WE PACKED THE COURTROOM AT THE APPEAL HEARING, READ ALL ABOUT IT ON OUR ACT NOW PAGE
WE PACKED THE COURTROOM AT THE APPEAL HEARING, READ ALL ABOUT IT ON OUR ACT NOW PAGE
APRIL 30th 2024 7:30PM AT THE K of C HALL, 3051 NOSTRAND AVE BROOKLYN, NY.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: President Jim Hayhurst, Treasurer Paul Mallery, Newsletter Editor Mike O'Keeffe, Co-Editor & Website Mgr. Bill Schillinger, Legislator Bill Romaka and Trustee Vinny Doherty. Meeting commenced at 8pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence for members who passed since last meeting and WTC related deaths. 42 members stood in silence for those that passed...
OUR FIRST SPEAKER: Bill Kregler, who is running for US Congress 7th Congressional District which includes Astoria, LIC, Woodside, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, The Bklyn Navy Yard, and then back to Ridgewood & Glendale, Queens. Bill dropped off some Donation envelopes to the members present there. Bill Kregler then asked for our support and to vote for him if they live within the confines of the 7th District. If you know anyone who lives there ask them to consider Bill to represent them in the US House of Representatives. To learn more about Bill's Goals go to KREGLERFORCONGRESS.COM
Bill is running on the Republican / Conservative / and Independent Line.
NEXT UP TO SPEAK-LEROY McGINNIS-DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FIRE PENSION UNIT
To View the Pension Website go to: https://nycfirepension.org/
Leroy began with thanking the RMA Board for the invite to our meeting.
He started off with informing us that the Fire part of the the NYC Pension is worth 20 Billion Dollars with the whole Pension of NYC being worth 250 Billion Dollars. Our Pensions are in very good shape. Monthly meetings are held to discuss important issues affecting the value of the Funds within the Fire Side of the Pension System. He stressed cooperating with the request by the City to submit the proper "Proof of Life" forms. There are currently 45 FDNY retirees who are over the age of 95. Members over the age of 70 were randomly selected to submit these forms. If you were contacted please send in your Proof of Life form if you haven't done already.
Mr. McGinnis then addressed 'RECLASSIFICATION". There aren't any restrictions on reclassification of submitting proof to the Pension Dept.
Next up he stated that the Quarterly Statements that you receive from the Pension Dept will no longer be issued. If you need to view your statement you must go to your RSS Account, there you can download your quarterly statements and take care of other issues including signing up for Fraternal Organizations. Here's how to do it:
Go to : https://a127-rss.nyc.gov , once there the page should read NYCAPS-RETIREES
To Log On, enter your ID as follows:
Your ID consists of your Pension System-Pension Number & Suffix,
For example: R-099999-0
Next Enter your Password-Your Initial Password is constructed as follows-the last two digits of your Social Security Number, followed by an underscore, followed by your Date of Birth expressed numerically as MMDDCCYY, ex: 02171957 (month, date & year)
so it goes like this SS_MMDDCCYY. Once you log on you will be prompted to change your Password. Make sure its something you will remember it. Write it down in your PASSWORD BOOK. Yous Password has to be at least Eight Characters and include one Special Character: ! @ $ % ^ & * ( ) - _ + = ? / \
If you need help with RSS, Call 929-436-4847 during business hours. Ohter numbers include last four numbers such as- 4871, 4862 or 4866.
You will still receive your Final 10-99 at the end of the year to file with your taxes.
Other stats he discussed were the fact that we have 17,000 retirees in the Fire Side of the Pension System, 11,000 active employees pay into the system.
NEXT UP TO SPEAK WAS PATTI MURPHY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FDNY FIRE MUSEUM
https://www.nycfiremuseum.org/
She opened with Thanking Us for the opportunity to Speak to the Membership.
