OSARC newsletter - December 1999
The next scheduled meeting of the OSA/OSART Retirees Club (OSARC) will be Wednesday, January 12, 2000 at noon at the OSA office, 220 East 23rd Street, Suite 709. It will be an exciting event! Like New Years Eve! We welcome all new retirees. |
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OSARC newsletter - August 1999
The first scheduled meeting of the OSA/OSART Retirees Club (OSARC) for the new year will be Wednesday, September 3, 1999 at noon at the OSA office, 220 East 23rd Street, Suite 709. Let's start the year off with a bang! We welcome all new retirees. Plans for "Dinner Dance 2000" are to be discussed.
The Gala June Luncheon was as unusual a usual success. All the important people were there. Those of you who weren't are sure to come next year. The food, as always, was scrumptious, even for those who got served very, very late. Some even received two meals! The luncheon and the monthly meeting are ways to keep in touch with your past. For many of us, the past is slipping away slowly but surely. When you come to think of it, we are the only history of before Giuliani... when HRA was the place to service those in need, not close welfare centers. When DHS used to try to find living arrangements for the shelter clients, not close shelters. When DOP used to try to follow the civil service law, not hire Per Diems who are not counted in headcount and cannot be bumped by civil servants. When HHC were hospitals that had nurses and beds, not just out-patient services. And on and on and on.
Dinner Dance 2000. Would you come from all over and from everywhere to attend a dinner dance in May or June 2000? If we could keep the price around $50 per person (plus $18 for non-members)? Probably during the week. The prices are better. Most likely in Manhattan. We have a place in mind. The September meeting will begin to discuss the possibilities. If you are far, far away, and can't make the meeting, please call Sheila or Shirley and give your opinion. Now Is Your Chance To Get Back At Your Boss. Below is the text of a letter to all new retirees. Of course, those of you who retired before July 15, 1999 would not know about it. It gives us all the opportunity to get our bosses in trouble. You know, the ones that changed reports to show they did work, or the ones that hired their friends and relatives, the ones who never showed, the ones who sat with their feet up and made everyone do the work... the list is endless. Read the letter, you'll love it! City of New York Department of Investigation, July 15, 1999 Dear New Retiree:
The Department of Investigation has the responsibility not only to investigate specific instances of fraud and corruption, but also to identify and eliminate inefficiency and mismanagement in City government. You, as a professional with many years of experience, are an invaluable source of information and advice. Perhaps during your career you noticed agency procedures that could be streamlined, made more effective, or even eliminated entirely. You may have observed conditions or practices you considered wasteful or ripe [or abuse, or just come across something you felt was not right. If so, the Department of Investigation would like to hear about it. If you have any information or concerns that you would like to bring to our attention, I assure you they will be treated with utmost professionalism and confidentiality. You can call the Department of Investigation at (212) 825-2456 and speak to either Special Investigator John Feehan or Associate Staff Analyst Helen Kashimer, or visit or write to them at 80 Maiden Lane, 19th floor, New York New York 10038. If you choose to visit, please come during business hours, Monday through Friday, and ask for either one of them. Once again, thank you for your years of dedicated public service and your continued commitment to Insuring the competence and integrity of City government. Very truly yours, Edward Kuriansky, Commissioner Happy Birthday to Our July, August, and September Retirees. Hakimah Al-Zahra, Carmen Alfaro, Robert Angarola, Hanacho Atako, Joan Atkin, Steven August, Yvonne Barno, Ted Barra, Charles Beckinella, Marilyn Bernard, Vidyadhar Bhide, Anthony Brancale, Theresa