National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Serving over 1000 Federal annuitants and their families in Howard County

Transcription

1 National Active & Retired Federal Employees Assoc. Non-Profit Org. NARFE U.S. Postage Chapter 1734 PAID 7235 Procopio Circle Columbia, Md Permit No. 19 Columbia, MD Time Value Mail Next Meeting Nov 17th National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Serving over 1000 Federal annuitants and their families in Howard County Howard County Chapter 1734 News & Notes Nov 2010 NEXT MEETING: Wed, 17 Nov Business Meeting 10:00 Senior 50+ OFFICERS President Burdelle Dowdell Service Officer William Kelly Past President Jim McConnell Service Officer Stephen Huza VP-Memb. VACANT PR Chair Stuart Hirsch VP-Fed. Leg. Frank Chase Luncheon Chair VACANT VP-State Leg. Carole Graves Alzheimer s Chair Sue Neri Secretary Barbara Donley Welcome Joel Turner Treasurer Jim McConnell Telephone Tree Joy Cohen Sunshine Natalie C. Yopconka Newsletter Editor Sethanne Howard Auditor Ed Kuespert Newsletter Mailing Sue Neri Program Chair VACANT Newsletter Mailing VACANT IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS Sen. Barbara Mikulski on web at Sen. Ben Cardin on web at Rep. John Sarbanes Rep. Elijah Cummings rep.cummings@mail.house.gov NARFE HOTLINE White House president@whitehouse.gov 1

2 NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION News & Notes Chapter 1734 November 2010 Howard County Maryland It is with sadness that I advise you that our President Bob Wesloh died October 3, Robert H. Wesloh, 77, of Clarksville, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, at Gilchrest Hospice in Towson. Born May 24, 1933, in Princeton, Minn., he was the son of the late Edwin and Evelyn Wesloh. He was the husband of Marolyn Rheingans Wesloh, his wife of 51 years, whom he married June 28, He was drafted into the Army in 1953, and served as an Army Medic for two years. He met his wife in St. Cloud while they were both attending St. Cloud State College. He graduated with a degree in business administration in March He worked for the Social Security Administration from 1959 to In 1967, he completed a master of art degree in Governmental Administration from George Washington University. He conducted pre-retirement seminars for the Graduate School, USDA from 1989 to He worked as a financial analyst in a variety of areas from 1994 to He served as PTA president of South Carroll and Liberty high schools from 1980 through 1981 and was active in the South Carroll and Liberty high school band boosters. He was a past president of the Freedom District Lions Club, and both the Carroll County and Howard County Chapters of NARFE. He was an active member of Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church for 30 years before moving to Clarksville, where he was an active member of Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons and daughters-in-law Jim and Kathy Wesloh, of Columbia, and John and Bettina Wesloh, of Eldersburg; brothers Kenneth, Merlyn, Bernard and John Wesloh; sisters Margaret Janiak, Virginia Grupe and Jean Matson; and three grandchildren. A memorial service was held Saturday Oct 9 at Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church Linden-Linthicum Lane, Clarksville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Linden-Linthicum UMC, Linden-Linthicum Lane, Clarksville, MD CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES Date Time Activity Location 17 November 10:00 Business Meeting Senior 50+ ********************************************************************************************** * PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Burdelle Dowdell I was sworn in as President of the National Active and Retired Federal Employee's Association, Howard County Chapter 1734 on October 05, I joined the NARFE Chapter six and a half years ago, served as Vice President for Membership, as Luncheon Chair and assisted with Newsletter Mailing. I have attended two National Conventions, six Mini Conventions, and a Symposium in Pennsylvania. At the state level I am a member of the By- Laws and Resolution Committee of the Maryland Federation. The success of our chapter depends on the willingness of each member to step forward when needed. By working together we should be able to accomplish all of our goals. 2

