From: Gaetano Caruso <johnnyt@loon.norlink.net>
To: Chris White <ccwhite@polarnet.com>;
Joe Guerrieri <gec@intr.net>; Peter Vaira <vairiley@aol.com>;
Robert Luskin <rdluskin@msn.com>; Steve Manos <smanos@snet.net>
Subject: Re: Letter to Judges of Election
My name is Gaetano Caruso I am currently
running in the upcoming election of Local Union 607 for the position
of Business Manager/Secratary Treasurer/Delegate. I am attaching
a letter that I have sent to the Judges of Election. They have
expressed to me that they can not conform to all of my requests,
but they have told me where the ballots were printed they have
not offered me an official receipt or the amount of ballots printed.
I feel that the major issue here is the integrity of the ballots. They are going to bring the ballot box into their rooms with them and there are combination locks on the box.
I feel that my watcher should have the right
to seal the poll but they have refused my idea of envelopes.
At this time I am considering another option
but I am not sure if it will work but I feel that the polls have
to be sealed in order to insure the integrity of the ballots.
I will also forward all of the times and dates of the election
with this correspondence.
I would also like to add that the majority
of the ballots are going to be cast in Thunder Bay which is the
first polling station. I would like to indicate that I see no
reason for all those ballots which I anticipate are approximately
fifty percent (50%) of the total ballots to be cast to go on this
journey. I would also like to indicate that the Election is being
started in Thunder Bay on Sunday, May 31, 1998 which I feel is
totally inappropriate. Sunday is not a day to have an election
it is a day of rest. The Executive Board of Local 607 also had
a nomination meeting on Sunday which I also found inappropriate.
I feel that ( 5) five hours are not enough
for a polling station that is expected to have approximately fifty
percent (50%) of all of the ballots cast. Also in the last election
of 1994 would like to add that poll was open from 12 noon to
8 pm which is eight hours. As you know the election day is coming
this weekend and I sincerely hope that I can get a response. I
have sent correspondence to yourself and all levels of LIUNA and
as of yet I have failed to get a response. Thank You Yours, Truly
Gaetano Caruso
These are some of the requests that I am
asking of the Judges of Election, in the upcoming election of
Local Union 607. (Labourers International Union of North America)
(1) Receipt of all ballots printed and name
of company that printed ballots. I am also requesting a copy of
a ballot. And would like a understanding from the Judges as to
what is considered to be a spoiled ballot. I would also like a
receipt of how many Notices of Election were sent out.
(2) I am requesting that all ballots cast
at each polling station be sealed in envelopes and signed and
sealed with my designated watcher present. I also would like my
watcher to sign the envelopes along with the Judges of Election.
(3) I would also like to request at each
polling station a reading from the Secretary Treasurer (or the
designated person) as to how many ballots are cast at each polling
station.
(4) I would like my watcher contacted prior
to when the sealed envelopes are opened, and the ballots are counted,
I request my watcher to be present when ballots are counted.
(5) I am willing to provide the envelopes
if requested to do so.
(6) I realize that the constitution allows
the Secretary Treasurer to be at the polling station. But I would
also like to add that he is an incumbent in this Local Union 607
election. I consider this a conflict of interest perhaps you might
consider this.
(7) I will deposit the name of my watcher
on Sunday, May 31, 1998 at 8:30 am. At this time I would ask that
you indicate to me where you will be available to me.
In closing, please note that this is not
an attempt by myself or any member I am associated with, to question
any individual's credibility. It is only a request to defend my
interests.
If all of my requests can not be met I ask that any response be in writing, and must be done so prior to the election day which is Sunday, May 31, 1998.
Yours, Truly
c.c. Local Union 607
Voting for the election of officers of
the Local Union will take place at the following times and locations:
THUNDER BAY: Sunday May 31, 1998 from 9am
to 2pm at 516 S. High St., downstairs.
NIPIGON: Sunday May 31, 1998 from 4pm to
6pm at the Maple Leaf Motel.
TERRACE BAY: Sunday May 31, 1998 from 8pm
to 10pm at the Red Dog Inn.
HEARST: Monday June 1, 1998 from 12 noon
to 2pm at the Queens Motel
GERALDTON: Monday June 1, 1998 from 6pm to
8 pm at the Silver Nugget Motel.
DRYDEN: Tuesday June 2,1998 from 11am to
2pm at the Best Western Motel
KENORA: Tuesday June 2, 1998 from 6pm to
9pm at the Best Western Lakeside Inn.
FORT FRANCES: Wednesday June 3, 1998 from
11am to 2pm at the Red Dog Inn.
ATIKOKAN: Wednesday June 3, 1998 from 6pm
to 8pm at the Steep Rock Inn.
Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer-Delegate
(1)
Sergeant-at-Arms/Executive Board Member (1)
This is a list of all the polling stations
at this time. I would like to tell you that all of the Judges
are sympathetic with the current Executive Board. I have some
ideas as to how to curb anything form going wrong and this is
not an attempt by me to question their integrity. I just want
to protect my interests. I was wondering if you had any suggestions.
I want you to know that the ballot box is going to be in all of
these locations. But the majority of them will be cast in Thunder
Bay. I am trying to give you a feel for the way this election
is being conducted.
Thank You. Yours, Truly Gaetano Caruso