunday brunch with their families before shipping out on the first leg of what will become a tour of duty in Iraq.
The soldiers left their Colfax Avenue headquarters before noon, bound for 45 days of training at Fort Dix, N.J.
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Another 141 soldiers from the Army Reserve unit had already shipped out for training at Fort Benning, Ga., after Thanksgiving. The second group received its orders before Thanksgiving, and some troops expected to ship out before Christmas, but the Army allowed them to celebrate the holidays at home.
Despite the extra time together, the troops and their families said Sunday's goodbye came too soon.
Sandra Swartz and her 28-year-old husband, Spc. Kenneth Swartz, of Jermyn, spent the first part of last week in Atlantic City on what she called a "mini-anniversary."
The couple only married in May, and the two will be apart for their first anniversary. The two spent the latter part of the week with Spc. Swartz's grandparents in New York. Both grandparents are in fragile health, and she said her husband wanted to see them before he shipped out.
"I'm proud of him," she said. "I still am a patriotic person. I am all for the country. I just think this war didn't need to happen. It's really hard for the family."
Mrs. Swartz said her hus- band's eight-year contract with the military was set to expire on Jan. 17.
"It was pretty emotional," she said of Sunday's goodbye. "It was just rough."
Staff Sgt. Donald Zimmerman, of Dallas, expressed similar sentiments about leaving his family.
He will be leaving his wife Heather and his two sons, ages 4 and 11, behind.
"I'm not really happy about leaving my wife and kids for so long," Sgt. Zimmerman said.
Mrs. Zimmerman said while their youngest son, Klay, does not understand why his father is leaving, her 11-year-old, Karl, has let it be known "that he is going to be the man of the house until Dad comes back."
It was a teary-eyed morning for MaryAnn Barni of Lake Winola, who tried to hold off the moment of seeing her 25-year-old son Pfc. Bruce Gerstemier leave.
She and her husband, Richard Barni, recently returned from seeing her son finish boot camp at Fort Knox, Ky. Pfc. Gerstemier is a 1998 graduate of Tunkhannock Area High School and an electrician with the IBEW Local 81.
"I'm definitely very proud of him serving our country, but this is tough," she said.
The brunch was sponsored by the Support the Troops of Northeastern Pennsylvania, headed by Dawn Rogers of Tunkhannock.
Ms. Rogers, who has two sons in the service, said the brunch was meant to help support the families whose lives are disrupted. She said when her oldest son shipped out for Iraq -- he has since returned and is stationed in Kentucky -- she was alone and found it to be unbearable.
"I totally lost it," she said. "You didn't have anyone else that understood what you were going through."
Ms. Rogers said the group, which has about 500 members, will hold a catered supper for the families of all of the region's soldiers on Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Clarks Summit VFW Post 7069. She said it would be good to see all of the families, and also she invited anyone who would like to show their support for the troops to attend. She said family members of the troops can call her at any time at either 836-1098 or 470-8391 for support.
"Your soldiers that are deployed are much more comfortable knowing that someone is looking out for them," she said.
More local soldiers leave for duty
By Robert L. Baker and Josh Brodesky TIMES-SHAMROCK NEWS WRITERS
Seventy-five area soldiers with the 365th Engineer Battalion's electrical unit were treated to a Sunday brunch with their families before shipping out on the first leg of what will become a tour of duty in Iraq.
The soldiers left their Colfax Avenue headquarters before noon, bound for 45 days of training at Fort Dix, N.J.
Advertisement
Click Here!
Another 141 soldiers from the Army Reserve unit had already shipped out for training at Fort Benning, Ga., after Thanksgiving. The second group received its orders before Thanksgiving, and some troops expected to ship out before Christmas, but the Army allowed them to celebrate the holidays at home.
Despite the extra time together, the troops and their families said Sunday's goodbye came too soon.
Sandra Swartz and her 28-year-old husband, Spc. Kenneth Swartz, of Jermyn, spent the first part of last week in Atlantic City on what she called a "mini-anniversary."
