Point of view
by
Jack LeVally
The "City of Brotherly Love" turned out to be just that. The site, of the sixty third Biennial Convention of the National Association of Letter carriers, was the appropriate site for the announced retirement of our National President, Vincent Sombrotto. Many times during the proceedings the more than seven thousand delegates showed their appreciation to their longtime president. Several moments, during the announcement of his intention to retire,
The President was forced to pause for a moment to collect his composure.
He stated that his although his health was good and he was still very willing to continue that his "time was over" and that "others had earned their opportunity" to serve. He was also quite ready to say that he was leaving the Union in good hands, but he would be watching.
When I first came into the Union its President, Jerome Keating, was retiring. Mr. Keating had inherited the job from the legendary William Dougherty. President Keating, George Bonner and myself argued a point of order and we were ruled out of order. However, later in the week we accomplished what we wanted, (but that's another story.) After Mr. Keating there was James Radamacher, then, J. Joseph Vacca, and now Vincent. R. Sombrotto. I believe, you can safely say that President Sombrotto was truly the man for the job during his tenure In office.
Mr. Radamacher agenda was among other improvements was to raise the level of pay for Letter Carriers to $10,000 dollars per year. (Top level pay at the time was around $8,000).
Many innovative changes to the operation of the Union were instituted such as the One man one vote rule which called for National elections to be conducted by mail ballot. Most likely, vince will be most remembered for the upgrade to level six for Carriers.
I have attended several conventions and I will remember Vince mostly for his humor, good spirit, and confidence in his beliefs. He always looked out for the Letter Carrier. Mr. President, "Thank You", You will be replaced but your many accomplishments will never be forgotten.