August 2015 | Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the St. Croix Government Retirees Government Inc. (SGR) held on Tuesday August 18th 2015 at the Cast Iron Pot Restaurant. The meeting begun at 1.20 pm and it was chaired by Mary Moorhead.

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

Minutes ... The minutes were read by Abdul R. Ali and following the reading Phyllis Nehlsen made a motion that they be accepted with corrections. The motion was seconded by Miguel Nico Jr. the vote was unanimous.

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

Reports ... Treasurer Hodge -She reported that the bank balance as of June 9th 2015 was$ 4644.45 and that expenditures amounted to $130.17 to Crucian Point (Maintenance of the Website) and receipts amounted to $100.00, leaving a balance of$ 4614.48. President Moorhead-She reported that (a) Beverly Joseph was now the president of the GESC Board (b) retirees can go on line to get info to vote in the upcoming GERS board election (c) the HRA period for persons under 65 ends on September 30th 2015 (d) UVI is offering a training to retirees in the use of smart phones and cell phones (e) Sen. Gittens has a bill that calls for the forfeiture of annuity benefits during the period that a person is incarcerated (f) the 30th. Legislature is holding town hall meetings with community groups in an effort to discuss the problems facing the GERS and (g) DOE volunteers are needed in the schools and (h) that she had sent a letter to Governor Mapp asking him to float the six hundred million dollar bond obligation referred to in
Act 6905. Advisor Nico-He reported that Medicare Part B would be going up by 15% in 2016.

Presentation by Former Judge Edgar Ross (GERS Board member) ... Ross gave a brief rundown of the GERS and how the VI Government, the VI Senate, and the GERS itself had contributed to the system's negative financial status. He said that the system was facing a two-billion dollars un-funded liability and that it was likely to fold within the next ten years. He also said that the system was often unable to meet its obligations to its members in a timely manner. In terms of solutions, Ross said that a six hundred million dollar input now along with the recommended reforms would increase the longevity of the GERS by 30 years. Following Ross' presentation and an explanation of the GERS plan to suspend the loan program Dr. Lawrence W. Lewis made a motion that the SGR supports Mr. Ross' proposal that the GERS loan program be suspended on a temporary basis. The motion was seconded by Ann Lang. The vote in favor of the motion was unanimous.

Any Other business ... (Shingles Shot) Denyce Singleton of the AARP said that the AARP would help pay for Shingles vaccination shots and she urged the retirees to take up the offer that she made. (Membership Fees) Waiving the membership fees for Mr. and Mrs. Burton Petersen (owners of the Cast Iron Pot) was discussed. Carmen Moorehead made a motion that the SGR waives the membership fee for the couple. The motion was seconded by Debra Ann Christopher. The vote was unanimous.

Adjournment... Cheryl Mason made a motion that the meeting be adjourned and that motion was seconded by Mary Roebuck.