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In March, the 125-member NJEA PAC Operating Committee voted unanimously to endorse Sen. Bar-bara Buono for governor. The PAC Operating Committee is composed of members from every county as well as representatives from retired members and higher education constituencies.
The day after receiving the formal endorsement, Buono at-tended the NJEA Delegate Assem-bly meeting to thank personally NJEA and its members for the early endorsement of her candida-cy for governor.
Buono said the endorsement was important to her on a “very personal level.” She said that it represented a validation of the role education has played in her life. She shared her own story explaining her modest background and how she eventually put herself through Montclair State College and Rutgers Law School, despite her low income.
“The point of my story is that I had opportunities back then,” Buono explained. “Those oppor-tunities simply aren’t there now, and that is why I’m running for governor of the state of New Jer-sey.”
NJEA endorses Buono for governor
VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1
Fall 2013
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 1
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
NJEA Endorses Buono…….1
NEA-RA Convention.…..….2
Fall Meeting Info…...….....2
Luncheon coupon……........3
Financial Workshop.....…..4
New Retirees...…........Insert
Save These Dates
The ACREA will hold its
business meetings and
luncheons on
these Tuesdays:
October 1, 2013
December 3, 2013
May 13, 2014
Information regarding
locations will be on
Atlanticrea.
wordpress.com
NJREA Convention
Trump Taj Mahal
Atlantic City
Nov. 6 and 7
Both candidates screened
Both Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Buono participated in the screening process in a bid to earn NJEA’s endorsement. The candi-dates each had a one hour inter-view with a screening committee, giving the NJEA PAC Operating Committee an unfiltered view of both Christie’s and Buono’s pri-orities.
“We genuinely appreciated Gov. Christie’s willingness to participate in a candid and thoughtful conversation with our screening committee,” said NJEA
President Barbara Keshishian. It was one of the very few times in three years that the governor interacted in person with NJEA.
Issues that matter to New Jersey
NJEA/NJREA members, like all New Jersey residents, have a lot at stake in this election. The next governor will make critical deci-sions about education policy and school funding that will determine the future of our public schools. The next governor will also have to contend with the important issues facing New Jersey’s middle and working class residents. Here are ten reasons why Sen. Barbara Buo-no is the right candidate for the job: 1. Fought in the Senate against
Gov. Christie’s cuts to school funding.
2. Committed to lowering the cost of health insurance and expanding coverage to more New Jersey families.
3. Fought to lower property taxes by asking the wealthy to pay their fair share.
4. Supports making higher edu-cation funding a priority.
5. Supports increasing the mini-mum wage and making sure it keeps up with inflation.
6. Strong defender of collective bargaining rights for school employees, police officers and firefighters.
7. Believes school employees—past and present—should be supported, not attacked.
8. Committed to making New Jersey a leader in green ener-gy production and use.
9. Determined to restore fund-ing for women’s health and family planning.
10. Supports tough, smart gun-safety laws to reduce gun violence and protect our chil-dren.
It’s not too late to join Garden State Forward
On issue after issue, Sen. Buono is right in line with the values and pri-orities of NJEA/NJREA members and, with our support, she will win in November.
NJREA urges its members to join the campaign to get New Jersey mov-ing forward again. For more information, visit Garden State Forward at www.gardenstateforward.com. By visiting this website, you can pledge to vote for Barbara Buono and make a difference for yourself, your fami-ly, and New Jersey’s future.
Barbara Buono
In Memoriam
We remember and pray
for our friends and
colleagues:
Elsa Garfield
Susan Farrell
Floretta Sutton-Logan
Atlantic County was well represented at the NEA-R & RA conventions June 27-July 6
by Pat Provnick, NJREA 1st vice president, Karen Clark, ACREA membership chair,
and Roger Baker, ACREA president.
Retirees debate national education issues
The National Education Association Rep-
resentative Assembly (NEA-RA) in Atlan-
ta, GA was very busy. We read, debated
and voted on 4 Constitutional Amend-
ments, 3 By-Law Amendments, 9 Stand-
ing Rules, 17 Legislative Amendments, 9
Resolutions Amendments, and 95 New
Business items. A typical day at the RA
began at 7 AM and ended when all of the
items on that day’s agenda were complet-
ed, usually around 6 PM. In the evening,
if you are not too tired from the day, you
have free time to enjoy the local night life.
Nationally, teachers are all concerned
about many of the same issues: Core Cur-
riculum Content Standards, the political
climate in their respective states, the loss
of bargaining rights, tying teacher evalua-
tions to student test scores, Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Rights, Special
Education legislation and the de-
emphasizing of the Arts and Physical Edu-
cation as important school curriculum. In
addition, several new business items dealt
with cost cutting measures that would
help to keep NEA costs down, thus also
keeping dues from increasing.
keeping dues from increasing.
