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1686 GAZETTE
Newsleer of Chapter 1686 Sunnyslope
Vol. XXXV
Vol. XXXIV
FEBRUARY 2015
FEBRUARY
2015
No. 04
Meetings of Chapter 1686 NARFE held at Cross Roads United Methodist Church, 7901 N.
Central Ave., Phoenix. (S.E. corner of Central & Northern Aves. Enter from Northern Ave.)
NEXT MEETING: Friday, Feb. 20, 2015
Registration - 12:30 p.m.
Meeting - 1:00 p.m.
All Federal Employees, Retirees, and their
spouses are most welcome. Refreshments
and fellowship will follow the meeting. ~ ~
Program: Ron Castaneda, our new District I Vice President, will speak at the February meeting.
Topic: "Ron opens mouth and watch him put a foot in it!" He will have an open discussion, giving members a chance to ask questions. ~ ~
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (Virginia Ginter,
alnav5@juno.com):
In the February issue of NARFE
Magazine are details for the scholarship program for children and grandchildren of a current NARFE member. Last year there were two winners in Arizona. Entry to be postmarked no later than April
24th. Essay topic "Why do you think so many
choose not to vote?". Let's hope we have another Arizona winner.
Sometimes we hear people say, "Well,
what has NARFE done for us lately?" There
are seven significant accomplishments. Just
look at the article in NARFE Magazine for answers regarding annuities, health benefits, Thrift
saving plan, and the health insurance market
place.
All bills in the last congress that were not
passed are dead and will have to be reintroduced with new numbers. For instance, HB-304
and SB-164 introduce legislation for 3.8% pay
increase for federal employees, HB-138 repeals
Affordable Care Act and replaces it with a National Health program.
GEMS gives us almost a day to day update
on such bills. We just need to go to the legislative action center of NARFE to respond with
concerns and take action.
There is also an article on GEMS regarding Estate Planning Mistakes, including periodically reevaluate you beneficiaries. This is a
good time of year as you are doing your taxes
to make note of all your credit cards and what
you have as a direct deposit to your checking
account, what bills you pay and what are automatically deducted from your account. Keep this
handy and up to date for your own information
and let a trusted member of the family know
where to locate this in the event you are ill.
Just a little info, we donated 159 lbs. of
food, clothing, toys and $200 cash to Desert
Mission in 2014.
The Federation now has a Federation Service Officer - David Faulk.
It has been decided to have our next Holiday party at a different location, possibly Bobby
Q on Northern and I-17, or Deer Valley Airport,
Let us know if you want to suggest any other
locations that have a separate room to accommodate our group.
If you have income from all sources that
does not exceed $35,184 for single owners, or
$43,980 for 2 or more owners for the previous 3
years you may qualify for reduced property tax
for 3 years. .Joan Ashton provided forms to apply for this at the last meeting. ~ ~
Page 1 of 8.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT (Lois Gossett):
President Obama FY 2016 Budget
proposal- wants Congress to give him
the power to consolidate agencies and
create new departments – merging parts
of
agencies such as the FDA, Health and
Human Services and Commerce Departments.
The Commerce Department, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Investment Corporation and the U.S. Trade and
Development agency would all be merged into one
new department, under President Obama's 2016
budget proposal.
The budget also combines the Department of
Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and
the FDA's food-related inspection programs into one
new agency with HHS. The different programs already have significant overlap, according to budget.
"FDA and FSIS can each have jurisdiction over
the same category of food at different points in the
food chain: a cheese pizza and its ingredients are
regulated solely by FDA, but both agencies play roles
in regulating the components and manufacturing of a
pepperoni pizza," according to the budget request.
Sounds like a good idea to me. We will have to see
how things shake out
He is also proposing a 1.3% pay raise in 2016
for Federal Employees
As in years past, the administration is proposing
to cut money for farmers’ crop insurance to pay for
other agriculture programs. This year’s budget proposes about a $1.6 billion annual cut in the program,
which subsidizes both the companies that sell crop
insurance and farmer premiums. The program was
estimated to cost more than $9 billion last year, and
the Obama administration says in its budget that
“overly generous benefits have almost eliminated the
risk in farming at a cost to taxpayers in the billions.”
The budget says the cuts are intended to slim the
program while keeping a safety net for farmers.
There will be little appetite for that reform in Congress, however, where funding for crop insurance
has been a priority. The five-year farm bill Obama
signed into law last year increases spending for crop
insurance.
