President Van Roekel to Keynote UEA Convention

Our new NEA President, Dennis Van Roekel, a 25 year math teacher from Paradise Valley High School will open the UEA's professional conference at South Towne October 16, 2008 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Van Roekel, very popular among UEA's leaders and staff, has visited Utah on numerous occasions. He, along with our own Lily Eskelsen, were elected this past July by the delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C. Hope to see you there.

Legislative Ethics Committee Meets in Private

The Utah State House of Representatives Ethics Committee met privately in a hearing Wednesday to hear testimony concerning two charges of unethical behavior by members. Rep. Greg Hughes, a proponent of the private school vouchers and leader of the Conservative Caucus, has been accused of trying to persuade another representative to change her vote on the voucher bill in exchange for financial support in her unsuccessful campaign in 2006 against Phil Reisen. Rep. Phil Riesen is also one of the defendants based on a charge that he leaked information to the press about the Hughes complaint. One of our Weber County representatives, Lou Shurtliff, is co-chair of the Ethics Committee. The hearings will resume Friday.

O/W UniServ PAC Recommends Candidates

The Ogden/Weber UniServ Political Action Committee has interviewed and voted to recommend the following candidates for the November 4 General Election.

• Ed Allen-House District 10
• Richard Greenwood-House District 12
• Mark Openshaw-House District 11
• Steve Olsen- Senate District 20
• Trent Alvord- House District 8

We hope you are registered and please vote November 4.

Neil Hansen and Chris Dallins Speak to OEA Reps

Chris Dallin, candidate for State School Board District 4, spoke to the OEA Reps at their monthly meeting. Chris, PR director for McKay Dee Hospital, is running for the state school board against Dave Thomas, former state senator.

Neil Hansen, candidate for Utah House District 9, spoke also detailing his support for teachers in the battle for increased salary, smaller class sizes and a strong retirment program. He has been recommended by our political action committee.

Register and vote November 4.

Election Looms in One Month

I hope everyone is registered to vote November 4. Not only is the general election for president a hot topic for conversation, but we have several races for legislature that will determine what support for education funding we might enjoy next year. With the economic woes and revenue projections down, we will need courageous leaders to prioritize the state's school children in their budget talks. Check to see if you are registered and see you at the polls November 4.

Praxis II Test Training

Sean Mabey, NEA Member Benefits representative, will present helps to those taking the PLT Praxis II test. It is scheduled for Nov. 13 at 4:30-6:30 at our office at 939 25th Street in Ogden. Please RSVP with Tina at 399-3746. See you there.

UEA Welcomes Featured Speaker Alfie Kohn

Education and parenting author, Alfie Kohn, will be the featured speaker at the UEA Convention on Friday, October 17, 2008, beginning at 10 a.m. The 2008 UEA convention will be at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah. Kohn writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education and parenting. Kohn's criticisms of competition and rewards have been widely discussed and debated, and he has been described in Time magazine as, "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixation on grades and test scores."