ARTC MATTERS. we need You! Legislative Committee Ends Season. With Positive News. Greetings: In this Issue. VOLUME 4 Fall 2015

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1 VOLUME 4 Fall 2015 In this Issue Insurance...page 2 ARTC-PAC...page 2 Scholarship...page 3 Luncheon...page 3 Affiliate Update...pages4-7 ARTC MATTERS Greetings: As public school teachers (retired) our internal clocks tell us we re starting a new year - a brief looking back coupled with visions of what lies ahead. While there were some obstacles to overcome, ARTC managed significant accomplishments last year. Despite very difficult budget issues at the State Capitol, the state income tax exclusion law on teacher pensions was preserved providing retirees with a 10% benefit this year to be followed by 25% next year and 50% exclusion in Thanks to PAC and the Legislative Committee who worked diligently with our lobbyist, Mary Phil Guinan, to achieve very positive results. Thanks and appreciation also go to all who contacted their legislators and attended Lobby Day. Our second annual Connecticut Retired Teachers Lobby Day was a collaborative effort with AFT and CEA-R and it sent a strong and unified message to the Governor and President s report continued page 7 Legislative Committee Ends Season Despite the huge deficit budget, the Legislature and the Governor supported the 10 percent CT tax exclusion on retired teachers pension income. It survived the Implementers and is now part of the budget. The 25 percent state tax exclusion for 2016 and the 50 percent exclusion for 2017 remain as part of this law. All members need to thank their representatives for supporting the tax exclusion and remind them that the 10 percent State tax exclusion on their pension is a fairness issue. Because we cannot choose to pay into Social Security during our school employment, we should be given tax breaks comparable to those given to retirees receiving Social Security benefits. Moreover, The ARTC is a volunteer organization, dedicated to preserving the rights of Connecticut s retired teachers. Your participation makes our work possible and our work is to make your retirement everything you hoped it would be. We fight for your pension, your insurance, your income tax and social security benefits. Join us and protect what you With Positive News evidence shows that the 10 percent saved in income tax will flow back into the State s economy through retiree spending. we need You! In addition, while we appreciate assurances that our Health Fund is solvent, it is important to remind Legislators that teacher retirees pay for the bulk of their own health insurance. Continued reductions in the State s promised contribution can put our Health Fund in jeopardy. Active teachers contribute to this fund and retired teachers rely on the fund to defray their insurance costs. Legislative Committee members met with key legislators and the Governor to advocate for the tax exemption and Health Fund solvency. The many members who attended Lobby Day continued on page 2 earned. Membership forms available online or contact; 68 Loomis Street Manchester, CT (860) (866) Thank you for your continued support and donations.

2 INSURANCE REPORT Summer at the TRB (Teachers Retirement Board) was very quiet. I represented the ARTC at a Meet and Greet with the TRB staff in August. I expressed the appreciation from the retired teachers for the professional way the TRB staff handles all requests. The auditors have completed their work. Everything is updated. They have strongly suggested the state add positions in the accounting department.(however, there are no funds available to implement these suggestions at this time). The HIPA(our health fund) has been impacted by increased costs and lack of funding ( ).To stabilize the HIPA, the state pressured the TRB to negotiate a Federal D plan for our drug program. The price hike for the top fifty generic drugs has increased 378% since 2010! The average cost in 2010 was $ Now it s $62.10! Information from several sources indicate the deductible for Medicare D plan will increase by $20 or more in the coming year. Legislative continued and the Meet and Greet at the Capitol successfully communicated our issues. Active members get results! We also need to advocate for the repeal of the unfair GPO/WEP. Presently there is a Social Security Fairness Bill in both the House and the Senate. Senator Blumenthal and Senator Murphy have co-signed the Senate Bill. The House Bill has been co-signed by Representatives Courtney, Esty, Himes, and Larson. Representative DeLauro has not co-signed the House ARTC Membership Committee has a new co-chair, Barbara Kmetz, from the Greater Bridgeport Area. Barbara is the former president of GBRTA and played a major role in piloting unified dues last year. That it was so successful is mainly due to Barbara s efforts, ideas and powers of persuasion. She is a definite plus to our committee! Kristin, our Social Media