VA staff would help “strengthen the timeliness
and quality of services to veterans” and implement
the Veterans Choice Act, which allows veterans facing long wait times or travel times to their closest VA
health facility to receive care from outside providers.
The new Treasury staff would help reverse cuts at
the Internal Revenue Service and “improve customer
service, program integrity efforts and tax enforcement.”
Page 2 of 8.
The President’s proposal would add roughly 34,500 full-time civilian jobs government wide, an
increase of 1.6 percent over 2015 employment levels.
The numbers do not include the U.S. Postal Service.
Many of the new positions would be at the Veterans Affairs and Treasury departments. The request
would allow VA to add 11,600 full-time employees to
its staff, while Treasury could add 9,400.
The budget does, however, propose cuts in Defense Department jobs. Defense’s full-time civilian
workforce would decrease by 2,900 positions from
2015 levels, shrinking 0.4 percent to 741,600 jobs,
according to the document.
President Barack Obama hammered congressional Republicans again Monday for insisting on gutting his executive actions on immigration alongside a must-pass appropriations bill for
the Department of Homeland Security — warning
that a funding lapse would cut off paychecks for
tens of thousands of critical government employees. Deadline is Feb 27.
Here are six of the president's ideas that could
have the most immediate impact on retirees and people planning to retire soon. Keep in mind the chances
that many of these proposals -- even the most sensible ones -- will come to fruition are small, considering
the level of congressional opposition to almost everything the president says.
- Amend the Social Security Act to ensure coverage for same-sex, legally married couples wherever
they live.
- Expand retirement savings options for part-time
workers. The budget proposal would make part-time
employees who have worked for an employer at least
500 hours a year for at least three years eligible to
participate in their employers' 401(k) or other retirement savings plans. The proposal wouldn't force employers to offer a plan or to match contributions.
- Fund the depleted Social Security Disability
Insurance Trust Fund by moving money from the
Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
fund. The White House proposes this despite a
measure approved by the House of Representatives
that would make this reallocation difficult to accomplish.
(Cont. Page 3.)
Check out our AZ Federation Web page at:
http://www.narfeaz.com
1686 GAZETTE is published eight issues a year
by Chapter 1686, National Active and Retired Federal
Employees (NARFE), 825 E. Cinnabar Ave., Phoenix,
AZ 85020-1732. Members annual dues include subscription to this publication. Non-profit bulk mail rate
permit postage paid at Glendale, AZ. ~ ~
SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT (Richard Yee,
birdy55@yahoo.com):
“Still Alice,” a novel on the best
sellers list written by Lisa Genova, was
recently made into a major motion picture. This movie, starring Julianne
Moore and Alec Baldwin, tracks the
growing and frightening grip of earlyonset Alzheimer’s disease on a 50-something Columbia University professor.
Although the professor and her husband are
affluent, the movie explores many of the financial
issues that families need to address when someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or any other disease that causes cognitive impairment.
Coverage of an up-to-date estate plan with
durable power of attorney and relevant health care
documents is essential. It is estimated that less
than 20 per cent of adult Americans have some
long-term care insurance.
Our Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Regional Area published this information in
their winter 2015 bulletin: Currently more than
145,000 individuals are living with Alzheimer’s disease in this southwest service area. The Alzheimer’s chapter has six core programs to help patients cope with any part of their individual journey,
and thanks to the public’s support, the organization
can do this free of charge.
“There are many barriers for people to get the
help they need—acceptance of the disease, knowing programs available, accessibility to services,”
said James Fitzpatrick, Director of Programs for the
Desert Southwest Chapter. “We make it a little
easier by ensuring that ability to pay isn’t one of
those barriers.”
For assistance or information on any program
you can contact their Helpline at 800-272-3900 or
visit them online at www.alz.org/dsw.
Dr. Darry Johnson, author of “Beyond ‘Senior
Moments,” writes that Alois Alzheimer, a German
physician, described a woman with worsening short
-term memory, difficulty with common tasks and
paranoia toward her family. This was in 1906..
Since that time, millions of dollars have been allocated to combat this disease which affect between
five and six million Americans. Alzheimer’s is now
considered a national health care emergency. One
in ten Americans over the age of 65 and nearly one
out of two over the age of 85 has Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Johnson stated that after much research, it
appears that physical exercise is the number one
preventing strategy. Thirty minutes of aerobic activity daily such as a very brisk walk, swimming,
bicycle riding, jogging or hiking is recommended.
