More of the same in 2002 road work

Construction activity is winding down this year on the process of rebuilding Michigan's roads.

But Michigan's Hardhats and the equipment they operate will be back next spring at about the same level of activity in 2001.

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced Sept. 27 that it will invest more than $1.5 billion in repairing state roads in 2002 - about the same amount that was spent this year. "We continue to fix the worst roads first, and to make significant strides in returning our roads and bridges to the world-class level they should be," said State Transportation Director Gregory Rosine. "Having two years in a row where we can invest more than $1.5 billion in the backbone of the state's transportation network is outstanding."

MDOT plans to rehabilitate 1,600 miles of road and more than 200 bridges statewide in 2002. This is the fifth year in a row that MDOT has broken the $1 billion mark for road and bridge repair work. In "the next few years" after 2002, MDOT said the repair bills are expected to be less than $1.5 billion, but more than $1 billion.

Huron Valley voters approve bond issue

Building trades members who live in the Huron Valley School District helped themselves and their community on Sept. 25, in voting to approve a $103.9 million bond issue that will fund various construction projects.

Building trades unions contributed $5,000 to promote passage of the bond, which was easily adopted by more than 600 votes. A coalition including the school district, the local teachers' union, administrators, parent groups and construction unions supported the bond issue. Building trades representatives have met with school district officials and have a strong degree of confidence that the work will go all-union.

"The neat part of this is that we were able to pull together a coalition of internal and external union groups to approach the voters and make this happen," said Len Radjewski, president of the Huron Valley Education Association and brother of IBEW Local 58 Business Manager Jeff Radjewski. "The school district really needs the money. This will put union people to work, and we know we will have quality work right down the line."

The money will fund a complete overhaul of technology systems at the schools, mechanical systems upgrades at various facilities and new athletic field houses and pools.

Blue Water Dems meet Nov. 3

Democrats in St. Clair, Sanilac and Lapeer counties are invited to attend a workshop to set "a strategy and vision" for the 2002 election year on Saturday, Nov. 3.

The meeting will start at 9 a.m. with a breakfast buffet. The goal is to attract people who don't know how to get involved in the political process and build a network of people to help in future elections.

Hosts include St. Clair Co. Democrats Chair Pamela Wall, Michigan AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney, and Greater Detroit Building Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Devlin and President John Hamilton.

Speakers will include Michigan Senate Minority Leader John Cherry and Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer.

The meeting will conclude at 12:30 p.m. It will be held at the Wadhams Banquet Center, 5078 Lapeer Rd. in Kimball Twp. near Port Huron. There is no charge.

Quotable "It is a grievous error to forget for one second the might and power of this great republic." - President Dwight D. Eisenhower