The Newsletter of the Retired Public Employees of RPEN Statement of Purpose and Mission The Retired Public Employees Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • Oct./Nov. 2017 RPEN of Nevada is a 501 (c) (4) federally tax exempt organization whose purpose is to promote social welfare by educational means in order to better inform the public on issues affecting revStanding up for Nevada’s Retiredi Publicew Employees since 1976 retired public employees. Educating on Public Employee Issues

RPEN’s Annual Meeting Saw Us ; “Flyin’ High” in Summerlin

osted by our Summerlin Chapter at the Suncoast Hotel/Casino, our annual event kicked off at 4:00 p.m. September 19 with registration at the hotel, H followed by a brief Executive Committee meeting before dinner Tuesday night. There were 100+ members and guests at this year’s gathering, one of our largest Pat Norman, Fernley Chapter annual meetings ever! as she receives her Pat Fladager Wednesday morning, September 20 kicked off at Special Recognition Award from 8:00 a.m. with nine workshops held, three each hour Steve Carr (Fernley Chapter on topics ranging from Post Retirement Increases President) and Jack Harris. from Tina Leiss and Cheryl Price with Nevada’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) to social media applications to RPEN’s Strategic Planning Process that will take this organization into the future. During lunch that day Nevada Paul Brooks, LV Chapter Delegate, receives Supreme Court Justice James Hardesty talked to us Pat Fladager Special Recognition Award about changes he championed at the 2017 Nevada from Jack and LV Chapter President Ruth Legislative Session involving guardianship. Kilmer. Every year during our annual meeting, our members are treated to a presentation from PERS about the JoAnn Labrosky, Henderson status of PERS. Members learned that PERS ended its’ fiscal Chapter Treasurer, receives her year June 30 with investment returns of 11.8%, well above Pat Fladager Special Recognition the target assumption of 8%. Executive Officer Leiss said it Award from Jack Harris and HE Chapter President Vicki Cameron. was a very good year but added each year is different and that they have had a few bad years in the past but PERS continues to do well compared with their peers. Another presentation RPEN’s newest Lifetime Achievement In this issue came that afternoon Award Recipient Miss Kitty Hays from Damon Haycock, of the White Pine Chapter, shown Policies and Procedures Executive Officer at here and Gaye Johnston, another Matter...... 2 the Public Employees’ Lifetime Achievement recipient. Benefits Program Money Matters...... 2 (PEBP). He said he is confident that the solution Chapter Eternal...... 2, 3 to the “orphan” issue (non-State Medicare retirees President’s Perspective...... 3 who’ve faced escalating health care costs based RPEN Chapter Claudia Hayden, BV Chapter President on their dwindling group) should be sustainable as she receives her Pat Fladager Special beyond the four year plan set up within the State Happenings...... 4-6 Recognition Award alongside Jack Harris, Budget approved at the 2017 Legislative Session. Member Matters...... 4 Pat Keough and State Treasurer and BV He said local governments will take over after the 4 Chapter Treasurer Rita Evasovic. years, and they shouldn’t have any problems with it Health Matters...... 5 continued on page 6 Legislative Matters...... 7 Chapter Eternal Policies and Arlo Funk Procedures Matter 5. Defining the guidelines for members Mineral Chapter by Hal Keaton, Bylaws who apply for meal reimbursement A 25 year member Committee Chair (Elko) of RPEN passed while traveling. away August During the 2017 Annual 6. Changing the RPEN slogan language 11, 2017 in Board of Directors meeting, from “Retired Public Employees of Hawthorne, seven amendments to the Nevada” to “Representing Public Nevada. Arlo Funk Employees of Nevada”. The slogan was 91 years old. state bylaws were presented appears in the lower portion of the Arlo joined RPEN in 1992, after on behalf of the State Resolutions and serving the Mineral School District Bylaws Committee. All seven of the RPEN logo. The appearance of the as a full-time administrator, amendments were adopted. Three were logo will remain the same except for starting there in 1961 and retiring amended from the floor. The adopted the change of the slogan. THE NAME from full-time employment as bylaw amendments include: OF RPEN WILL NOT CHANGE. School Superintendent in 1990. 1. Defining the members counted for a 7. Deleting out of date language from He continued to serve the district quorum for a State Board of Directors POLICY AND PROCEDURE VIII, as a substitute teacher from 2005 Section C. through 2007! He also served as a meeting. Mineral County Commissioner for 2. Clarifying the invitation to Past State It is important for the general two terms, from 1993-1996 and Presidents to attend annual Board of membership to continually review the 1999-2002. He was very active Directors meetings. bylaws and policies and procedures of in the Mineral Chapter of RPEN, the state and chapter bylaws. These are 3. Adding a new class of membership serving as Chapter Treasurer for the guidelines RPEN uses to manage the called Affiliate Member. This invites many years, and rarely missed a organization and they must be kept as up people who are members of a non- chapter meeting. to date as possible. Nevada PERS public employer to join Arlo was born to George and Cleo Members may submit proposed RPEN for the purpose participating in Funk on May 5, 1926 in Yuma, amendments trough their local chapter RPEN’s member benefits program. Colorado where he lived until presidents. Refer to the state POLICIES August of 1961 when he and 4. Defining the guidelines for members AND PROCEDURES, Article XVII for this his family moved to Babbitt and applying for travel reimbursement. guideline. n HK later to Hawthorne. He proudly served in the Army Air Corp from 1944 until 1946, and received his Liberal Arts degree from the employed with Clark County in various University of Colorado, Boulder in Money Matters capacities since 1989. Ms. Easton is the continued on page 3 Cheryl Price, Director of the State of Nevada Office of PERS Operations Officer Project Management. She has worked in various Departments/Divisions of the State of Nevada since 1988. Mr. Wallace Changes Abound at is a Teacher at Eagle Valley Middle School RPEN Nevada’s PERS! in Carson City. He has worked for the Carson City School District since 2002. review Per the Nevada Constitution, the The new members join existing Public Employees’ Retirement System Published by the Retired Public members that include Board Chairman Employees of Nevada is governed by a public employees’ Mark Vincent, who retired from the City retirement board that is appointed Bernard Paolini President-Advisor of Las Vegas where he served as Chief Paula Petruso Secretary by the Governor. Governor Sandoval Financial Officer. Vincent was appointed to Rita Evasovic Treasurer recently appointed three new members Dollie McPartlin Parliamentarian the board in 2009 and has served as Board to the PERS Retirement Board. They Terri Laird Executive Director Chair since July 2011. Katherine Ong is are Yolanda King, Lee-Ann Easton, and 777 E. William Street, Suite 200 the Vice-Chair, and has been on the PERS P.O. Box 2211 Brian Wallace. Ms. King is the County Carson City, Nevada 89702 Manager for Clark County. She has been Tel. (775) 882-7832 • Fax (775) 882-6732 continued on page 3 website: rpen.org / email: [email protected]

