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One Voice - April 2007 Archive
Current One Voice issues --- Archive index
April 19, 2007
GOVERNOR ASKS WEST VIRGINIANS TO OBSERVE DAY OF MOURNING FOR VIRGINIA TECH VICTIMS
First Lady, Council of Churches join in bell-ringing ceremony this Friday
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin has declared this Friday, April 20, a day of mourning across the state, in honor of those killed in the Virginia Tech tragedy this past Monday.
Gov. Manchin issued the proclamation at the request of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who has encouraged states and communities across the country to convene simultaneous ceremonies and prayer services, with the ringing of bells at noon, Eastern Daylight Time on Friday.
West Virginia First Lady Gayle Manchin will join the Rev. Dennis Sparks of the West Virginia Council of Churches in a bell-ringing ceremony in the victims’ honor at the Liberty Bell on the north side of the State Capitol beginning at 11:55 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The ceremony is open to the public.
April 19, 2007
Southwestern District Labor Council issues a challenge to all
Local Unions and Councils to help the victims of the
Virginia Tech University tragedy.
The Council mailed a generous check and asks that everyone do the same.
Make checks payable to:
Victims of Virginia Tech Tragedy
c/o Dr. Charles Steger
201 Burress Hall
Blacksburg VA 24061
Tim Millne included the following letter with his Council's offering ...
Well said, Brother Tim
To the Student, Faculty, Families and Community of Virginia Tech:
By action of the Southwestern District Labor Council, AFL-CIO we offer our deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your families. Your sorrow, anger and confusion is understood and recognized. We are enclosing a small token to the students and also offer our assistance in any manner that may be needed.
Our prayers, tears, support and solidarity is with each and every person on your wonderful campus. Your brothers and sisters from Huntington, West Virginia wish you well and ask God to touch the hearts of the families, students, and the community of Blacksburg affected by this horrible, senseless tragedy.
Virginia Tech will always be on our mind and in our prayers. God Bless each of you, we are thinking of you!
Sincerely yours,
Tim Millne, Secretary/Treasurer
Southwestern District Labor Council, AFL-CIO
April 17, 2007
TOWN HALL MEETING ON IRAQ WAR
April 21, 2007 ~ 9:30 a.m.
Christ Church United Methodist, Charleston WV
The public is invited to a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the Iraq War in Charleston, West Virginia. This is part one in a series of Town Hall Meetings to promote public discussion and dialogue on the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq.
West Virginia Congressman Nick J. Rahall, who recently traveled with Speaker Nancy Pelosi as part of her delegation to the Middle East, will be the featured speaker. The moderator for the event will be Bishop Grove from the West Virginia Council of Churches.
The West Virginia Council of Churches, West Virginia Citizen Action Group, West Virginia Patriots for Peace, West Virginia AFL-CIO, and the American Friends Service Committee are co-sponsoring the Town Hall Meeting.
WHO: 3rd District WV Congressman Nick Jo Rahall and moderator Bishop Grove from the
West Virginia Council of Churches
WHAT: Part One in a series of Town Hall meetings on the Iraq War
WHEN: April 21, 2007, from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Christ Church United Methodist, 1221 Quarrier Street, Charleston, WV
For more information please contact Ted Boettner at 304.346.5891 or ted@wvcag.org
April 17, 2007
Meet the Candidates
Three candidates have been named as finalists in the search for the next Associate Provost and Director of the West Virginia University Extension Service. The announcement was made Thursday, April 5, 2007, by Russell K. Dean, chair of the search committee.
The Associate Provost provides leadership for the University’s outreach, general extension, continuing education, community engagement, and cooperative extension programs.
The following public forums are scheduled for the three candidates:
- Wednesday, April 18, 4 – 6 p.m., Embassy Suites, Salon D, Charleston
- Thursday, April 19, 9 a.m., 804 Knapp Hall, Morgantown
- Thursday, April 19, 10:30 a.m., 804 Knapp Hall, Morgantown
- Monday, April 23, 4 - 6 p.m., Embassy Suites, Charleston Boardroom, Charleston
- Tuesday, April 24, 9 a.m., 804 Knapp Hall, Morgantown
- Tuesday, April 24, 10:30 a.m., 804 Knapp Hall, Morgantown
- Monday, April 30, 4-6 p.m., Embassy Suites, Salon D, Charleston
- Wednesday, May 2, 9 a.m., 804 Knapp Hall, Morgantown
- Wednesday, May 2, 10:30 a.m., 804 Knapp Hall, Morgantown
Questions? Contact Ann Bailey Berry, associate director, WVU Extension Service, 304-293-5691. |
April 16, 2007
West Virginia AFL-CIO
Kids' Chance Golf Scramble
In recognition of Workers Memorial Day
April 27, 2007
Bel Meadow Country Club, Clarksburg
Registration: 8:00 a.m. ~ Shotgun Start: 9:00 a.m.
