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March Article 2004

Hello from Local 1 in New York City.
It looks like the NBA Nets are coming to Brooklyn. The rumors of a new arena to be built at Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues are circulating around the city. This is another feather in the cap of Downtown Brooklyn. The Atlantic Center is being built across the street from the proposed site of the new arena- besides, Brooklyn natives have never forgiven Walter O'Malley since he moved the beloved 'Bums' (Dodgers) to Los Angeles. An NBA franchise could help close those old wounds and bring plenty of work back to Brooklyn.

I was watching the news the other night when it was announced that Toyota had muscled Ford Motor Company out of the number 2 automaker spot. (General Motors is still Number 1) This is just another victory for the global economy; just another poke in the eye for the average American who is taking it on the chin every time his neighbor buys a foreign car or his friend shops at Wal-Mart. Money and jobs are pouring out of this country at an alarming rate. Manufacturing jobs are all but extinct, all the factory jobs have moved to other continents- and many have gone to Canada and Mexico- thanks to NAFTA and all of the other trade agreements that put the American worker last.

I remember when I was a kid in school, at the age of 11 I had a paper route. When I was a little older I worked after school at the deli, drug store, and candy store. Sweeping up, stocking shelves, making deliveries: anything to keep me busy. I was talking to some high school kids a while back and they were complaining about the lack of Summer jobs. Next time you're out, take a look around and see who is working at the supermarket or the drug store- or delivering your newspapers for that matter- more than likely they are illegal immigrants and not neighborhood kids. Alright already, enough of this gloom and doom, lets move on to other matters.

The Whitestone building is finally sold. The deal has been closed and 150-42 12th Avenue has a new owner.

Congratulations to Brother Jimmy McGoldrick on his appointment as NEIEP Administrator.
Congratulations to Joe and Cathi Flanagan, on September 3rd they were blessed with the arrival of little Jesse Evan Flanagan- 8 lbs. 9 oz.
Our condolences to the family of Keith Kelly, our Brother who passed on January 11th.

Well, I might as well wrap it up now, so as our mutual friend would say: Brothers and Sisters, That's that on that!

Until Next Time,
Bill Bennet
Freeze2349@aol.com


Posted Online February 26, 2003


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