WE are still in the fight to save the VA!!!!! As you all know the hearing was postponed and is now scheduled for OCTOBER 20, 2003, to begin at 10:00a.m. and last till about 2:00p.m. Joi and I continue to attend the weekly meetings of the Ontario County Veteran Advisory Council, chaired by Ralph Calabrese. The magnitude of all community support is simply awesome. This council met again yesterday.

Information shared as follows:

City of Canandaigua Mayor Ellen Polimeni, has declared October 20th as “VA DAY." She has also approached the Board of Education & the Superintendent of Schools to give the Canandaigua schools ½ day off, to support the VA, by having all the children line, with other residents, line the entire length of Fort Hill Ave, from Main St. to the VA, with flags, posters, etc. Will know more about this next week.

The Veterans Council will be hosting a reception at INN on the Lake on Sunday evening for the Congressional delegation and the CARES Commissioners, conducting the hearing, to keep a positive atmosphere, to demonstrate how important this VA is to Canandaigua and the surrounding communities, to meet the healthcare needs of our veteran population. Also, following the hearing, the Veteran Council is again hosting a reception at the American Legion on Main Street. Planning for these 2 events is still in progress. More to come.

We have been informed that Senators Clinton and Schumer will provide testimony at the hearing, along with Congressman Houghton, other elected state & local officials, and the Unions.

A large tent will be set up in the courtyard with seating for 1000 people, with a closed circuit, BIG screen TV, broadcasting the hearing. Working on also, being able to broadcast the hearing on the TV system in all the patient care areas. However, we are still encouraging any & all employees and patients to attend the hearing in person. I know the management is not encouraging attendance, and probably will not grant AL or AA to anyone wishing to attend. REMEMBER… ALL employees have 30 minute lunch breaks, and 2- 10 minute coffee breaks, and that is your OWN TIME!! There will be literally 1000’s of people here. I have taken the liberty to invite the officers of the Rochester Labor Federation, who have given us tremendous support to attend the hearing. We may also have representatives attending from AFGE National office and National VA Council. It is anticipated the hearing will last as long as 4-6 hours. This event will be crucial in determining whether the facility will close or not. We have buttons we’ll be passing out to the masses. We are encouraging ALL members wear their button in support of our facility the day of the hearing.

A video will be prepared with 10-12 people at the local cable TV station, with a veteran representing each branch of military service and the flag for each, the MIA/POW, VSO’s, and a Blue Star Mother, each having a statement to read. This video will be sent to the President of the United States, George W. Bush, on Veterans’ Day 11/11/03. Portions of the hearing will also be included. The folks arranging this have also already contacted the FBI for clearance.

A new National Representative has been assigned to our local. His name is Vincent Castellano. He was here on Tuesday & Wednesday. We met with Mr. Smith and Mr. Olszewski. Vince also attended the Wed. mtg. of the Veterans Advisory council, and was very warmly welcomed by the entire group. He shared with us later, that he is more than impressed as to the outpouring of community support to save the Canandaigua VA. He enjoyed his time in Canandaigua, loved the area and is looking forward to returning in the future.

There will be a prayer service on Wednesday October 15, 2003 @ 7:00p.m., led by Rev. Bleck in the auditorium. ALL are invited to attend. More details will be forthcoming.

AFGE has been invited to speak at local Rotary & Kiwanis Club meetings, about the services we provide to the veterans etc. Please call me if you are interested in a public speaking opportunity. I need to reply asap.