Leaders break ground in April for a new NYSUT Southwestern Regional Office that will serve members in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. Among the shovel-wielders are, from left, Tony Bifaro, assistant to NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi; Dustin Damcott of Austin Contractors; NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Ivan Tiger; and President Emeritus Tom Hobart. Since last year's unification of NYSUT and NEA/NY, staff in the region have been working in two separate offices, neither of which has room for the combined work force. Regional Staff Director David Eggert said the new space will provide more resources for training.