2 The Review • Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • October/November 2017 The annual convention has evolved as Chapter Eternal President’s the RPEN staff has scheduled stimulating continued from page 2 Perspective workshops and thought-provoking speakers. There have been nine workshops 1948. He furthered his education Bernard Paolini, to choose from at the convention during with a BA Degree from Adams opinion RPEN State President the last two years. The legislative panel State College in Alamosa, Colorado this year was one of the most informative and earned an MA Degree at the This is my first column as the President discussions RPEN has presented. The University of Northern Colorado and completed graduate work at of RPEN. I will try to make my column panel was headed by RPEN Lead Lobbyist, Marlene Lockard and consisted of Senators the University of Denver in 1965. interesting and informative. My first subject He married Patricia Ruggles in Julia Ratti (District 13/No. NV), is member participation and involvement 1950 and they had three children, with RPEN. The definition of Involvement is (District 7/So. NV) and Karen, Gary (who is also an RPEN “the fact or condition of being involved with (District 5/So. NV) and Assemblywoman member) and Stephen. or participating in something”. Danielle Monroe-Moreno (District 1/So. Graveside Services were held NV) and ex-assemblyman Glenn Trowbridge So the question is how do we get our September 8 at the Veterans members involved? Attending the RPEN (SU). Marlene asked pertinent questions Cemetery in Fernley Annual Convention, such as the recent and all members shared their thoughts The Mineral Chapter will definitely meeting in Summerlin, is a great way on what we should be looking for during the next election cycle. They all had good feel the void left by Arlo’s passing, to get members more involved with our and we will miss him in Carson comments about RPEN and its presence at organization. You might notice that I did City too. not say RPEN Annual Board of Directors the Legislative Session. Meeting. The reason I choose to use At our local chapter meeting, the Annual Convention is because it is open to members that attended the convention all members to attend, not just the board spoke about their experience. The members Nellie Beasley of directors. Many of our members are provided positive feedback and said that Washoe Chapter not aware of this fact. Maybe it is time to they thoroughly enjoyed the convention. 105 year old change the meeting name to the RPEN It is my hope that this will encourage Nellie Beasley Annual Convention. more members to want to attend future passed away During the chapter budget process, conventions. I will spend the next ten in Modesto, CA Executive Director, Terri Laird informed months extolling the benefits of attending earlier this year. the chapters that they could budget for the RPEN Annual Convention during our Her death was the chapter to bring additional members monthly meetings. This was the eighth only recently noticed in the Reno Gazette to the convention. The recent convention Annual convention that I have attended, and I think it was one of the best organized, Journal, but she died February 8. was one of the best attended meetings, Born October 26, 2011 in Laramie, informative and enjoyable conventions. as various chapters paid for additional Wyoming, Nellie moved to Reno members to participate. If every chapter So I’ll conclude by saying it is time to get in the mid 1930’s and met and paid for two additional members we would more members “involved”. n BP married the “love” of her life, Bud have over thirty more members involved. Beasley in 1941.They met on a softball field where he was the new coach and she was playing Money Matters continued from page 3 a more realistic rate of return given the second base. Bud, who was very Board since 2011. She is a co-founder of slow economic recovery. Additionally the active in RPEN, passed in 2004, Hobbs, Ong & Associates and retired from board agreed with the Segal Company to after 63 years of marriage. Nellie Clark County where she was employed as also lower its assumption for inflation stayed on in Reno until 2012 the Budget Manager. Rounding out the over the coming year from 3.5% to when an injury forced a move to board are two other members from law 2.75%. Brad Ramirez with Segal Co. said Modesto to be closer to family. enforcement and fire fighters: Tim Ross, those two changes offset each other since She is survived by multiple nieces who was appointed to the board in 2015, the real rate of return on investment is and nephews. A private service and Scott Gorgon who spent 35 years investment earnings minus inflation. A was held for family, and her ashes in the Nevada Fire Service, mostly in more extensive report from Ramirez will were scattered along with Bud’s, in Southern Nevada. come in November when the board meets the Sierra Nevada mountains that they both loved so much. Meanwhile an important PERS Board again November 16. meeting was held October 19 when For more information about PERS, the board followed a recommendation please contact them direct at 1-775-687- from their actuary to lower investment 4200 or visit their website at http://www. projections from 8% to 7.5%, saying it is nvpers.org/ n CP

