BISMARCK, N.D. — Delegates attending the quadrennial meeting of the North Dakota State Legislative Board have returned Mike Muscha by acclamation as Chairman in meetings that concluded here on August 15.
Brother Muscha is a member of BLET Division 671 (Enderlin, N.D.). He has held continuous membership in the BLET since he joined on November 1, 1979. This will be Brother Muscha’s sixth term as Chairman of the North Dakota Board. He was elected to two-year terms in 1990 and 1992, and then to four-year terms in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Other officers elected during the sessions were: First Vice Chairman R.K. Huff of Division 746 (Mandan, N.D.); Second Vice Chairman R.D. Albrightson of Division 695 (Minot, N.D.); and Secretary-Treasurer D.E. Altringer of Division 160 (Harvey, N.D.).
“It is a privilege and honor to be allowed to continue in my service to the BLET and its members here in North Dakota,” said Brother Muscha. “I have an outstanding team on my Board and, thanks to their hard work with the BLET PAC and the continued contributions to the BLET PAC by our members, we can help win some important elections this fall.”
All five North Dakota divisions sent delegates to the two-day business meeting. The delegates revised the Board””s Bylaws, audited the financial records, heard from several candidates for state political office, endorsed candidates, and discussed matters of policy and strategy for the upcoming general elections.
Invited guests included BLET First Vice President Paul T. Sorrow, who made a formal presentation to the delegates.
“Congratulations to Brother Mike and the members of his Board on behalf of the National Division,” First Vice President Sorrow said. “It was a pleasure for me to spend this time with our members here in North Dakota. I have found them to be good hearted people who have the best interests of the Brotherhood at the forefront in their deliberations.”
John P. Tolman, BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative, also addressed the delegates.
“We have all been witness to past election cycles,” he said, “but this fall””s election will either mark the survival of the middle class in the United States or ensure its demise.”
Vice President Tolman forcefully stressed the importance of voter turnout and in his presentation illustrated the financial decline of the American middle class and the choices before voters this fall. He also gave a detailed report to attendees during an open meeting, which included local BLET members.
Also present were Mike Priester, General Chairman of the CP Rail/U.S. General Committee of Adjustment, and Craig L. Thurow, Secretary-Treasurer of the CP Rail GCofA.
Craig Gilchrist, Chairman, Montana State Legislative Board, also attended as an invited guest.
R.A. Olson, BNSF Twin Cities Division Safety Coordinator and BLET Division 746 Local Chairman, also attended the meetings.
The BLET designated law firm of Yaeger, Jungbauer & Barczak acted as sponsors for the event.