Patti stated that she had relatives on the job, she was also a reporter for NY 1 News, she was a contributor to the WNYF Magazine. She asked for volunteers for the Golf Outing and to help out at the Fire Museum on Spring Street in downtown Manhattan. Their Golf Outing which will be held on June 20th, 2024 is a big fund raiser for the Museum. Anyone wishing to play can go to the link above to register. The Golf Outing will honor the FDNY Pipe & Drums Band. She distributed a brochure which Jimmy encouraged everyone there to take home and read it. She's very enthused about the upcoming 250th Anniversary of our independence in 2026 in which the Museum wants to celebrate it. She looks forward to returning many events to the Museum, including the Block Parties and the Cook-Off.
She hopes many members can come to the Museum.
JIMMY HAYHURST then spoke about the MEDICARE DIS-ADVANTAGE PLAN. He told all he is in constant communication with Marianne Pizzitola, President of the NYC Org. of Public Svce Retirees www.nycretirees.org Jimmy mentioned that Bill Schillinger and him went to see the Appeals Court Hearing in action-to see that hearing go to our ACT NOW PAGE
He stressed the importance of donating to her organization, she needs the funds to continue the battle with the city and to protect the "promise" of having Regular Medicare till we die. Jimmy reminded everyone that we all should have received our Part B Reimbursement of $1978.80 per person. If not then you should contact OLR. Please check your online banking statement to see if it was deposited.
BILL ROMAKA, our Legislative Representative spoke next. He went with Marianne to Albany in support of Assembly Bill 7866 (Senate Bill 8388) This Bill if signed into Law would protect our Healthcare from being diminished in any way. He also stressed the need to donate to the NYC Org. of Public Svce Retirees.
MIKE O'KEEFFE then spoke about the Special Needs Group. He said they had a ZOOM Meeting with the Parkinson's Group which was highly successful.
The Special Needs Group will let you know if your child can receive any available benefits for their afflictions. Contact Mike at: 917-853-5772 for further questions.
RAFFLES WERE THEN SELECTED. Thanks to Paul Mallery and Vin Doherty for selling
the 50/50 chances.
MEETING ADJOUNED, SECONDED, CHOW WAS ON. All present had a great time,
Hot Food was served as well as plenty of Refreshments.
SEE YOU AT OUR GALA MEETING IN JUNE, JUNE 25th 2024 IN NEW HYDE PARK.
MINUTES RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED 5/1/24 6:45PM by Bill Schillinger. <
Our Next Meeting will be held at the Elk's Club in New Hyde Park on Tuesday June 25th, 2024. We hope to see you then. In the meantime go to Our Act Now Page to see the latest News about issues affecting us.
Pictured, see JoAna Von Der Linn speaking with members at our February Meeting about Colon Cancer.
Pictured see Mom & Katreana Bellew. Katreana had a great presentation at our meeting.
We look forward to hearing from her on her progress.
MEETING COMMENCED AT 11:30AM AT THE ELK'S CLUB 901 LAKEVILLE ROAD NEW HYDE PARK, NY
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
President Jim Hayhurst, Treasurer Paul Mallery, Legislator Bill Romaka, Newsletter Editor Mike O'Keeffe and Media Director Bill Schillinger
GUEST SPEAKERS & Subject Matter:
JoAna Von Der Linn (FNP-BC)- Long Island Gastro (516) 584-6400
Katreana Bellew- BLACK SUNDAY MOVIE
Mike O'Keeffe- Dementia & Parkinson's
Bill Schillinger- Parkinson's Sniff Test
Jim Bevers- Chair Lift
Billy Hayes- FDNY VFW POST 12033
MINUTES:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-Jimmy led us in the Salute to our flag,
followed by a moment of silence.
Remain standing and keep in your prayers the recently deceased of the
FDNY;
Bobby Beckwith (Retired Ladder 164)
Kamran Khan (Active Lt. FDNY)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please Sit.
Jim remarked about how many new members were at the meeting.
He thanked everyone for coming to our Daytime Meeting.