The couple only married in May, and the two will be apart for their first anniversary. The two spent the latter part of the week with Spc. Swartz's grandparents in New York. Both grandparents are in fragile health, and she said her husband wanted to see them before he shipped out.
"I'm proud of him," she said. "I still am a patriotic person. I am all for the country. I just think this war didn't need to happen. It's really hard for the family."
Mrs. Swartz said her hus- band's eight-year contract with the military was set to expire on Jan. 17.
"It was pretty emotional," she said of Sunday's goodbye. "It was just rough."
Staff Sgt. Donald Zimmerman, of Dallas, expressed similar sentiments about leaving his family.
He will be leaving his wife Heather and his two sons, ages 4 and 11, behind.
"I'm not really happy about leaving my wife and kids for so long," Sgt. Zimmerman said.
Mrs. Zimmerman said while their youngest son, Klay, does not understand why his father is leaving, her 11-year-old, Karl, has let it be known "that he is going to be the man of the house until Dad comes back."
It was a teary-eyed morning for MaryAnn Barni of Lake Winola, who tried to hold off the moment of seeing her 25-year-old son Pfc. Bruce Gerstemier leave.
She and her husband, Richard Barni, recently returned from seeing her son finish boot camp at Fort Knox, Ky. Pfc. Gerstemier is a 1998 graduate of Tunkhannock Area High School and an electrician with the IBEW Local 81.
"I'm definitely very proud of him serving our country, but this is tough," she said.
The brunch was sponsored by the Support the Troops of Northeastern Pennsylvania, headed by Dawn Rogers of Tunkhannock.
Ms. Rogers, who has two sons in the service, said the brunch was meant to help support the families whose lives are disrupted. She said when her oldest son shipped out for Iraq -- he has since returned and is stationed in Kentucky -- she was alone and found it to be unbearable.
"I totally lost it," she said. "You didn't have anyone else that understood what you were going through."
Ms. Rogers said the group, which has about 500 members, will hold a catered supper for the families of all of the region's soldiers on Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Clarks Summit VFW Post 7069. She said it would be good to see all of the families, and also she invited anyone who would like to show their support for the troops to attend. She said family members of the troops can call her at any time at either 836-1098 or 470-8391 for support.
"Your soldiers that are deployed are much more comfortable knowing that someone is looking out for them," she said.
IBEW Local 8 (Toledo) Member Steps Up for County Treasurer Position
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050101/NEWS33/501010332
New name tossed into tussle for treasurer
Union head challenges elected Kapszukiewicz
By DALE EMCH, BLADE STAFF WRITER
Saturday, January 1, 2005
The choice for the interim Lucas County treasurer apparently won't come down to Wade Kapszukiewicz and John Irish when the county Democratic Central Committee meets Tuesday night.
Dennis Duffey, head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8 and chairman of the central committee, will challenge Mr. Kapszukiewicz, who was elected to the office for a term that begins in September, according to a letter sent to central committee members by a faction of the group that helped topple party leadership last year.
The party must name someone to fill the unexpired term of Ray Kest, who was forced to resign to avoid a felony theft charge. The meeting, set for 7 p.m. at the United Autoworkers Local 12 meeting hall, 2300 Ashland Ave., is open to the public.
The struggle for the office materialized after it became clear Mr. Kapszukiewicz wasn't going to keep Mr. Irish, who had been Mr. Kest's top deputy, on staff. Mr. Irish needs about eight months to get his full benefits from the state's public employees retirement system.
In previous interviews, Mr. Irish said he was seeking the position so he could obtain his full pension and protect some of the Democrats in the treasurer's office. He did not return a call yesterday seeking comment, but it appears he is stepping aside to let his political ally Mr. Duffey lead the charge.
Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and others were instrumental in the coup that ousted former chairman Paula Ross. A letter signed by Kenneth Roach, vice chairman of the party's executive committee, and Nancy Norman, treasurer for the executive committee, states that Mr. Kapszukiewicz has promised to fire "six good Democrats" when he takes office. Mr. Roach is an electrical union employee under Mr. Duffey, who could not be reached for comment.
