MILESTONES

Arkansas CU League, Little Rock, hosted Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush during a recent stop-over. "I am a long-time supporter of credit unions," Bush said, during a meeting with ACUL President/CEO Craig Savell. "I believe people have to take responsibility for themselves, and big government is not the answer." Savell said he talked to Bush about the importance of CUs and how members have come to rely on these cooperative institutions. Franklin Mint FCU, Media, Pa., has held a ribbon cutting for its 15th branch office in University Technology Park in Chester. Health Services CU, Jacksonville, Fla., has opened its new national headquarters and member service center located near the Tinseltown Movie Theatre and adjacent restaurant complex in the Deerwood Park North office and retail complex. Members doing financial business at the new service center will do so via HSCU's new "Privateller." This system allows depositors to interface with system staff via video screen and telecommunications while providing depositors "the maximum in privacy and safety," officials said. Metro CU, Warren, Mich., staff recently invited local dignitaries and members of the community to the official opening in Lincoln High School of a new student-run CU branch. Multco CU, Portland, Ore., has bid a fond farewell to retiring CEO Bob Burns. Burns has led the $66-million asset, 10,000-member CU for 16 years. Orange County Teachers FCU, Santa Ana, Calif., invited 65 students to the FCU for the third annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day in early February. Students from Anaheim's Brookhurst Jr. H.S. and Santa Ana's Ceasar Chavez H.S. spent the day at the FCU observing staff members at work. "By reaching out to the work force of tomorrow, we can help students set goals and obtain valuable work experience," said Rudy Hanley, OCTFCU president/CEO. Pine Bluff Cotton Belt FCU, Pine Bluff, Ark., has selected HBE Financial Facilities to design and build its new $1.3 million home office. The facility is scheduled for completion in November of this year. The new office will be designed to resemble a train station in honor of the FCU's railroad membership. A tall vestibule will lead into a high-ceiling lobby with wooden beams, officials said. Tampa Bay FCU, Fla., has held a grand opening for a new "family-friendly" facility, which features interactive teller stations so that members may conduct business via interactive television screen and a telephone in a private station while children play in an enclosed playground that can be accessed only through the FCU's main lobby. There is a 4-lane drive-through with a 24-hour ATM and a secure 24-hour walk-up ATM, officials said.