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The town of Kearny was represented at the League of Arizona Cities and Towns by, from left: Back row: Anna Flores (Town Manager); Mayor Debra Sommers; Rudy Flores; Nancy Hinojos; Rose Bradford; Samantha Misita; front, Cathy Woolery (Town Clerk); Sheila Stephenson.
Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 4. Much like Memorial Day, Labor Day is observed by most Americans as a day off rather than a real occasion to mark for its meaning. Our economic system is grounded in our labor. People explore, dig, load, and transport ore, which is then crushed and processed into metals. Farm labor brings us the plants we buy at the grocery store, and the people at the grocery store display the goods and sell them to us. The common thread is the human touch of people who provide their labor.
William Penn developed the Pennsylvania colony as a showcase of labor, peace, and godliness. Labor was honored as a godly virtue, in and of itself.
The early labor movement began at a time when large corporation and trusts used labor mercilessly, without respect for human values. The unions had a really tough time at first, but gradually gained enough power and respect to bring about collective bargaining, the forty-hour work week, safer working conditions and, later on, pensions and insurance and other valuable benefits. Labor led the way during World War II, producing the armaments and other things needed to bring about victory. The unions helped develop the middle class, and the middle class used its funds to bring about further growth in mom and pop stores, strip malls, and shopping centers.
It’s not quite the same today. It takes the work of both husband and wife to make a decent living. Well, sometimes even with both working it’s still not enough to support a family. Now our legal system recognizes corporations as people! You know, I thought only God made people. Now it’s done with a legal filing… not so messy, I guess, but there’s sure not much romance involved.
Let’s remember the people, the people who labor for our benefit, this Labor Day.
Artists and volunteers ready Triangle L Ranch for this year’s GLOW!
The people of Oracle are putting on the GLOW! illuminated art show on three weekends this year, on Saturday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 30, and again on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-7. The evenings will feature art, music, and food. Only 500 people can be accommodated each night, so purchase tickets in advance.
The Peppersauce Roundup Adventure Festival will take place in Oracle on Saturday, Sept. 23, with live music from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check the posters for details.
The Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce is calling for residents to help plan the Great Pumpkin and Trunk-or-Treat celebration. People from Kearny, Winkelman, Hayden and Dudleyville (and all parts surrounding) are invited to come to the Chamber Office at the Court House in Kearny on Friday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. With your help it will be another great celebration for our youngsters.
Wallace Kenney is the new Kearny Chief of Police.
Monday, Aug. 21, at the Kearny Town Council meeting, it was announced that Wallace Kenney is Kearny’s new Chief of Police. He began work that very same day. The Mayor and Council also chose between two candidates to serve the remainder of the late Lana Dalton’s council term, choosing Rudy Flores over Curtis Stacy.
Well, copper is up to $2.98 a pound and I’m running out of space. Check in next week.
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