Posted on 11/15/2009 10:55:31 AM PST by Born Conservative
In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.
Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of the city's largest municipal union.
Nick Balzano, president of the local Service Employees International Union, told Allentown City Council Tuesday that the union is considering filing a grievance against the city for allowing Anderson to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path at Kimmets Lock Park.
"We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails," Balzano told the council.
Balzano said Saturday he isn't targeting Boy Scouts. But given the city's decision in July to lay off 39 SEIU members, Balzano said "there's to be no volunteers." No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path.
"We would hope that the well-intentioned efforts of an Eagle Scout candidate would not be challenged by the union," said Mayor Ed Pawlowski in an e-mail Friday. "This young man is performing a great service to the community. His efforts should be recognized as such."
Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break.
"We are probably going to let this one go," Balzano said .
(Excerpt) Read more at mcall.com ...
True. As most FReepers know, an Eagle Scout project is something far beyond a few hours "community service". It's a whole program designed to teach young men how to organize, plan and execute a major community project. Everything is logged, teaching them organization and good business practices as part of the goal behind the project.
As a former Scout and also a former Scoutmaster for 15 years, I'm grateful for the support of so many good folks who stood by us, there is no shortage of criticism and attacks on the BSA but we used to tell the boys that that sort of thing "just builds character". One of them said, "Then Boy Scouts will have enough character for the whole country".
They stayed with us all the way through HS, pretty gutsy in today's PC world. Since the WOT, six of our Eagle Scouts have served in combat in Iraq, three are still serving, does this tell you something about character? They didn't bat an eye when they joined up either. This is what America is all about. Don't forget them, nor what the Boy Scouts of America stands for.
The SEIU is going to give gov’t a bad name for a vast majority of Americans.
ping
Where can we get an army of these Scouts?
Indeed. Most of us view SEIU’s antics as mildly amusing, as this Scout does, I would suspect. What are they gonna’ do, throw him in union jail? :-)
By the time I got to Eagle, I was not the same kid. For good or ill, you are never the same. It's just the way that system works.
SEIU is simply a cheap sideshow on this deal. The real story, and it isn't uncommon, is the public service project and that a kid performed it. It does present a nice dichotomy.
Well connected (nobama, acorn, dem/libs, soros) thugs don’t need no stinkin public relations.
“Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break.
“We are probably going to let this one go,” Balzano said .”
Well, that’s mighty big of them...despite the implied threat. It’s time to recognize the SEIU as the terrorist organization it truly is.
Naughty! You forgot: as with the US Marines, so with Boy Scouts.
"Once a Scout, Always a Scout."
> This is what America is all about. Don’t forget them, nor what the Boy Scouts of America stands for.
Well said!
I do not see why most municipalities hire employees, other than for political patronage. It makes more sense to hire contractors to do the needed work, and pay them for the job, as such. No pensions, no benefits, no “make work” projects, and NO UNION. I understand that for every employee on the payroll, three votes are assured to the incumbent, but it’s time the taxpayer wakes up, and realizes how badly they are being hosed.
http://www.lehighvalleyclc.org/affil.htm
Nick’s office number: 610-437-1211
Nicks’ fax number: 610-437-1211
>>So 1 Eagle Scount can get do the work of 39 SEIU Couch Lice?
Yep, that’s the real point! Scares them to death to be found out.
"We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails."
And his office phone number is:
(610) 437-1211
“’Hey kid!” “we’ze gonna give you one chance to join da’union,,p>Or’s else wee’ze gonna have some battin practice on youze knees!”
"People of the same trade seldom meet together even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public or some contrivance to raise prices." - Adam SmithThat quote is usually applied to corporations - but exactly how does it not apply to unions?
“SEIU says No one except union members may pick up a hoe”
He must be talking about the SEIU - ACORN connection...
ACORN sets 'em up in business, SEIU is the customer?
sweeeeeeeeeeeet
SEIU doesn’t Like the BOY SCOUTS.
Evil
Idiotic
Unionists
Hopefully the kid will learn a valuable lesson from this and relocate to a state or country where this type of initiative will lead to personal success rather than persecution.
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