expert, has introduced a video on the ARTC website (artct.org). At our last meeting in August, we watched it, critiqued it and sent back some positive suggestions. Kristin is also working on a powerpoint to be used by any committee to explain who and what we are and how we can help you if you join ARTC. Paypal has been installed on the website for donations to ARTC PAC. In addition,you can find an updated list of the new affiliate presidents and their important meetings. Membership ARTC PAC Repeal Bill HR 973 as of this writing. ARTC urges all members who live in her district to contact her at or at The more people that contact their Congressmen, the more likely we are to keep the issue in the forefront. In February, the new Legislature will convene. We will be monitoring our legislative issues. We are only as effective as the support from our members. Please do your part. Sandra Bove and Cathy D Agostino Legislative Co-Chairs We intend to be very active this year, so make sure your affiliate has a representative on our Membership committee. Patty McDonnell and Barbara Kmetz- Membership co-chairs RETIREMENTS in CT , , , , , The TRB will be opening contracted bids for our Dental Plan this year. If you have any suggestions, please forward them to the ARTC office or give them to your local president. Your imput is greatly appreciated. Rick and Louise Follman Insurance Chairpersons ARTC PAC sponsored ten members to attend the Jefferson-Jackson-Bailey Dinner on June 29, Elizabeth Warren was the keynote speaker. Other speeches were made by Governor Malloy, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy and Representative John Larson. PAC would have also sponsored ten members to attend the Republican Dinner held in Hartford, but there was no interest. During the summer, PAC continued to raise funds. We still are trying to reach our goals, so if you haven t contributed, please donate online or send a check made out to ARTC- PAC to ARTC-PAC, PO Box 718, Manchester, CT Michael Norman PAC Chair 2

3 Fall Luncheon Nancy Wyman ARTC is proud to announce that Ms. Wyman will be the keynote speaker at our annual fall luncheon on Oct. 20, 2015 Nancy Wyman has served as Lt. Governor of Connecticut since January 5, As such she serves as President of the Senate and chairs the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange. She has had a long history in CT politics. She was the first woman ever to be elected state comptroller, a position she held for 16 years. Prior to that, she served as a state representative from Ms. Wyman has once again graciously accepted our invitation to meet with our membership. We are looking forward to another great event. For more information on our fall luncheon, turn to page 7. GLENN MOON SCHOLARSHIP Thanks to all the deserving Connecticut high school seniors who applied for our scholarships in 2015! We wish we could have helped many more on their way to becoming educators in Connecticut. The winners were announced at the ARTC luncheon in May. Congratulations to the following! Travis Berry, Dayville CT -- a 4-year renewable scholarship of $2000 a year to attend University of Connecticut Jessie Rudewicz, Wallingford CT -- a 1-year scholarship of $1,500 to attend Southern Connecticut State University Sean Kunic, New Milford CT -- a1-year scholarship of $1,500 to attend Central Connecticut State University The Scholarship Committee is grateful for all contributions. Checks should be made payable to Glenn Moon Scholarship Fund and mailed to Robert Sulick, 15 Monticello Drive, Wethersfield CT Many thanks to our hard-working Committee Members: Denise Allard, RoseMarie D Aquila, Terry Barton, Alex Beal,Esther Beierle, Amedeo Cannone, Trenda Caron, Carol Chase, Sandra Genung, Tom Hine, Patricia Kelly, Hazel Kurlansky, June Legge, Andrea McCormick, Eileen O Reilly, Geraldine Petrizzi, Linda Picciarelli, Bob Sulick, and Barbara Wojtusik! Help Wanted Michelle Sierau, is looking for retired teachers to be tutors in the New Britain area. Her organization, Smartstart, provides intervention services to lower income struggling students. Programs run during the school day and after. Contact Michelle at (203) , or her at msierau@ smartstarteducation.com. To learn more about this organization, log on to its website, look at lower right hand corner where there is a link for employment. Lobby Day at the State House Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. ~Henry Ford 3

