March 2017 | Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the St. Croix Government Retirees Government Inc. (SGR) held on Tuesday March 21st 2017 at the Cast Iron Pot Restaurant. The meeting begun at 1.14 pm. Debra Ann Christopher, the Acting President chaired the meeting.

Attendance…There were twenty retirees and stakeholders in attendance at the meeting.

Minutes…Abdul R. Ali read the minutes and following the reading Mary Moorhead made a motion that they be accepted as read. The motion was seconded by Rhea Hodge.

Matters Arising… There were no matters arising from the minutes.

Reports… (Finances) Rhea Hodge, the treasurer reported that the bank balance as of March 21st 2017 was $ 4924.49. She also indicated that the Bank of St. Croix had notified its customers that it will be connecting itself with Fidelity Bank effective 2-1-2017 who they said had acquired its assets. Asked how this would affect the SGR savings Hodge said that our savings would not be affected.

Bill # 32-0020… It was mentioned that Sen. O’Reilly was considering a bill that would allow for a change of the name of the GESC to the Health Insurance Board. One of the caveats connected with the change calls for persons negatively affected by the board’s policy etc. to go through the PERB for assistance. Attendees at the meeting indicated that they would continue to monitor the bill.

Vacancy on GERS Board… Stephen Cohen said that he wanted to fill the vacant seat on the GERS Board. He said that he wanted to see a GERS system change and further, an opportunity to give retirees a greater voice than they have at present. When asked if he would agree to cut benefits to retirees, he said that given the current situation, he would consider a 10% cut but only after he had taken full stock of the assets of the system. Mary Moorhead said at that point that she was not in favor of a 10% cut. Former senators, Adelbert Bryan and Ronald Russell, are said to be contenders for the seat.

Writ of Mandamus… (Re Bill 290123 Sec 13- Act 7621) Mary Moorhead mentioned that a Writ of Mandamus should be filed in court with regards to the VI Government’s failure to pay seven million dollars annually to the GERS, an amount owed to the system since the fiscal year ending September 30th 2013. It was noted by Miguel Nico Sr. that the government had paid seven million dollars to date. Moorhead then made a motion that a Writ of Mandamus be filed to asked the court to make the Government of the VI follow the law and pay the twenty-eight million dollars owed  to the GERS. The motion was seconded by Carmen Moorehead Mills. The vote was unanimous.

Any Other Business… (Life Line Program) This is available through Innovative (Retirees Discount Cards) It was noted that the card-making machine at the GERS office on St. Croix was out of order (The Prevention of Falls) Debbie Christopher said that training is now being offered in this area. (Filing of 1099R) This is mandatory and those seeking assistance should contact the BIR.

Adjournment... Mary Moorhead made a motion that the meeting be adjourned and this was seconded by Stephen Cohen.