MCREA News September/October 2016

Morris County Retirees Education Association September/October 2016

2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 L un cheo n Me e t in g s

1 0 : 3 0 A M / N o o n

Sept. 7 Birchwood Manor

Whippany

October 19 Zeris Inn

Mountain Lakes

Dec. 7 Hanover Manor

East Hanover

March 8 Zeris Inn

Mountain Lakes

May 10 Birchwood Manor

Whippany

June 7 The Villa

Mountain Lakes

News Mailings

1 PM in Randolph

at Mt. Fern Church

November 14

February 13

April 17

May 15

August 21

Scholarship Fundraiser

April Zeris Inn

E xe cut iv e Boa rd

M e et i ng s

9 : 3 0 A M a t M t . F e r n

C h u r c h , R a n d o l p h

September 1 – October 6

December 1 – March 2

April 6 – May 4 – June 1

by Susan Vigilante

A Broken Promise — A Day to Remember When August begins, school employees everywhere say to themselves,

“Where did the summer go?” While many of us have not yet been on vacation,

there are Back to School signs and pumpkins (think Halloween) appearing in all

of the stores.

Retirees also have that Back to School itch. We cannot help it. No matter how

many years we have spent in our public schools, something about the end of

August stirs the soul. For the newly retired, it is usually a thankful feeling. For

some, there may still be a yearning to be with the kids. But it certainly is not a

yearning for all of the “stuff” that today’s school employees must face. No more

SGO’s and PARCC and Chapter 78. In fact, most of us have no experience with

those acronyms.

This summer I have had the privilege of working with over 300 of our

colleagues, both active and retired, in the very first NJEA Summer Fellowship

Program. Our task has been to contact those who signed up to be Pension

Activists and encourage them to contact their

legislators and also Senate President Sweeney

about the Constitutional Amendment.

As I write this article on August 8th, Senator

Sweeney has still not posted the bill. So far,

we have been to three rallies – two at the State House and one in Gloucester

County in front of the Senator’s office. Those who follow the news know that the

Senator has tied this amendment to the Transportation Trust Fund and has said

that he will not post the bill. August 8th – the last day for the bill to be posted –

has come and gone, and Senate President Sweeney has now lied to the public

employees of New Jersey. A few months ago, in February, he promised to post

the bill for this year’s vote. Six hundred of our members heard him make this

promise at the NJEA Legislative Conference. [continued on page 2]

MCREA Executive Board President: Susan Vigilante Williams Treasurer: Joseph Steigauf

1st Vice President: Susan Beekman Secretary: Cheryl Doltz

2nd Vice President: Ginny Osborne Past-President: Tina Antalek

3rd Vice President: Connie Strucko

The MCREA News is published five times each year: September,

December, March, May, and June. News editor Betty McConnell can

be reached at 973-895-2630 or by email at bmcconnell8@optimum.net

The Constitutional Amendment to require the state to make its

pension payments is off the table for the time being.

MCREA News September/October 2016

** Editor’s Note: The publication deadline for this issue of the News coincided with the August 8th deadline date for posting of the

hoped-for pension amendment. At our Sept. 7th meeting, an updated report on the pension amendment issue will be delivered.”

