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Congratulations to 60-year recipient Loren Wilson, 45-year recipients Vick Walter and George Willis, 40-year recipients Frank Kovarik and Ed Stutz, 35-year recipients John Fitzgerald, Leo Geisen, Chuck Taynor, Marlin Wagner and George Stumpe, 30-year recipients Dan Amick, Glen Gindler and Doug McCormick. 25-year recipients Walter Baker, Larry Lindsay and Vice President Dave Mahanay. 20-year recipients Ken Schneider, Evan Eberlin and Mitch Mossman, 15-year recipients Todd Heinemann, Tim Kusmierczak and Joe Rister and 5-year recipients Dan Engdale, Ron Gilchrese, Loyd Gross, Tim Johnson and Shane Lindquist.

Bus. Mgr. Jack Tueth also thanked the members for their cooperative efforts in winning the prestigious "Sixth District Organizing Award for Market Share." A fried chicken buffet dinner capped a very enjoyable evening.

Robert E. Travis, P.S

NICE JOB, BROTHERS!

Local 659, Medford, OR, members who worked on a gas compressor station in Tulelake, CA, for Cochran Electric are from left, kneeling, Rick Martin, Michael Young, Charles Underwood (Local 48), Joe Mitchell and John Hutter, second row, Ross Wilchek, Stanley Miller, Dino DeGrandis, Keith Hanson, Dan Zieser and Ernie Dangerfield, and back row, Rodney Georgianna, Kim Watson, Michael Klem and Buel Singleton (Local 48 apprentice).

Holiday Parade

Local 665, Lansing, MI, members and families at the "Silver Bells
in the City 2002" parade.

L.U. 665 (i,rts&spa), LANSING, MIThanks to all the local members and their families who participated in the annual "Silver Bells in the City 2002" parade. Our float theme, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," was a big hit with the thousands of spectators who lined up for the parade and tree lighting.

In January, Michigan saw its Republican governor of 12 long years leave. He was replaced with Michigans first female Democratic governor in history, Jennifer Granholm. We are expecting great things from Mrs. Granholm and Lt. Gov. John Cherry.

Our quarterly party at the December union meeting was a big success. Thank you to the members who donated their time to plan and organize the event.

Hope to see you at the next union meeting.

Jeremy Hidalgo, P.S.

Decorating Pueblo

Local 667, Pueblo, CO, and Local 12 members who
volunteered to put up Christmas decorations in
downtown Pueblo.

L.U. 667 (u), PUEBLO, COLocal 667 and Local 12 renewed a tradition of IBEW union members putting up Christmas decorations in downtown Pueblo. More than 30 members volunteered to spend a Saturday in November showing their Christmas spirit and union pride.

The city of Pueblo had the Parks Department hang the lights the past few years, ending a nearly 50-year tradition of the IBEW and the local utility working together for the community. We are very happy that the city has now given us the opportunity to continue this long-standing tradition.

We knew the tradition was back after the bell was hung and members from both locals spent the afternoon at Gus Tavern.

Special thanks to Roxa "Bubbs" Keller and Phil Marquez for their help in organizing the event and to Aquilla, Inc. for the use of their equipment. Thanks again to all who participated.

Jerry Bellah, B.M./F.S.

Fantasy of Lights

Local 681, Wichita Falls, TX, apprentices at the work day
for the Fantasy of Lights display at Midwestern State
University.

L.U. 681 (i,o&spa), WICHITA FALLS, TXAs they do each year, our apprentices had a workday to hook up Christmas lights at the annual Burns Fantasy of Lights display at Midwestern State University.

The original display began in the yard of local oilman, Bob Burns, Sr., where hundreds of cars would slowly drive by to look at the light display in his yard. The display grew larger every year, and turned into a very special community event that everyone, from kids to adults, looked forward to seeing.

After Mr. Burns wife died, the local university took over the display to keep the tradition going. The local soon stepped in and offered to help with the hook up of the lights, and soon after all our apprentice classes got involved. It is a great community project and gives the local some good PR. We are proud of the work that our apprentices do and hope they get some enjoyment from this "job."

At this writing, work is good, with several jobs scheduled to man up after the first of the year.

Billy Neely, P.S.

Work Picture Still Slow

L.U. 697 (i), GARY AND HAMMOND, INThe New Year is upon us and the work picture in Northwest Indiana has not improved. The uncertainty in the industry, coupled with the bankruptcies and sales of major steel mills has not allowed for much expansion or maintenance of local plants.

The economy has received a devastating blow with the foreign terrorist attack, coupled with the corporate terrorist attacks by Enron, Arthur Andersen, WorldCom and the like. Truth and integrity seem to be in short supply in the corporate penthouses that strive to shape our economy. Companies still move their operations to Mexico or overseas where they can pay starvation wages with no benefits, not worry about safety issues, or deal with the cost of a safe work place. And, if a workforce has the audacity to ask for better conditions or pay, these pillars of integrity and truth simply say no or move the operations to another country. However, it is still their intention to sell their products in America where the general population has the ability to buy their products, at least for the moment.

My family used to chuckle about my brother-in-law who would go to ten stores if necessary to buy a shirt made in America. Was he wasting time, just stubborn, or did he really see the truth about the consequences of his choices, and with conviction try to live his life with integrity? Live union, buy American.

David A. Soderquist, P.S.

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