THE COUNCIL 2 scholarships for 2007 have been named in memory of, or in honor of, nine people. Applications for the scholarships will be available in early December from Council 2 offices and on this site. The deadline is March 15, 2007.

$5,000/Four-year Dependent Scholarship

In memory of Shane Clanin Swanberg, son of Brian Swanberg, member of the City of Kent, Local 2617

Shane Swanberg was killed in a rocket attack on Sept. 15, 2005 while serving as a lance corporal in the Marines in Iraq. He was killed when mortar and rocket fire hit his base in Ramadi. He had been fewer than 10 days in Iraq and had not yet undertaken his first mission.

Shane Swanberg

“The executive board of Local 2617 thinks it is only fitting to honor Shane by naming the scholarship for him when he was killed while serving in Iraq and protecting our freedom here in America,” said Debra LeRoy, vice president of Local 2617.

His father, Brian, a retired police officer who is a code enforcement officer for the City of Kent, said, “I loved him deeply. I respected him. He grew up to be one of the finest young men and Marines I’ve ever met in my life.”

“Shane was a man who loved life,” said Jim Fowler, a youth pastor who met him on a mission to Mexico.

Swanberg grew up in Kirkland and graduated from Juanita High School in 2000. He joined the Marine Corps in 2002. He had expected to return from Iraq after a seven-month tour of duty.

$2,000 Dependent Scholarship

In honor of Lois Clement, member of Bellingham Library System, Local 114

Lois Clement was active for 23 years as a member and officer of Local 114, City of Bellingham, and as a member of the State Executive Board.

Lois Clement

She retired on June 1, 1993 from her job at the Bellingham Library after 29 years of service. Since then she has continued to be active in Council 2 activities.

Under her direction as chair of the Women’s Action Committee, many successful, well attended workshops have been held at Council 2 conventions.

She also directed the establishment of the Mary Hersey Award, which was established in Mary’s honor after she died in 1997. The award is presented at each biennial convention.

She has been and continues to be a resource and inspiration for all Council 2 members.

In honor of Roger Vails, current member of City of Walla Walla, Local 1191-W

Roger Vails was nominated for his courage, hard work, great attitude and high spirits while dealing with a serious illness, says Michael Jackson, president of Local 1191-W.
“Roger has worked for the City of Walla Walla for 20 years, and just this past January was diagnosed with cancer,” Jackson says
Although having to deal with chemotherapy treatments, Roger missed few days of work and attended all union meetings. His cancer is in remission, but he is dealing with the side effects of the chemotherapy treatments.
“He continues to have a good outlook on all aspects of his life.
“Roger is very much respected in his job, has been a great union officer and has been and continues to be a great inspiration to all city employees.”

$500 Continuing Education Awards

In memory of Ron Alldredge, past member of Snohomish County Engineering, Local 109-E

Ron Alldredge, who died March 22 after a 10-month battle with liver cancer, began work as associate planner in the Snohomish County Planning and Development Services Department in 1976.

Ron Alldredge

He was a senior planner for most of his 29-year career.He served on the board of Community Transit and the Snohomish City Council from 1978 to 1989, serving twice as Mayor Pro Tem. A devoted advocate of community trails, he shepherded the vision for the Snohomish Riverfront Trail through public review. He died shortly before the trail was formally opened. He also promoted a variety of charitable causes.

“He was loved and respected by his co-workers for his kindness, integrity, knowledge and sheer spunk,” says Vel Smith, human resources coordinator for Planning and Development Services. “He was passionate about civic service. Everything he did, he did it with his whole heart. We miss him.”.

In memory of Bob Burton, past member of City of Tacoma, Local 120

Bob Burton

Bob Burton, who had been a member of the City of Tacoma bargaining unit, was fulfilling a lifelong dream to ride his bicycle across the country when he was killed in a tragic traffic accident just months after his retirement from a 30-year career at the city as a computer systems programmer.

Bob had always wanted to take the trip and, after he retired, he decided the time had come to do so and persuaded his wife Nita to join him. They sold their University Place house, stored their possessions and set off from San Diego in late May, with plans to visit relatives across the country before ending in Dover, Delaware, in October.

But the trip ended in August when a vehicle struck and killed Burton as he was cycling through Milladore in central Wisconsin.

In memory of Dave Crosby, past member of Snohomish County Road Department, Local 109

Dave Crosby worked for Snohomish County Road Department for 32 years before retiring in February 2004. Of those years, about 25 were spent in active involvement with Council 2, says Roger Moller, president of Local 109.

He died on March 3 this year from a brain tumor.

“He was an old-school union guy,” says Moller.

“He lived and breathed union and was a very in-your-face kind of guy when he felt that approach was needed. He didn’t pull his punches. But you didn’t work for him; you worked with him. I enjoyed working with him and we became close friends.”

Crosby loved to travel and would regularly go on cruises and visit Las Vegas on vacations. “He had a love for life and wanted to travel a lot more,” adds Moller. “To see him struck down with this tumor was difficult for us to watch.”

In memory of Esther DeFazio, grandmother of Angelo DeFazio, current member of Tacoma Library System, Local 120

In memory of Dyana Lee, past member of Thurston County, Local 618

Dyana Lee began working for Thurston County on March 5, 1990. Her work was a major part of her life and she was proud to say she was employed by Thurston County. She was a loyal member of Local 618.

She died April 2 this year at 41. She was a simple, warm-hearted, caring individual who always spoke kind words about everyone, says Jeanie Hardy. “She always found the positive in everything.”

In memory of Winona Ohlson, mother of John Ohlson, member Local 120 and Council 2 executive board

Winona Ohlson

Winona Ohlson, 85, a Tacoma schoolteacher and mountaineer, died in April of complications from diabetes. Her husband, Ted, was a long-time Teamster at the Ruston Asarco plant.

“Mom will be remembered for her activism in taking on City Hall to get our yard restored when the street was widened, for writing letters to government officials in support of various causes and her never-ending support in ensuring her children were successful and achieved their goals,” Ohlson says.

“She loved the outdoors and was a member of the Tahoma Audubon Society, the Sierra Club and the Tacoma Mountaineers.”

Improvements to state pension system are overdue