"Dennis Duffey, who has been involved in electing many former and current Democratic office holders, has come forward as the neutral candidate for the interim position," the letter stated.
That stance puts Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and others in the leadership in direct opposition to Sandy Isenberg, the party chairman, and Jerry Chabler, the party's finance chairman. Ms. Isenberg and Mr. Chabler support Mr. Kapszukiewicz to take the office before his term officially begins in September and said to do anything else would be thwarting the will of the voters.
Ms. Isenberg said backing Mr. Kapszukiewicz is the right thing to do, and she is surprised fellow party leaders are willing to squander the gains they've made just to benefit Mr. Irish. She's been criticized by Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and former Mayor Carty Finkbeiner for her stance.
"I'm trying to reunite the party, and we have our own people taking pokes at us because we're not doing what they want," she said. "It makes it very difficult to keep mending the fences. I want to do the right thing."
Mr. Kapszukiewicz ran on a reform platform after The Blade reported in 2003 that Mr. Kest spent nearly $17,000 of taxpayer money to pursue a PhD at Cleveland State University. Mr. Kest had to leave office in a deal that also called for him to pay back the money.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he never said he was going to fire six office employees. In previous interviews, he said about six people who were part of the "Kest political machine" were in jeopardy of being fired, but their performances would be evaluated first. Mr. Irish is a target because of his decades-long association with Mr. Kest and because Mr. Kapszukiewicz believes he worked for his Republican opponent, Betty Shultz, during the treasurer's race.
"Elected officials have the right to make changes when they take office," Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. "It is no different than when Democrat Carty Finkbeiner took over [as mayor] for Democrat John McHugh.
"The public did not vote for the status quo on Nov. 2. Unfortunately, this group is trying to protect the status quo."
Contact Dale Emch at:
daleemch@theblade.com
or 419-724-6061
New name tossed into tussle for treasurer
Union head challenges elected Kapszukiewicz
By DALE EMCH, BLADE STAFF WRITER
Saturday, January 1, 2005
The choice for the interim Lucas County treasurer apparently won't come down to Wade Kapszukiewicz and John Irish when the county Democratic Central Committee meets Tuesday night.
Dennis Duffey, head of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 8 and chairman of the central committee, will challenge Mr. Kapszukiewicz, who was elected to the office for a term that begins in September, according to a letter sent to central committee members by a faction of the group that helped topple party leadership last year.
The party must name someone to fill the unexpired term of Ray Kest, who was forced to resign to avoid a felony theft charge. The meeting, set for 7 p.m. at the United Autoworkers Local 12 meeting hall, 2300 Ashland Ave., is open to the public.
The struggle for the office materialized after it became clear Mr. Kapszukiewicz wasn't going to keep Mr. Irish, who had been Mr. Kest's top deputy, on staff. Mr. Irish needs about eight months to get his full benefits from the state's public employees retirement system.
In previous interviews, Mr. Irish said he was seeking the position so he could obtain his full pension and protect some of the Democrats in the treasurer's office. He did not return a call yesterday seeking comment, but it appears he is stepping aside to let his political ally Mr. Duffey lead the charge.
Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and others were instrumental in the coup that ousted former chairman Paula Ross. A letter signed by Kenneth Roach, vice chairman of the party's executive committee, and Nancy Norman, treasurer for the executive committee, states that Mr. Kapszukiewicz has promised to fire "six good Democrats" when he takes office. Mr. Roach is an electrical union employee under Mr. Duffey, who could not be reached for comment.
"Dennis Duffey, who has been involved in electing many former and current Democratic office holders, has come forward as the neutral candidate for the interim position," the letter stated.
That stance puts Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and others in the leadership in direct opposition to Sandy Isenberg, the party chairman, and Jerry Chabler, the party's finance chairman. Ms. Isenberg and Mr. Chabler support Mr. Kapszukiewicz to take the office before his term officially begins in September and said to do anything else would be thwarting the will of the voters.
Ms. Isenberg said backing Mr. Kapszukiewicz is the right thing to do, and she is surprised fellow party leaders are willing to squander the gains they've made just to benefit Mr. Irish. She's been criticized by Mr. Duffey, Mr. Irish, and former Mayor Carty Finkbeiner for her stance.