Interspersed with the issues, we were
privileged to hear the keynote speech
from Dennis Van Roekel, NEA presi-
dent, and speeches from the National
Teacher of the Year, Jeff Charbonneau,
as well as the National ESP of the Year,
Donna Schulze. Of course, there are
reports to hear, campaign speeches from
those seeking offices, and our annual
July 4th celebration. Approximately 600
retirees and actives from New Jersey did
take some time to support the various
non-profit caucuses by visiting booths
where various items are sold to raise
funds for education initiatives.
If you would like to see the full ac-
counting of the work we accomplished
during the NEA-RA, a copy of the RA
Today newspaper which shows you all of
the items voted on, what the outcomes
were and includes excerpts of the key-
note speeches will be available for you to
peruse at the sign-in table at our Octo-
ber meeting.
Karen Clark
Fall meeting set for
Oct.1 at Greate Bay The gubernatorial, US senate, and NJ leg-
islative elections and their impact on pub-
lic employees will be the main focus of the
fall business meeting of the ACREA. Beth
Buonsante, NJEA associate director in
government relations, will give us an up-
date on issues to consider prior to voting
on Tuesday, November 5.
In addition, Gene Sharp, a former At-
lantic County Uniserv field representative,
will discuss the Heathcare Assistance or-
ganization, a service which provides assis-
tance and often job protection to individu-
als with substance abuse or other behav-
ioral problems.
“Whether we want to omit it or not,
we all know a friend, family member, or
neighbor, struggling with personal prob-
lems, who may benefit from HCAM’s
assistance,” said Roger Baker.
The agenda will also include the instal-
lation of Gene McCann as vice-president,
and Roberta “Bobbie” Gorman as record-
ing secretary. Most importantly, new re-
tirees will be recognized and welcomed
into the ACREA.
The 11 AM business meeting will be
followed by lunch. Use the coupon on
page 3 to make your reservation.
Business Meeting and Luncheon Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Greate Bay Country Club Somers Point, NJ
Business Meeting: 11AM
Keynote speaker : Beth Buonsante, NJEA Associate Director of
Government Relations
Gene Sharp, former NJEA UniServ field rep
Luncheon Served at 1PM
Luncheon Choices: Herb-Crusted North Atlantic Salmon
or Chicken Picatta in White Wine and Lemon Butter Sauce
Oven Roasted Potatoes, Baby Carrots & Green Beans, Tea, Coffee, Iced Tea
Apple Cobbler & Vanilla Ice Cream
Cost: $25 per person, includes gratuity
Reservations: Your response must be received by Friday, September 20, 2013.
Please make your check payable to ACREA and send to:
Pat Royal, 2310 Shepherd Dr., Northfield, NJ 08225 Phone: 609-646-4071
Name ___________________________________________________________________Phone _________________________________________________
Name of Guest ________________________________________________________Your E-mail_____________________________________________
Member’s Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*_______ Check if you are a new retiree!
Luncheon Choice: __________ Atlantic Salmon __________ Chicken Picatta
Linda Young
706 Blenheim Ave.
Absecon, NJ 08201
Proud member:
Atlantic County Retired Educators Association
ACREA Officers, Chairs
2013-2014
Roger Baker – President
Gene McCann– Vice President
Bobbie Gorman Recording Secretary
Bob Kickish – Treasurer
Linda Young Corresponding Secretary
Karen Clark – Membership Chair
Natalie Fisher , Linda Wallace Government Relations
Joanne Peek Newsletter, Membership
Carol Romano - Publicity
Susan Camp - Member Benefits
Patricia Beebe - Constitution
Dennis Yob - Webmaster
Jim Goldsmith - Audit, Budget
Jerry Hoenes - Parliamentarian
Pat Royal - Events
Roberta Woessner — Elections
Judy Perkins - Past President
Contact us: : [email protected]
Visit us: Atlanticrea.wordpress.com
Security Benefit, NEA sponsored financial planners, will hold a workshop for
ACREA members. The workshop is designed for retirees interested in learn-
ing how to manage 403b assets. The workshop will address:
Options for using 403b funds in retirement.
How not to outlive your funds.
Tax implications for you and your family.
The workshop is scheduled for:
Wednesday, October. 16
Location: ACCEA Office, 842 Philadelphia Ave., Egg Harbor City
Time: 12 Noon - 2 PM
Contact: Peri Pantazes@609-226-9733 or [email protected] OR
Sign-up at our fall luncheon on October 1.
Registration is required and is limited to 50 people on a first come basis.
Light refreshments will be served. A $5 dollar donation will be collected at
the door for the ACCEA scholarship fund.
