2015 3 August SCREA news - Sussex County Retired Educators

Sussex County Retired
Educators Association
Volume 16 Number 1
After School Views
President’s Message by Marie Kovacs
Meeting/Luncheon
Mon. Sept. 21, 2015
Lafayette House
12 Noon
 Cost $ 26
 Entrée: Lasagna
 Deadline: Sept. 15
 Program: NJEA Sec/
Treas. Sean Spiller
& Elle Benz. Pg. 8
The SCREA is
affiliated with the
New Jersey Retirees’
Education
Association
President:
Marie Kovacs
973-9458344
First Vice Pres.
Pam Raynor
973-3838575
Second Vice Pres.
Linda Adams
973-7141646
Treasurer/Membership
973-2094129
Ann C. Lane
Secretary
Theresa Boscia
August 2015
Summer conjures up images of carefree days, time outdoors
and beach vacations. I hope this has been your experience, but
for some of our members it has been a difficult time. Health
crises, personal and family issues, and sadness and grief were
part of their summer. I hope belonging to our retired community brings comfort to those dealing with adversity.
One way the SCREA can help its members deal with life’s
challenges is by continuing to work to preserve our pensions
and health benefits at current levels. Confidence in one’s
financial future is critical for a quality retirement. Scary news
of bankruptcy of the TPAF causes unnecessary anxiety to retirees already dealing with the fact of growing older.
The good news is that NJREA membership is at an all time
high. We are 1,000 members ahead of last year at this time.
Higher numbers means Trenton politicians will pay more
attention to us and NJEA has more dues money.
“Wars are expensive” to quote our president Pat Provnick.
Consider inviting a nonmember to our luncheon. Introduce
your friend to the executive committee and we can explain the
value of membership.
Welcome back.
973-2098731
Necrology
Nancy Clink
973-2937223
Travel:
Linda Adams
973-7141646
Editor:
Georgeanna Lewis
407-4434247
SCREA Scholarship committee: Shirley Smith, Fred Aug recipient Nicole
Henningsen, chair Toni Soderholm, Warren D. Cummings recipient Christopher Loos, and member Debbie Gorin
PAGE 2
V O LU M E 1 6 N U M B E R 1
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
2015-16 Proposed Budget to be approved 9/21/2015
Category
Actual
9/1/2015.
Budget.
8/1/2015.
INCOME
Dues
4,107.00
Life transfer.
1,000.00
Misc. Income
0.00
TOTAL
5,107.00
EXPENSES
Government Relations
0.00
Historian
0.00
Incorporation Fee
50.00
LD Conference
0.00
Luncheon 90+
0.00.
Luncheon Guest
225.00
Member Benefits
0.00
Membership
0.00
Misc.
0.00
Newsletter
1,154.22.
Office
343.22.
Officer's Expense
90.00
President Expense
100.00
SCEA
100.00
Travel
0.00
VP- Programs
124.00
Web Site
340.00
TOTAL
2,526.44.
4,000.00
1,000.00
0.00
5,000.00
400.00
25.00
100.00
25.00
100.00
500.00
25.00
25.00
50.00
1,800.00
600.00
300.00
125.00
100.00
25.00
500.00
300.00
5,000.00
Resources to Stay Informed or
To Inform
Go to www.njea.org or
better yet www.njea.org/njrea
Contact Sen. Steven Oroho, Asw. Alison
Littell McHose, & Asm. Parker Space
All have the same phone number &
address 973-827-0200
115 Demarest Road, Suite B,
Sparta, NJ 07871
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Contact Gov. Chris Christie
1-609-292-6000
PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625
Difference.
107.00
0.00
0.00
107.00
400.00.
25.00.
50.00
25.00.
100.00
275.00
25.00
25.00.
50.00
645.78
256.78
210.00
25.00
0.00
25.00
376.00
-40.00
2,473.56.
Budgeted
Amount
4,500.00
1,150.00
0.00
5,650.00
400.00
50.00
100.00
25.00
100.00
500.00
50.00
50.00
100.00
2,000.00
800.00
300.00
125.00
200.00
50.00
500.00
300.00
5,650.00
Calendar of Events
Mon. Sept. 21, 2015 SCREA Luncheon/ meeting
Thurs. Sept. 24, 2015 NJREA Fall LuncheonMon. Oct. 19, 2015 SCREA Exec meeting
Mon. Oct. 26, 2015 Mailing meeting
Mon. Dec. 7, 2015 SCREA Luncheon mtg
Tues. Dec. 8, 2015 Trip to Hunterdon Hills
Mon. Feb. 29,2016 SCREAM Executive mtg.
