Welco worker seeks new trade

Silver Lining

By JULIE GOLDER

Staff Writer

My son, Gary Stratton, has been employed by Welco for the better part of the year.  When he told me Welco was shutting down, I as a mother, was naturally worried about what he would do. 

Gary, 23, finally found a job he seemed to enjoy so I was as disappointed that the mill would be closing. I was sad for all the employees losing their jobs, it was heartbreaking.

“At first it was very upsetting, but when I heard we could go to school, I thought about it and was hopeful that I could find something I would like,” Gary said.

Gary told me the state would be offering to pay for school for anyone at Welco interested in learning a new trade.  I was relieved for all involved.

I naturally thought Gary would choose a culinary school as his previous jobs included cooking for several different restaurants from here to Sandpoint.

I did not anticipate he would choose the Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy in Coeur d’ Alene,   but I wasn’t surprised. Gary has always been somewhat of an artist. 

I knew Gary was artistically inclined when at age 4 I discovered he was a “lefty.”  The teachers used to try and force him to write with his right hand so he is now ambidextrous, which should be helpful in his occupation of choice.

Gary, a self-taught musician has always played several instruments.  He can draw well, writes songs and poetry and yes, even had interest in styling  older sisters’ hair.  He has cut his own hair for years.  Gary also has been known to cut and color his girlfriend, Whitney Booth’s  hair.

“He does a really good job and I can trust him,” said Whitney.

When I asked Gary why he chose cosmetology, he gave me his traditional humorous answer, then the more serious one.

“I was going down the alphabetical list and cosmetology was the first thing that looked interesting,” he joked. “No really, I am tired of smelling like cedar, wearing work boots and wearing safety goggles every day, and I always have enjoyed working with the fairer of the sexes.”

Gary on a more serious note, said that most any trade available  was offered by the Workforce Investment Act and he really wanted to do something that involved imagination and creativity.

He told me that the WIA, a state-funded program, will pay for his $15,000 tuition.  The employees of Welco are still waiting for word on whether the Trade Adjustment Act will kick in or not.  The TAA  will pay for tuition, moving and living expenses.  But for now he is just happy that he won’t have to move far and the 11-month course will be paid for.

Gary will start at Toni and Guy’s in April 2010. 

Gary plans on moving to Southern California after graduating from Tony and Guy.  His goal is to work at one of their salons in Santa Monica, Calif. 

“I don’t care if I never see another patch of snow,” he said.  “I want to go to a place where it is summer all the time.”

Gary as my son, is optimistic about the opportunity, he has been raised to see the “Silver Lining” in even the most dire of situations.  I am proud that he chose this profession and excited to soon have my own personal stylist. 

If I have one wish for the people of Welco who have not chosen to go to school because of the expense of moving, it is for them to get the opportunity to afford it with the TAA.  Gary said a lot of people can’t afford to move and go to school full time without a job to pay for living expenses.  With the TAA they could do this.  So I hope this funding comes through for those people and it creates a “Silver Lining” story they too can share.