4 A F F I L I A T E U P D A T E S GREATER BRIDGEPORT It was another busy spring for the Greater Bridgeport Retired Teachers Association. Many members attended Lobby Day. We were entertained by Harmony on the Sound at our April meeting. The May meeting honored 29 members who had passed away during the preceding year. We enjoyed fun and food at our annual June picnic in Boothe Memorial Park in Stratford. Our By-Laws were rewritten and brought up to date with the revisions being passed by unanimous vote. $15,000 in scholarships were awarded to local public high school graduating seniors who intend to enter the teaching profession, and elections were held for president, first vice-president, and recording secretary. As we look forward to a new year beginning with our October meeting, we will be extending the pilot program offering a slightly reduced fee structure for new members who join both the GBRTA and ARTC, inviting 97 new retirees to join the organization. We will also continue to work with local, State, and Federal legislators to support statutes that enhance retired teacher benefits. Exciting trips are planned (see www. GBRTA.org), great programs scheduled; Jeanne DiMuzio in October, a Veteran s Salute in November, the Trumbull High Chamber Singers in December, and a presentation by Dr. Fran Rabinowitz, the acting Bridgeport Superintendent, in April of We will be developing new ways in which our members can continue an active role in the organization and in the local community. Robert Pitzschler, President It s a scientific fact that you can t absorb cholesterol if you take it from another person s plate. ~ Dave Barry Bristol The Bristol Area Retired Teachers (BART) will start the new retiree year with the annual Welcome Back Breakfast on September 15 at Nuchie s Restaurant in Forestville. The new group of teacher and administrator retirees will be invited as our guests. After a short business meeting, we will socialize with retired colleagues and the new retirees. On October 22 we will attend a matinee performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury. After car pooling back to Bristol, we will have dinner on our own. March 31st will mark the start of our 2016 activities. We will visit the BARKER COMIC AND CARTOON MUSEUM in Cheshire for a morning tour. After car pooling back to Bristol, we will be on our own for lunch. We close the year with the Annual Meeting and Scholarship Presentations on May 4 at the Chippanee Country Club. Two $2000 scholarships will be awarded, one each to a graduate of Bristol Central HS and of Bristol Eastern HS who plan on a career in teaching. Bob Lewandoski, President FAIRFIELD This past June, thanks to the generous contributions of our members, two $750 scholarships were presented to two very deserving seniors who plan to pursue careers in education. Our Annual Meeting/ Luncheon took place in June where we updated our members about their pensions and insurance. Our first event in celebration of our 30-year anniversary is our highly successful Welcome Back Breakfast on September 10th when we will welcome the 21 newly retired educators. Another tradition is the FEA (Fairfield Education Association) picnic at the Jacky Durrell Pavilion at Penfield Beach. This annual event, which will take place October 1, gives current and retired teachers the opportunity to socialize. We look forward to our Holiday Party that our social committee is planning for early December. Marilyn Feranec & Lois Neville, Co-Presidents NAUGATUCK In April a donation of $200 was given to the Howard Whittemore Memorial Library s Youth Services Department to purchase books for the summer reading program. During the month of June the Naugatuck Retired Teachers Scholarship committee chose Jason Bradley as their scholarship recipient. For the future, the NRT has decided to give a $500 scholarship to one district school each year to use at the school s discretion. Many members also enjoyed a trip to Gloucester, MA for a lobster luncheon cruise. On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 the NRT had their memorial service and luncheon at the Methodist Church in Naugatuck at 10:30 a.m. Debbie DeRienz, President 4

5 NEW HAVEN COUNTY A fall luncheon will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at The Country House, Foxon Road, New Haven. Our speakers will be the Legislative Chairs from ARTC, Cathy D Agostino and Sandra Bove. Carol Noble, President New London The NLCRTA held an executive board meeting on August 19, 2015 to plan for the meetings for the upcoming year. These meetings are usually held on the third Tuesday of September, November, December, April and June. We host a speaker at four of these meetings and are entertained by the Griswold music department at our December meeting. Each month we have a basket raffle to raise money for scholarships, as well as sponsor a community outreach collection. John Andriso, President Northern Fairfield County NFCRTA is proud to announce that Senator Chris Murphy will be our guest speaker at our Fall luncheon on October 27th to be held at Anthony s Lake Club in Danbury. Over the years, Senator Murphy has been a tried and true supporter of teachers. President Rona Rothhouse owes Earl Smith a debt of gratitude for securing this influential speaker. At this time, the NFCRTA is seeking a vice-president to fill out our hard working dedicated board. June Jones, Membership Chair WATERBURY The Waterbury Retired Teachers Association presented