The Review • Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • October/November 2017 3 RPEN Chapter offer help, but it’s best to call your Member Matters children or other family members to Happenings verify the situation so you don’t end Melissa Horvath, up sending money to a con artist. BOULDER CITY: The BC chapter E.J.S. Insurance Services, Inc. meets November 9 at 11:00 a.m. 2. Don’t carry your Medicare card: Make at The Homestead, 1401 Medical a copy of your Medicare card and Park Dr. The speaker is Homestead Identity Theft black out the last four letters of Executive Director Tanya Vetchi When it comes to identity theft, senior your Social Security Number. This who’s also an Entertainment and way, if your wallet gets stolen the Music Writer who’ll talk about citizens are particularly at risk, for several thief doesn’t have access to your the city’s ties with Hollywood. reasons. For one, identity thieves believe For more contact Bernard or Joan that senior citizens will prove easier information. Paolini at 702-294-0636 or email targets in scams. For another, thieves 3. Don’t leave information out: Many [email protected]. expect seniors to have more money in seniors live in retirement or assisted BI VALLEY: The BV chapter meets their bank accounts than their younger living communities where their at 8:00 a.m. November 28 at counterparts might. Finally, senior caregivers could easily pick up credit Dini’s Lucky Club, 45 N. Main citizens are at risk because many live cards, bank statements, or even St.in Yerington, a speaker is to be in large communities like senior living, determined. For more call Claudia simply lift a Social Security Number Hayden 775-463-9492 or email nursing care or retirement community from the patient’s file. For this [email protected]. centers. reason, it’s important to check your Financial experts report that senior bank statements regularly, even if CARSON: The CA chapter’s next meeting is November 7 at the citizens are also less likely to closely you’re not spending much. This way Carson City Senior Center, 911 monitor their credit reports and bank you’ll know if you fall victim. statements; possibly because their Beverly Dr. at 2:00 p.m. The 4. Don’t respond to emails: Everyone speaker will be Nancy Spinelli spending becomes more habitual and should be aware of the dangers of from the Public Employees’ regular in the years following retirement phishing schemes. Tell your elderly Benefits Program (PEBP). Contact and they are less likely to be seeking a Chapter President Ellen Westphal relatives not to open emails that loan. at 775-267-3476 or email erwest@ come from unverified sources, In 2014 the Bureau of Justice Statistics charter.net. and that misspelled words, generic found that there were 17.6 million victims The CH chapter greetings and demands for personal CHURCHILL: of identity theft—and of that the elderly will meet again at 10:30 a.m. information are hallmarks of was the fastest growing group, jumping by November 9 in Room 102 at 155 fraudulent messages. Legitimate 2.1 million victims in the past two years. N. Taylor St. For more information, institutions won’t ask for sensitive please contact Chapter President There have also been studies reporting identifying information out of the Don Mello at 775-867-2424. that the area of the brain controlling blue, so delete the email and contact belief and doubt actually deteriorates as ELKO COUNTY: The EL CO your institution to notify them of the chapter will meet November 8, at individual’s age, meaning that elderly situation. 12:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, people could physiologically be less 1795 Ruby View Dr. This month’s suspicious and more vulnerable to scams. 5. Don’t talk to telemarketers: Criminals speaker is Katie Aiken, National Senior citizens are also frequently sometimes pose as telemarketers, Cowboy Poetry Manager at the calling to offer healthcare-related Western Folklife Center. For more enrolled in government programs that contact Chapter President Hal require personal information and are products and benefits and asking Keaton 775-962-1991 or email complicated by nature. Many scam artists for personal information. Don’t give [email protected]. use Medicare and Social Security scams to your name, birthday, Social Security Number or Medicare ID number to FERNLEY: The FE chapter meets lure in unsuspecting individuals. at 1:00 p.m. November 13 at If you or a loved one is a senior anyone over the phone, even if you Fernley City Hall. The speaker will concerned with identity protection, follow think they might be with a legitimate be “Pickles” comic strip creator these tips to remain secure: institution. It’s always safer to Brian Crane. For more call Chapter contact an institution yourself on a 1. Contact family before you offer President Steve Carr 775-575- separate occasion. 0655, or email sandlcarr5662@ help: Scam artists will sometimes call sbcglobal.net. or email elderly individuals, claiming 6. Guard your medical HENDERSON: The HE Chapter that their grandchild is in trouble information: Seniors typically meets the 2nd Monday each and needs money immediately. receive more medical care as they month at 2:30 p.m.at the Grandparents are naturally eager to continued on page 5 continued on page 5

