September-October, 2014
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ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED SEATTLE CITY EMPLOYEES Non-Profit Organization For: Active & Retired Seattle City Employees U.S. Postage P.O. Box 75385, WA 98175-0385 PAID Seattle, WA ARSCE Website: www.arsce.org Permit No. 1100 News Serving you since 1973 Pronounced “R-See” September/October, 2014 Active & Retired Seattle City Employees Volume 42, No. 2 Celebrating Labor Day ~ September 1st OUR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE YOUR PENSION By John Masterjohn NEWS By Lou Walter, Retired Employee, s I sat writing this column, Seattle was going Member of the Seattle City through one of its hottest weeks in a very long Employees’ Retirement System A time. From the sounds of the weather broadcaster, we were headed for another hot week. So, I hope you all took care to stay out of the sun, drank lots of water, and Labor Day — a Time to Enjoy and Reflect just enjoyed the good weather. Well talk about heat, we had just been over at Alta Lake I’ve spent a lot of time lately, discussing and being critical State Park where it was between 99 and 102 degrees all of political and business interest attacks on Defined Benefit four days we were there. That was followed by even hotter pension plans, Public Employees, and their Unions. Today, days because the Park was close to two major fires – we got I would like to focus on wishing everyone a happy and out of there just in time! Due to the fires, they had to enjoyable Labor Day Holiday. close Highway 2, just when westbound I-90 had 3 lanes Labor Day was promoted in the 1880s by the Central closed. Well enough about us and what we did for part of Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, who organized the the summer. first parade in New York City in 1882. President Grover I met with Ken Nakatsu in June and he explained that Cleveland established Labor Day as an official holiday in the Seattle City Employees’ Retirement System (SCERS) was September of 1887. Following the deaths of workers at going to propose revisions to the SMC (Seattle Municipal the hands of the US Military and Marshals during the Code) that defines the retirement provisions for all City Pullman Strike in the summer of 1894, the United States employees. They want to clean up the language that no Congress unanimously voted to make Labor Day a national longer pertains to any active members, and reorganize holiday; President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law sections that are now all over the place so that information six days after the end of the Pullman Strike. relating to the same subject will be located together. These The Labor Day Parade was an expression of the public changes will have no effect on any former, current, or future support for the strength and “esprit de corps” of the member benefits, but will result in a code that is easier to American trade labor movement and understand. In a separate draft ordinance, they will also its organizations. The Sunday before be simplifying and clarifying the code for calculating Final Labor Day was dedicated to the Average Salary and Service Credit. The effect of these spiritual and educational emphasis changes will be “de minimis” (a dollar or two per month of the Trade Labor movement, and each way for future retirees) and will enable much more became known as Labor Sunday. accurate and more timely provision of service to employees. Today, Labor Day has become the Ken shared all the draft legislation with me and with celebration, by most Americans, as Barbara Graham, ARSCE (Active & Retired Seattle City the end of summer, concerned by Employees) Vice President. The labor coalition has also some as the last day to wear white reviewed the draft legislation which has been transmitted for women or seersucker for men. In to the City Council. It will likely be considered in September. US sports it’s the start of football — the NFL and NCAA For all of you who are reading this column and are college teams. Additionally, it signals the beginning of school still working for the City, this is one of the ways we at and the resumption of classes. ARSCE can help represent your views. As you know, we have changed the ARSCE rules so that all of you, both continued on page 2 active and retired employees, can become members. It costs a mere $12.00 per year. We will not be holding a Fall Luncheon in September Inside this Issue this year. However, we want to remind you to attend our big celebration in December — more on that in the next Page 5 – The Film Guy issue of ARSCE News. Page 6 – The Computer Guru Your President, Page 10 – The Duffer’s Corner John Masterjohn Page 11 – Mark Your Calendar! Page 12 – ARSCE Summer BBQ Photos Contact Mr. Masterjohn at [email protected] Page 2 — ARSCE NEWS — September/October, 2014 Labor Day...continued from page 1 No matter the reason for celebration, it’s important that we take a moment to enjoy the fruits of our labors as working men and women in America. To take this time to enjoy being with our family and friends. And, hopefully to reflect on the sacrifices that were made by earlier working men and women in America — that made this day possible. Its purpose is a creation of the America labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Labor Day constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well- being of our country. Included in that are strong pensions Fall Begins Tuesday, that allow workers to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and September 23rd retirement after a lifetime of labor. The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production output the Essential Telephone Numbers world has ever known, and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and And Web Addresses political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much ARSCE: 206.992.7311 of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership…the (Change of Address/Membership Questions) American worker. E-mail: [email protected] Resource: USDOL History of Labor Day Website: www.arsce.org Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens: 206.684.0500 Without labor (Information on available programs/services) “““nothing prospers. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.seattle.gov/seniors ~ Sophocles Personnel Department: 206.615.1340 Ancient Greek ””playwright” (Benefits) E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.seattle.gov/Personnel/ Retirement Office: 206.386.1293 or 1.877.865.0079 Send ARSCE Your News, (Retirement Checks/Health & Dental Benefits/General Short Stories & Poems Questions/Change of Address/Tax Withholding) E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.seattle.gov/retirement Statement of Ownership And Management 1) Owner and Publisher: Active & Retired Seattle City Employees Address: P.O. Box 75385 You can send your information to: Seattle, WA 98175-0385 2) Title of Publication: ARSCE News ARSCE News 3) Frequency of issues: Six (6) issues each year. 4) John Masterjohn, President P.O. Box 75385, Seattle, WA 98175-0385 Barbara Graham, Vice President Joanne Kinsella, Recording Secretary Or email your news and information to Pam Baer, Financial Secretary Elizabeth Paschke, Treasurer [email protected] Lee Sattler, Editor 5) Bondholders, Mortgages, and Security Holders: None 6) The Association of Retired Seattle City Employees, d/b/a Active & Retired Seattle City Employees (ARSCE), is a non-profit organization for educational purposes according to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. NEXT NEWS DEADLINE: Contributions are tax-deductible. September 23rd, 2014 ARSCE dues are $12.00 each year from July 1st through June 30th. Opinions stated by various writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policy of ARSCE. (All submittals become the property of ARSCE.) Contact us at www.arsce.org Or telephone us at 206.992.7311 ARSCE NEWS — September/October 2014 — Page 3 Fellowship All Over Town Engineers’ Luncheon: Retired City and County Engineering people meet for lunch quarterly. Call Barbara Graham @ 206.525.7859; or Ted Ormbrek @ 206.522.7867; or Joe Curulla @ 425.643.0309; or Sharon Howell @ 206.363.1909 for information. City Light Line Crews & Friends Breakfast: This group meets at Shay’s Restaurant, 15744 Aurora Ave. North, near 160th on the East side of Aurora, on the first Thursday of the month at 8:00AM. Call Bud Eickstadt at 206.362.8336 The View from the Buses for information. By Paul Pioli RCLEA (Retired City Light Employees’ Association) Lunches: If you retired from City Light, you should be receiving the Newsletter sent out at regular intervals which lists the dates th On May 29 Pete Cameron sent out good news. He and locations of the informal luncheons and the more formal was bringing his wife Anne home from the skilled nursing fall and spring luncheons. For information contact Frank dos facility in Florence, OR. They gave her a last balance test Remedios at 206.363.1938 or go to www.rclea.net and cleared her. The doctors still want her to use a cane for a short while. Pete wishes to thank everyone for the Retired Range Service Employees meet at the Blue Star prayers, well wishes, cards, and flowers. They meant so Restaurant, 4512 Stone Way North, Seattle, at 12 Noon on the much to Anne. second Wednesday of each month. Seattle Transit Breakfast (North End): The annual BBQ was very successful and we had 75 Seattle Transit Breakfast (North End): This group meets at to 80 attending.