REGION 8 STEWARDS MEETING

Minutes of January 21, 2009

 

Tom Comanzo called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.  B. Wurster made a motion to approve the agenda this was seconded and carried.  B. Wurster made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 28, 2008.The motion was seconded & carried. 

 

REGIONAL COORDINATOR’S REMARKS   

 

a)              Upcoming Events:

New Steward Training will be 3/3, 5/28, 8/25, and 12/1.  It is a full day experience with six   modules offered.  To sign up contact Sandi Hunt at 785-1900 ext 215

 

b) Region 8 Stewards Meeting Schedule- 2/24, 3/25, 5/6, 6/11, 7/21, August/September Delegate Dinner  tentative date 9/2, 10/8, 11/17, December Holiday Party Date to be determined

 

Tom wished all a Happy New Year. The Region 8 Holiday Party was held at Midway Fire House on the day of the ice storm when many were out of power.   Many were still in attendance and we had many toys for the parolee families and for Toys for Tots.  

 

The election on the national level for president and members of congress went well.  On the local level some endorsed candidates won and some lost.   G. Amedore, J. Tedisco, and T. Gordon have said they are willing to work with PEF.

 

The Region 8 Membership Conference was a huge success.  Over 100 people attended.  Women of Merit awards were also presented.  Many members’ not just leaders were in attendance. They had a DJ and did karaoke for the evening entertainment.   They hope to schedule another one in 2009.  Jim Hairs presentation on the history was excellent.  Sherry Halbrook also had a great presentation.

 

The Regional Food Bank Holiday Hunger Appeal was the first Saturday in December.  $2080 was collected by PEF.  At the Holiday Party an additional $150 was collected. Tom thanked everyone who volunteered.

 

The January 7th Rally – this was coordinated rally with many groups and unions i.e.: SEIU, CSEA, DC37 who were all involved. Over 6,000 people were there.  Unfortunately the weather wasn’t cooperating.

 

Triennial elections are coming up.  Executive Board seats are also up for election.  Petitions will be out for seats in late March as well as petitions for statewide officer positions.  Delegate petitions will be out in early May and will be a separate election.

 

GUEST- T. Cetrino- State Budget Analysis- The states fiscal problems are real.  In the current FY there will be a $1.7 billion deficit unless the legislature takes some action.  The out year gaps for 09-10 will be $13.7 billion.  The governor isn’t wrong about the size of the problem- he’s wrong about the cause of it.  NYS spending has grown due to new commitments that were enacted without new revenues (i.e. STAR).  The fallout from the global financial crisis has caused dramatic decline in projected state revenues, driving extraordinary increases in the states budget gaps. Tom went over several charts and graphs showing the issues and took several questions from members.

 

 

 

FIGHTBACK Campaign- The current plan for a DED merger into the Empire State Development Corporation is a serious issue.  If this is done the legislature will lose the ability to oversee the state economic development programs and policies and the disbursement of millions of tax dollars and this is a serious threat.  Serious conflicts of interest prevail under the governor’s proposal.  This merger would result in a meager savings while jeopardizing objectivity and professionalism of the states economic development programs.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT- S. Ray –absent- Tom said we are doing OK.  Members asked that a report be presented at the next Region 8 Stewards meeting.  Tom said he would talk to Scott.

 

BASEBALL / SOCIAL ACTIVITIES- Tom said there is a bus going to NYC for a performance of WICKED on 1/28. It was $125 and again there was a waiting list for this trip.

 

Due to the lateness of the hour and loss of stewards, Tom asked the will of the body in continuing with the committee reports, division- go -around, and new business.   A motion was needed if the body wished to end the meeting.  

 

A motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM was made by M. Brown, seconded and carried.

 

 

 

                                                                         NEXT MEETING DATE

 

 

                                                                    February 24, 2009

                                                                           6:00 PM    PEF HQ’s  

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,                         

                                                                     

Karen

                                                 

Karen (Pellegrino) Danish

Region 8 Secretary