In this issue...
Constitutional Committee will examine resolutions...CMES course schedule released...Credentials Committee report shored up...Going solar, we forecast blue skies, stay on the bright side and beam down a glowing edition that radiates energy. Take a rain check from overcast, gloomy newsletters that spatter you with a torrential news downpour that just doesn't hold water. We steal their thunder, lighten things up and tan their hides with a clear, illuminating issue that catches the latest maritime rays. The sun always shines on the Telex Times!

RANK & FILE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE FORMED
During the regular monthly meeting at the Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School, five members and two alternates were elected for a rank and file Constitutional Committee. They will take the responsibility of reviewing all resolutions that seek to amend or otherwise affect the M.E.B.A. By-Laws.

The notice to the membership concerning the election of the constitutional committee was sent out to the Union halls in an All Ports Bulletin in the first week of July 2007. It was included in discussions at the July membership meetings.

The Committee will consist of Gerard Dundon (Chairman), Alan Valley, Dominic Walsh, Frank Peters and Mark Corrales. Kevin Nichols and Joel Cordish will serve as alternates. The M.E.B.A. By-Laws (Article Twenty-One, Section 2(b)) provides for the establishment of this rank and file committee. A special e-mail address has been set up for members to contact the committee. It is
committee@mebaschool.org.

CALHOON SCHOOL RELEASES 2008 COURSE SCHEDULE
The Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School has released its 2008 curriculum featuring 45 courses to choose from over the next calendar year.

Course application forms can be obtained at the Union halls, the Calhoon Schools website (www.mebaschool.org),  or by calling the School at (410) 822-9600. Separate applications must be submitted for each course a member wishes to take.

Applications for 2008 classes will be accepted via CMES website, U.S. Mail, and fax at (410) 822-7220 NO EARLIER THAN MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2007.

CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE REPORT FINALIZED
The Credentials Committee report detailing the list of candidates qualified to run for office in the 2007 District No. 1-PCD, M.E.B.A. election has been finalized. One member who was found not qualified to stand for Union office had appealed before the membership at the regular meetings this week. However, members at halls across the country upheld the Credentials Committee findings in accordance with the M.E.B.A. Constitution and By-Laws. The Credentials Committee report, which has been available in each of the Union halls since mid-July, is therefore final. A special election edition of the Marine Officer will be completed shortly and mailed to all members, applicants and retirees, who are listed in the Headquarters database, before the end of the month. Ballots will be mailed to all members in good standing on September 1, 2007. If you are a member in good standing and have not received recent mailings from Headquarters such as the Marine Officer, you should clarify your address with us so that you are able to receive a ballot for the upcoming election.

MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE YOUR INFO WITH HQ
Be sure to inform Headquarters if you recently changed your contact information. We have placed an address change form on our website to help expedite the process. Address changes now require a signature for validation along with your new information. You can get the form in either a .pdf or a Word document from www.meba.us. Once there, click on the Members Only tab and toggle Address Changes. 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.

Those active and retired members who have not received mailings from Headquarters such as the Marine Officer or other important information may want to log onto our website to clarify their address. Because the M.E.B.A. Plans office in Baltimore and Headquarters databases are NOT linked you must also forward a signed change of address form to the Plans Office if you wish to update your information with them.

COAST GUARD OFFICER INDICTED OVER BILGE WASTE
An officer from the agency that helps enforce oil pollution laws has been indicted for his role in dumping bilge waste into Hawaiian waters. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii announced the federal grand jury indictment against Coast Guard officer David G. Williams, a Chief Warrant Officer who serves as the Main Propulsion Assistant for the Coast Guard Cutter RUSH. Williams allegedly obstructed the investigation into the direct overboard discharge of bilge wastes through the deep sink into the Honolulu Harbor. On an additional count, he was charged with making a false statement.

According to the indictment, in March 2006 Williams authorized the direct discharge of bilge wastes into the harbor. The indictment says that the Engineering Department personnel engaged in an unusual and abnormal operation and configuration of engine room equipment to pump bilge wastes from the aft bilge to the deep sink and overboard into Honolulu Harbor bypassing the oily water separator.

The investigation began after an anonymous tip to the State of Hawaii's Health Department. When interviewed by investigators, Williams denied authorizing personnel to discharge the waste and claimed no knowledge of the incident whatsoever. If convicted Williams could face 5 years in prison on each count.

MAJOR ROADWORK NEAR SEATTLE HALL BEGINS TONIGHT
Major construction on a freeway that feeds into the Seattle union hall will likely delay travelers visiting the hall during a 2 ½ week stretch that begins late tonight. Washington State officials admit that roadwork will have significant effects on traffic in the Puget Sound area. At 10 p.m. tonight through Wednesday, August 29, there will be round-the-clock lane closures on northbound I-5 between Spokane Street and I-90.

Work crews are repairing and replacing expansion joints along the route and removing lead-based paint from the underside of the I-5 bridge. At night, they are closing lanes in both directions of I-5 to install signs, locate unstable concrete on northbound lanes and repair southbound expansion joints.

The hall will be operating on a normal business schedule throughout the closures. From August 10 through the 17th, Mike Bass from the Plans Office in Baltimore is helping out at the hall from 8 a.m. each morning. Its a good idea to call ahead when visiting the hall. You can visit the Washington State Department of Transportation website at www.wsdot.wa.gov to learn more about the road closure.

CSA OPENS UP NOMINATION PERIOD FOR SHIP ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) has announced that it is inviting companies to participate in the Environmental Achievement Award Program that they administer.

"CSA's Board of Directors initiated this award program three years ago" said Joseph J. Cox, President of CSA. He continued "This is a great opportunity for owners and operators to recognize the accomplishments of their mariners and shore-side staff. While the public hears of instances when there are environmental problems, they should know that this industry has an excellent record of environmental accomplishment. We have seen a growing awareness of this program among the industry since we began. Last year, 381 vessels owned or operated by forty-two companies received awards totaling 4,425 years of environmental excellent operation. This is a tremendous accomplishment by the industry and one that is not well known. We initiated these awards to let our seagoing and shore-side personnel know that we appreciate all they do as good stewards of our marine environment. The Board encourages all vessel owners and operators to nominate their compliant vessels for this award."

To be eligible for the award, a vessel must have for at least a two year period:

No reportable spills;
No U.S. Coast Guard citations for violations of MARPOL;
No port state citations for violations of MARPOL; and,
No violations of state/local pollution regulations.

Vessels are eligible for awards beyond the initial two year period. Cox said that over eighty-five percent of the vessels receiving awards last year were for performance beyond the initial two year qualifying period. The awards are given to the recipients at a dinner ceremony in Washington, DC in the fall which is attended by high-level Coast Guard, Maritime Administration, EPA and other government agency personnel.

Companies wishing to receive information about the program may contact Ms. Odell Moore at the Chamber of Shipping of America, omoore@knowships.org.  The deadline for submitting your vessel entries is Friday, August 31, 2007.

NEXT REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
Tuesday, September 4 - Baltimore, Boston, Houston, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Seattle;
Wednesday, September 5 - Charleston, New Orleans, Portland;
Thursday, September 6 - L.A., New York, Norfolk, Tampa;
Friday, September 7 - Honolulu.