4 The Review • Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • October/November 2017 plans? Some of those mailings may be Chapters continued from page 4 from the current health plan you have Health Matters American Legion/BMI Post 40, and they may show plans that could cost 425 E. Van Wagenen St. Their next Damon Haycock, you less money per month. But many of PEBP Executive Officer meeting is November 13 and the the mailings you receive from insurance speaker will be Social Security companies have the same problem: If you Public Affairs Specialist Barbara Open Enrollment Has Begun! enroll in a plan away from Towers Watson, Duckett. Call Chapter President you lose your Health Reimbursement Vicki Cameron 702-491-4861 or email [email protected] for more Beware of Those Unsolicited Arrangement (HRA) from PEBP, along information. Insurance Offers! with your Life Insurance and Dental Benefits (if enrolled). You worked hard LAS VEGAS: The LV Chapter meets the 2nd Tuesday each month at There Could Be Dire for many years serving Nevada and PEBP 2:00 p.m.at the First Christian Consequences If You Leave wants you to keep receiving your employer Church, Room 3,101 S Rancho contributions to your HRA as well as your Dr., and their next meeting is the Medicare Exchange for Life Insurance and Dental Benefits. Now is November 14. The speaker will Something that Appears Too the time to review your current plan and be Bobby Mahendra who will be decide if you want to make changes. Please discussing local politics. For more Good to Pass Up! contact a Towers Watson Licensed Benefits information call Chapter President Are you a Medicare retiree on Towers Ruth Kilmer 702- 371-6253, email Advisor at 1-888-598-7545 for help with [email protected]. Watson’s One Exchange? Medicare Open any decision. The best time to call is in Enrollment began on October 15 and LINCOLN: The LI Chapter is on the afternoon or later in the week. a quarterly schedule and won’t continues through December 7, 2017. For additional information about PEBP meet again until January. For During Open Enrollment, you can make please contact them direct at 1-775-684- more information contact Chapter changes to your existing plans or enroll in 7000 or visit their website at https://pebp. President Pete Getker 775-728- plans for the first time. Are you receiving state.nv.us/ n DH 4610. mailings from insurance companies MINERAL: The Mineral Chapter asking you to look at different Medicare meets 3 months on/3 months off on the last Monday of the month at 12:30 p.m. Meetings are at the Hawthorne Care n Share Senior Center at 975 K St. Their next meeting will be in early 2018. Member Matters continued from page 4 For more information please call Chapter President Maxine Wilding get older, so it’s important to keep RPEN members were recently mailed at 775-945-3473. your medical records to yourself. a brochure on the NEW Identity Guard® NORTHERN TRI-COUNTY: Thieves will sometimes use another credit protection service. This service The NTC Chapter meets the first person’s insurance to get treatment, offers members a specially arranged Tuesday each month at 1:00 p.m. tampering with the victim’s medical discounted rate of 25% off the retail price. and will be at the Winnemucca Sr. record in the process. Identity Guard® monitors your valuable Center November 7. The speakers credit and identity information, with will include RPEN’s new State 7. Lock up your information: Especially President Bernard Paolini and if you’re living in an assisted care alerts that can help you respond quickly RPEN Director of Operations/ facility, or if you have a private if certain changes indicating fraudulent Finance Kerry Armanasco. For caregiver come to your home, you activity are detected. more information call Dr. Mike should be sure to put your passport, Many members have already taken Bumgartner 775-750-6781or email [email protected]. birth certificate, Social Security card, advantage of this great offer. If you did Medicare card, checks and financial not receive a brochure or would like more PAHRUMP: The PA Chapter will statements in a locked safe. information, please visit memberextra. meet at 3:00 p.m. November 9 at com/rpen and go to the section labeled the library, 701 East St. A speaker 8. Watch out for tax scams: Sometimes “Fight Fraud”. has not been determined. For thieves will file a tax return using more information contact Chapter You can also reach EJS Insurance by President Christina Brisebill the Social Security Number of an phone, their number is toll free, 1-800- individual’s deceased spouse, which who can be reached via email at 841-6238. n MH [email protected]. can then cause problems when the victim attempts to file legitimately. SPARKS: The SP Chapter meets November 9 at 8:30 a.m. at continued on page 6

