The M.E.B.A. is mourning the loss this week of Mike Nizetich, the Union’s Executive Vice President/San Francisco-Oakland Branch Agent who died this week at an L.A. area hospital.

President Don Keefe issued a statement to the Union halls this week saying, "A wonderful father, husband and friend, Mike Nizetich was a good person fighting a terrible disease. 48 years old is too young to die and our hearts go out to his wife Cindy and two school age children, Max (12) and Nadia (14)."

His passing is painful for us but perhaps we can better soothe ourselves by emulating some of the qualities that made Nizzy such an upstanding person, labor stalwart and an effective official. He had an easygoing and unassuming nature and a single-minded dedication to furthering the fortunes of the M.E.B.A. membership and doing what was right without playing politics or boosting his own ego.

A San Pedro native, Mike was a second generation member, the son of an M.E.B.A. tugboat engineer. He was a graduate of the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School who sailed out of the L.A. hall for 16 years for a variety of shipping companies. In 2002, he was elected as the Union’s L.A. Patrolman and won a second term three years later. Mike became the Branch Agent in L.A. in 2006 following the retirement of Al Camelio. His dedication and hard work made him the logical choice to take over as Executive Vice President in late 2008. Mike was committed to the labor movement and active in his community.

As this sad news sinks in, please keep your thoughts and prayers with Mike and his family. Remember him as a true Union brother, a good person, who deeply cared about the membership.

Final arrangements have been put in place for our fallen brother. A viewing is set for Tuesday, May 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at McNerney's Mortuary. It’s located at 570 W. Fifth St. in San Pedro, CA. The phone number is (310) 832-8351.

The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in San Pedro, CA beginning at 12 noon. It is located at 209 N. Hanford Ave. The phone number is (310) 548-6535. Please call the L.A. hall or the locations themselves as the dates approach to make sure that this schedule remains intact.

Mike wanted people to know that he encourages everyone to donate blood and platelets.

The Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School has begun collecting donations on behalf of Mike for a Memorial bench in his name. If you would like to make a donation please contact Anne Higgins in the School’s Administration Office (410) 822-9600, ext. 338.

The Good & Welfare Committee is sponsoring a 50/50 Raffle to give a boost to the G&W fund. 5,000 tickets have been printed and are available at Union halls for $2 apiece. The winner will receive 50% of the proceeds (as much as $5,000!!) with the other half going to the Fund.

The raffle is open to anyone who wants to purchase a ticket. The drawing will be held on August 3rd and will take place at the Baltimore/Calhoon School meeting. Ticketholders do not need to be present at the drawing to win. Every ticket that you sell puts another dollar into the Good & Welfare Fund.

M.E.B.A. members are encouraged to support this important cause. The Fund is used to help active and retired members and their families in times of crisis. It proved very helpful following Hurricane Katrina when money from the Fund aided members in their recovery from the devastating aftermath of the storm. Strengthening the G&W will allow additional support to members and retirees in their time of need.

Even if you don’t win, you can feel good that you are helping other M.E.B.A. members and retirees get back on their feet. Buy a block of tickets today!

Be sure to inform Headquarters if you have recently changed your contact information. There is an address change form on our website to help expedite the process. You can get the form in either a .pdf or a Word document from www.mebaunion.org.  Under the "Members" tab click "Address Change." Address changes require a signature for validation along with your new information. The form can be printed out by the member or retiree, filled out completely with a signature and faxed or mailed to Headquarters. Those of you with scanners can complete the document with your signature then scan and e-mail it back to us.

In addition, any member or applicant two or more years in arrears on their dues and/or service charges will be put under review by the District Investigating Committee (DIC) and WILL BE DROPPED from the membership or applicant rolls. If you are in arrears and desire to retain your membership or applicant status, you must contact Headquarters immediately to make payment on your arrearage to return to good standing. Members and applicants can make payments online now in a secure manner. Visit the M.E.B.A. homepage at www.mebaunion.org.

She later served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a civilian-manned Military Sea Transportation Service vessel until entering the National Defense Reserve Fleet in Suisun Bay, California in 1970. It will have marine growth and loose exterior paint removed on a drydock at a ship repair facility in San Francisco prior to departure for Texas where it will be recycled.

The Coast Guard issued a bulletin warning of fraudulent acts involving TWIC cards. They stated that on April 6, 2010 an individual successfully gained access to a secure area of an MTSA regulated facility utilizing a fraudulent TWIC. The fraudulent card was similar in size, shape, and appearance to an actual TWIC; however the card lacked numerous security features that should have been detected. This case highlights the importance of maintaining compliance with the credential inspection requirements.

In addition, a problematic trend has been identified having occurred at the Port of Baltimore. TWIC holders have been making Xerox copies of their card to prevent damage or loss and presenting the copy to gain entry into a facility. No person may make, use or transfer a false or fraudulently-created TWIC. Anyone presenting a paper copy of his or her TWIC card needs to provide the actual TWIC or face denial of entry and/or potential charges. A truck driver was arrested for using his friend's TWIC card to gain access to a facility. It is a violation of Federal Law for any person to use or attempt to use a credential that was issued to, or a security assessment that was conducted for, another person. Unlawful use, possession, alteration, or production of a TWIC may be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment of up to 30 years. Owners and Operators of MTSA-regulated facilities or vessels are responsible to ensure security measures are appropriately implemented. Questions or comments related to the bulletin should be directed to your nearest Coast Guard COTP.

Calhoon Alumni Association President Mike Fanning has announced that the 2010 CAA Reunion will take place at the Calhoon School from June 25-27. The Harbourtowne Resort in St. Michaels, MD will be the site of the June 25th golf tournament that tees off a weekend of fun-filled events. The all-day picnic is set for Saturday, June 26th on the Manor House lawn at the School in Easton. As a reminder, fees forwarded to the CAA as part of this event are tax deductible.

Active and retired members and M.E.B.A. friends and families are encouraged to do themselves a favor and come on out! This weekend is for everyone in the M.E.B.A. family, not just graduates of the Calhoon cadet program. There will be wall-to-wall activities, food, fun and plenty of old friends and shipmates. Don’t miss it.

All details, event forms, donation forms, etc. can be found on the Alumni page of the School's website at www.mebaschool.org.  Please pass the word along to all friends, shipmates, and classmates (sailing or not). Questions and comments can be forwarded to Mike Fanning at caa2010@mebaschool.org.

Liberty Maritime is seeking résumés from Chief Engineers interested in sailing for the company. Interested individuals should send their particulars including a résumé via e-mail to personnel@libertymar.com.  You may also contact Nina Timonina at (516) 488-8800 with any specific questions about these opportunities.

Monday, June 7 – Boston; Jacksonville; Seattle;
Tuesday, June 8 – Baltimore/Calhoon School@CMES, Houston, San Francisco (Oakland);
Wednesday, June 9 – Charleston, New Orleans;
Thursday, June 10 – L.A. (Wilmington), New York (New Jersey), Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, June 11 – Honolulu.