&letterheadSalute to Labor

TO THE EDITOR: The date for the annual Salute to Labor Dinner-Awards Banquet has been set for Sunday June 22. The event will be held at the Rainbow Wedding and Banquet Hall in Altona with a cocktail hour set for 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Randi Weingarten, President of the 160,000 member United Federation of Teachers in New York. She also heads the city Municipal Labor Committee, an umbrella organization for 100-plus city unions.

From 1986 to 1998, Weingarten served as counsel to UFT President Sandra Feldman, taking a lead role in contract negotiations and enforcement and in lawsuits in which the union fought for adequate school funding and building conditions.

She assumed the UFT presidency in 1998 after Feldman became president of the AFT. Under Weingarten's leadership, salaries of UFT-represented public school employees have increased by 43 percent.

Her passion as leader of America's largest union local is to make every school a place where parents want to send their children and educators want to work. Weingarten holds degrees from Cornell University and the Cardozo School of Law.

Weingarten has recently announced her candidacy for the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers at its biannual convention in Chicago this July. Her trip to northern New York will provide her an opportunity to share concerns of educators in rural areas.

Two labor leaders will be recognized for their service to bettering the lives of the working men and women of Clinton County. Those honored will be Jeanette Stapley of the New York State United Teachers and Neil Baer of the Operating Engineers.

Additionally, two students of union households will be awarded scholarships by the Salute to Labor Committee.

Information regarding tickets for the event may be obtained by contacting the Salute to Labor Committee at 493-2925.

Jim Gonyo

West Chazy

&letterheadRunning for board

TO THE EDITOR: I would like to introduce myself to the community members of Peru Central School District and ask for your support on May 20 when voters will select members to serve on the Peru CSD BOE.

I'm an ardent supporter of our School District and embrace the opportunity to serve on the board. Having graduated from Union College with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering, being the father of two grown children (who are educators) and raising a son who attends Peru Intermediate School, I have a profound value for education.