The Review • Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • October/November 2017 5 Chapters continued from page 5 Annual Meeting continued from page 1 Denny’s Restaurant, 205 Nugget because it is their responsibility. He said Ave. near I-80 and McCarran RPEN should be proud that their lobbying Ave. The speaker will be Denise team was able to accomplish this feat. Hund, Lic’d Social Worker/Family The PEBP report was followed by a Care Associate at the Alzheimer’s report from our Member Benefits Provider Association. For more information Ernie Strobel from EJS Insurance before contact Chapter President Bill we adjourned for the day allowing the Taylor at 775-358-9513 or email [email protected]. group time to prepare for a trip off-site to the Springs Preserve where dinner was RPEN Executive Director Terri Laird alongside RPEN SUMMERLIN: The SU chapter catered after members toured the grounds Director of Finance/Operations Kerry Armanasco. meets the 2nd Wednesday each of the special wildlife sanctuary. month except July, August & December at 2:00 p.m. at Angel Before our opening business session The Legislative Panel discussion was Park Golf Course in the Clubhouse began Thursday morning, we were followed by a presentation by Clayton at 100 S. Rampart Blvd. Their guest welcomed to the city by Las Vegas Mayor Whitehead, Vice-President at Sports speaker November 8 will be Diane Leisure Vacations. Additional reports Olsen-Baskin from the Flamingo followed from State Officers including Senior Center. Call Chapter President Jack Harris from our Sparks President Lonnie Strait at 702-256- Chapter, Treasurer Rita Evasovic from 7543, email [email protected] for Bi-Valley, Secretary Paula Petruso from additional information. Henderson and Vice-President Bernard TONOPAH: The TO Chapter meets Paolini from Boulder City, who also chairs November 2 at 2:00 p.m. at the the Membership Committee. Convention Center. A speaker There were also additional reports that is yet to be determined. For followed a Nominating Report from Chair more information please contact Chapter President Kerry Paniagua Claudia Hayden who reported the offices of State Secretary and Treasurer had only at [email protected]. Washoe Chapter Members at RPEN’s Annual Meeting Perralina Palm, Elaine Steiner and Sue Durst. the incumbents seeking re-election, but TWO RIVERS: The TR chapter she said two were seeking the vacant rotates their monthly meetings between Mesquite and Overton Carolyn Goodman. She talked of her Vice-Presidency, HE Chapter President on the third Tuesday of each colorful history with the city alongside month at 10:30 a.m. They’ll be her husband, and former Mayor Oscar at the UNR Ag Center in Overton Goodman. Thursday morning brought November 21. The speaker is Mary another flurry of business activity but Kay Washburn from the Moapa included the always popular Legislative Valley Revitalization Program. Call Panel discussion that this year included Jeanne Crayton 702-397-8241 for three current State Senators along with more information. one current Assemblywoman and one WASHOE: The Washoe Chapter former Assemblyman along with our State meets at 2:00 p.m. November President (See additional details on the Henderson Chapter Members at RPEN’s Annual 13 at the Washoe Senior Center Legislative Panel and other information Meeting at 1155 E. Ninth St. The speaker in Marlene Lockard’s regular column will be Rick Sorensen from TMCC who is charge of the Senior Silver “Legislative Matters” on Page 7). Vicki Cameron and LV Chapter President College. For more information Ruth Kilmer, and following a vote of the please contact Chapter President 53 delegates eligible to vote, Cameron was Elaine Steiner 775-853-4059, or selected to be our next Vice-President and email [email protected]. will take over from Bernard when his 2 year term ends. WHITE PINE: The chapter voted in October to go to an every-other- Thursday night was our annual Awards month meeting schedule and so Banquet where six deserving members their next meeting is December 11 of RPEN were given the prestigious Pat when they celebrate with a holiday Fladager Special Recognition Award. potluck at the Library. For more They included two from our Summerlin contact Chapter President Holly Chapter, who hosted the event this year, Wilson at [email protected]. Barbara Carr and Leslie Phillips; Paul Past State President Hal Keaton and Barbara Carr Brooks from Las Vegas; Pat Norman from from the SU Chapter (Barbara received a Pat Fladager Special Recognition Award that night) continued on page 8