Door Prizes and Raffle Drawing
All proceeds from the golf scramble will go to Kids' Chance, a nonprofit scholarship fund which grants educational scholarships to the sons and daughters of West Virginia residents who suffered a serious, catastrophic or fatal workplace injury or illness.
Call Today ... to sign up for this very worthy event!
344-3557
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Workers Memorial Day
April 28, 2007 ~ 2 p.m.
Please join the West Virginia AFL-CIO in observance of the 19th Anniversary of Workers Memorial Day. This is a day set aside nationwide by unions to remember workers who have suffered and died because of workplace hazards.
The fight for a safe workplace means a fight for stronger workplace safety laws. It is our hope that Workers’ Memorial Day will help focus greater attention on workplace conditions and further our efforts to enact strong workplace safety legislation.
Taking part in the Memorial Day Service:
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Kenny Perdue, West Virginia AFL-CIO, President
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Larry Matheney, West Virginia AFL-CIO, Secretary-Treasurer
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The Honorable Bill Hamilton, West Virginia House of Delegates (R-Upshur), District 39
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Cecil Roberts, United Mine Workers of America, International President
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Tim Smith, United Steelworkers Local # 604, Former President
West Virginia Wesleyan College
59 College Avenue
Buckhannon, WV 26201
1 ¾ hours north of Charleston
From I-79 Exit 99:
- Exit #99 onto US 33 East to Buckhannon (12 miles from I-79 to Buckhannon).
- Exit US 33 East at Main Street Exit (exit on right)
- Make right turn off of exit and drive ½ mile to stoplight in downtown Buckhannon
- Turn right at the stoplight (onto Route 20 South) and drive ½ mile
- Turn left at the stoplight beside McDonald’s onto College Avenue
- Follow College Avenue through one 4-way stop. Make a right hand turn at the second four-way stop onto Meade Street.
- Follow Meade Street to stop sign and turn left onto Camden Aven
Alternate Route from the East
- Exit US 33 at Route 20.Exit US 33 at Route 20.
- Follow Route 20 South one mile to stoplight at McDonald's
- Turn left at stoplight beside McDonald's onto College Avenue
- Follow College Avenue through one 4-way stop. Make a right hand turn at the second four-way stop onto Meade Street.
- Follow Meade Street to stop sign and turn left onto Camden Avenue
April 13, 2007
HISTORIC DAY
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III (D) is joined by a few of the 5,000 state workers who will be included in the “meet and consult” pilot program, announced at a news conference on April 11, 2007.
Photo: AFSCME Council 77
Governor Joe Manchin has granted certain state employees the freedom to meet with state management to discuss benefits and working conditions.
The reforms, called “meet and consult,” are part of a two-year pilot program to address dangerous staff shortages, increase value for taxpayers and promote efficiency in state government.
West Virginia AFL-CIO President, Kenny Perdue said, “The pilot project is the end result of 3 years of discussions with Governor Wise and Governor Manchin."
Governor Bob Wise had commissioned a study of such a program in late 2004 which created the Governor’s Commission on Public Sector Employment. When Governor Manchin took office in 2005 he appointed members to the commission who voted 9 to 6 to recommend proceeding with the meet and consult process.
Perdue said, "This will give the state employees in the designated areas a voice in their workplace. Governor Manchin recognizes the advantages by making the employees a partner in improving West Virginia. I thank the Governor and applaud him for his recognition of state employees being the state’s best natural resource."
At the news conference Governor Manchin stated, "Today, we're going to try something different.'' "For some reason, we have never taken this path. I think we can show that, internally, this can work.''
Meet and consult committees will be set up in the Department of Administration’s Purchasing and General Services divisions, the Division of Highways, and the Regional Jail Authority.
Committee members will make recommendations on personnel issues and other policies to their department’s cabinet secretary, who in turn will send evaluations of the recommendations on to the governor’s office.
AFSCME Council 77 Executive Director, Ed Hartman said, "This is the first time that state employees will have “a seat at the table” with managers. What we hope to do, added Hartman, is show success both in meeting the employees’ needs and concerns, as well as any that management may have. Hopefully, this process will then be expanded to other agencies, and strengthened to allow even more input from employees.”
Elaine Harris of the Communications Workers of America, which represents regional jail employees among other state workers, said the announcement Wednesday was encouraging.
“This is a way ... for workers on the front line to be able to look at issues and be involved in the process,” she said. “I believe it will be a benefit to employees and taxpayers.”
Teddy Hapney of the United Mine Workers of America stated, " A voice for the workers in the workplace is always better for the worker and the employer ... it creates a better work environment. The taxpayers of West Virginia will benefit because ... a happier employee is a more productive employee."
