April 2016 | Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE ST. CROIX GOVERNMENT RETIREES, INC. April 19, 2016

The meeting was called to order at 1:10 P M. and chaired by Mary Moorhead. Eleven members were present upon opening. By the end of the meeting there were seventeen present. Minutes of our meeting held on March 15, 2016 were unavailable.

We rescheduled a presentation by Ms. Gavin who wants to share information with us about a program for seniors. The program is called A Matter of Balance and offers training for seniors on how to prevent falls and increase activity levels. Falling and breaking bones is one of the most serious issues that seniors face. Ms. Gavin will be our guest on May 19, at our next meeting.

Frederiksted Health Care West encourages us to sign up for the 3408 Discount Pharmacy which is a federal program designed to decrease the cost of medication. Anyone interested should visit room 124 at FHC West to sign up. Neighborhood Pharmacy participates in the program.

The Social Security Administration has a form (Publication No. 05-10540) designed to create a MY SOCIAL SECURITY on line account. One must be at least 18 years old, have a valid email address, have a SS# and a U. S. mailing address. There is no fee and the account is not only for those already receiving benefits. If one has benefits, he/she can make changes of addresses, phone numbers, direct deposit and more.

Announcements were made for the following upcoming events:

Dates and times for GERS trustee meeting and GESC board meeting

A demonstration in front of the Senate Building to let our representatives know we expect them to take action to address our concern about increased gun violence in our community

V. I. Literacy Festival at UVI which includes movies on Christiansted Fort grounds, Art Exhibit at Top Hat, and Caribbean Museum's book bacchanal.

AARP will host a paper shredding event on 4-27-16 from Noon to 6PM at the Sunshine Mall. Anyone who wants to volunteer their time should come between lOam-12noon.

We discussed the need to replace present GERS board members. The governor must expedite naming new members to the board. Most of us also feel the qualifications for board members should change.

Member Phyllis Nehlsen of the Advocacy committee shared results of meetings with senators. Usually twelve to sixteen committee members show up for these sessions. Presently, they have met with Senators Sanes, O'Reilly, Vialet, Francis, Forde and Gittens. Senator Sanes promised to introduce an amendment to ensure retirees get some money from the Sin Tax bill. Senators Vialet and Gittens still suggest that active employees should get short-term personal loans; no mortgage loans. Money from Lonesome Dove will all go to the Internal Revenue Bureau. Senators still have not met as a body to discuss reapportionment.

Member Hodge advised members that our QuickBooks program has to be upgraded before May 31, 2016 to avoid interruption of services. A vote was taken to approve purchase of the 2016 software for $349.95 which would be useful for at least three years.

Member Carmen Mills moved to adjourn the meeting and her motion was seconded by member Charlotte Morgan.