three $1500 scholarships to three graduating seniors from the local high schools who will be entering the field of education. These seniors received scholarships which will allow them to pursue their educational goals. A special thank you to Joseph Nolan who donated a scholarship in memory of his son SGT. Joseph Nolan who died in Iraq. The WRTA honored twenty-three colleagues at the Twentieth Annual Memorial Celebration which was held at SS. Peter and Paul Church on June 18, Local educational leaders, active and retired teachers and family members were in attendance. A special thank you to members who volunteered to organize and participate in this moving tribute to teachers who contributed their talents to the Waterbury school system. Meetings scheduled for the upcoming year include: September 9, 2015 (Welcome to new teachers luncheon with Mayor Neil O Leary as speaker); November 19, 2015 (Speaker to be announced); March 30, 2016 (Waterbury Arts Magnet School choral); May 12, 2016 (Scholarship Luncheon). The annual memorial service will be held in June at a date to be announced. Special interest groups; Dine Around, Book Club and Opera Group meet monthly. Officers elected for the coming year are: President: Michael Ieronimo; Vice President: Robert Blake; Secretary: Barbara Vensel; and Treasurer: Elaine McCabe. Michael Ieronimo, President WEST HARTFORD The West Hartford Retired Educators Association held its annual business meeting on May 12, 2015 at the Wampanoag Country Club. Anne Anderson was elected President, replacing Sue Daly who has served as a WHREA officer for the last 6 years. Tom Hine was elected Vice President, Patricia Keresey Secretary, and Carol Masonis Treasurer. They will serve until June 30, Our Holiday Luncheon will be held on December 10th. The next business meeting will be held on May 10, A newsletter is sent to all 327 life members and the twelve annual members twice a year edited by Ray Callahan. The Board of Directors meet three times a year. Submitted by Newton A. Clark, Jr. WINDHAM-TOLLAND COUNTY The highlight of our spring luncheon at Grill 37 was an inspiring and informative presentation and book signing by the author of Prudence Crandall s Legacy,State Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams. WTRTA honored Senator Williams for his many years of service and support for retired teachers. A scholarship was presented to Killingly High graduating senior Travis Berry who will be attending UConn this fall to prepare for a career as a math teacher. Travis was later awarded a Glenn Moon Scholarship at the ARTC luncheon. With the passing of Carol Taylor in February, WTRTA has been operating as a committee of the whole. John Fulco ( jfulco48@gmail.com ) was elected vice-president at our business meeting and he will preside over executive committee meetings. The always popular Goodspeed Opera with lunch at the Gelston House was enjoyed by forty one of our members and guests this summer. Plans for the fall luncheon at Windham Club in Willimantic on October 6th are completed. Our speaker for this event will be Jamie Stirling, Stirling Benefits, who will discuss the ever changing and complex issues of our health insurance plan John Fulco, Vice President WTRTA 5

6 Thank you to everyone who takes the time to write us or to post on our Facebook page. Here are some of our favorite comments,photos and quotes submitted by our membership. Great news! We re retired and in North Carolina, saying Wow! Maybe, shoulda, woulda, coulda. Enjoy and know you have my support. You are doing a wonderful job for us. We the blueheads), i.e., retirees salute you From Our Members Thank you ARTC for your efforts in preserving the legislation. Bravo, ARTC! I hope that many retiring teachers will now be able to stay in Connecticut and will not be forced to relocate out of state as I did. Great news, Sandra and Cathy!...Although I live out of state now, I appreciate all that you and the others do on behalf of ALL retired Connecticut teachers. Thank you for all of your efforts, and the great job that you do! Best regards, I had this hanging next to my desk to remind me why I was there, in school, doing what I did every day for the kids This is the true Joy in Life: the being used for a purpose reconized by oneself as a mighty one; the being a Force of Nature, rather than a feverish, selfish, little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and for as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch that I ve got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. From the Dedicatory Letter Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw Submitted by Bert Spagnola There is a difference between not all there and not there at all submitted by Kevin Blanchard Thank you!!! I am glad that we are catching some sort of a break from all of these Connecticut taxes. Ten percent isn t a Kings Ransom, but it is a start. I ll take it I m not here for a long time...just a good time