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October 2004 IBEW Journal

Line Crews Restore Power

L.U. 538 (i), DANVILLE, ILAt this time work is very slow. There is talk of some projects on the horizon but no starting dates have been set. Thanks to Local 481, Indianapolis, for putting several apprentices to work.

Danville and the central Illinois area were hit by a strong storm July 13, with winds clocked at 82 mph. Several local members had severe damage to their homes and property. Luckily no one was hurt. We thank all the IBEW line crews from several states who worked day and night to restore power.

The VX gas project at the Newport Chemical Depot is now complete. We thank all the 300-plus traveling brothers and sisters who helped on this project for their good work.

Our deepest sympathies to the families of two members who recently passed away: Bro. William "Bill" Higgenbotham, a 40-year member, and Bro. Warren Pratt, a 52-year member.

Gary W. Pollard, P.S.

Involved & Informed

Local 558 Apprentice Graduating Class of 2004.

L.U. 558 (catv,em,i,mt,o,rtb,rts, spa&u), SHEFFIELD, ALOur newly elected leadership took office in July. Elected for a three-year term are: Bus. Mgr./Fin. Sec. Larry Farmer, Pres./ Organizer Steve Crunk, Vice Pres. Tommy Alexander and Treas. Charles Douthit; Executive Board members Roy Sloan, Bill Crunk, David Jeffrey, Kerry Wright, Harry Stovall, John Kasmeier, and Nelson Richardson Jr. (Huntsville office); and Examining Board members Tommy Pierce, Neal Quinn and J.D. Grimes. Appointed as assistant business managers are: Bro. Kenneth Campbell, Huntsville office; and for the Sheffield office, Bros. Ralph Mayes and Tony Rutledge.

Thanks to all outgoing officers for their contributions. We wish our new officers much success in the continuing effort ahead.

General contractor Graycor was named for the up and coming work at Toyota in Huntsville, AL. There will also be outage work this fall at Colbert Steam Plant. Unit One at Browns Ferry continues to keep many of our brothers and sisters working at home.

Remember to get out and vote this year! Stay involved and informed. Attend those union meetings. We are stronger when everyone participates in the local meetings.

The Buy American campaign is still very active in our area. Remember to insist on and buy American made products whenever possible.

Belinda Phillips, P.S.

Expanding Education

Local 586 Education Dept. Coordinator Dave Cribb (seated, center) joined by staff instructors. Back row, (L-R): Instructors Kevin Adam, Bruce Parsons, Paul Smith and Dan Thomas. Seated: Instructor Chris Dowd, Cribb and Instructor Wayne Anderchek.

L.U. 586 (em,i&o), OTTAWA, ON, CANADAThe growing education staff at Local 586 is working hard at expanding and making improvements to the education program. The pre-school training programs for apprentices are well established and under way.

The journeymen upgrading programs are growing and improving. We have resumed communications training to help maintain the high level of integrity among our communications workers. With the exceptionally talented and versatile staff in the Education Department, we have great expectations for the education program at Local 586 in coming years.

Dave Cribb
Education Coordinator

Projects on Hold

L.U. 596 (i,o,u&t), CLARKSBURG, WVCongratulations to the JATC apprenticeship graduating class of 2004: Robert Childers, Robert Kelly, John Landis II, Russell LeMasters, Nathan Rose, Sam Spatafore, David White, Jonathan Wilson and Craig Wyman.

The work picture is very slow for the central West Virginia area. Many large planned projects are still on hold because of design or funding problems.

Our jurisdiction has increased by two counties. We welcome Pendleton and Pocahontas counties in West Virginia to our 13-county jurisdiction. We have added a satellite office in Elkins, WV, with a full-time organizer. With two full-time organizers, our goals are to move this local forward.

Brothers and sisters, dont forget to vote in November 2004. Your vote counts.

Butch Adams, P.S.

Jobs At Stake in November

The Local 640 JATC graduating Apprentice Class of 2004.

L.U. 640 (em,i,rts,spa&u), PHOENIX, AZCongratulations to Bro. Gary Maynard on his retirement. He served as business agent for 16-plus years, under four business managers. A 41-year member, his experience and knowledge of our history will be missed.

Pictured is the graduating class of apprentices, mentored by Instructors Andrew Brennan and Shawn Hutchinson. The Phoenix Electrical JATC and most contractors have expressed their satisfaction with the decision to go to a tri-semester day school. This has opened up our limited space facility for intermediate training and journeyman classes. Everyone benefits.

Local 640 thanks those volunteers who have helped Pres. Dan Pollard and Jason Piontek work toward our voter registration goal and on the "Get Out the Vote" campaign for the November presidential election. Just one state can make a difference. That difference should be in the best interest of our membersmiddle-class, blue-collar America, and all organized labor.

The IBEW endorsed John Kerry for U.S. president. Jobs are at stake. Our economic prosperity and security, without selling our future and saddling our children with the follies of a country impoverished by debt, are the issues. Exercise your right to VOTE.

Dale D. Jacks, R.S.