6 The Review • Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • October/November 2017 highlight of the conference. We were fortunate to have participation from RPEN Annual Legislative Matters Senator Joyce Woodhouse, Senator Marlene Lockard, David Parks, Senator Julia Ratti, Meeting RPEN Legislative Advocate Assemblywoman Danielle Monroe-Moreno and former Assemblyman and RPEN past President Glenn Trowbridge. President RPEN attendees at the recent annual Jack Harris wrapped up the panel with his meeting had the opportunity to enjoy overview of the 2017 Session. two stellar presentations. First, Supreme There was a lively discussion from Court Justice James Hardesty provided each representative outlining their the keynote address for our luncheon good work on bills that had a positive on the topic of guardianship reform that impact on RPEN’s membership. Senator emerged from the 2017 legislative session. Woodhouse gave a brief history of the Many of us, hearing him detail the history informal working group that she formed of abuse to unsuspecting seniors, were years ago with Senator Parks and this year, The Summerlin Chapter Registration Team. horrified by what frequently had occurred Assemblywoman Monroe-Moreno. She under the legal oversight of Nevada courts. and the working group have been vigilant Before this needed reform, families were in monitoring and evaluating legislation torn apart and often lost everything to that could affect our pensions and our court appointed guardians who would health care to ensure the fiscal stability of systematically strip all assets and dignity both programs. from families. Fortunately, Justice Senator Ratti recounted her experience Hardesty and others have worked together in successfully navigating SB 384, our to enact reforms and safeguards to prevent privacy bill, through the legislative process these types of abuses in the future. only to have the disappointment of the The Legislative Panel was another Governor’s veto in the end. She pledged highlight of the conference. We were to continue her efforts on our behalf. Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman fortunate to have participation from Senator Parks, who chairs the Senate welcoming RPEN for our Annual Senator Joyce Woodhouse, Senator Government Affairs Committee, described Meeting. David Parks, Senator Julia Ratti, successful efforts to amend a PEBP’s bill, Assemblywoman Danielle Monroe-Moreno SB 502, into a bill which RPEN could and former Assemblyman and RPEN past enthusiastically support. While initially President Glenn Trowbridge. President opposing this bill, the amendments crafted Jack Harris wrapped up the panel with his turned it into a positive piece of legislation overview of the 2017 Session. that benefitted our members. RPEN attendees at the recent annual The panel discussion then turned to meeting had the opportunity to enjoy the recall movement of three southern two stellar presentations. First, Supreme Nevada Senators; Woodhouse, Nicole Court Justice James Hardesty provided Cannizarro and . These the keynote address for our luncheon recalls have targeted three female on the topic of guardianship reform that legislators for no stated purpose and are Nevada State Supreme Justice emerged from the 2017 legislative session. James Hardesty addressing RPEN employing questionable ethical tactics. A at our Annual Meeting. Many of us, hearing him detail the history lawsuit was filed to challenge this recall of abuse to unsuspecting seniors, were movement indicating it does not benefit horrified by what frequently had occurred Nevada voters. It is very important for under the legal oversight of Nevada courts. our members to DECLINE TO SIGN when Before this needed reform, families were these unscrupulous petition gatherers torn apart and often lost everything to knock on your door. Please spread the court appointed guardians who would word with friends and family to support systematically strip all assets and dignity these legislators who have worked hard from families. Fortunately, Justice on our behalf. Nevadans should question Hardesty and others have worked together the motives of those who are attempting to enact reforms and safeguards to prevent Millie Fitzsimons received a Pat to undermine our election process and Fladager Special Recognition Award these types of abuses in the future. impose a costly and unnecessary special during an October 21 meeting of The Legislative Panel was another election to Nevada residents. n ML the Lincoln Chapter.

