Photographs from the 2015 meetings of the FCRTA
At the November 17, 2015, meeting Ed Wollett from IRTA spoke to the group about issues affecting our retirement incomes and benefits. He urged all members to contact their federal legislators [http://www.contactingthecongress.org/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc2011&state=il ] to support the Social Security Fairness Act (in the House HR 973 and in the Senate S.1651), which hopefully be voted on next year. Rep. Cheri Bustos is a cosponsor of the house bill, but Senators Durbin and Kirk haven't taken a stand yet.) It would allow teachers who have paid into the system or who survive a spouse who paid into the system to collect equitable benefits from social security. Those members who are collecting some payment from Social Security can expect to get no increase in those payments because inflation rates have been almost negligible; however, if social security payments do not raise, medicare will not either. If you are on medicare and not receiving social security, you will have a $15.00 increase in cost. Thanks to the efforts of our lawyers, we will be getting a 3% COLA; IRTA was the only organization that challenged the freeze proposed in SB 1. Wollett strongly urged all members to contribute their $1.00 to the legal PAC. Of the 98,000 retired educators in Illinois, only 37,000 belong to IRTA and only 10% of these members contribute to the PAC. The IRTA continues to vet candidates in the upcoming election, both incumbent and nonincumbent. Look for these endorsements when considering your vote.
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Barb Almeida, Information Services Chairperson, often gives well-researched, highly informative messages on health issues pertaining to retired folk. At the October 27, 2015, meeting she talked about arthritis and osteoporosis.
Then Kaci Westridge, a nutritionist/dietician with HyVee in Canton, spoke to the group about getting a flu shot, protecting oneself during flu season, and coming to visit the newly-redesigned grocery. She passed out oranges, which are now in season, and coupons good for Halloween week at the store.
Barb Almeida, Information Services Chairperson, often gives well-researched, highly informative messages on health issues pertaining to retired folk. At the October 27, 2015, meeting she talked about arthritis and osteoporosis.
Then Kaci Westridge, a nutritionist/dietician with HyVee in Canton, spoke to the group about getting a flu shot, protecting oneself during flu season, and coming to visit the newly-redesigned grocery. She passed out oranges, which are now in season, and coupons good for Halloween week at the store.
At the September 22, 2015, meeting Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Dist 94) and Rep.Mike Unes (R-Dist 91) attended to answer questions from the membership. Al Coleman acted as moderator. They discussed redistricting, the condition of and funding for state infrastructure, and fund sweeps. Hammond reassured members that the state has an agreement with insurance companies to pay outstanding medical bills even though there is no budget.. Unes is concerned that citizens are given a "false sense of security" when a budget includes items that legislators know will not be funded or will not be fully funded. Both Hammond and Unes agreed that if all parties would come to the table, a budget could be agreed upon. They urged citizens to contact the Governor and the Speaker of the House to go to the table and work out a solution.
Photographs from the 2014-2015 meetings of the Fulton County Retired Teachers Association
At the September 23, 2014, meeting Representative Norine Hammond (R-Dist 94), Representative Mike Unes (R-Dist 91, and Senator David Koehler (D-Dist 46) attended to answer questions from the membership. The legislators answered questions about the changes in TRS and medical coverage, the future of the retirement system, the possible extension of the 5 year tax, term limits for legislators, and frakking.
Local historian Mike Walters spoke to the group on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, about Canton's history, focusing on some of the more famous and infamous people who have lived in the city over the past few decades. Mr. Walters, along with Brooks Carver, is the author of two books on Canton history: Legacy: The Story of Three Families and On the Corner of Union and Prairie: Canton Stories. For more information, visit www.src.edu/spoonriverreads
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At the March 23, 2015, meeting students from Lewistown High School along with their director Sue Lafary presented several numbers from their recent production of Grease
On April 28, 2015, horticulturist Eric Christy, owner of Walter's Flowers in Canton, talked to the group about his career and answered questions about gardening. He stressed that each season is different since Mother Nature has so many variables. When he was beginning his career, he asked a seasoned veteran when he became comfortable in the job. The man replied, "Kid, I'm not comfortable now." Christy is very knowledgeable as evidenced by his answers to the group's questions, but he assured the group that everyone can learn more. During the Q & A, when asked what "normal watering" means, he responded that annuals do best when watered every day and perennials twice a week. Tomatoes and geraniums do not require a great deal of water once they are established. For trees he recommends using a soaker hose, but not every day. "Less is better" is a rule to follow, but when you do water, "water a lot."
On May 19, 2015, Fulton County Sheriff Jeff Standard spoke to the group about scams that target senior citizens. According to the FBI, the top ten scams in the nation are 1) health care/Medicare/health insurance fraud that try to get seniors to give them medical information and then they file fake insurance claims; 2) counterfeit prescription drugs scams; 3) funeral and cemetery scams; 4) fraudulent anti-aging products; 5) telemarketing schemes, such as "The Pigeon Drop" that claims someone overseas has come into a sizable amount of money and needs the senior's help in getting that money out of a repressive country or Fake Accident Ploy where the senior is contacted to send money to a relative who has been in an accident or had their possessions stolen far from home or Charity Scams, which often occur after a natural disaster such as the tornado that hit Washington; 6) internet fraud where someone contacts a computer owner and tells them that something is wrong with their computer or software and needs fixing or where the computer screen locks up and a message appears to call a 800 number to unlock it; 7) investment schemes; 8) homeowner/reverse mortgage scams; 9) sweepstakes/lottery scams "If you have to pay money to receive a prize, it is a scam"; 10) The Grandparent Scam where someone calls claiming a grandchild is in trouble and needs money.
Standard suggests being cautious to avoid becoming a victim of a scam: 1) Know who you are dealing with--confirm their identity. Deal directly with a bank or a utility company, for example. 2) Don't accept a check for more than your selling price. The con is to get you to send them the balance and then the check will bounce--leaving you out the difference. Wait to see if the check clears before sending back any refund. 3) Consider dealing in cash and in person; buy local with someone you trust if you can. 4) If you are pressured to do something, end the transaction.
Standard suggests being cautious to avoid becoming a victim of a scam: 1) Know who you are dealing with--confirm their identity. Deal directly with a bank or a utility company, for example. 2) Don't accept a check for more than your selling price. The con is to get you to send them the balance and then the check will bounce--leaving you out the difference. Wait to see if the check clears before sending back any refund. 3) Consider dealing in cash and in person; buy local with someone you trust if you can. 4) If you are pressured to do something, end the transaction.