As you probably know, NJEA and NJREA are working tirelessly with our coalition partners to bring stability to our pensions. For two decades, our elected officials have failed to properly fund the public pension systems in our state. As a result, more than $40 billion of unfunded pension liability now exists. It is unacceptable that the state has neglected its responsibility while school employees have never missed their monthly pension payments via payroll deduction. We have earned our pensions. To address this issue, NJEA and its affiliates in every county throughout the state are in the midst of a vigorous campaign to support a ballot question in November. The question would require the state to make quarterly payments to secure the pension funds. We expect the NJ Senate will have passed a resolution, SCR-2, on or before August 8 to place the question on the November ballot. It is the final step to ensure that the citizens of our state have the opportunity to vote on this issue. Now it is our turn to act if we wish to be successful. MCREA members will need to do the necessary work to help pass the ballot question. Our future financial security depends on it so we are currently seeking volunteers for a variety of dates and activities. The following activities have already been scheduled: September 7 Recruitment of volunteers at our luncheon meeting, collection of dollars for NJEA-PAC, campaign update by NJEA officer September 19-20 Volunteers will be contacting all MCREA members by mail to encourage them to help in the campaign, 11 am-2 pm, MCCEA Office, Randolph, NJ October 19 Recruitment of volunteers at our luncheon meeting, collection of dollars for NJEA-PAC, campaign update by NJEA staff October 24-25 Volunteers will be writing postcards and making phone calls in support of ballot question, 11 am-2 pm, MCCEA Office, Randolph, NJ November 1-2 Volunteers will be making phone calls in support of ballot question, 11 am - 2 pm, MCCEA Office, Randolph, NJ

You need to contribute your time and dollars to this campaign to protect your financial future. Please sign up to volunteer at our September and October luncheons. Check your calendars now. For those who cannot attend the luncheons, please contact me directly. If you would like to volunteer for any of the activities above, then please contact me at TJMCGRAIL@AOL.COM. If you do not have internet access, please have a friend or family member help you get a message to me. I can also be reached by phone at 908-581-5360.

Legislative Report ** by Tim McGrail and Ginny Osborne

[President’s Report: cont’d from page 1] In the coming weeks I am sure that you will hear of new plans to try to deal with the pension crisis in this state. The Constitutional Amendment to require the state to make its pension payments is off the table for the time being. However, we must keep pressure on Trenton to do its part. Our members are doing their part by paying into the pension with every paycheck; we retirees are hoping to collect our pensions for a long time. Stay tuned because this issue is not going away. And … we will remember in November! Also as Fall approaches, many of the officers are preparing for our September and October meetings. On September 7th, please plan to come to meet Sean Spiller, our NJEA Secretary-Treasurer who is the liaison to NJREA. At the same meeting our program will inform you about the topic of Health Benefits. So bring your questions and prepare to get help in understanding the medical benefits for retirees. Enjoy the last lazy days of summer. We do look forward to seeing you in September.

MCREA News September/October 2016

Want to get away for a few days at the end of September? Join us for a road trip to the SCENIC BACK

ROADS of Vermont. There is limited availability for this trip which departs on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and

returns Friday, Sept. 30. We will visit Vermont Country Store, Ben and Jerry’s, Shelburne Museum, King

Arthur Flour, Cabot Cheese and other attractions. The cost is $799 for a double which includes

transportation, two nights in the Burlington Sheraton, and one night in the Hampton Inn in Rutland,

three breakfasts, two dinners, gratuities for the driver, dining room staff, and porters. Insurance is

available.

On Thursday, October 27, we will visit the GREENWOOD CEMETERY in Brooklyn. Lunch at Athena’s

Greek Restaurant is included. The cost of the trip is $99 per person.

Don’t miss our river cruise which departs on May 17, 2017, aboard the AMA Waterways ship LYRA. A

few cabins are still available. We will be cruising the Seine between Paris and Normandy, France.

Stop by our table at the September luncheon meeting for handouts on other trips scheduled for the

coming year.

For information on any trips, contact Kay Laskoski at 973-234-5954 or via email at klaskoski37@gmail.com.

MCREA on the Road with Kay Laskoski

Heal th Bene f i t s Repor t by Barbara Satz

IMPORTANT REMINDER: State law requires that a retired member or dependent spouse/partner/child who is eligible for Medicare

by reason of age (65 or older) or disability must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B and must

maintain Medicare Part A and Part B coverage to remain eligible for coverage through the SHBP/SEHBP.

Acceptable proof includes a photocopy of your Medicare card showing Parts A and B enrollment or a letter

from Medicare indicating the effective dates of both Part A and B coverage. Send evidence of enrollment to

the Health Benefits Bureau, Division of Pensions and Benefits, PO Box 299, Trenton, NJ 08625-0299.