Mon. April 11, 2016 SCREA Luncheon/meeting
Mon. April 25, 2016 SCREA Executive mtg.
Mon. June 6, 2016 SCREA Luncheon/ meeting
All luncheons are planned for the Lafayette
House at Noon. Executive and mailing
meetings are at 10 AM at the SCEA office,
47 Rt. 206, Suite 2, Augusta, NJ 07822
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1
A FT E R S C HO O L V I E WS
SCREA MEMBERSHIP
Prepared by Ann Lane, Membership Chair
For August/September 2015 meetings
Please remember that any dues paid during the school
year go toward that year’s dues not a year from your
payment.
*Unified bills for the 2015-16 membership year should
have been mailed out in May or June. If you have not
already mailed in your dues, please do so as soon as
possible so as not to miss any publications. If you have
misplaced your bill and need a duplicate you can request one from NJEA at 609-599-4561 or I can snail or
email you a duplicate bill.
*If you or your friends do not receive your NJREA/
NJEA/NEA or SCREA 2015-2016 publications you
may not have paid your annual dues.
*Please make sure that you add [email protected]
to your email contacts so that you are assured you receive the quarterly SCREA newsletter.
*Life NJREA members that do not have unified membership should send your $10 annual county membership or $250 life membership to me.
*NJREA members that have membership in another
county and want an additional county membership in
Sussex, please send your $10 annual membership to
me.
Please let any recent retirees you know that they will
probably receive their unified membership bills in September or October when NJEA realizes they are no
longer on their active lists.
2015-16 SCREA Treasurer’s Report
For the August/ September meetings
Prepared by Ann C. Lane, Treasurer
General Checking Account
Balance 3/30/2015.
15051.56
Input.
3901.51
Output.
4205.35
Balance 6/27/2015.
14747.72
All the following are from 6/30/2015
Visions Regular CD (10/11/15). 2062.01
Visions Primary Share
25.04
Lifetime Lakeland
15237.40
Lifetime Visions CD
12828.81
Philanthropic/Scholarship 6/30/2015
Lakeland
4154.76
Visions Draft (Checking)
1156.72
Visions
25.03
Visions (Main Shares 02)
25.00
Visions CD (matures 10/1/
5155.88
If they want, they can call NJEA at 609-5994561 to pay their dues with a credit card prior
to that time frame. Please share your newsletter with the new retirees and invite them to our
September luncheon/meeting.
If you have any questions/problem about membership or your membership status, or receiving
the county newsletter, please do not hesitate to
contact me by phone, email or snail mail.
(973.209.4129, [email protected], or
21 Aspen, Hamburg NJ 07419).
Necrology
By Nancy Clink
April 24, 2015 to August 9, 2015
We will sadly miss three of our members Beatrice M. Talmadge, Manuel J. Reis
and Bernice Brenner.
Beatrice Talmadge passed away May 12, 2015. She taught second grade in Frankford for over 25 years, retiring in 2007.
Manuel Reis passed away on July 12, 2015 . He taught at Sparta High School for
29 years, retiring in 1988
Bernice Benner, 95, passed on July 11, 2015. She taught first grade in Hamburg
for 33 years
Please contact me at 973-293-7223 if you hear of the demise of one of our members.
PAGE 3
PAGE 4
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
Secretary’s Minutes:
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1
By Georgeanna Lewis
The June 1st meeting at the Lafayette House was
called to order with the flag salute led by President,
Linda Bruno at 12:00 PM. The singing of God Bless
America was led by Despena Eptamenitis, accompanied on piano by Barbara Henderson. The Invocation was given by Betty Heldak..
Mrs. Bruno wished all a relaxing summer with many
opportunities to gather with family and friends.
There were no new members. The Executive Board
was introduced.
Motion to accept the minutes from the April 13th
meeting and the treasurer’s report as they appeared
in the May Newsletter by Linda Adams, second
H.Ralph Smith. Passed.
President's Message. Elaine Badgely, Linda Bruno, Elise Falleni, Marie Kovacs, Pam Raynor, Lucille
and Paul Stanziale attended the SCEA Legislative
Reception on April 14. Legislators attending were
Freeholders Gail Phoebus, Dennis Mudrick, and Assemblyman Parker Space, who left prior to the program. NJEA Sec/Treas., Sean Spiller was the keynote speaker. He gave an update on the court cases
regarding funding pensions and benefits. We have
been asked to attend a lobby day on June 25 in Trenton. Please see Ms. Bruno if attending.
