May 042018
Shelly Lubbinge
Jan 042018
May 122017
Jan 262017
Click the link below to the Cleveland Foundation to apply for the Robert D. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Jan 182017
BY DANIEL BOLLMAN, AIA
Property: 221 N. Washington Square Lansing
According to a reader’s tip, “The AT&T building on Washington Ave. is not a bad example of brutish architecture, but the windows at street level which once held a communication timeline have been left vacant except for trash and storage for quite some time.” Indeed, this great hulk of a building exhibits the typical features of the Brutalist style. In many cases, wood grain from the formwork leaves its imprint on the cured concrete. Here, the concrete aggregate is deliberately exposed. Wall surfaces are broken up with awkwardly large fins. Ribbon windows which might run in an unbroken band are broken up by rough-jointed pilasters.
The reader continues,“This dead space influences all foot traffic between downtown and LCC in a very negative way. ATT is communicating a lack of respect for its customers as well as the City of Lansing by creating this dead zone in such a prominent location.” While it is difficult to measure of the impact of empty storefronts, there is little question that streetscape continuity makes for good urbanism. It is not unusual to have informational displays when the storefront is not being used commercially. As our reader correctly states, such a treatment would benefit this stretch of Washington Square.
“Eyesore of the Week” is our look at some of the seedier properties in Lansing. It rotates each week with Eye Candy of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lansingcitypulse.com or call Berl Schwartz at 999-5061.
Jan 062017
Jan 062017
Sisters and Brothers,
I had two pieces of good news this morning in my inbox that I wanted to share with you. It is well known but not said enough: It is the membership that does the heavy lifting by their actions, which gives CWA authority at the bargaining table.
The first came in response to an email, which I had first sent to you, then posted on our Local website:
Good Afternoon Sisters and Brothers,
We have been working with AT&T West Labor regarding the Service problems in the West due to the rain. We have agreed to allow the Loaners from D-6 and D-4 to come out to California.
I appreciate you working with us on the Loaner issue. As soon as I get the dates, locations and names of the workers coming to D-9, I will send that information to you.
In Unity,
Ellen West
From the above, which came in yesterday, we can see that this call for unity was shared far and wide, at least as far as Tennessee. I know that many of our members shared this mobilization with coworkers and that our members did the right thing. Thank you.
Then, this morning I received this communication from the CWA District 9 bargaining committee:
Good Afternoon Sisters and Brothers,
We have been working with AT&T West Labor regarding the Service problems in the West due to the rain. We have agreed to allow the Loaners from D-6 and D-4 to come out to California.I appreciate you working with us on the Loaner issue. As soon as I get the dates, locations and names of the workers coming to D-9, I will send that information to you.In Unity,
Ellen West
If you are interested in volunteering to travel to California, please feel free let your manager know. Please know also that you stood on the right side of the line, in support of your Union brothers and sisters.
In Unity,
Ryan Letts – President
CWA Local 4034
CWA Local 4034
Feb 022016
We have received a few calls regarding the new 1095-C form that you will be receiving from AT&T. You should have received a letter from AT&T stating that it would be sent to you in late January. However, on December 28, 2015 the IRS extended the due dates for large employers to send these forms. Large employers have until March 31, 2016 to get these forms to you. Below, we quote from the IRS website (follow the link for additional information):
Some taxpayers may not receive a Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C by the time they are ready to file their 2015 tax return. While the information on these forms may assist in preparing a return, they are not required. Individual taxpayers will generally not be affected by this extension and should file their returns as they normally would.
Consult your tax professional for more information regarding this.
Dec 192014
WOW!! Our Lead Stewards and helpers were able to collect $1400 in raffle ticket sales. Which means that:
Our Lucky Winner: Dionje Evans, UVERSE Manager, Won: $700.00
Feeding America, West Michigan will get $350.00 from the raffle and Mid Michigan Food Bank will get $350.00 from the raffle.
Dionje graciously donated $350.00 of his winnings back to the cause, so another $175.00 to each organization.
In addition to that our Grand Rapids Retirees Club donated $400.00 from their treasury so each organization will get an extra $200.00 from them.
And, that’s still not all. Our Layout and Design Group held a bake sale which raised another $206.00 and we received $10.00 in donations from others giving a grand total of: $833.00 to each worthy organization at a time when they can really use it. We also received canned goods that will be distributed accordingly.
Grand Rapids Design Layout members donate to local charities.
The Officers and Staff of Local 4034 would like to thank each and everyone of you that participated in our 2014 Holiday Giving Program. We most certainly are: The Community Minded Union!!!!
Happy Holidays to your and yours.
Nov 262014
Good Morning All,
I just wanted to pass on something quick. Dave Elam (Grand Rapids Premises Technician) just called me from a customer’s house whose water heater had just broken down. Dave helped them to get it shut off. They are an elderly couple, on a fixed income and were very upset. Dave called his Local to see what could be done to help. I called our friend Dan at the United Way and he got them a number where they should be able to get help if they qualify financially; if they don’t qualify financially, they will get a referral where they can at least get some sort of payment plan.
I just wanted to share the info with you, I thanked Dave for calling here and I was able to get right back to him with the number to give to the couple. I really love the fact that he called his union to look for help and the fact that, because we have a long-standing relationship with Dan and the United Way, we were able to pitch in with some help. My pledge is going UP!!!!!
Thank you Dave and Dan, and all of our members who take that extra step to lend a hand in the many communities in which we work and live. Read on below to find an excellent community resource for those in need of a little help.
Shelly Lubbinge, Office Manager
CWA Local 4034
Need Help? Know Someone Who Needs Help?
Just dial 2-1-1 (or click here)
Heart of West Michigan United Way 2-1-1 is a free health and human service hotline that connects callers to more than 2,900 distinct services in Kent County. 2-1-1’s extensively trained and certified staff members offer help to people in need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 2-1-1 from a landline phone or call us long distance/toll-free at 1 (800) 887-1107.
Thousands of Services, One Call
United Way’s 2-1-1:
- Offers connections to food, housing, utilities, health care and many more services.
- Is free of charge to all Kent County residents.
- Defines the community’s greatest needs and works with other nonprofits to fill gaps in services.