Brothers and sisters, I want to thank you all for the support you have given me during my successful campaign for re-election to the New Hampshire State Senate. I want to thank International President Lonnie Stephenson and the IBEW for their support to both my campaign and to making sure we are in the majority. [Editor's Note: Both chambers of the New Hampshire Legislature flipped from Republican to Democratic control in November's election.] This will give me the opportunity to secure real benefits to working people across New Hampshire. I would also like to thank all of the IBEW locals from across the country, and their members, for their support. I am honored to receive the support from my brothers and sisters. Thank you to all other IBEW members who ran for office this year, and congratulations to those who won. It is important that we have a seat at the table to advocate for working families across the country.

In Solidarity,

N.H. State Sen. Kevin Cavanaugh, Local 2320 member
Manchester, N.H.

A substantial number of renewable energy projects are going to soon be constructed across the U.S. and Canada, and union labor should pursue this work aggressively. A few Ohio locals are making inroads worth celebrating in the southern and northeastern parts of the state. Global energy developer Hectate Energy is planning a 300MW solar array in Portsmouth, Ohio, Local 475's jurisdiction, and the local is hopeful about securing a portion of the work thanks to its good working relationship with the company.

The Icebreaker Project off the shores of Cleveland in Lake Erie also has some promising developments. The Department of Energy has signed off and is seeking funding to make the 20.7MW project a reality. The last step in the approval process will come from the Public Utility Commission of Ohio. As reported in November's Electrical Worker, Cleveland Local 38 foresees being integral in the construction and maintenance of the six massive wind turbines.

By being a part of new utility-scale projects, union labor can bring fair wages to workers and quality, clean power to our homes. Look out for stickers of wind turbines and solar panels coming to a hall near you.

John McDermott, Local 683 apprentice
Columbus, Ohio

I'm so proud to have received my 70-year service pin this year. I went through the apprenticeship program and was initiated into Ann Arbor, Mich., Local 252 on Oct. 13, 1948. I have always been very proud to be a member, and I worked at the trade for 40 years, from 1948 until 1988. Those were perhaps some of the best years to work in the trade. With times the way they are now, we all need to stand tall and support the IBEW.

I'm especially proud of my family's service to this union. Between 12 of us, we've got 484 combined years in the IBEW.

Thomas J. Kittell, Local 252 retiree
Ann Arbor, Mich.

I remember Brother Hill emailing me back and forth about four years ago. He had information that a utility customer in my area was disconnected and needed power for medical equipment. Yes, Brother Hill, in the Washington area, learned of a customer without power in eastern Canada. … This is the Brother Ed Hill I will always remember. No one could match his passion as a unionist.

Don Murphy, Local 1620 Business Manager St. John's,
Newfoundland

President Hill was a very good friend and generous donor to the Special Olympics of Beaver County's Polar Plunge, donating thousands of dollars to the cause. Thank you for all you did for Special Olympics. Thank you for your services to the IBEW. You are loved by your Beaver County IBEW 712 families. You will be missed as a great man and visionary in labor leadership.

Julie D'Achille Kochanowski, Local 712 spouse
Beaver, Pa.