Region 8
Retiree Newsletter

PEF Capital District Region 8 Retirees

Newsletter January 5, 2008

Marjorie DeVoe - President, Roy Bailey - Vice President, Barbara Kearney - Secretary, Gary Wensley - Treasurer

HOLIDAY PARTY ENJOYED BY OVER 120 MEMBERS

On Monday, December 3rd, the Reg 8 Retirees Holiday Party was held at the Italian American Community Center on Washington Avenue Ext. The food was provided by Mallozzi's and, as always, was delicious. The party was attended by many PEF officers and guests, including Ken Brynien, president; Arlea Igoe, Secretary Treasurer; Joe Fox, Vice President; Tom Comanzo, Region 8 Coordinator; various regional Retiree Officers and the PEF Retiree staff. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, especially the following people who won door prizes: Sandi Wensley, Steven Smith, Donna Parker, Thomas Van Bramer, Dorita Nobles, Diane Szypulski, Herbert Henkin, Alice Hughes, Joyce Whitson, Kathryn Neilsen, Bernice Shoobe, and Nancy Mallory. The grand prize of $75 in Simply Certificates, drawn from the tickets submitted at each monthly meeting, was won by Lena Henkin. Thanks to all who brought donations for Toys for Tots and Food bank. Kudos to the committee and the staff of Mallozzi's for putting on a great party. Submitted by Carol Sheffer, Holiday Lunch Chair.

Thanks to our volunteers who GOT ON the BUS: Jane & Ron Mikat, Tony Pazzola, Geraldine Reed, Agatha Pike, Mike Izzo, Nancy Bristol & Dennis Anderson.

Saturday, January 5, 2008, PEF Members & Retirees from Reg 8 (Albany ) & Reg 10-12 (NY-LI) participated in a campaign bus trip to New Hampshire , in support of PEF endorsed candidate for president, Hillary Rodham Clinton. They participated in high visibility activities and took part in a large labor rally. We were very pleased to have a bus filled with hard working volunteers, including PEF retirees. Ron and Jayne Mikat, even postponed the start of their trip to Florida so that they could participate. Bill Clinton was the headline speaker at the rally. Both the Clinton campaign and especially the labor movement were very impressed with the dedication of the PEF volunteers. All who participated had a good time & made a real impact.

NYS PEF Capital District / Region 8 Retiree President's Message: Happy New Year ! It, certainly, came in cold and snowy, enough. Brr . I'll enjoy the January Thaw...

We have established our web page at www.PEF8.org , just click on Retirees button. Special Thanks go out to PEF Reg 8 coordinator, Tom Comanzo and our web master, Rich Bojman. View pictures of our activities, our meeting minutes & newsletter, calendar of events. I hope you'll take a look and let us know what you think.

You can always, email me at MDEVOE@PEF.org with your ideas.

Many of you may have questions about the news that the EEOC determined that employer retiree health benefits can be diminished when people start receiving Medicare. Director of Retiree Services, Dennis Anderson wrote: "Marje, I applaud your sensitivity and your alertness to protect our interests. However, I think in this instance we are not in any imminent danger. The age discrimination claim raised by AARP in this case may not be of any assistance to PEF retirees in any case, because other Supreme Court cases have held that the State is immune from lawsuits under the age discrimination law. It does not appear that this will have any near term impact as NYSHIP already coordinates with Medicare coverage. Presumably, New York State already has the legal capacity to legislatively eliminate post 65 health insurance coverage for retirees under their immunity from lawsuits under the age discrimination law, but so far they have not elected to do so. I think our continued ability to lobby effectively for our interests does serve as a significant inhibiter of future legislative attempts to reduce retiree benefits. At this point I know of no legislative proposals to reduce retiree benefits and neither does the PEF Legislative Office. Your vigilance continues to make a valuable contribution to the maintenance of our credible deterrent to adverse legislation. Thank you for alerting us to this latest development and its future potential." - Dennis Anderson.

Last year, Governor Spitzer vetoed our Health Insurance Protection Bill S6030.We are still waiting for the results to be published from the study he set up. I promise you, we'll continue to be vigilant and work for passage of our Health Insurance Protection bill.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD... in the latest Alliance website poll! Tell them which issue is important to you in the 2008. Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs, General Health Care. .