The Review • Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • October/November 2017 7 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Carson City, NV Permit No. 145

P.O. Box 2211 • Carson City, NV 89702

2017 Annual Meeting Rated Best Ever by Attendees

Fernley; Claudia Hayden from Bi-Valley; Friday saw the close of our meeting and JoAnn Labrosky from Henderson. A with a memorial tribute from the Las sixth one was awarded to Millie Fitzimons Vegas Chapter honoring all members we of the LI Chapter. She was unable to lost throughout the year. And prior to attend the SU meeting so we presented closing the meeting Friday morning, her award during an Oct. 21 meeting of September 22, Jack Harris officially passed the Lincoln Chapter. Another highlight the President’s gavel to Bernard Paolini that night included our fourth recipient of and soon after Jack was presented with RPEN’s Lifetime Achievement Award that his Past State President’s name badge went to Miss Kitty Hays from the White from another Past State President, Glenn Pine Chapter. Miss Kitty joined RPEN over Trowbridge, as he leaves RPEN’s Executive Paula Petruso (HE Chapter) and thirty years ago and has served nearly Committee and Jack takes over as Past Leslie Phillips from SU Chapter every office in her chapter and works State President. (Leslie also received a Pat Fladager tirelessly for the good of this organization. The Summerlin Chapter exceeded Special Recognition Award that night) RPEN congratulates each and every award everyone’s expectations with this year’s recipient, annual meeting, and set the bar very high and we thank for our 2018 Annual Meeting that will be them for their hosted jointly next year by our Washoe continued and Sparks Chapters at The Nugget in dedication Sparks. The date for the 2018 meeting is to this September 18-21. n TL organization!

Our Legislative Panel includes Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, Senator Julia Ratti, Senator David Parks, Senator Joyce Woodhouse, former Assemblyman Glenn Trowbridge, Moderator/RPEN Legislative Advocate Marlene Lockard and State President Jack Harris.

8 The Review • Volume XXVIII • Number 5 • October/November 2017