Senator Smith’s press release on GERS

From: Mary Roebuck <roebuck.mary@gmail.com>
Date: January 12, 2018 at 3:44:11 PM AST
Subject: Re: Fwd: Senator Smith's press release on GERS

Good afternoon Senators,

As a member of the St. Croix Government Retirees (SCGR) organization and a retiree of the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States, I give full support to the letter dated January 11, 2018, submitted to each Senator by Ms. Mary L. Moorhead. Is the demand for and the ouster of Administrator Nibbs the best resolution for the salvation of the GERS? If so, then the state of the GERS is not the only fatality we may be facing.

I have nothing against Senator Smith, however, he clearly lacks knowledge of the history of the GERS predicament.  Ms. Moorhead has noted the areas that should be researched. A visit to those historical facts, for each senator's edification and recall, would put everyone on point to be serious about this catastrophe that was allowed to take place. Administrator Nibbs, as Ms. Moorhead has also pointed out, answers to the Board of Trustees. Historically the various VI Legislatures did its share of contribution to this dire situation.

I dare say that everyone (emphasis added), employed and elected who collects a paycheck issued by this government, should have their contributions submitted to the GERS funds.That will alter the lack of attention. We should all relish in a comfortable retirement or suffer the demise together equally.  I believe that we have capable elected officials who can rectify this dilemma. We must look in the mirror and ask if we have done all that we can do for the betterment of all and not just a few. You will all agree that we are better than that. Administrator Nibbs is not the problem.

Cordially,

Mary Roebuck

SCGR Member

On Jan 11, 2018 6:42 PM, "Mary L. Moorhead" <mary.moorhead13@gmail.com> wrote:

Fyi

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Mary L.  Moorhead" <mary.moorhead13@gmail.com>
Date: January 11, 2018 at 2:48:03 PM AST
Subject: Senator Smith's press release on GERS

Greetings Senators,

I was forwarded the January 9th press release by Senator Smith, calling for the
resignation of GERS administrator Austin Nibbs.

As a founder and member of the St. Croix Government Retirees, I was disappointed.
In the final year of his first term, this is Senator Smith's resolution for GERS. The
senator could not have spent a year assessing the GERS to now decide, call for
Administrator Nibbs' resignation and all will be well.

  The administrator executes the decisions of the Board of Trustees. So the
senator may as well call for the resignation of the Board members. The senator
needs to review the history of the GERS before he jumps to make unsubstantiated
  declarations and begin an emotional campaign for the benefit of his re-election.

Is Mr. Nibbs to be the fall guy for ALL the unfunded early retirement acts that
  were legislated? Is Mr. Nibbs to be the fall guy for lack of payment of 
employer's contributions and employees' contributions? Is Mr. Nibbs to be the
  fall guy for the approval of a government loan that enticed government workers
to retire, and the executive's branch not accounting for the portion that wasn't
used for the purpose of the loan?

Senators, please do not underestimate particularly the retirees of SCGR. We took
  the time necessary to understand the issues surrounding GERS. I encourage 
  Senator Smith to do the same so that he may in the future possibly contribute
a serious solution.

   Thanks for your attention.

Mary L. Moorhead
Activist