Boy Scout to Union Boss
Hauling brush and old tires out of the woods in Allentown early Friday, members of the Service Employees International Union learned an Eagle-Scout-to-be is just as forgiving as he is trustworthy, loyal and helpful.
The Eagle Scout service project of Kevin Anderson, 17, of Upper Saucon Township was caught up in a national media firestorm after Nick Balzano, an Allentown union official, threatened to file a grievance over Kevin’s work clearing a trail in Kimmets Lock Park. Conservative pundits seized on the remark as evidence of the SEIU’s ”thuggery,” and Balzano later resigned.
To show there were no hard feelings, SEIU members from as far away as Philadelphia and New Jersey accepted Kevin’s invitation to help with the project Friday.
”They completely agreed — to come out, to help, to make amends,” said Kevin, a member of Troop 301 of Center Valley. ”I’m just glad it’s all coming together.”
A great ending to a lousy story.
Reports that the boy stood around drinking coffee and “supervising” are not true.
November 28, 2009 at 1:15 pmBill Shaw
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As the father of a Boy Scout and one who sits on many Eagle boards of review, the reports of the boy standing around drinking coffee may be exaggerated, but not too far off-base.
The Eagle candidate’s job is to plan, procure tools and materials, take care of all of the incidentals, and supervise the project. He is not to be the “worker bee”, but he is supposed to contribute some sweat equity to the project.
The sole purpose for the Eagle candidate doing this project is to show that the boy exhibits leadership qualities, not just that he can do some community service project.