3 Welcome New Members! We welcome all of the retirees, spouses, and especially current federal government employees who have recently joined or re-joined NARFE. Please attend our meetings and luncheons so that we can meet you and so that you can find out more about NARFE on the local level. It is the local Chapter level that drives the NARFE national agenda. Business meetings start at 10:00 AM followed by a speaker. There is usually a social half hour starting at 9:30 AM. Business meetings are held in September, November, January, March, and May. Luncheons typically start at 11:30 AM and are held in October, December, February, April, and June. There are no meetings or luncheons in July and August. Chapter meetings or luncheons are held on the third Wednesday, September through June, and are canceled whenever Howard County Schools are delayed or canceled due to weather. Dues and contributions to NARFE are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. ************************************************ Our chapter web site is ************************************************ Newsletter editor wanted! The Chapter newsletter appears in Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec/Feb/Mar/Apr/May/Jun The position is a volunteer one. The newsletter is produced as a Microsoft Word document and posted to the printer as a PDF. Please consider this valuable asset to our Chapter. If you are interested please contact Sethanne Howard sethanneh@msn.com On October 1 st, the Office of Personnel Management ( announced 2011 FEHBP Premiums will increase an average of 7.3 percent just less than the 8.8 percent average increase in NARFE is troubled that the share paid by employees and retirees in the program's most popular plan (Blue Cross/Blue Shield Standard option) will rise by 6.9 percent for self only and 7.6 percent for family plans premiums for employees and retirees are available as Adobe files on the OPM web site, Files in a portable document format (PDF) are available at Unlike prior years, during the upcoming "Open Season," November 8, 2010 through December 13, 2010, OPM will use and limited postal mailings to annuitants to provide information about costs and benefits in FEHBP and about the Dental and Vision plans. Availability of dental and vision plans, along with their premiums and benefits will vary, are not dependent upon enrollment in the FEHBP, and unlike the health insurance plans, enrollees will pay the full cost of any elected option. *************************************************** The October newsletter had the information on the raise in national dues chapter dues remain at $5.00. ******************************************************** Speaker for November meeting Will come from the Howard County Office of Aging Maryland Access Point MAP to speak on Overview of the Office on Aging and what MAP does ******************************************************** Heads up We shall continue to collect canned goods for charity at the Dec luncheon. Please bring bags of food to give! They go to FISH of Howard County. Volunteer tasks done by chapter members are vital to the smooth operation of our chapter. Please consider volunteering for one of our positions or to back-up the incumbent. Contact Sue Neri at asn6672@aol.com if you are interested in helping with the newsletter mailing. *************************************************** 3

4 STATE LEGISLATIVE REPORT Carol Graves Although the mid-term elections sometimes do not generate much interest, they are very important in determining the future course of government policy. Particularly important in this election is the fact that the redistricting deciders will be determined by the winners. I wistfully hope for the end of bizarrely gerrymandered congressional districts which tend to promote candidates with views at the extremes and make consensual government decision-making more difficult. Or is that too much to ask? State Legislative Committee (SLC) Chair Ed Bice reported that 521 candidates for the primary election were surveyed as to whether they would support SLC's priority issues: 1. Equalize the dollar value for the senior exemption for all seniors over age 65 or blind. 2. Allow an annual tax credit for the payment of long term care insurance. 3. Reduce the tax burden on senior homeowners. 256 responses were received. The results of the responses were to Chapter Presidents on July 30, and again on August 11 to update the responses. SLC discussed an action plan to get our legislation approved. SLC has a brochure, and has asked the candidates for their support. SLC will go back to them and ask them to sponsor our legislation. At the Federation Board meeting, SLC appealed to Chapter Presidents that it is essential to provide people to attend hearings. SLC will reimburse attendees for parking and provide a stipend if three or more from a Chapter attend a hearing. SLC legislative program brochures were to be handed out at this meeting. SLC's MD-PAC balance is $4, For the reporting period August 11-29, receipts were $ (three contributions) and expenditures were $100. Sen. Ulysses Currie (District 25, Prince George s County) has been indicted on 21 counts of bribery and false reporting. Also, $180,000 is missing from his campaign fund. He has stepped down as Chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Sen. Edward Kasemeyer (District 12, Howard County) is now Acting Chairman. The United Seniors of Maryland (USM) legislative rally will be held in Annapolis on January 25, USM will announce that it now has a PAC. The last SLC meeting was held on October 12. Future meetings will be on November 9, December 7, and January 11. Meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. in the fourth floor conference room of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities office, 2666 Riva Road, Annapolis ( , extension 3001, Front Desk). FEDERAL LEGISLATION REPORT Frank Chase An increase in the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for annuitants is most unlikely this year. As for current federal employees, even if a minimal increase in salaries is approved late this year, it is probably not going to be sufficient to offset the average 7.2% increase in premiums sought by health insurers in the FEHBP. In today's political climate all government employee pensions and health insurance benefits are under strenuous attack. Therefore, it is most important and timely to remind legislators at all levels of government that federal employees and retirees did not create the current recession in the national and Maryland economy. While we must share fairly in recovery efforts, this is certainly not the time to make us the main sacrificial lambs in resolving problems largely caused by corporate greed and mismanagement in the private sector. Despite the present discouraging picture, I encourage all members to urge other federal retirees and current employees to join NARFE in the next few weeks. It's in their interest not only because dues for new members will be increasing beginning in January, but more importantly, it's because at this critical point NARFE remains the best advocate for protecting their hard won benefits. Moreover, it's past time that ALL who hope to gain from NARFE's lobbying efforts share in the costs to conduct them. Finally, what I hope is an unnecessary request. VOTE!!! Early if you care to, but not often. Instead vote "after". After what? After thoughtfully considering which candidates for federal office have best demonstrated an interest in- and for incumbents a public record of- protecting our retirement benefits. 4