He asked, "What do you prefer a Daytime or an Evening Meeting?"
The response was half and half.
Jim then brought up the MEDICARE DIS-ADVANTAGE Program that the city is trying to shove down our throats, but will they succeed?
Well our Angel of Mercy, Marianne Pizzitola is and has been going toe to toe with the City, she asks all to come to the Rally on March 21st, 2024. (Go to our Upcoming Events Page on this site to learn of the particulars.)
Marianne needs more funding to continue the successful fight against the City.
To Donate to the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees,
Go to their website: https://www.nycretirees.org/
Jimmy continued, mentioning DC 37 and noting that they just threw their
retirees under the bus.
Then he stated that Biden is also in favor of the Medicare Advantage Program,
oh my god what the hell is going on? So even more motivation to attend the Rally on
March 21st, 2024 at 1:00pm at 41 Madison Ave.
Jimmy then passed out the envelopes he usually passes out at each meeting.
He mentioned that the Burn Center Calendars were up for grabs, he also had FDNY Pins for sale which benefit the Burn Center.
He then introduced our First Guest Speaker, JoAna Van Der Linn from
the Long Island Gastro Associates.
She stated the importance of getting screened for Colon Cancer.
Firefighters have a higher rate of Colon Cancer so its imperative that
we all make appts. for Colonoscopies. The going age is 50 or over, but she thinks 45 should be the new age, just get it done!
She took questions from the audience. She left her business card and flier.
To get in touch with her call her at 516-584-6400.
[HERE'S AN UPDATE TO HER INFORMATION; A NEW BLOOD TEST IS AVAILABLE TO HELP SCREEN FOR COLON CANCER, CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE<]
Our Next Guest Speaker was introduced by Jimmy,
Katreana Bellew, a senior at NYU wrote the Screenplay for THE BLACK SUNDAY MOVIE PROJECT". Her dad, John Bellew was killed in the Bronx Fire in which illegal SRO's contributed to the deaths of John Bellew & Curtis Meyran.
Katreana has wrote a screenplay. She and her mom are raising money to further the project. They hope to by next year which is the 20th Anniversary of the Fire (1/23/05) that they can be in the final production of the movie. It will need donations and a lot of work. Anyone that can help can contact Katreana through her e-mail address:
To go to their website click on the following:
They will be having a 5k run on 4/14 with a barbecue, go to their website for the info.
Mom and daughter sold many hats for the cause.
The members responded after the presentation purchasing hats & pins.
Next up on the agenda was Mike O'Keeffe who spoke about Parkinsons.
Mike is involved in a Special Needs Group through the FDNY Counseling Unit.
They deal with children of FDNY Personnel who are afflicted.
They hope to have a Zoom Meeting dealing with it in March.
You can come to this website to find out when it will be, we will
post the link and time.
Bill Schillinger then added that there is a test you can take which is on the fdnyrma.org website now. It's a scratch and sniff test that you can sign up for.
The Michael J. Fox organization is footing the bill for the tests.
Next up was Billy Hayes from VFW Post 12033.
Billy was there selling his signature hats. He informed the members of the many issues affecting members of the FDNY who were in the military. Bill mentioned that there have been 47 members of the FDNY who were military vets and have passed away.
There's a lot of bogus information out there about Points towards taking tests for the FDNY. Military Vets are credited with 5 points when taking tests.
Get in touch with Bill Hayes if you have questions about those issues.
Go to their website above.
Jimmy then took a 15 minute break before Chow was on.
It was a very good meeting.
The members enjoyed refreshments and Lunch and Irish Soda Bread.
Coffee was then served.
Paul Mallery ran the Raffle and doled out the prize money.
We look forward to the next meeting which will be in Brooklyn on 4/30/24 at 7:30pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Bill Schillinger, this date, 2/27/24 at 5:45pm
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Go to the Act Now Page to help battle the Dis-Advantage Plan.
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