Fifty PEF Retiree activists from every chapter in the state met in Albany in
July to train and organize for the 2008 election campaign.
PEF Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe and Vice President Pat Baker welcomed the
retirees to PEF headquarters and Baker presented certificates of
appreciation to retirees who contribute to the PEF COPE program that funds
support of candidates for national office.
Special guest, state Sen. Hugh Farley, was commended for sponsoring a bill
to protect public-employees’ health insurance, and for his continuing
support of senior-friendly legislation.
Farley stressed the significance of sending “hand-written personal letters”
to elected officials.
Kevin Murray, deputy comptroller from the NYS and Local Retirement System,
reported on the efforts of state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to ensure the
integrity of the pension fund. We thanked Murray for his work on behalf of
state retirees when in his former post as executive director of the Retired
Public Employees Association.
THANKS — PEF Retirees President Steve Muscarella presents a
commendation to NYS Sen. Hugh Farley. — Photo by Jim Adsit
We also asked for the comptroller to support an enhanced state pension
adjustment for inflation.
At our political action training, I noted the U.S. population age 65 and
older will double in the next 17 years. This exponential growth will require
significant funding commitments from our federal, state and local
governments to ensure our quality of life.
As a future PEF retiree, PEF President Ken Brynien said he was committed to
supporting the strength and viability of PEF Retirees and said he would
advance proposals for greater representation and governance of the retirees
within PEF.
Even if you did not attend the training, you can participate in the
elections. Register and vote. And contact your local chapter president or
PEF field office right away to volunteer to work on a campaign.
Be sure we have your current e-mail address. Just send it to Rachel Mango at
rmango@pef.org. Please include your full
name so we can be sure the correct file is updated.