Burke, Eugene Calvert, John Campobasso, Joseph Cappiello, Estelle Chodosch, Hannibal Coscia, Elizabeth D'Aversa, Charles Davis, Rufina Deguzman, Ralph Delise, Vincent Digesu, Sheila Donohue, Martina Elam, Lee Filerman, Joan Filot, Arlene Forman, Harold Fowler, Branda Fox, Renee Fox, Manny Friedman, Rosalie Frost, Jesus Gagui, Daphney Garrison, Joseph Giglio, Shirley Gilliam, Myrna Gonzalez, Sybil Gowdy, Stanley Granat, Shirley Gray, Ira Greinsky, Gilbert Grennie, Richard Guarino, Sarah Hecht, Richard Horn, Haydee Inclan, Pearl Jackson, Barbara Jordan, Gilbert June, Jeffrey Keller, Betty Kenner, Carol Keyser, Richard Kucera, Adele Kwaw, Judith Layzer, Roger Lew, Virginia Locco, Rose Maconi, Henry Mandel, Clarissa Manjarrez, Lucretia Marcigliano, Donald Marshall, Mary Katherine McEwen, Joyce McFarlane, Velma McLaughlin, JJ McQuade, Carol Michaels, Dr. Helen DeRamos, Nimia Montanez Shipper, Sheldon Oliff, Maudest Oliver, Patricia Ollison, Murray Olsen, Henry Opad, Delores Peloso, Charles Pettignano, Anthony Pettolina, Mary Ellen Phifer, Theodore Phillips, Arlene Pitt, Charles Procida, Jeanette Reid, Claus Reinisch, Jack Reubens, Gwendolyn Riley-Roberts, Raymond Riordan, Arnaldo Rodriguez, Albert Roess, John Rose, Norman Roth, Robert Sacharski, Ahahid Sarkissian, Albert Savold, Marvin Schneider, Joanna Schneller, Ina Schwartz, Solomon Schwartz, Grace Seabrook, Michael SeJan, Anita Shleifstein, John Siddons, Sheila Silver, Catherine Slade, Tuly Tanenbaum, Catherine Thompson, Daisy Thompson, Gwendolyn Truvillion, Ephraim Veals, David Vogt, Vida Wagner, John Walsh, Henry Welby, Jimmie West, Doris White, Joyce White, Maceo Williams, Yolanda Williams, James Woods.
I am taking this opportunity to attach an article I wrote a while ago for your consideration. Since this has not been solicited, I offer it for what it's worth. Whatever you decide about its merits and the appropriateness for the newsletter will be humbly accepted. My schedule prevents me from attending more than three or four OSARC meetings each year, but I clearly see the value of it and do want to contribute in whatever small way I can. Peace and Joy! (ed. note: thank you Chuck for your story "Common Ground" which follows.) Common Ground aka Memories of My Dad. When I was four years old, 1944, my parents bought a home in the Bronx River/Soundview section of the Bronx. It was an area that was then a mixture of farmland and rapidly growing working-to-middle-class housing. Our home was located in a Jewish neighborhood and we were warmly welcomed. Dad came from Kashmir 30 years earlier and Mom was from Nevis in the West Indies. Dad always chose to live in Jewish communities due to similarities of religious practices (i.e. Kosher meat and Hillal meat were thought to be essentially the same). It was a very happy move with many wonderful new friends for my brother, Mom and Dad and I. That is, until the late spring of the following year. Dad was a foreman and some of the men who worked for him were African-American (Negro was the term used then) and friendships had developed between Dad and several of the guys. On a Sunday, (Sunday was the only day Dad had off from work), we had a barbecue in the backyard to which family, friends and neighbors were invited; almost all had regularly been to our homes for dinners during the winter. That included Charley Boyer, Kassavubu, Amos and their wives--all were black. As I remember, it was a wonderful party although I recall Mom noticing that some of our neighbors didn't stay long. The next day, we later learned, the first block association in our area was formed and their first order of business was to hire a lawyer. The following day, the lawyer came to our house and informed my mother that the Association was eager to purchase our home and offered a reasonable profit. Blacks were welcome as workers in the area during the week, but never on Sunday and not as guests. Mom tactfully told the lawyer to telephone that night -and speak with her husband. Dad, pre-warned, told the lawyer to come around the next morning and he could present his proposition then. I was intrigued, with all that a five year old could be, for clearly Dad was not going to work, and that was unheard of.