The NJREA Spring Luncheon/ DC meeting was held
April 23; President Bruno, JoAnne Horvath, Marie
Kovacs and Gary Wikander attended. NJEA’s decision to remove itself from any further discussions
with the Christie administration was the main topic
of discussion. NJEA’s stance remains FULLY FUND
THE CURRENT PENSION SYSTEM, to make quarterly payments and have the courage to over-ride the
governor’s line vetoes in the budget.
The NJREA Fall luncheon/ DC meeting is Sept. 24;
registration coupons will only be in the June NJREA
Newsletter.
The NJREA Convention will be held at Resorts Hotel
and Casino in AC on Nov. 4th and 5th. Registration
information will be in the Sept. NJREA Newsletter.
The SCREA constitution, By-Laws, and policies were
submitted to the NJREA Constitution and Affiliations Committee for review. We received a letter
with a few suggestions to make our document
stronger. The SCREA Executive Committee voted to
give the suggestions to our Constitution Committee
to look at during the 2015-16 year.
Marie Bilik was in the lobby prior to our meeting.
She is not an endorsed candidate (NJEA will not
screen or endorse prior to the budget vote.). Joan
Wright, candidate for NJREA Secretary, who was in
the lobby prior to our April luncheon was successful
in the election. All other NJREA officers and NJEA
officers will remain the same.
This is President Bruno’s last meeting as SCREA
President. She thanked the Exec. Committee and
members for allowing her to serve as president for
the four years and for giving of their time to help our
organization protect the welfare of our members and
public schools. 2nd VP elect, Elise Falleni will be relocating to Ohio and tendered her resignation to the
Exec. Committee. Linda Adams volunteered to take
this position. A vote will be taken under Old Business. All committees and chairs will end on August
31st. “You will be in excellent hands under the leadership of incoming president Marie Kovacs, who will be
appointing new committee chairs.”
Committee Reports
First VP Marie Kovacs took a moment of privilege to
honor President Bruno; who had a balance of socializing and getting our work done. She spent many hours
unraveling the IRS red tape and visiting Trenton.
2 VP Lucille Stanziale: Next meeting/luncheon is
Sept. 21. Details will be in the SCREA Newsletter.
Linda Adams will be working with the Lafayette
House on meal choices and prices.
Government Relations: Elaine Badgely and Linda
Bruno attended an emergency NJREA GR meeting on
May 18. A goal was set to personally visit all 120 legislators before June 5. Ralph Smith made several attempts to arrange a meeting with LD 24 for the 6
members on our lobby team. We were given a take it
or leave it option to participate in a May 21 meeting
with NJEA GR Fran Pfeffer and 3 SCEA members.
Sen. Oraho did all the talking, McHose left midmeeting and Space played with his phone the entire
time. They stated they didn’t want our pension fund
to go bankrupt but did not have the ability to fund it
unless taxes are increased which they will not support. They will not vote to over-ride a Governor veto.
They feel our members should reduce their health
benefits from platinum premium to gold and/or share
payment. Younger teachers should have a 401K that
is portable before the vested 10 years.
We have made every attempt to keep you updated by
e-mail, newsletters and our website. The video
“Pension funding: this is our fight!” was sent to all
members we have e-mail addresses for over the weekend. We need you to tell your story and send it to legislators in the district you vote in. President Bruno
then read her personal letter to the legislators.
Membership: The deadline for 2015-2016 dues is
Aug. 31. See Ann Lane for forms or questions.
NJREA Editorial: Georgeanna Lewis reported that
the committee proof read the newsletter electronically
last week and it will be sent to the printer hopefully
including a decision from the NJ Supreme Court on
Christie’s appeal of Judge Jacobsen’s decision that a
full state pension payment must be made this year.
She thanked Linda Adams for taking minutes this
year.
Scholarship: Toni Soderholm thanked all who purchased 50/50 raffle tickets in the lobby prior to our the
luncheon and have sent donations using he coupon in
our newsletter. All donations made by check to the
SCREA Philanthropic Fund are tax deductible under
IRS guidelines.
(Continued on page 6)
Volume 16 Number 1
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS.