If you are collecting Social Security, you will receive a notification of Medicare approximately 3 months

before the month you will turn 65 and collect payment for Part B out of your Social Security check. If you

are not collecting Social Security, you must apply for Medicare yourself approximately 3 months before the

month you turn 65 and make payments for Part B yourself.

If you are retired from a board of education with 25 years or more of pension credit, you will receive full

Medicare reimbursement. This reimbursement will be added directly to your monthly pension check.

With SYMPATHY

The MCREA respects and honors these deceased members:

Beverly A. Acker, 76, Life Member, of Wharton, NJ, on May 18, 2016

Elizabeth Bruce, 93, of Port Charlotte, FL, formerly of Florham Park, NJ, on Feb. 5, 2015

Phyllis Dunay, 84, of Oak Ridge, NJ, on June 15, 2016

Alan Snyder, of Stewartsville, NJ, on February 24, 2016

Ellen C. Tyroler, 85, of Randolph, NJ, on May 6, 2016

If you are aware that an MCREA member has passed away, kindly inform Marcia Heiden (973-425-0875 or

mrsheiden@gmail.com) and News editor Betty McConnell (974-895-2630) or (bmcconnell8@optimum.net).

MCREA News September/October 2016

SUNSHINE & OVER-90 by Nan Grafton

MCREA honored our 90+ members this past May with special greeting cards or deliveries of flowers. In return, we received many notes and calls from the recipients expressing appreciation. For example, the Brown Family’s note stated: “What joy you spread! Now that only Pap is left, his eyes light up when he sees the bouquet … he may not know from whom it comes, but he understands the universal language of flowers … thank you for remembering him.” Our thanks go out to MCREA members who delivered the flower arrangements in the Morris County area: Tina Antalek, Susan Beekman, Anita Kaylan, Kay Laskoski, Betty and Jim McConnell, Connie and John Strucko, Susan Vigilante, and Paul Waldek. We also express a very special thank you to Alma James of Elliott’s Flower Shoppe (Morristown) who prepared the lovely arrangements.

Change of address: If you have moved or changed your email address please inform Membership Chair Marcia Heiden (973-425-0875 or mrs.heiden@gmail.com). Also go to

NJEA.org and change information in your profile. Dues: Annual Renewal (AnR) members of MCREA or of unified MCREA/NJREA have until Aug. 31, 2016, to send in dues. After that date, mailing and emailing lists will reflect changes in membership status. Publications will be sent only to paid–up annual members as well as our life members. OVER-90: Congratulations to all of you who have reached this milestone! Kindly let Marcia know when you or someone you know has reached this magic number! Life Members: An MCREA life membership card is available from Marcia.

SPECIAL EVENTS by Elaine Goldfisher

I hope everyone has had a good Summer. We look forward to additions to our special interests groups. There will be sign-up sheets at our September and October luncheon meetings. Recent suggestions include a book club, games, sewing, and gardening. Contact Elaine at efgoldie@optonline.net with questions and more suggestions.

INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY

by Gail Lingerman As school gears up and we head into Fall, let’s assist active children and families who need sustenance to keep going. To help the Interfaith Food Pantry meet the challenge, MCREA will be collecting donations of non-perishable food and money (make checks out to MCIFP) at our luncheons in September, October, December, March and May. Check http://www.mcifp.org/currentneeds.htm for most needed items at any given time. A pantry representative will attend our September luncheon meeting. Let’s WOW them with a great turnout of donations. Thanks for your continued support of Morris County families-in-need.

MEMBERSHIP

MCREA News September/October 2016

MCREA 2016 Fundraiser Report—Update by Ginny Osborne, MCREA 2nd VP

M a n y T h a n k s t o M a n y P e o p l e I thank everyone involved with our April 2016 Fundraiser: attendees and all those individuals who helped set-up, sold tickets, counted money, donated prizes, trays, gift cards, collected gift cards, assembled trays, numbered prizes/trays, and more. A full list of participants/workers will be included in the December issue of the MCREA News. Information details about our 2017 Fundraiser will also be provided in the December issue.

