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Hello from the big apple. As you read this, thanksgiving is past and christmas is nearly upon us, with a new year right around the corner. So first up let me wish a merry X-mas and a healthy prosperous new year to all!!
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Bill Bennet and I am the newly elected correspondent to the journal. I have worked in the industry for nearly 3 decades with time in construction, mod and repair. I consider myself to be a hardcore union man, I have served this local as a shop steward for many years and have bitten the bullet numerous times but I have scored a few good hits in my time.
Now onto business, we at local 1 have experienced traumatic times recently, in early Sept. two of our senior officers were removed from office, the details are not important right now but needless to say we were shocked and overwhelmed by this event. At the Sept. meeting nominations were held and the election took place on October 16th. Brother Raymond Hernandez was elected President and Business manager, brother Anthony Carudo was elected Secretary-Treasurer, and I was elected as correspondent. Congratulations to Ray and Tony and I wish them continued success.
Local one's N.E.I.E.P. program is doing well with over 1200 students enrolled. We hold classes four nights a week at two locations, one in Queens N.Y. and the other in Perth Amboy N.J. Our program is helmed by Brother Ed Krull and it has grown in leaps and bounds under his leadership. Our program employs thirty-something instructors of which I am proud to be one. On any night you will find 7 classrooms operating in the Queens building alone. Seven rooms with 20 to 30 students in each makes for quite a buzz. Brother Jimmy McGoldrick administers the joint apprentice program for us,brothers Krull and McGoldrick put in countless hours and lots of late nights on the behalf of our apprentices, so they can advance in their careers and in their lives.
Let me take a second to remind you that being a "union guy or girl" does not stop when you leave the job for the day,being Union is a way of thinking and acting, being Union is a way of life, it is pride in your skills, it is pride in your organization. Being Union is reaching out to those who are not as fortunate as we are and offering our support.Union is caring about the future of our industry as well respecting the sacrifices of those brave souls who came before us, thank a retiree for making this trade what it is today! Our N.E.I.E.P. instructors are teaching and instilling union values in our young people every shool night, so say thanks to the teachers now and then (and lobby for more money for them).
On the sick and injured list are the following brothers.
John G. Green Sr.
Ryan Wright
Carmine Russo
Jeff Burchianti
Our prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery go out to these brothers!
Now that I have a wide audience I can give some recognition to those who guided me along the way, I thank Ray Bender for inspiring and encouraging me to take on the responsibilities of shop steward,from him I learned to be the voice of many and the conscience of a few... Thanks to Vincent Towers for being a good friend.Thanks to all those who supported me in the campaign.Thanks to Glen and Richie for everything. thanks to all of you who worked next to me on countless jobs with countless companies. I enjoyed every minute of our time together(though it did not seem so at the time!). I have learned something from every one of you and I hope that you have learned something from me.
I must forward this note I received from retired brother Harry Shields:
Dear Brothers and Sisters
A short note to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayersthat were sent to our 6 year old grandson Peter who is undergoing treatment to fight leukemia
As of now he is in remission and will be under treatment for another two years
Through the leukemia and lymphoma society's fund raiser "light the night" walk. It was your kindness and generosity that allowed "team Peter" to make a difference.We were once again able to donate funds to find a cure for childhood cancer.
Right now everything is still testing and research.Hopefully it won't be long before they find the right treatment or cure. Our sincerest gratitude from the Shields family.
Retired Brother,
Harry Shields
Our best wishes go out to Peter and the Shields family. And now in the immortal words of Brian Kelly,"well brothers and sisters that's that on that!
Love, Bill Bennet
Freeze2349@aol. com
Posted Online November 28, 2003