Several years later, 1948, we spent the summer in the Catskill mountains as was the family habit. That year Mom and Dad decided not to stay at Schneider's Paradise Bungalow Colony but instead to rent our own house in a ritzier part of the "Yiddish Alps" or the Borscht Belt as the region was affectionately known. A wonderful cottage was rented from the McDonalds, a farm family who had lived on that land for many generations. The McDonalds seemed extremely pleased to have us, especially since Mrs. McDonald and Mom seemed to have much in common, as well as having boys of the same age. The summer promised to be a brilliant one. Well, that was the case from Memorial Day to July 4th, until my folks had their annual Independence Day fete. Many friends came up from the City or over from Schneider's Paradise to celebrate with us--and a large number were Jewish. Old man McDonald, livid with rage, banged on the open door and told my father that Jews were not welcome on his property and that we were to vacate the property the next day. Good ole Dad swung into action and did the old heave-ho-off-the-front porch trick. And after a few awkward moments, the party continued well past its usual ending time and we kids were allowed to stay up 'til the absolute end. Dad refused to move, in spite of Mom's protestations that she did not want to stay where she wasn't wanted. For Dad it was a matter of principle. After a week or two, Mrs. McDonald and the boys would come around whenever Mr. McDonald was away bringing a pie, cake, or some other little gift. Dad's clarity of one-worldness, loyalty to friends, and readiness to bear witness is reflected in the quote from Black Elk: "You don't get the power of your vision until you live it out."
* Basic coverage now includes 365 days of hospital coverage * The optional rider drug coverage premium increases * Prescription maintenance drugs are now on mail order as of 8/99 OSA Welfare Fund will make a partial payment for the drug rider for GHI Medicare retirees (date to be announced) Comptroller McCall urges a permanent cost of living adjustment for pensioners in all public retirement systems in New York State. (Booklet available "Cola/2000") Plattsburgh Press Republican, May 21, 1999: McCall urges state retirees to action; Calls for support for annual cost-of-living increase in pensions by Joe LoTemplio, staff writer PLATTSBURGH - State Comptroller H. Carl McCall urged local retirees to help him get a permanent cost-of-living increase established for state workers. Speaking before about 250 retirees of the Civil Service Employees Association Thursday afternoon, McCall said there is plenty of money in the pension fund to afford an annual increase. "The fund is doing well enough to afford it, and the public servants deserve it, McCall said. "Who came up here and helped out during the ice storm? It wasn't IBM or Xerox; it was public employees." The State Legislature must approve a permanent cost-of-living increase. McCall said his strategy is to get leaders of the eight major pension funds in the state together this year to agree on a plan. Then, next year, when many state representatives are up for election, the plan would be brought to the legislature. "I don't know what it is, but it seems like more things get done when it's an election year,. McCall said tongue-in-cheek, to the laughter of the crowd. "I urge you to convince your legislators to do this." Thomas Begin, spokesman for State Sen. Ronald B. Stafford (R-Plattsburgh), said the senator, who chairs the powerful Senate Finance Committee, has always been supportive of cost of living increases for retirees. "We'll be happy to look at any plan," Begin said. The pension fund has been successful under McCall's leadership. In recent years, it has grown from $56 billion to $110 billion. The comptroller reiterated his opposition to the state's past attempt to raid the pension fund for state business. "The pension fund is not a slush fund to bail out the state. It's there for the retirees," McCall said. John Kourofsky, president of the CSEA Local 916, said a permanent cost-of-living increase is critical to many area retirees. "A lot of people are on fixed incomes, and it's hard for them to make ends meet," Kourofsky said. McCall said that under his plan, those who have been retired the longest will get the biggest bumps. "Because, when they retired a long time ago, wages were lower so their benefits were lower," McCall said. That would help people like George Ciccone, who retired from the Plattsburgh City Fire Department 21 years ago. "It's been 18 years since I got an increase, Ciccone, 65, said.
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