Perriello meets with jobless

U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th, spoke Sunday at the Community Market with workers who lost their jobs this past month. Most were the result of lay-offs at Goodyear and Corning.

With more than 100 people filling the room, Perriello addressed the crowd in a town hall format. The Congressman fielded questions from the crowd, which included Mayor Sherman Saunders and Danville City Councilman Gary Miller.

“It’s always tough when you lose jobs. A lot of these people are my patients. They are hardworking folks who are used to putting in ten to twelve hour days or more,” said Miller, a cardiologist. “The city has some very good prospects for businesses coming to the area. We just need those businesses to make a move, and doing so is tough in this economic environment. But things will come around.”

Perriello elaborated on issues ranging from new unemployment and COBRA health benefit structures to tuition tax credits and foreclosure aid. He also informed those gathered he was fighting hard for new jobs in the fields of health care, manufacturing and energy to bring much needed employment back to the area. Perriello’s Danville liaison, Ebony Guy, also provided the attendants with handouts further explaining discussed information.

“I first want to say that I wish I could be here for a happier reason,” Perriello said. “But I think that it’s important for me to come to you to make you aware of benefits owed to you, and how to collect those.”

Besides Danville, Perriello is making his way throughout his unemployment-ravaged constituency.

“It’s not a statistic to be proud of, but it seems as if Danville and Martinsville are continuously leapfrogging one another for the highest level of unemployment in the Commonwealth,” he said.

“The Fifth District is primed for improvement through new jobs involving green energy and smart and broadband technology,” Perriello added. “It is time for the powers that be who have neglected the region through policy letdowns over the past twenty years to rectify the past.”

New initiatives in place to help ease the severe strains of unemployment include a 33-week extension of unemployment benefits in addition to the 26 weeks already in place.

Perriello has pushed legislation involving a tuition tax credit for those retraining for another career, including vocational schooling. Also, for those enrolled in fulltime educational coursework, the ability to still receive their unemployment benefits exists.

To qualify, the applicant must visit an area Workforce Development branch where they will have an agent document that they are enrolled in school and taking approved classes. To remain eligible, students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and twelve credit hours per semester.

Perriello later delved into the realm of housing.

“If you are in trouble with your mortgage, do not ignore the problem,” he said. “It’s not law yet, but you will have the ability to sit down with a judge and reassess your mortgage situation without the fear of having your credit history negatively impacted.”

When a disabled veteran fearing for his family spoke out, Perriello announced another program that he and the Veteran’s Advisory Board supports. “We are looking to provide software training to disabled veterans. With that they will be able to hunt down child predators and those involved in child pornography. These veterans have seen the unsavory side of life, and can use their abilities in this unsavory field to save lives.”

Perreillo went on to say that while he supports a free market, he does not support those that have indecently benefited with the masses being “kicked to the curb.” He said. “We need to hold Wall Street accountable, as well as correct trade acts and health care legislation that has negatively impacted our society as a whole.”

The Congressman then explained that Danville is lucky to have its leaders. “You have people that had the forethought to adopt a five to 10 year strategy, initiating the plan about five years ago. We will continue to fight for these new jobs that are in the works.”

Byron Taylor, Chairperson of Local 831 United Steelworkers of America and Employee Action Program Coordinator at Goodyear, was at the meeting to support his peers.

“I’m glad that Congressman Perriello is here,” Taylor said. “Friday, when I found out he was going to come, I got the word out immediately. It’s important for people to know about their benefits.

Goodyear employee and Committee on Political Education (COPE) member, Stuart Lovelace agreed with Taylor.

“I’m glad that Representative Perriello came down today. Luckily, I still have my job, but you never know. In the future that could be me over there with those that were just laid off,” Lovelace said.