Scholarship Committee Update

Fourteen highly qualified young men and women, graduates of Morris County

public high schools, were awarded $2000 scholarships at MCREA’s luncheon / meeting on

June 8th. Each one plans to become a teacher. First year recipients are: Jared Badalamenti

(Morris Knolls), Victoria Bobinski (Kinnelon –award funded by Visions Credit Union),

Jenna Pontrelli (Hanover Park), Kristen Cefaloni (Morris Hills), Angela Lengner (Chatham),

Leah Cloughley (Dover), and Andrew Ziegler (Chatham). Second year recipients are:

Stephanie Datri (Parsippany), Frank Magyar (Pompton Lakes), Hannah Pyrzynski (Dover),

Kathleen Nagle (Madison), Shayna Miller (Whippany Park), Zainab Naqvi (Morris Hills), and

Shayna McMahon (Morris Knolls). Our Scholarship Committee (John Beekman,

Kathy Haun, Jill Magidson, Lois Moeller, Linda Rosenblatt, Betty Levine and Arlene Pepe)

chose the recipients from an extensive field of applicants.

Top Row: Jared Badalamenti, Jenna Pontrelli, Kristen Cefaloni, Angela Lengner,

Leah Cloughley, Andrew Ziegler, Victoria Bobinski. Bottom Row: Stephanie Datri,

Hannah Pyrzynski, Shayna Miller, Zainab Naqvi.

MCREA News September/October 2016

September 7, 2016 M C R E A M e e t i n g & L u n c h e o n R e s e r v a t i o n F o r m

When: September 7, 2016. Business meeting begins at 10:30 - Luncheon is served at 12:00 Noon Where: Birchwood Manor, Whippany, NJ Directions: Call 973-335-1414 or view online at http://www.birchwoodmanor.com/directions.html Program: Retirees’ Health Insurance Programs: Bob Bobik (NJEA/NJREA) will deliver information about our health insurance programs –past, present and future concerns. CUT HERE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To make a reservation, complete this form and mail it with a $26 check made out to MCREA to: Nancy Condit (973-335-0990) at 322 Rockaway St., Boonton, NJ 07005. Circle your meal choice. The absolute deadline for reservations August 31, 2016. For special dietary needs, include a note with this form. Member Name ___________________________________________Phone #_________________

Chicken Marsala or Grilled Salmon with Dill Sauce Member Name ___________________________________________Phone #_________________

Chicken Marsala or Grilled Salmon with Dill Sauce

Check # ______________________ Check Amount ____________ Date of check ______________

October 19, 2016 M C R E A M e e t i n g & L u n c h e o n R e s e r v a t i o n F o r m

When: October 19, 2016. Business meeting begins at 10:30 - Luncheon is served at 12:00 Noon Where: Zeris Inn, Mountain Lakes, NJ Directions: Call 973-627-3636 or view online at http://www.zerisinnchrisandis.com/#!directions/c151q Program: An NJEA speaker will address the upcoming November election. CUT HERE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To make a reservation, complete this form and mail it with a $23 check made out to MCREA to: Nancy Condit (973-335-0990) at 322 Rockaway St., Boonton, NJ 07005. Circle your meal choice. The absolute deadline for reservations is Oct. 5, 2016. For special dietary needs, include a note with this form. Member Name ___________________________________________Phone #_________________

Prime Rib or Tilapia Française or Chicken with Wild Mushrooms Member Name ___________________________________________Phone #_________________

Prime Rib or Tilapia Française or Chicken with Wild Mushrooms

Check # ______________________ Check Amount ____________ Date of check ______________

go to http:mccea.com/mcrea. There you will find past and current issues as well as other information about our organization. Editor Betty McConnell notifies MCREA email delivery recipients when the News has been posted online. Many thanks to Samantha Westberg, MCCEA webmaster, for her assistance in posting the News.