Fraternal Greetings Brothers and Sisters:

As this is my first article for the web site I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your support in Scranton.  The faith that you have placed in me will not be misplaced.

Additionally, I have been very busy the last two months.  There have been visits to locals and meetings with other E-Board members and Trustees and the Western District meeting in Butler.  I have also been active in the Casey campaign both locally and regionally. I have also attended PAC functions in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.  I also attended the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Colorado Springs with Brothers Ban and Huf.  This event was especially moving for me since my good friend Bob Gallardy from Altoona Local 299 was added to the memorial this year. The ceremony conducted in Colorado further reinforces my belief that we have the greatest Union in the country if not the world.

Act 47 is becoming a more widespread issue accross the State with more and more communities either going to full blown Act 47 status or the early intervention stage.  Most recently, myself and Western VP Ban have been consutling with the brothers in New Castle in their efforts to stave off this incredibly harsh legislation.  Through the efforts of President Eckman the Interrnational is becoming proactive in the Act 47 struggle. In the near future the E-Board and several representatives from Act 47 communities will converge in Washington to start to formulate strategy in dealing with Act 47.

Currently, the Trustees are collecting contact information for each of our locals.  We are attempting to structure a database for instantaneous communications between the PPFFA and our affiliates.  Please contact your respective Trustee with the following:

President's name, address, phone number(s) (home, work, fax, cell) , and email.

Vice President's name, address, phone number(s) (home, work, fax, cell) , and email.

Secretary's name, address, phone number(s) (home, work, fax, cell) , and email.

Additionally, if your local has a web site please forward that address for a link on our web site.

Please stay safe and do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything.

Lastly, I want to thank all of the past and current Officers of the PPFFA and the general membership of our great organization for all their support, confidence and especially their guidance towards me the last two months.

Fraternally:

Art Martynuska

Recording Secretary PPFFA

333 Meadow Drive

Johnstown, PA 15905

814-255-1563  home/fax

814-525-0536  mobile

amartynuska@ppffa.org