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Patriotic Duty
L.U. 150 (es,i,rts&spa), WAUKEGAN, ILWe find ourselves today just past the one year anniversary of September 11. And while we still see plenty of flags on ball caps, cars and t-shirts, has there really been a resurrection of patriotism? A patriot is defined as one who loves, supports and defends ones country. How many times over the past year have we heard people wanting to fight terrorism and bring the architects of September 11 to justice, as long as it doesnt interfere with their everyday, comfortable lives?

Many of us claim that we would die in defending our freedoms and yet the business of our country and our REAL FREEDOM lies in the halls of Congress, city councils, county boards, state government and school boards. How many of us dont vote in all state, local and federal elections? This country was founded on, among other things, equal representation. And yet we throw away these freedoms every time we dont avail ourselves of our civil right to vote. It is not only our constitutional right but out patriotic duty to vote in all elections.

Remember the banquet on Nov. 16.

Wendy J. Cordts, P.S.

Public Relations Award

L.U. 164 (c,i,o&t), JERSEY CITY, NJLocal 164 was recently honored for its community relations and breast cancer fund-raising programs by the New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Local 164 received a Pyramid Award for its program entitled, "IBEW Local 164: The Union with Heart" which was developed in cooperation with Local 164s Fair Lawn, NJ, based public relations firm Caryl Communications, Inc.

Bus. Mgr. Richard "Buzz" Dressel said, "Our sense of neighbor helping neighbor has contributed toward dispelling the traditional union myth, and we are proud of all that IBEW Local 164 stands for today."

Local 164 was also praised for winning the Presidents Service Award at a special White House Ceremony in June 2000.

Local 164s annual outing at Kruckers Grove, Pomona, NY, was a fun-filled day of relaxation and brotherhood.

David Milazzo, Pres.

Training Classes

L.U. 196 (govt,mt,o,t&u), ROCKFORD, ILAt this writing, the work has picked up a little, but we still have some members under all classifications out-of-work.

All who participated in a recent Crane Certification Course put on with the help of ALBAT said it was a very good class.

With the help of our Underground Residential Distribution (URD) contractors, Trench-It, Inc. and the Vermeer Company, we also put together a class on the operation of Directional Bore Machines and Locators. The class will help employ more of our members, and help to keep the operating engineers off our work in Illinois.

The Operating Engineers (IUOE) recently tried to get legislation passed to certify operating all kinds of hydraulic equipment. We need to keep on top of all legislation of this kind so it doesnt keep our members from providing for their families.

Ed Mings, B.M./F.S.

Do Your PartVOTE

L.U. 236 (catv,ees,govt,i,mo,rtb &t), ALBANY, NYThe yearlong voter registration drive by our Political Action Committee was a great success. Now October finds us in the middle of our "Get Out The Vote" campaign. The Political Action Committee is emphasizing that even though it is a mid-term, non-presidential election year, the state government and contested congressional seats still carry a great deal of importance.

The IBEW Political/Legislative Affairs Department and the AFL-CIO provide in-depth research on candidates, and their voting records can be assessed through the respective web sites and various links.

Information regarding races important to Local 236 members is being mailed to all members. The Political Action Committee is doing everything possible to make sure everyone will be an informed voter. Please VOTE.

Michael V. Doyle, P.S.

Helping the Children

L.U. 238 (i,mo,o&u), ASHEVILLE, NCGreetings brothers and sisters. Local 238 is proud to be back in the pages of the Journal.

At our first annual walk/run to raise money for The Volunteer Center and our community project partner, The Asheville Tourists Childrens Fund, we had 10 walkers and 1 runner, which raised $850 for our partner. This year we raised a total of $1,805. Special thanks to community service volunteers Chris Anderson, Hippie Carmichael, Cam Hudson, Mike Nix, Jerry Owens, Wayne Paris, Dusty Rhodes, Josh Rhodes, Rich Robertson and Rick Sluder. Our other community project partner is the Eliada Home for Children. We are planning a workday at the facility in late summer, and we also raise money for them in our Christmas Fund Drive.

Congratulations to our 2002 graduating apprentices Mathew Green, Larry McCall and Wayne Paris.

Traveling brothers and sisters, please send your e-mail addresses to redberryfarm1@juno.com so I can e-mail you our newsletter.

Remember to vote on November 5. Absentee ballots can be obtained at www.sboe.state.nc.us.

Rick Sluder, Pres.

99 Years of Service

Local 280 (c,ees,em,es,i,mo,mt,rts &st), SALEM, ORTraining Dir. Dan Campbell handed out 55 certificates of completion to another great class of new journeyman for our future industry. Many thanks to all the JATC members, along with Administrative Asst. JoAnne Budden, for the superior program attended by more than 200 friends and family.

One of the highlights of the evening was graduating apprentice Edward Shawn Rubesh III. Ed is a third generation IBEW member whose grandfather, Ed Sr., joined the IBEW in 1938 when Mountain Power (now Pacific Power) was organized. His son, Ed Jr., joined the IBEW in 1972 and founded G & E Electric in 1987. Now Edward III will carry on the fine tradition.

Jerry Fletcher, P.S.