PEP, January 2006: DC 37 Green Machine is back

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Celebrating November’s political victory, the DC 37 PAC gave a big round of heartfelt thanks to its volunteer GreenMachine Dec. 2 at its annual holiday party.

Leaders of DC 37, the committee and the Political Action Dept. congratulated hundreds of volunteers — local presidents, members, retirees and staff — who devoted thousands of hours to leafleting at worksites, busy corners and subway stops, and placing thousands of calls from union phone banks.

DC 37 volunteers helped elect union-endorsed candidates like Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and Comptroller William Thompson, who came to the party to thank the members.

Volunteers’ victory
“You are the heart and soul of this council,” said DC 37 Treasurer and Local 1407 President Maf Misbah Uddin. “Year after year you are dedicated to this mighty union and the council respects you for that and thanks you.” Local leaders present included Juan Fernandez (154), Gloria Acevedo (436), Isabel Figueroa (420), Darryl Ramsey (768), Walthene Primus (957), DC 37 Secretary Cliff Koppelman (1070), Melvin Bentley (1502), Sirra Crippen (1507), Kevin Smith (1655) and others.

“This is a night of celebration, recognition and song,” said DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams. PAC Chair and Local 2021 President Lenny Allen emceed the event. The Political Action Dept. honored the exceptional hard work of many, including two DC 37 staffers, Chris Wilgenkamp of the White Collar Division and Kathleen Fitzgerald from the Purchasing Dept.

The motto, “We’re on the Move,” motivated members of MTA Clerical–Administrative Employees Local 1655 to volunteer, said President Kevin Smith. He accepted a plaque on behalf of his members and said, “It feels good to hear ‘Thank you’, but let’s remember, it’s the little wheels that make the big wheel turn.” The department also established the Sol Gorelick Award, in honor of the late member’s longstanding work as an activist and volunteer. “The first recipient of this award most fittingly is his wife, Mildred,” said Williams, “because she stood by Sol’s side in their decades-long fight on issues important to DC 37 and their Coney Island community.”

Retiree Terrance Pritchard was honored as DC 37’s Most Active Volunteer. “DC 37 has the power to make changes in our community,” said Pritchard, a war veteran and former Local 1549 member who started working for the city 30 years ago. “I hope to welcome home those returning from Iraq with the jobs and support they need to make a better life for themselves and their families,” he said.

Members first
The PAL Dept. also gave a special thanks to the DC 37 Food Committee volunteers for their tireless work on behalf of members at all political events. The mayor and DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts will personally thank the union’s Green Machine of volunteers Jan. 12 at the next PAC meeting.

Local 375 member Paul Rozenfeld volunteered, “because I feel Mayor Bloomberg is an honest man and I wanted to do my part to re-elect him.”

“I volunteered because the candidates DC 37 endorsed represented me and stood in the right place on issues that benefit DC 37 members,” said Lillie Bowers, a DC 37 retiree.