> Local News > Springfield > Pioneer Valley Project sets priorities for 2008
Pioneer Valley Project sets priorities for 2008By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
SPRINGFIELD The members of the Pioneer Valley Project (PVP) voted last week they would work to establish three congregation-based youth centers in the city, lobby for more home visits from teachers and support a Project Labor Agreement that would help employ local people at its annual meeting last week.
Hundreds of organized labor and members of area churches gathered at Holy Family Church on Thursday to establish the priorities of the social action organization for the upcoming year.
Speaker after speaker emphasized the theme for the organization this year: "Common good for the Commonwealth."
Donald Diamo, the vice president of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council, said a Project Labor Agreement struck with the Finance Control Board for the construction of a new Putnam Vocational High School and Forest Park Middle School would guarantee 20 percent of the jobs to go to people of color from Springfield and create about 250 local jobs including 50 minority apprenticeships.
The organized labor groups would also establish a scholarship for Springfield minority residents who wish to pursue a career in the building trades.
Collin Burnett, a fourth year apprentice, said that he has worked for a non-union contractor and hadn't advanced his career, but that being accepted into a union apprenticeship program has allowed him to work and go to school at the same time.
Youth centers for the North End, Indian Orchard and East Springfield neighborhoods were also discussed. The Rev. Morris Stimage Norwood said, the youth in those communities are "stranded in a situation where they do not have the kind of activities they need, the kinds of resources they need, the kind of help they need."
The PVP is looking to the administration of Mayor Domenic Sarno for help. Mayoral Aide Darryl Moss said City Hall would help as it can in technical assistance in framing proposals for funding.
The group is also lobbying for $100,000 to be included in the school budget for teachers to make home visits to parents. The Rev. Nathaniel Smith, who works as a teacher, said the schools need "100 percent participation with parents" and that he has been "appalled at the lack of parental involvement."
At Duggan Expeditionary Middle School, teacher visitors have increased attendance and homework completion to 99 percent, Karen Pellerin, dean of student at Duggan, said.
School Committee Member Antonette Pepe said both she and Mayor Sarno are in "full support" of the effort" and she urged the PVP members to attend the School Committee budget hearings to make their feelings known to the other members.
Tim Collins, president of the Springfield Education Association, also spoke about defeating the referendum question on the November ballot that would eliminate the state income tax. He said 40 percent of the state's revenue comes from the income tax and that "taxes are not a dirty word."
"Taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society," he added.
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