submitted by Kevin Blanchard I offer a humble thank you for all who worked so hard to make this tax exclusion possible. Thanks for all you do!! Now if only a miracle happens and we get the WEP repealed! Sandra and Cathy, You both can be proud of what accomplishment you have just succeeded in doing Imagine if you could the Magna Carter being approved by our legislators because two great retired teachers names, Sandra and Kathy, spent hours upon hours putting It together with little fanfare. Imagine if you could the Connecticut Constitution approved by our colonial fathers because two great retired teachers named Sandra and Cathy spent laborious hours putting together with little fanfare this great document. I realize this is only stage I or part one of a long continuous arduous bill that will be poked and probed by our legislators of the opposite party. It is therefore incumbent upon us as committee members to somehow communicate to the general public the necessity of this bill. How we do that I am not sure. I know if I read it right or heard it right, many of the state employees in other areas will not be getting such a generous offering as we are expected to receive. I do hope there is not a jealousy whip used against the retired teachers Rather than being pessimistic I will be optimistic and thank most profusely Sandra and Cathy for their outstanding legislative abilities. 6

7 our legislators. president s message continued It s Almost Time! Our Fall Luncheon is Oct 20th. The new health care plan through STRB was finally implemented and responsive to membership concerns and questions. Our Insurance Committee co-chairs Rick and Louise Follman have devoted countless hours (30-40 calls per week at times) responding to the problems and issues raised over the past eight months. The increased cost for drugs has been a nationwide issue and has little to do with the new plan. Hopefully, the foundation for long term stability for the drug plan is in place. Autumn is upon us and it s time again for our fall luncheon at the AquaTurf Club. We have an exciting line up of events planned for this meeting. Our key note speaker is Nancy Wyman, Lt. Govenor (see page 3). A 50/50 raffle will be held to benefit the Glenn Moon Scholarship Fund. Get together with old friends and meet new ones. If you haven t come before, this is the year to come! The registration form is below. Please cut out or download at artct.org. ARTC will focus on increasing active membership in the coming year emphasizing retention and improved communication with current members. We will be having on-going conversations regarding implementation of unified dues (affiliate with statewide ARTC ). As always, we will be tweaking and improving our website and social media to reach out to CT s retired teachers through out the country. Tom Singleton, President ARTC Directions I-84 East- Take exit 27 to Rt. 691 E. Get off at exit 3 and turn left onto Rt. 10. Continue on 10 until the junction of I-84 and Mulberry St. Turn right onto Mulberry and follow 1.5 miles to AquaTurf I-91 South or 1-84 East- Take exit 29 (left exit). At end of ramp continue straight on Mulberry St. AquaTurf is located 1.5 miles on the right. I-91 North- Take Rt. 691 W. towards Waterbury. Take exit 4, CT-322, toward Southington, turning onto the Merriden-Waterbury Turnpike. At foot of hill turn right onto South End Rd. Follow South End Rd. Turn left onto Mulberry St. AquaTurf is on the left. Fall Luncheon 2015 Please circle your meal choice (all meals include pasta due to popular request) NY Strip Sirloin (with beef demi glaze w/madeira wine) Roast Turkey (with stuffing) Pan Seared Salmon (with honey mustard/ginger glaze) All meals come with green beans almondine and baked stuffed potato Name Address Phone All meals $36 Please make your check payable to ARTC Program Fund One registration form per person additional forms available at artct.org Mail to: ARTC Program Fund, 68 Loomis St, Manchester, CT No later than Oct 13 77

8 Since 1946, ARTC has been a retiree organization exclusively representing CT Retired Teachers. 68 Loomis St Manchester, CT (860) , (866) Pre-Sorted First Class U.S. Postage PAID Waterbury, CT Permit #118 ARTC MEMBER BENEFITS Your membership with ARTC gives you access to many valuable benefits! ARTC endorses the following member benefits: Long Term Care / Home Health Care Insurance Tax-Deferred Annuity Medical Air Services Association (MASA) American Hearing Benefits Government Employee Travel Opportunities(GETO) LaQuinta Inn & Suites Discount Hertz, Avis, & Budget Car Rental Discounts AMBA TravelPERX Identity Theft Protection Dell Computer Discounts Apple Discount Flowers Discount Interested in traveling with other Retired Teachers? Find out what trips/tours are available at: French s Worldwide Travel 50 Market Square Newington, CT (Please reference ARTC ) Vacations@FrenchsTravel.com To learn more about any of the endorsed benefits, please call AMBA at with