Honorees Joseph Vicari (5th from right) and Lenny Tartamella (6th from left) is pictured with the officers of the Bedsole/Kingsboro Club and Local 3 Business Manager Christopher Erikson (3rd from right) and President John E. Marchell (5th from left).
On Saturday night, March 5, 2016, the Bedsole/Kingsboro Club of Local 3 held its 82nd annual Ladies Night Dinner Dance honoring Business Representative Joseph Vicari and rank and file member Lenny Tartamella at the El Caribe in Brooklyn. Known for their focus on detail the dance committee, officers and members of the Brooklyn club led by Brooklyn Business Representative Mike Jordan provided an enjoyable evening for the over 500 guests in attendance.
Club Treasurer Robert Diver opened the evening introducing Aviva Marer who every year offers an ardent rendition of the National Anthem. Afterwards Brother Diver announced all special guests and dignitaries in attendance and introduced Club President Robert Massato Jr. to the podium to open the ceremonies. President Massato began by thanking committee members for their tireless effort leading up to the dance, Business Representative Mike Jordan for his support and to Business Manager Christopher Erikson for his support to the Club and his unparalleled leadership amongåÊ labor leaders..
Brooklyn Business Representative Mike Jordan was next up to the podium where he recognized honorees, guests, active and retired Bedsole Club members, officers of Local 3, President John E. Marchell for his support towards the club, Assistant Business Manager for Construction Joseph Santigate and Business Manager Christopher Erikson for his unyielding commitment to the betterment of all members of Local 3 and also for his personal support.
Former Bedsole Club president and current Local 3 President John E. Marchell was called to the podium to present Lenny Tartamella the rank and file member award and then Business Manager Christopher Erikson
approached the podium to present the Man of The Year Award to long-time Bedsole Club member “A” City Business Representative Joseph Vicari with the prestigious award. Brother Vicari remarked on his professional experiences as a Local 3 member. He reminisced successfully lobbying with friend retired Business Representative Angelo Granata for “A” City Electrician Prevailing Rate to the another victorious crusade against Mayor Rudy Guiliani’s attempt to remove first line of defense Fire Alarm boxes from our city streets.
After accepting his award and stepping down from the microphone, Business å_Manager Erikson addressed the audience å_focusing on current political events, specifically the United States presidential å_campaign. He robustly warned against the dangerous rhetoric by Republican presidential candidates and remarked about the long-term peril for working people if a Republican, any Republican is elected as President. He asserted their economic interests are not ours, their choice of å_Justices is not ours and although they will say otherwise, their plan for America is not the America of equal å_opportunity. He then closed by advocating for a more democratic nation, one that is offered by the policies of the Democratic Party, one that does not discriminate against organized labor, one that offers the middle-class and those less fortunate a chance to have a decent life. Business Manager Erikson then wished all a good night of cheer, dance and a safe return home.
