February 9, 1996

Members of Local 310 of the Laborers International Union of North American elected James Deane as business manager, the union's top post. Deane has been acting business manager of the local since Chester L. "Zip" Liberatore was suspended by the international union last year after his indictment for accepting a gratuity from a union contractor. Liberatore pleaded guilty to the charge and resigned.

The tally was Deane, 767; Local 310 members Joseph Victor, 136, and Danny Kelly, 120, according to Susan Gragel, a lawyer for the local.

The election Sunday was monitored by the international. Deane will serve the remainder of a three-year term expiring in 1998 that Liberatore was elected to last year.

The local represents about 2,600 construction workers and retirees.