PRESIDENT’S CORNER
By Leon “Sandy” Teague, PhD
Retired Employees of Merced County Association, Inc.
A 501(c)(7) Association (REMCOAI) DECEMBER 2014
NEWSLETTER
The quarterly luncheon and business
meeting of the newly incorporated
Retired Employees of Merced County
Association, Inc., a 501(c)(7) Association, will
be held on Tuesday, December 9th at the
Merced Elks Lodge, 19th & “M” Streets,
Merced. Doors open at 11:00 AM. The program
will begin at 11:30 and lunch will be served at
12:00 Noon. RESERVATIONS ARE MANDATORY to allow the Elks Lodge to order/prepare
enough food. REMCO must pay for the number
of meals ordered on advance reservations. Help
us save money and make your reservation today!
The following people will accept your reservation:
Sandy Teague (209) 769-7331
Lola Barnett (209) 384-4185
David Baker (209) 722-1494
Officers & Board of Directors
President: Sandy Teague, PhD (209) 769-7331
Vice President: Kaye Greeley
394-9091
Secretary: Lavon Justice
722-8202
Treasurer: Lola Barnett
384-4185
Director: Michael Sofranek
374-3465
Director: Scott Johnston
617-2126
Director: Ron Kinchloe
409-8394
Director: Walter Lopes
723-8938
Director: Bobbie Baker
777-6960
Retirement Bd Rep: Ron Kinchloe 409-8394
Retirement Bd Alt: Scott Johnston 617-2126
Appointed Staff
CRCEA Delegate: David Baker
CRCEA Delegate: Kaye Greeley
Newsletter Editor: John Carlisle 722-9249
[email protected]
REMCO WEBSITE: www.REMCOMerced.com
WHY DO WE HAVE A RETIRED
EMPLOYEES MERCED COUNTY
ASSOCIATION, INC. (REMCOAI),
AND WHY SHOULD I BELONG?
The Retired Employees of Merced County (REMCO)
was established as an organization in the late 1950s
around 1955.
We were originally formed to establish a place to
gather, refresh working acquaintances, and socialize
with those we had worked with for many years. Today, we still have the same goal, with a few extras
added throughout the years.
Not only have we grown in size we also managed to
save enough revenue to warrant incorporation. With
our funds comes the ability to grant scholarships.
Originally set as $500 each they are now worth a
$1000 each, of which four are awarded annually. We
also managed to set aside monies for legal action(s)
should the need ever arise. Christmas parties are
provided at no charge to members, demonstrating
very prudent administration throughout the years,
allowing us to enjoy the fruits of their fiscal management.
There are many wonderful stories told by long time
members, and I would like to solicit input from any
member who would like to share some of their experiences, and would not be embarrassed to see
them in print. It would make for enjoyable and interesting reading. These stories could be a permanent
addition to our newsletters, creating a living history
as we go forward.
On October 31, 2013 REMCO officially became Retired Employees of Merced County Association, Incorporation (REMCOAI). This became a necessity to
separate ourselves from County oversight of our operation and resources. REMCOAI is now an individually managed corporation with an Executive Board
and a Board of Directors, collectively known as “The
Board”. The organization has sole authority and
autonomy in all manners administrative and financial.
This is why we incorporated.
Although REMCOAI does not endorse or support any
candidate for political office, we do support those measures and bills affecting our health and pension benefits
that are frequently working their way through the morass
of State government with the intent to obtain passage
into law. While some measures are beneficial, there are
just as many that seek to diminish our benefits. We have
to remain ever vigilant in our effort to make our voices
heard, we can best do that collectively which is one reason REMCOAI belongs to California Retired County Employees Association (CRCEA). Together with the other
twenty counties comprising the 1937 Act, we represent
over 170,000 members, a big voice which cannot be silenced nearly as well as an individual county.
Now that we have an idea of what and why we exist let’s
join together to wish everyone an enjoyable and safe holiday season with family and loved ones. Please set aside a
few hours to celebrate REMCOAI's first annual Christmas
party on December 9 at 11:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge.
This will be a free event to all REMCOAI members and a
great program has been planned with good friends, good
food, door prizes and music. We look forward to seeing
you there as you are a very important person (VIP) because without you REMCOAI cannot exist.
Congratulations to our newly elected Board of Directors,
let’s support them as well as they will support and represent us.
REMCOAI has an exciting future ahead of us. We extend
an invitation to all Merced County retired employees to
become an active member and help make REMCOAI a
successful and dynamic association. REMCOAI honors
each member and would be very proud to include you
amongst the best of Merced County employees.
REMCO WEBSITE:
CRCEA PROVES TO BE A STRONG
FORCE IN PROTECTING PUBLIC
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
By: David Baker, CRCEA Delegate
One of the goals of the California Retired County Employees Association (CRCEA) is to provide County legislative, technical, and informational support to CRCEA associations, whenever called upon. One such example was a
recent initiative placed on the ballet this November election to eliminate Defined Benefit pension plans in San
Diego County that was ultimately ordered to be removed
from the ballot with CRCEA’s help. CRCEA proves to be a
strong demonstration of force, representing 165,000
retirees in 20 counties, including Merced, (REMCOAI).
When the ballot measure was originally brought forward, CRCEA immediately went into action with San
Diego, San Joaquin, and Ventura retirement associations,
by filing an amicus brief which successfully argued
against allowing the initiative a place on the ballot. Subsequently, the Judge ruled that placing the initiative on
the ballot was “A waste of public resources”. He stated
“Putting the measure before voters would have been an
enormous waste of taxpayer money, because it could
only be ruled unlawful”.