Page 5
SCREA Travel Report
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse
Cruising the Hudson on the River Rose
The best kept secret in Newburgh, NY was a small
hole in the wall restaurant, Beni’s Bauhaus. When
we got there, Linda Adams thought, “oh my is this
place even in business”? When we got into the shabby interior we all started to wonder until the food
started coming out. The place was a “mom and pop”
restaurant that was just starting out. The German
food that was served was second to none! What a
wonderful time we had followed by an authentic
paddle-wheeler ride up the Hudson to Bear Mountain and West Point, then to return home. We filled
the bus and ourselves. A fantastic day out with the
SCREA and friends.
Contact: Linda Adams or Lucille Stanziale
(973) 827-6285
(973) 579-2797
37 Fairview Ave.
47 Route 206, Suite 2
Hamburg, NJ 07419
Augusta, NJ 07822
cell 973-714-1646
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mail checks written to SCREA Trips to
Linda Adams 37 Fairview. Ave. Hamburg
Audit Report
By JoAnn Horvath
All financial records were examined on August
10, 2015 at the SCEA office. The purpose of
examination was to compare the check register
to the bank statements for the past year. All
records were found to be in order. No recommendations at this time.
December 8, 2015
Join us at a Playhouse Christmas Show and
Luncheon. Cost will be the same as last year
$80 pp. which includes bus, show and lunch.
Leaves Newton Park and Ride at 9:30 AM returns home around 5PM.
New for 2016, Ocean City, Maryland
Sept. 25– 29, 2016 -5 days and 4 nights $680 pp
double, $875 Single, $670 Triple pp. Deluxe motor coach, stay at the Quality Inn Boardwalk
www.qiboardwalk.com, 4 dinners at famous
Ocean City restaurants, 1 lunch at Lobster
Shanty, tour Assateague Island, tour Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Ocean Downs casino, ecotour, etc. More info at the September luncheon
or contact Linda Adams for full itinerary.
Scholarship News
Our $1,000 Fred Aug Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Nicole Henningsen,
a recent graduate from Wallkill Valley
Regional High School. She plans to major
in elementary education at Sussex County Community College.
The $1,000 Warren D. Cummings Scholarship went to Christopher Loos, a graduate of High Point Regional High School.
He plans to major in social studies education at the College of New Jersey.
Thank you for your contributions to our
fund raiser and in memoriam which
made all this possible.
-----------------------------------For Donations to the SCREA Philanthropic fund (scholarship)
Name: ______________________________
Date:_________
Amount ____________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________
(Optional) In memory________________________
(Optional) Name & Address to send acknowledgement to
Please write check to SCREA Philanthropic fund and mail it to Lucille Stanziale, SCREA,
47 Route 206 Suite 2, Augusta, NJ 07822
VOLUME 15 NUMBER 4
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
Minutes continued from page 4
We would not be able to present the scholarships
today were it not for your generous contributions.
PAGE 6
New Business: Judith Fulton asked President Bruno for a clarification about voting. President Bruno
said she would not vote for every position. Judith
reminded us of the use of a “write in” vote.
Travel: Linda Adams reported 45 people enjoyed a
great lunch and ride on the Hudson last week. There
are still seats for Hunterdon Hills playhouse on Dec.
8th at a cost of $80. A flyer for the trip next September was distributed with hopes that an early sign up
would guarantee prices for the rooms. If anyone has
ideas for trips, please email her. She saves emails.
The Passaic CREA invited us to join them June 3 at
a Rally at the Wayne Municipal Building.
Old Business: A motion to approve Linda Adams to
be 2nd VP for the 2015-2017 fiscal year was made by
H. Ralph Smith and seconded by Nancy Clink. It
passed.
Warren D. Cummings– Christopher Loos from High
Point Regional High School
Motion to adjourn at 12;40 PM by Ann Lane and seconded by Elise Falleni.
Program: President Bruno presented our scholarships followed by the recipients giving an acceptance
speech. They were:
Fred Aug– Nicole Henningsen from Wallkill Valley
Regional High School.
New Jersey Public Employee Pension Facts
(Source NJEA)
Public Employee Defined Benefits are a Good Deal for States and Communities
Public employee pensions are modest, but irreplaceable source of security for public employees to which they generally contribute substantially.
TPAF members are expected to contribute $740 million to the pension fund in 2015.
Taxpayers shouldered only 20.1 % of all public pension funding from 1993 to 2012.
Each dollar contributed by taxpayers supports $8.82 of New Jersey economic activity.
