PWFT Advocate
Prince William Federation of Teachers
Reclaiming the Promise of State and Local Government by PWFT President Bill Hosp
Living in the Washington metropolitan area can sometimes be a distraction. We hear so much in the news about federal government policies and so many of our friends and neighbors work for the federal government that it becomes easy to forget about how important state and local government are to our own professional lives.
The Commonwealth of Virginia sets policies and funds programs that determine so much of what students will learn and what services are provided to them. The Virginia Retirement System is vital to your future plans and state law determines your rights as a public employee. Closer to home, the school board sets the policies where you work and plans the school system budget and the county board funds the school division.
There is an election every November in Virginia. This year we will choose our state legislators, our board of supervisors, our school board and other local officials . . . if we show up. It’s a long ballot and the candidates don’t get much attention in the media but these are the people who make the decisions that affect you most directly right where you work. We at PWFT can help you identify who your real friends are. The rest is up to you.
The election is November 3rd, and, as the saying goes, “Ninety percent of winning is just showing up.”
Local Endorsements
This month we will be sharing the names of the candidates for local offices recommended by PWFT and our affiliates in the Northern Virginia Labor Federation. Members can also expect an e-mail bulletin about voter registration and related matters.
For the Prince William County School Board PWFT endorses and recommends the following candidates listed with their districts: Ryan Sawyers, Chairman (at large); Bill Reeder, Coles District; Joseph George, Neabsco District; Lillie Jessie, Occoquan District; and our very own member Justin Wilk, Potomac District.
We also recommend the NoVa Labor Federation endorsed candidates for the Board of County Supervisors: Rick Smith, Chairman (at large); John Jenkins, Neabsco District; Earnie Porta, Occoquan District; Andrea Bailey, Potomac District; and Frank Principi, Woodbridge District.
Member of the Month
Congratulations to Rosina Mensa, our member of the month for September. Rosina gave us a wonderful recommendation for our recent back to school membership drive. Her willingness to let us quote her about the help we gave her when she needed an advocate made it possible for us to show prospective members the value of joining us. She also helped us sign up two new members during the break at the Food Service orientation, in less than 15 minutes! That’s what we call solidarity.