"I'm trying to reunite the party, and we have our own people taking pokes at us because we're not doing what they want," she said. "It makes it very difficult to keep mending the fences. I want to do the right thing."
Mr. Kapszukiewicz ran on a reform platform after The Blade reported in 2003 that Mr. Kest spent nearly $17,000 of taxpayer money to pursue a PhD at Cleveland State University. Mr. Kest had to leave office in a deal that also called for him to pay back the money.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he never said he was going to fire six office employees. In previous interviews, he said about six people who were part of the "Kest political machine" were in jeopardy of being fired, but their performances would be evaluated first. Mr. Irish is a target because of his decades-long association with Mr. Kest and because Mr. Kapszukiewicz believes he worked for his Republican opponent, Betty Shultz, during the treasurer's race.
"Elected officials have the right to make changes when they take office," Mr. Kapszukiewicz said. "It is no different than when Democrat Carty Finkbeiner took over [as mayor] for Democrat John McHugh.
"The public did not vote for the status quo on Nov. 2. Unfortunately, this group is trying to protect the status quo."
Contact Dale Emch at:
daleemch@theblade.com
or 419-724-6061
Friday, December 31, 2004
IBEW System Council #3 (local 327,1289,1303, 1309) try to negotiate for NJ members
No progress in talks with JCP&L, striking workers
(Fri, Dec/31/2004)
NEWARK, N.J. - Six hours of talks hosted by a state mediator failed to end a strike by union workers at the state's second-largest power company.
The mediator will join representatives of Jersey Central Power & Light Co. and the union for more negotiations on Wednesday, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported Friday. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union went on strike Dec. 8 over health care costs.
"We made no progress," Ed Modzelewski, union vice president, told the newspaper. "We made a proposal in the future retirees' health care that the company rejected and the company has no counter proposal," Modzelewski said.
Company spokesman Ron Morano said costs related to retirees' health care was the issue most discussed during the negotiating sessions.
"This is not just an issue at JCP&L, it's a nationwide issue," Morano told the newspaper.
The company is using management workers with training as line workers to fill in during the strike.
In September, the company had offered a 9 percent wage increase over three years, but the union rejected it. The company said the cost of providing health coverage to the union workers has doubled from $7 million in 2000 to $14 million this year.
The strike is the first since 1987 for New Jersey's second-largest utility, which provides electricity to 1 million customers in 13 counties, primarily in the northern part of the state.
The five local unions that comprise IBEW System Council U-3 represent linemen, technicians, clerks, mechanics and other employees of the Morristown-based company.
---
On the Net:
IBEW Unit 3 System Council: http://www.ibew1298.org/JCPL-FENews.htm
JCP&L: http://www.firstenergycorp.com/welcome/index.jsp
Article's URL:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-12312004-425223.html
(Fri, Dec/31/2004)
NEWARK, N.J. - Six hours of talks hosted by a state mediator failed to end a strike by union workers at the state's second-largest power company.
The mediator will join representatives of Jersey Central Power & Light Co. and the union for more negotiations on Wednesday, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported Friday. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union went on strike Dec. 8 over health care costs.
"We made no progress," Ed Modzelewski, union vice president, told the newspaper. "We made a proposal in the future retirees' health care that the company rejected and the company has no counter proposal," Modzelewski said.
Company spokesman Ron Morano said costs related to retirees' health care was the issue most discussed during the negotiating sessions.
"This is not just an issue at JCP&L, it's a nationwide issue," Morano told the newspaper.
The company is using management workers with training as line workers to fill in during the strike.
In September, the company had offered a 9 percent wage increase over three years, but the union rejected it. The company said the cost of providing health coverage to the union workers has doubled from $7 million in 2000 to $14 million this year.
The strike is the first since 1987 for New Jersey's second-largest utility, which provides electricity to 1 million customers in 13 counties, primarily in the northern part of the state.