“There was a lot of time and effort in reaching this high level of opportunity for the state employees. I commend the hard work of Ed Hartman AFSCME Council 77, Elaine Harris Communications Workers of America and Teddy Hapney United Mine Workers of America ” said President Kenny Perdue.
April 10, 2007
Roy Smith's father, Oakley Elwood Smith, 90 of MacArthur, passed away on Friday, April 6, 2007 at CAMC Memorial Hospital in Charleston.
Visitation and the funeral will be at the:
Rose & Quesenberry Funeral Home
1901 South Kanawha Street
Beckley, West Virginia 25801
Phone: (304) 253-4461
Visitation is from 6-9 pm, Tuesday, April 10, 2007 and the funeral will be at 2 pm, Wednesday, April 11, 2007.
Online condolences may be sent to a quest book at roseandquesenberry.net.
April 5, 2007
Happy Easter
Religious services and other Easter celebrations vary throughout the regions of the world and even from country to country. In the United States, many "sunrise services" are held outside, often in gardens or beside lakes where baptisms (representing rebirth) can be held on Easter morning.
Parades are traditional in some U.S. cities. Atlantic City's 140-year-old parade is the oldest, and the promenade on New York's Fifth Avenue, immortalized in Irving Berlin's song, "Easter Parade," is perhaps the best known. The annual White House Easter Egg Roll takes place in the nation's capitol city on Easter Monday
The story of the White House Easter Egg Roll, which begins at one end of Pennsylvania Avenue and continues at the other, is one of the oldest and most unique traditions in presidential history.
Rolling eggs on the Monday after Easter was a tradition observed by many Washington families, including those of the President. Some historians believe Dolley Madison first suggested the idea of a public egg roll, while others tell stories of informal egg-rolling parties at the White House dating back to President Lincoln's day.
Public egg-rolling celebrations, however, were held not at the White House, but on the grounds of the Capitol. Press accounts from as early as 1872 recount stories of Washington children of all ages joining together to roll eggs on the congressional grounds.
The children of Washington apparently caused such a ruckus on the Capitol grounds in 1876 that Congress passed the Turf Protection Law to prohibit the area from being used as a playground in future years. The event was rained out in 1877, but in 1878 the children were alerted by a small notice in the local newspaper informing them that the egg rollers would not be allowed at the Capitol that year.
Two versions of the story follow: Either the angry rollers rushed to the gates of the White House and demanded that they be let in to roll their eggs on the President's lawn or President Rutherford B. Hayes, alerted to the plight of the children, opened the gates to the South Lawn and welcomed all the rollers to his end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Either way, the first White House Easter Egg Roll was held in 1878.
Over the years, the Egg Rolls have evolved and changed, with different games and amusements popular in different years. Near the end of the nineteenth century, children played "Egg Picking," "Egg Ball," "Toss and Catch," and "Egg Croquet." Soon the event evolved into a more elaborate affair, with bands, entertainers and food.
John Phillip Sousa and "The President's Own" Marine Band performed for the assembled crowd, while vendors of all kinds sold their goods in 1889. Forty years later, Lou Hoover, wife of President Herbert Hoover, instituted folk and maypole dances to complement the egg-rolling but, perhaps because of the combination of stomping feet and boiled eggs, the practices were not continued for long.
At her first Egg Roll in 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt greeted visitors and listeners alike for the first time over the radio, on a nationwide hookup. She also introduced more organized games, but it was not until 1974 when the most famous event of modern Easter Egg Rolls, the egg-rolling race, was introduced with spoons borrowed from the White House kitchen.
Subsequent celebrations included a circus and petting zoo in 1977 and exhibits of antique cars, Broadway shows and giant balloons in 1981. Egg hunt pits were introduced in 1981. Children would search straw pits for autographed wooden eggs.
Presidents and their families have long enjoyed the White House's largest public celebration, and it has been customary, from the outset, for Presidents, First Ladies, their children, grandchildren and pets to attend the festivities. Among the most eagerly anticipated guests each year, of course, is the Easter Bunny.
The White House Easter Bunny, usually a White House staffer dressed in a special White House rabbit suit, was introduced by Pat Nixon, wife of President Richard Nixon, in 1969. Strict guidelines prohibit the bunny from being seen without his costume head, but the identity of the staffer inside is revealed every once in a while. Perhaps the most famous bunny of all was the wife of President Reagan's Attorney General Edwin Meese III. Ursula Meese so enjoyed the role that she performed for six seasons, earning her the nickname "the Meester Bunny."
On occasion, the Easter Egg Roll has been cancelled, either due to inclement weather or in times of war. At these times, it is sometimes relocated to another Washington site, such as the National Zoo or even back to the Capitol. The longest hiatus was for World War II, followed by a White House renovation. When President Eisenhower reintroduced the Egg Roll in 1953, a whole generation of children had never experienced this treasured tradition.
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