Financial 403b workshop planned this fall
Absecon
Carol Phillips
Atlantic-Cape Com. College
Gerri Black
Myra Caplan
Thomas Celandine
Thomas Clark
Rosemarie Conaghy
Ronnie Devine
Nicholas Donato
Frank Eastlack
Angel Equaras
Nicholas Ganaway
Ann McClaskey
Gail Mischlich
John Mohr
Nicasio Rabino
Regina Skinner
Jo-Ann Volpe
Atlantic City
Karen Bailey
Eileen Belson
Raina Clark
Donna Clinton
Bryan Feinberg
Edmond Grimes
Pamela Johnston
Barbara Kichline
Afton Koontz
Marianne MacDonald
John Mazzocca
William Moffitt
Gloria Jean Pettiford
Maxine Poindexter
Michael Ramsey
Daryl Robinson
Thomas Spencer
Gloria Sutton
Gladys Torres
Rosalia Valenti
William Zoda
Atlantic County IT
Rich Moder
Atlantic County SS
Barbara Allen
Diane Coughlin
Carol Curcione
Carol Goldinher
Ralph Jiannotti
Andrew Klain
Derek Nye
C. Aileen Privitera
Bonnie Steiner
Christine Weiss
Diane Woods
Brigantine
Nathan Goldinher
Buena
James Commander
Maryann Conkright
George Maxwell
Cheryl Mitchell
Deborah Maull
Dominic Panico
Judith Sacco
Jane Walsh
Wesley Myers
Egg Harbor City
Winifred Blankenship
Ina Duran
Egg Harbor Twp
Juan Ayala
Larry Camp
Kathleen Carlucci
Alisa Cooper
Gwendolyn Elliot-Simmons
Linda Gisondi
Gary Hafemeister
William Hooven
Ronald Kashon
Carolyn Ogelsby
Stephen Pappas
William Sauerwald
Marie Scully
Marilyn Sussman
Paula Sykes
Donna Torres-Munyon
Diana Travis
Elaine Witkoskie
Estelle Manor
Elissa Campanella
Maureen Corbett
Folsom
Anita Hoffman
Lee Ruggiero
141 New 2013 Retirees
Nathan Goldinher (right) taught math
for 43 years in Brigantine and is con-
gratulated by Roger Baker, ACREA pres-
ident.
The Atlantic County Council of Education
Associations held their annual Retirement
Brunch on Sunday, June 2, at Greate Bay
Country Club. Wendell Steinhauer, NJEA
vice-president, thanked the teachers and
support staff for their service to their stu-
dents and local communities and wished
them happiness and good health.
Galloway
Cynthia Ambrose
Carol Argenti
Carol Banks
Joy Booye
Rebecca Byrne
David Evans
Susan Ferguson
Julie Fields
Kimberly Gollub
Theodore House
Priscilla Muller
Barbara Murphy
Judith Pine
Janet Siano
Greater Egg Harbor Re-
gional
Ed Ablett
Sandra Baird
Charles Bass
MaryLou Bouchard
Linda Gronlund
EJ Johnson
Virgina Kimpton
Denise Price
Arlene Roller
Paul Seyler and Ned Toal
Hamilton Township
Carol Bennett
Louise Dalbora
Kathleen Magee
Maureen Maxwell
Lisa McLeod
Rosalie Petrunis
Rosemarie Rhine
Lee Ann Ryder
Linwood
Michele Yakopcic
Mainland
Robert Martin
Gaye Pessolano
John Rakowski
Mullica
Beverly A. Coperthwaite
Rosemary Cowley
Sara Goldberg
Regina G. Strawn
Northfield
Genevieve Duran
Sharon McDermott
Virginia Smallwood
Pleasantville
Barbara Chadwick
Susan Chiginsky
Annie Fraser
Dianna Hughes
Deborah Lamb
Naamah Leary
John Lilly
Annamaria Milhous
Ventnor
Frank Cerullo
Denise Madonna
Grace Ricciotti
Weymouth
Lois DeLeeuw
Barbara Kenny
More 2013 Retirees
Steve Bouchard congratulates his
wife Mary Lou on her retirement.
Helen Turner, Atlantic
County’s oldest retiree
Helen Turner celebrated her 106th
birthday with friend and former Mar-
gate teaching colleague Betty Shearer.
On April 1, Helen Turner reflected on her birthday and 38-years of teaching in the Margate district.
“My first annual salary was $1000,
but when I retired from Margate in
1972, I was earning about $13,000,”
said Turner. “It was a terrific job —
great staff and students!’
Indeed, Turner left a lasting im-
pression. When one of her former
students read in a local newspaper
about her birthday celebration, he
did what is expected: he “crashed
her party” and offered his favorite
elementary school teacher a big, red
apple!