The five local unions that comprise IBEW System Council U-3 represent linemen, technicians, clerks, mechanics and other employees of the Morristown-based company.
---
On the Net:
IBEW Unit 3 System Council: http://www.ibew1298.org/JCPL-FENews.htm
JCP&L: http://www.firstenergycorp.com/welcome/index.jsp
Article's URL:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-12312004-425223.html
IBEW Local 300 (Montpelier, VT) Reaches Agreement With Central Vermont Public Service
CVPS, IBEW Reach Four-Year Contract
Wednesday December 29, 3:56 pm ET
RUTLAND, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 29, 2004--The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 and Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE:CV - News) signed a four-year contract today, following interest-based negotiations focused on win-win outcomes.
The new contract, affecting 221 unionized employees, was approved this morning and takes effect at midnight Dec. 31, when the existing contract expires.
"The interest-based style of negotiating has proven effective in building and maintaining a relationship between the IBEW and CVPS," Local 300 President George Clain said. "It has instilled respect and openness, and has allowed both sides to completely understand each other's needs, and work toward meeting those needs in a collaborative way."
CVPS President Bob Young praised negotiators on both sides, who worked with a Cornell University trainer to understand win-win negotiations. A non-union CVPS employee, Ross Schifo, served as facilitator. Union members suggested Schifo to moderate the discussions between negotiators.
"I think that speaks volumes about how far we've come in the past several years," CVPS President Bob Young said. "The union and management worked side by side to create an agreement that serves employees, the company and our customers. It provides employees with a fair package of benefits, while helping control costs for our customers."
The four-year contract is the longest in company history, the third reached through interest-based negotiating, and the third straight contract approved on the first vote of the union. Prior to the first use of the technique six years ago, negotiations were often filled with rancor, and every contract was rejected at least once.
The contract provides an annual 3.5 percent pay increase from 2005 through 2008, with some additional adjustments starting in 2006 for a few specific jobs, based on comparable utilities' wages. The parties also agreed to increase the company's match for 401K contributions from 4 to 4.25 percent in 2007, and to increase employee health care contributions, co-pays and prescription drug charges.
Contact:
CVPS
Steve Costello, 802-747-5427
802-742-3062 (pager)
or
IBEW
George Clain, 888-423-9300 ex. 13
Source: CVPS
Wednesday December 29, 3:56 pm ET
RUTLAND, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 29, 2004--The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 and Central Vermont Public Service (NYSE:CV - News) signed a four-year contract today, following interest-based negotiations focused on win-win outcomes.
The new contract, affecting 221 unionized employees, was approved this morning and takes effect at midnight Dec. 31, when the existing contract expires.
"The interest-based style of negotiating has proven effective in building and maintaining a relationship between the IBEW and CVPS," Local 300 President George Clain said. "It has instilled respect and openness, and has allowed both sides to completely understand each other's needs, and work toward meeting those needs in a collaborative way."
CVPS President Bob Young praised negotiators on both sides, who worked with a Cornell University trainer to understand win-win negotiations. A non-union CVPS employee, Ross Schifo, served as facilitator. Union members suggested Schifo to moderate the discussions between negotiators.
"I think that speaks volumes about how far we've come in the past several years," CVPS President Bob Young said. "The union and management worked side by side to create an agreement that serves employees, the company and our customers. It provides employees with a fair package of benefits, while helping control costs for our customers."
The four-year contract is the longest in company history, the third reached through interest-based negotiating, and the third straight contract approved on the first vote of the union. Prior to the first use of the technique six years ago, negotiations were often filled with rancor, and every contract was rejected at least once.
The contract provides an annual 3.5 percent pay increase from 2005 through 2008, with some additional adjustments starting in 2006 for a few specific jobs, based on comparable utilities' wages. The parties also agreed to increase the company's match for 401K contributions from 4 to 4.25 percent in 2007, and to increase employee health care contributions, co-pays and prescription drug charges.
Contact:
CVPS
Steve Costello, 802-747-5427
802-742-3062 (pager)
or
IBEW
George Clain, 888-423-9300 ex. 13
Source: CVPS
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