While politicians who run state government have often failed to faithfully contribute to the pension plans,
teachers, school employees and other public employees have contributed every year and have never failed
to make their legally required payments
Pension benefits are not the cause of unfunded pension liabilities which are making headlines.
The deep financial downturn of 2008 and 2009, spurred by recklessness on Wall Street, caused significant
problems for our state’s pension fund.
The pension fund is not at an imminent risk of default and have years to recover investment losses.
Unfunded liabilities do not disappear if pension benefits are cut or the fund is closed. The pension liability
debt remains.
The NJ Pension Fund has been well managed.
In fiscal year 2014, it exhibited growth of about 16.9%. The 5 year annualized growth was about 12.4%.
Pensions are engines of economic growth and help maintain economic stability and curtail
poverty.
In 2012, expenditures from NJ public employee pensions supported $2.4 billion in federal, state and local
tax revenues.
Retirees and their beneficiaries personally paid $104 million in taxes.
Explain the court decision on pension payments that occurred June 2015.
The state was scheduled to pay 5/7 of the scheduled payment. The legislature was able to find enough
revenue last year to pay the require 4/7 pension payment while balancing the budget. The Governor reneged. The NJ Supreme Court, which had three judges appointed by Governor Christie and a temporarily assigned judge voted 5-2 to support the Governor’s position to not fund our pension fund which Chapter
78 established in 2012, was to provide.
Where can the money be found to fund our pensions?
The state budget passed in June, had little room to spare. The emergency fund of $350 million was at its
lowest level ever. Corporations could be assessed a tax surcharge, possibly for a limited number of years.
NJ has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country. An increase could generate a modest increase. Corporate incentives and subsides have failed to produce sustained economic development. Instead, these subsidies and incentives have diverted billions of dollars in tax revenue away from the state. The federal
government has not bailed out any state pension system. Selling bonds is an acceptable method of generating revenue, but the state’s rating has dropped repeatedly. The issuance of bonds during the Whitman
administration led to the current state of affairs.
VOLUME 15 NUMBER 4
PAGE 7
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
Menu:
Minestrone
Soup
House Salad
Lasagna
Hot Apple Betty
Rolls and butter
Executive Committee of the SCREA. Seated: Ann Lane, Treasurer & Membership, Marie Kovacs,
President, Pam Raynor, First Vice President. Standing: Sharon Mullen, Scholarship Chair, JoAnn
Horvath, Audit, Linda Adams, Second Vice President & Travel Chair, Theresa Boscia, Secretary, Linda
Bruno, Past President & Budget, H. Ralph Smith, Government Relations. Missing: Elaine Badgely,
Government Relations, Gail Baum, Membership, Shirley Smith, Constitution, Lucille Stanziale, Member
Benefits, Paul Stanziale, Website, Nancy Clink, Necrology. Photo by Georgeanna Lewis, Editor.
SUSSEX COUNTY RETIRED
EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
47 Route 206 Suite 2
Augusta, NJ 07822
Vote NJ General Election
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
First Vice Presidents Report
By Pam Raynor
For our September meeting we have two guest
speakers to share valuable information with us.
Sean Spiller, NJEA Secretary/ Treasurer will
kick off our 2015-2016 year with current information from Trenton.
Our second speaker is Ellie Benz, a local attorney who is currently the organizer of Earth Angels, a holiday gift drive for needy senior
citizens.
Pension Facts (continued from page 6)
Will cuts in funding schools, hospitals, unemployment benefits be needed?
After nine credit downgrades, the state must get
its fiscal house in order. Revenue can be raised
with a Millionaires tax and/or a surcharge on the
corporate business tax. Economic Development
Authority programs that provide corporate subsidies should be scrutinized and overhauled. The
Exxon settlement is an example of lost revenue
that should have been maximized.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our fall
meeting.
What can you do to help fight for full funding of the pension system?
Website:
Become a Pension Activist to help educate and
mobilize our 200,000 members. Sign up at
fundnjpension.org
Our SCREA website is up and live at
www.screa-njea.org and as a link on the
NJREA website. Your user name is the # on
your NJEA membership card and the last 4
digits of your SS # is your password unless
you have changed it. Let Lucille or Linda
Bruno know if you want anything else published. The goal of the SCREA Executive
Committee is to keep members informed.
Keep yourself informed about the issues and
learn about action you can take by texting
“Pension” to 738674 and regularly checking
njea.org and fundnjpension.org.
Contact your legislators and remind them of
their obligation under Chapter 78 to fund our
pensions.
Encourage your colleagues to do the same.