5 Highlights from the 31 st NARFE National Convention Grand Rapids, MI August 29 September 2, Delegates, members, and guests One of the highlights of the convention was the kick-off of NARFE s 90 th anniversary celebration in 2011 ( ). Delegates heard from a variety of speakers including: John Berry Director of OPM, who said that he is working on ways to make it easier for federal employees to transition to retirement when they are ready. Dan Adcock, NARFE Director of Legislation, noted that NARFE s primary legislative goal for the 112 th Congress, which convenes in January, will be to protect the earned benefits already enjoyed by federal employees. He warned that no matter which party is in control, there will be serious challenges ahead. He also reported on NARFE s legislative achievements. [NB these are on our chapter website] National President Margaret Baptiste in her final State of the Association called on chapters to take a leadership role in reversing NARFE s downward membership spiral. She stated the Association was losing approximately 10,000 members annually and it is time to look in the mirror to see why members were leaving the Association. Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer s Association talked about the 25 years of advancement and cooperation with NARFE. Convention delegates approved a goal of $10M by As of July 31 NARFE had raised a total of $8,787,824. Delegates solidly backed a resolution at the polls to increase dues. The new dues structure is $40 for one year; $72 for two years; and $102 for three years; dues withholding will be $34 per year. These amounts are for national dues only; it is still up to chapters to set their own dues. The new rates go into effect immediately, but it will take HQ a few months to make changes in paperwork. The new officers elected to national positions: Joseph A. Beaudoin of Winchester, VA elected National President. He is the first sitting National VP to succeed to the presidency. Paul A. Crew was elected National VP Elaine Hughes National Secretary Charles W Saylor National Treasurer Ron Bowers Region II VP re represent us on the 14 member NARFE National Executive Board Delegates voted for the creation of a 10 member committee to prepare a revised set of by-laws for the association. The panel is to include a member from each of NARFE s 10 regions and gave the authority for appointing the group to the National Executive Board. Delegates handily dealt with resolutions dealing with memberships. -- Recruitment incentive will remain at the current $8.00 rate. -- Resolution which set no limit or amounts for matching funds was adopted. --Resolution adopted for resumption of the use of the guidance pamphlet in reporting deaths and to be made available either through paper or electronically. -- All other resolutions were rejected as recommended. The legislative program for the 112 th Congress which will convene in January 2011 was adopted. The Legislative Committee looked at NARFE s existing initiatives in light of emerging priorities and decided that some needed more emphasis than in the past. One of these areas is the federal employee pay parity. Reform rather than full repeal of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision may be the best that NARFE can hope for, even if Congress embarks upon Social Security reform. The economic crisis will make it difficult to obtain relief from an increase in Medicare premiums. Next Conventions: Reno, Nevada August room rate $95.00 Orlando, Florida, Rosen Centre Hotel August room rate $95.00 Elizabeth Johnson, Convention Delegate. 5

6 Our Chapter sends condolences to the family of NARFE member Lloyd Wood. Retired naval architect Lloyd William Wood, a Columbia, MD resident for nearly 30 years, died of cancer August 26, 2010, at his home in New Market, MD. He was 82. Born December 31, 1927, in Geneva, IL, he was the son of the late Walter and Martha Wood, of Batavia, IL. He was the husband of Shirley Wood. After serving the Army in post-wwii Occupied Japan, Mr. Wood earned his BSE degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of Michigan. His 40-plus-year career involved work on all types of naval ships in scientific section tasks, specifications, general arrangements, and design management. After working at Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock (PA), Mare Island Naval Shipyard (CA), Electric Boat (CT), and Mare Island again, Mr. Wood and his family moved to Columbia for his work with the Naval Sea Systems Command in the DC area. After retirement from NAVSEC, he worked in support of NAVSEA's ship design projects for eight years. He was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers for 60 years. His interests included genealogy, computers, clock-building, mode railroading, and always his family. He doted on his dachshund, Lizzie. Survivors in addition to his beloved wife of 57 years include a daughter, Susan Alff of Raleigh, NC; three sons, David Wood (Patty) of Taneytown, MD Paul Wood of New Market, MD and John Wood of Columbia; and three grandchildren, Ted Alff, Dawn and Brian Wood. 6