Greetings,

This is the Federation Hotline updated Oct. 20.

REMINDER: GET CALLS IN TO STOP CLOSURES

Don't forget. The public comment period on the proposed closures and downsizing of state institutions ends tomorrow, Oct. 21. Go to the Federation website at www.wfse.org for links to the public comment page and to e-mail a personal note to the governor and legislators. Also, call the governor and your three legislators at 1-800-562-6000 on your personal phone and own time and tell them: "The consultants hired under the proviso in Section 130 of the state budget got it wrong. Reject their recommendations. Find another way. Save Maple Lane. Save Ahtanum View. Save the RHCs." All members should call because an injury to one is an injury to all.

LAKELAND VILLAGE MEMBERS STATE SUCCESSFUL PEACEFUL PICKETING OF GOVERNOR'S OFFICE; RAINIER SCHOOL TOWN HALL MEETING THURSDAY

More than 100 Local 573 members and supporters from other Spokane-area locals ringed the governor's Spokane office Monday to protest the decimation of Lakeland Village and its quality services for some of this state's most profoundly developmentally disabled citizens.

"These cuts hurt and they hurt the people who can't fight back," Federation President Carol Dotlich told the marchers.

Shouting "Save the Disabled" and "Who's Next? Management!," the Lakeland Village members staged a 10-hour picket at the governor's Spokane office.

They presented a letter protesting the human and fiscal costs of cutting Lakeland by 90 percent. It was signed by dozens of members. The governor's representative, Steve Becker, accepted the letter. "I promise I will personally give this letter to the governor," Becker said.

MEANWHILE....State Rep. Christopher Hurst of the 31st District on Thursday holds a town hall meeting in Buckley to mobilize opposition to the proposed closure of Rainier School. The town hall meeting will be 7:30 p.m., this Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Buckley City Council Chambers, Multipurpose Room, 811 Main St., Buckley. Fellow 31st District Rep. Dan Roach, Buckley Mayor Pat Johnson and other elected officials will be on hand. Please attend!

QUICK REMINDERS:

- NATURAL RESOURCE REFORM COMMENTS NEEDED BY THURSDAY. Your Natural Resources Task Force reminds you that their survey of proposed ideas on consolidating natural resources agencies' functions is this Thursday, Oct. 22. To take the survey, go to www.wfse.org .

- OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE starts Oct. 26 and runs until Nov. 30. Significant changes are coming to co-pays and deductibles, depending on your plan. This is your chance to switch to a new plan. Also be aware that Nov. 30 is the deadline to verify the eligibility of any family members you cover. The Public Employees Benefits Board sent out only one open enrollment notice, so don't overlook the chance to change plans. Benefits fairs start Oct. 27 in Cheney, the UW and Spokane. For full information and a full list of benefits fairs, go to www.pebb.hca.wa.gov .

- IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR KING COUNTY MEMBERS. King County election officials have laid out the ballot there in a way that it might be easy to overlook Initiative 1033. It appears in the lower left corner below instruction panels. So, please don't overlook it. Just about all labor, business and community groups recommend a vote of NO on 1033 because it will add to the deficit and force even deeper budget cuts.

- DOORBELLING FOR LOCAL 341 MEMBER ADRIENNE FRALEY-MONILLAS THIS SATURDAY. Members are encouraged to run for public office. And Fircrest School Local 341 member Adrienne Fraley-Monillas is one of them, running for a seat on the Edmonds City Council. A doorbelling blitz for Adrienne is this Saturday. The blitz starts at 10 a.m. in Edmonds. To RSVP for the blitz and to get the address, e-mail Adrienne at monilad@aol.com.

SHARED LEAVE REQUESTS:

Finally, four shared leave requests:

IN NEED OF SHARED LEAVE: Amy Lindell, a financial services specialist 2 in Vancouver and a member of Local 313, is in need of shared leave for medical conditions. She has exhausted all leave. To assist Amy with a donation of eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday, contact Tammy Flaming, (360) 759-2953.

IN NEED OF SHARED LEAVE: Valdene Kneisly, a residential/student life counselor at the Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver and a member of Local 1225, has been off the job because of medical issues. To assist Valdene with a donation of eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday, contact Jessica Sydnor at (360) 696-6321, Ext. 129.

IN NEED OF SHARED LEAVE: Marcella McGhee, a medical assistance specialist 3 with DSHS in Olympia, has been approved for shared leave. To assist Marcella with a donation of eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday, contact Kate Trickle at (360) 725-1412.

IN NEED OF SHARED LEAVE: Elizabeth McCoach, a medical assistance specialist 3 with DSHS in Olympia, is in need of shared leave. To assist Marcella with a donation of eligible unused annual leave or sick leave or all or part of your personal holiday, contact Michael Otter-Johnson at (360) 725-1979.

That's it for now. Call Oct. 27 for the next message.

http://www.wfse.org