Periodic mental status screenings are also good ideas for anyone over the age of 65. Keep moving, try
to stay physically and mentally active, and avoid
these two brain drains: television watching and too
much daytime napping. ~ ~
MEMBERSHIP REPORT (Clarice Pharo,
clarphx@cox.net):
The monthly activity report from
NARFE National Office shows one member dropped for non-payment of dues
and two members have passed away. It
also gave us the names of four prospective members, who have been sent information about joining NARFE.
In checking our chapter membership list, there
are a number of members who are listed as Active
Federal Employees. When a member retires, they
should notify the NARFE National Office that they are
no longer working. If you have retired recently and
aren’t sure they have been notified, check with me. I
can give you the information or notify them for you.
This is important in keeping the chapter records up to
date. Thank you. ~ ~
NARFE needs you, and you need NARFE!
LEGISLATIVE REPORT (Cont. from Page 2.):
- Add a premium surcharge to Medigap
plans that give participants coverage with little or no
deductible. The proposal says Medicare participants
who buy this kind of Medigap policy have less incentive to consider the cost of the care they choose and
their disregard for health care costs raises the prices
for everybody. The president also would further reduce Medicare subsidies for Medicare Advantage
plans, which would probably make taking that route
more costly as well.
- Close the Medicare Part D prescription drug
"doughnut hole" by 2017.
- Make generic drugs more available.
This is an overview and we will hear a lot more about
the budget in months to come.
Well stay tuned for what bills this new Congress
gearing up to propose. ~ ~
Wishing all NARFE members a
Happy Valentines Day!
Page 3 of 8.) .
SUMMARY - MINUTES OF THE JAN. MTG.:
President Virginia Ginter called
the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.. She
led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and
then called for a moment of silence for
all departed members.
Virginia delivered a brief biography of our guest
speaker, Sharon Knutson-Felix, Executive Director
of the 100 Club of Arizona, a charitable, non-profit
corporation in Phoenix. She is the author of the
book entitled “Gifts My Father Gave Me, Finding Joy
After Tragedy.”
She provided flyers and information about the
100 Club and how we can help with tax-deductible
donations to support the officers and firefighters. We
were able to buy her book today at a discounted
price of $10. After her presentation, Virginia presented her with a NARFE cup.
`There were no membership, public relations,
service officer, or sunshine reports today. Treasurer
Richard Yee reported that an audit was conducted
this month.
Legislative Officer Lois Gossett will go to Washington in March for the Legislative Training Conference. She reported that Speaker John Boehner and
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are working
on funding the Homeland Security Department. A
big issue is the problem of the Administration’s order
to shelter millions of immigrants from deportation.
Other issues are Medicare, the debt ceiling, imminent bills for the House and Senate to consider. The
GOP seeks to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and wishes to hire more veterans by exempting employers from counting them as full-time employees if they are using TRICARE.
Lois reported that Republican Rep. Darell Issa
of California introduced a bill to repeal the Affordable
Care Act. There are bills to end lawmaker’s eligibility
to receive pensions through FERS, instead only allowing Thrift Savings Plan participation. And two
Democratic representatives introduced a bill we can
all support: a 3.8 percent pay raise in 2016 for Federal employees.
Old business – suggestions for next year’s holiday party at another restaurant other than Iron
Works. Restaurants like Bobby Gee’s and the restaurant in the Deer Valley Airport were suggested.
The chapter is open to suggestions.
Virginia said we collected $71 from the silent
auction at the December holiday party, and that
money was donated to the Area Agency on Aging.
New Business – Joan Ashton reported on the
2015 Senior Valuation Protection service put out by
the Maricopa County Assessor’s office, whereby
senior citizens can possibly have their mortgages
reduced.
Page 4 of 8.
Lois reported there is a plan whereby chapter
members can donate as a group to the NARFE-PAC.
Virginia reported that for 2014, we donated
foods, $200 in cash, and 159 pounds of clothing to
the Desert Mission. The Desert Mission is located at
9201 North 5th Street in Phoenix and the phone number is 602-331-5792.
Virginia mentioned the need for estate planning.
Attendance: 19 members.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:39 p.m.
Submitted by Roberta Yee, Secretary ~ ~
2015 CHAPTER PROPOSED BUDGET:
The proposed 2015 budget has been approved
by the Executive Board. It will be presented to the
membership at the February 20th meeting for discussion and approval..
If you have any questions, please bring them
up before the vote for approval is taken.
