Fifteen members met at the Commission on Aging for the bi-monthly meeting of the Fayette/Madison County Public Employee Retirees Inc. on Sept. 27.
President Sylvia Hildreth called the meeting to order and asked everyone to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance. She introduced Becky Howard, representative from the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Program (OSHIP). Howard reminded everyone that this is the time of year for open enrollment. If you are happy with your health insurance then you don’t have to change it. Regardless, you should compare your RX coverage with other insurance to see if there has been any change in costs that would save you money.
Cheryl Stockwell and Lori Bach of the Fayette County Commission on Aging are volunteers with OSHIP and are available for appointments to help seniors choose the correct RX coverage. A person comfortable on the computer can also go to medicare.gov and figure the coverage on their own.
Hildreth called the business meeting to order. Jeanne Immell gave the secretary’s report. Treasurer Connie Watson gave the treasurer’s report. The reports were accepted as given.
Jim Essman, legislative chair, spoke concerning farm real estate taxes and the difference between farm land and home taxes.
Sylvia gave the president’s report. She had received a letter from Jeff Hedrick regarding OPERI members speaking at OPERS board meetings representing OPERI. Individual members cannot speak representing OPERS, only as individuals.
Hildreth also informed the group that 72,000 people had responded to the question concerning lowering the COLA. Seventy percent of the respondents voted against the changes.
The president mentioned that Joe Slagle has used his time serving as vice president. Each officer is allowed six years unless he is grandfathered in. Immell volunteered as nominating committee to get another volunteer and they will find someone to run for vice president and treasurer.
It is time to pay the center for the kind use of the room for our meetings. Essman suggested doing it now. It was passed.
The next meeting will be Nov. 29 after Thanksgiving.