CRCEA has also supported passage of proposition initiatives, such as prop 20, which removed the limitations of
25% investment in equities, and prop 162, which preserved the structure of retirement boards, the integrity
of the retirement boards, and the integrity of the retirement system funds as “trust funds”. CRCEA has reviewed
and taken a position on over 250 bills which have been
introduced to the state legislation. REMCOAI continues to
be an active member association of CRCEA, and your
monthly dues help maintain this status.
At the recent fall conference, your REMCOAI delegates
invited CRCEA President, (Skip Murphy) to be a guest
speaker at one of our luncheons next year to provide
more information about statewide retirement issues and
CRCEA goals.
SILVER SLIPPERS
If you are over 65, you should have received a Silver
Find the REMCO Website: www.REMCOMerced.com Slippers card. REMCO members in Merced County are
entitled to a membership in the In-Shape clubs! Membership includes initial workout program and consultation
with a trainer. And the price is right – FREE!
ADDRESS REMINDER:
PLEASE remember to send written notice of any address Outside Merced County, check with United Health Care
change to BOTH the REMCO newsletter Editor AND for local businesses that are included in Silver Sneakers
to see what is offered.
MCERA.
The December REMCO meeting will feature prizes and surprises! If you have something wonderful to donate to the
cause, please contact Bobbie Baker at (209) 777-6960.
DECEMBER GUEST SPEAKER
Nancy Young-Bergman will be the guest speaker at the December Luncheon and she will present information on a new
Merced County program to assist senior citizens.
SOMETHING NEW!
REMCO wants to introduce you to a different REMCO member
in each newsletter. If you know someone that we should introduce, please contact Board Member David Baker and he
will work on a very short biography to share with all! Here is
the first:
Name
Deceased
PRSRTD STD
U.S. POSTAGE
7/24/14
8/6/14
8/10/14
8/20/14
8/20/14
8/23/14
8/30/14
9/22/14
9/28/14
8/31/14
9/28/14
10/6/14
10/19/14
10/19/14
10/31/14
10/26/14
10/31/14
11/3/14
PAID
Deena Cote
Mary Cardenas
Jean M. Burr
Ernest Martinez
Lupe G. Flores
Christina Norman
Louie C. Dias
Frank Granata
Frances Wade
Nancy Hauhe
Batista Mondo
Frank Lewis
Johnnie Carter
Maxine Silva
Diane Houle
C.R. Willmin
Ladislao Ruiz
Robert Baca
PERMIT NO. 559
MERCED CA 95340
Kaye Greeley moved from Orange County to Merced in 1978
with her husband to start a business called, “Gateway Rentals”.
Kaye went to work for the courts in 1981, and was eventually
hired as a Family Support Officer for the District Attorney’s office, where she retired in 2001. Kaye did some modeling in her
thirties and is a former Home Economics Sewing Instructor.
Since retirement... Kaye finds joy in designing clothes, purses,
aprons, and other crafts. In Jan 2015 Kaye will be teaching
again, through the Livingston recreation department, a beginner’s sewing class. Kaye continues to volunteer at her church as
an elder, deacon, choir member, and for the past 11 years has
led a Woman’s Bible Study. Kaye sits on the board of Crime
Stoppers, and the Livingston School Board Oversight Committee. Kaye loves to dance, write poetry, play dominoes, and
word games. Kaye is our REMCOAI vice president, and an alternate delegate to CRCEA. Kaye is thankful that God has blessed
her with good health, good friends, and a wonderful family of
two daughters, their spouses, six grandchildren, and a great
granddaughter that calls her “Great!”
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/8/14
7/12/14
7/14/14
7/5/14
7/4/14
6/28/14
6/28/14
7/8/14
4/1/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/7/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
7/11/14
8/19/14
8/22/14
8/9/14
5/9/14
9/17/14
8/14/14
8/30/14
9/9/14
REMCO
PRIZES AND SURPRISES!
Dawn McGranahan HSA
Raylynn Percy
HSA
Wendy Shaw
DWI
Martha Flores
Probation
Joy Lancaster
Castle
Bernard Smith
MCRWMA
Susan Cummings Courts
Thomas Huckabee Mental Health
Lynda Bennett
HSA
Debra Johnson
Mental Health
Eve Snelling
DWI
Elizabeth Slate
Mental Health
Sherri Reyna
HSA
Judith Harney
Public Defender
Jolene Seale
HSA
Lola Vega
DWI
Sandra Gravano
DCSS
Hans Picinich
Sheriff
Frances Mua
HSA
Antoinette Buckle MCMC
Shannon Delouiz Treas/Tax
Pamela Szabo
HSA
Timothy Smith
Sheriff
Robert Bradford
R&R
Dennis Miller
Sheriff
Jane Maclean
Health
Michael Harris
Sheriff
Tena Williams
Mental Health
Melissa Mondragon HSA
Janet Spangler
Mental Health
Paul Slatky
MCMC
Retired Employees of Merced County
PO Box 3605
Merced CA 95344-3605
REMCO is offering four scholarships for 2015. Two for graduating seniors and two for continuing education students. Scholarships are $1,000.00 each. Applications may be obtained by
going to the REMCO website www.REMCOMerced.com and click
on “Newsletters and Forms” or contact a Board Member or the
Scholarship Chair Lola Barnett. Any child or grandchild of a
dues paying REMCO member is eligible. See the website for
further details or requirements to apply. Properly completed
applications must be postmarked by April 30, 2015, so there
is plenty of notice to get an application! Winners will be announced at the June 2015 REMCO Luncheon.
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
REMCO SCHOLARSHIPS-HEADS UP!