CHAPTER 1686 PROPOSED 2015 BUDGET:
INCOME
Dues
Print Ad
50/50
Convention
Holiday Party
Silent Auction
$ 1,800.00
360.00
130.00
200.00
600.00
75.00
Total Income:
$ 3,165.00
EXPENDITURES
Newsletter
Postage
Annual Permit
Rent
Insurance
Supplies
Training
Per Capita
Holiday Party
Convention
Legislation Conference
Total Expenditures:
$ 600.00
450.00
220.00
160.00
75.00
30.00
105.00
260.00
600.00
1,000.00
375.00
$ 3,875.00
========
BIRTHDAYS: Feb. 16 thru Mar. 15th:
William Ruddick
Frieda Stielau
Marge Hart
Jim Drake
Barbara Campbell
DEATH OF CHAPTER MEMBERS:
Feb. 17
Feb. 28
Mar. 04
Mar. 05
Mar. 06
Jean Kalwiss
Jean Kalwiss passed away on September
27, 2014, at the age of 97.
She was a long-time member of Chapter
1686, having received Honorary membership a
number of years ago.
A graveside service was held on October
10th at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Chapter 1686 extends sincere sympathy to
her family. ~ ~
Best Wishes!
SUNSHINE REPORT (Carol Ehle,
carollehle@gmail.com):
Get Well card was sent to Edith Hanna, who was
hospitalized for several days having tests.
Please let Carol Ehle know if you know someone who is ill or needs cheering up. ~ ~
Richard Orne Greatorex
.
50/50 WINNERS:
Winner of the 50/50 drawings at the January
meeting was Clarice Pharo. Her name was drawn
twice and won $15.00. $15.00 also went into the
chapter treasury. ~ ~
REFRESHMENTS:
The good refreshments for the January meeting
were furnished by Roberta and Richard Yee. Thank
you. ~ ~
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING:
The March Executive Board meeting will be
held at the Cross Roads Church on March 5, 2015,
at 1:00 p.m.
All members are welcome to attend these
meetings. ~ ~
BIRTHDAY DRAWINGS:
The Hidden Birthdate was for Agnes Walsh, but
she wasn’t at the meeting.
Terry Loyer’s name was drawn from the birthdays listed in the newsletter. He was not present so
didn’t receive a mug either. ~ ~
President’s Day
February 16th
God Bless America!
Richard Greatorex passed away
on November 22, 2014. He was
born July 1930 in Concord, New
Hampshire.
He served in the U.S. Navy
from May 1951 to May 1959, receiving the National Defense Service Medal. After leaving the
Navy, he was a system analyst as a DOD civilian, retiring in 1992.
Richard is survived by his wife Maureen;
children Alan, Steve, David and Ann; four grandchildren; and brothers John and Alan.
Services were held at St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church in Phoenix, with burial at National Memorial Cemetery off Arizona.
Chapter 1686 extends sincere sympathy to
his wife and family. ~ ~
ARIZONA FEDERATION CONVENTION:
When: May 3 - 5, 2015
Where: Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
2047 South Highway 92
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635-5831
Chapter 1686 is authorized 5 Delegates and a
Delegate at Large. If any member is interested in
attending this convention, please let your chapter
president know as soon as possible.
Registration, Committee meetings and Federation Board meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon,
followed by a “Fiesta Buffet” and entertainment on
Sunday night. The Banquet will be held on Monday
night and convention will adjourn at noon on Tuesday.
Room rate (total w/tax) is $83.67, S/D. More
information in the upcoming newsletters. ~ ~
Page 5 of 8.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Feb. 20, 2015 (Fri.)
Mar. 05, 2015 (Thurs.
Mar. 14—17, 2015
Mar. 19, 2015 (Thurs.)
Mar. 20, 2015 (Fri.)
Apr. 02, 2015 (Thurs.)
Apr. 17, 2015 (Fri.)
Apr. 30, 2015 (Thurs.)
May 3 –5, 2015
May 15, 2015 (Fri.)
Oct. 09, 2015 (Fri.)
- Chapter 1686 Monthly Mtg., Cross Rds. Church, Phx.
- Chapter 1686 Exec. Board Mtg., 1:00 p.m., Cross Rds. Church, Phx.
- NARFE Legislative Training Conference, Arlington, VA
- Dist. I & V Task Force Mtg., Ginter Residence, 10.00 a.m. 1902 W. Joan De Arc, Phx.
- Chapter 1686 Monthly Mtg., Cross Roads Church, Phx.
- Chapter 1686 Exec. Board Mtg., 1:00 p.m., Cross Rds. Church, Phx.
- Chapter 1686 Monthly Mtg., Cross Roads Church, Phx.
- Chapter 1686 Exec. Board Mtg., Cross Rds. Church, Phx.
- Federation Convention, Windermere Hotel in Sierra Vista, AZ
- Chapter 1686 Monthly Mtg., Cross Roads Church, Phx.
- Dist. I&V Training Seminar, Cross Rds. Church, Phx. ~ ~
LIST OF CHAPTER TELEPHONE CALLERS:
Richard Yee
Roberta Yee
Joan Ashton
Barbara Campbell
Carol Ehle
Terry Taylor
-
Addie to Clark
Carlos to Gilchrist
Ginter to Kelber
Kelleman to Miller
Moed to Schultz
Solnit to Zandee
“Thank you” to these callers and to Terry
Taylor, for joining the telephone caller list. ~ ~
Ground Hog’s Day
February 2nd
We sincerely thank the First Credit Union for supporting our newsletter with their monthly advertisement.
Stop in and visit them at 803 East Devonshire Ave., Phoenix, AZ ~ ~
THIS CREDIT UNION IS FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION.
Page 6 of 8.
Pictures of Chapter 1686 Annual Holiday Party
IronWorks Restaurant - December 19, 2014 E. J. Comeau
Installation of Officers: Thad Andreski, Clarice Pharo, Lois Gossett,
Richard Yee, Roberta Yee, Carol Culbertson, Virginia Ginter
Photos Courtesy
of
E. J. Comeau
E. J. Comeau, Nancy Cook
AUDIT/BUDGET COMMITTEE:
The committee met on January 12th to audit
the chapter treasury books and to prepare a budget
for 2015.
The treasurer’s books were found to be in good
order.
The budget has been approved by the Executive board and is published on Page 4 of this newsletter. ~ ~
Personnel Manager: “I see your birthday is on
the 13th of September. May I ask what year?”
Applicant: “Every year.”
DONATIONS FOR DESERT MISSION:
Thanks to all members who donated items for
Desert Mission. They were appreciated.
The next day to make donations will be at the
April 17th meeting. ~ ~ 8-21
DISTRICT I & V TRAINING SEMINAR:
The Training Seminar, formerly held in January,
will be held on October 9, 2015.
The Task Force is working on the agenda and
speakers for this event. ~ ~
Mother teaching son the alphabet: “Now, what
comes a)er ‘G’?” Tommy: “Whiz!” ~ ~
Page 7 of 8.
NARFE
Nat’l. Active and Retired Fed. Employees Assn.
Chapter 1686 Sunnyslope
Clarice M. Pharo, Editor
825 E. Cinnabar Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85020-1732
Time Value
FEBRUARY 2015
Arizona Statehood
Feb. 14, 1912
Address Service Requested
Dated Material
CHAPTER 1686 EXECUTIVE BOARD:
President:
1st V. President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Virginia Ginter
602 942-6093
Carol Culbertson
602 943-7834
Roberta Yee
623 337-4498
623 337-4498
Richard Yee
8844 W. Kings Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85382-3511
Legislative:
Lois Gossett
602 993-8927
Membership:
Clarice Pharo
602 943-4753
Service Officer: Richard Yee
623 337-4498
Public Relations: Carol Culbertson
602 943-7834
Clarice Pharo
602 943-4753
Editor:
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN:
Sunshine, Carol Ehle:
602 943-7308
Greeter, Lynn Engles:
602 265-3750
Membership Records,
Fred Garcia:
623 878-7007
Attendance and 50/50
Fred Garcia
623 878-7007
Refreshments, Clarice Pharo 602 943-4753
Telephone Chairman,
Virginia Ginter:
602 942-6093
NARFE-Pac Coordinator, Vacant
Asst. to Editor, Jean Rigtrup: 602 841-1203
* * * * * * * * * *
Dist. 1 V. Pres.: Ron Castaneda
Fed. President: Etta Bryant
Reg. VII V. Pres. Rodney Adelman
Feb.
2015
Stone - Amethyst
NARFE DUES SCHEDULE:
$ 40
$ 72
$102
$ 34
~ 1 yr. National, plus Chapter Dues
~ 2 yrs., National, plus Chapter Dues
~ 3 yrs., National, plus Chapter Dues
~ 1 yr., National, Dues W/holding,
plus Chapter Dues
(Retirees only eligible for Dues W/holding.)
Flower - Violet
$ 10 ~ 1 yr., Chapter
$ 40 ~ New Member, first year only
(Includes National and Chapter Dues.) ~ ~
Page 8 of 8..