A Great Holiday Celebration

BFSRA celebrates the holidays in November because we do not have a luncheon in December.  We had 127 members join us this month for a Great Luncheon.

To celebrate Thanksgiving, we enjoy a turkey plate with mashed 'taters and gravy, green beans, some nice rolls with butter, and an annual favorite of mine - cranberry sauce. Mmmmmm, good!

And for our Christmas celebration,  members bring a small token of joy for some of the needy children in our community; and we enjoy Christmas music together.

In past years, our musical director, Don Parks, has brought sheet music and we have had fun sing-alongs; but this year . . . Steve Haberman and Mary Lou Gnoza provided a playlist of beautifully delivered carols . . . Can I say, "WOW."

I was so impressed, I tried to do a small, and very amateurish, video.  You can click here to see it.  

Here are a few other randoms shots taken:

Thank you to President, Helen Bakshas, and Program Chair, Dottie Stevens, for putting together such a great event!!

Tri-Cities's Finest: Our Police Chiefs

The program this month featured the Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, Police Chiefs:  Ken Hohenberg, Kennewick; Bob Metzger, Pasco; and Chris Skinner, Richland.  Chief Metzger was not able to attend; in his place Captain Ken Roske presented.

While outlining some of the difficult areas of crime, they also shared our area is one of the least crime-ridden in the state, and even - the nation.  Each mentioned how well the three agencies, along with the Benton and Franklin County Sheriffs, and the West Richland and Prosser agencies, work in close collaboration to keep our communities safe. All three maintain an informative web presence and interactive Facebook page.

Surprisingly, one of our highest crime activities is human trafficking. Chief Skinner, RPD, reported though as we travel about the tri-cities we see very little evidence of the underbelly of the 'seedy' side of crime; there is a robust degree of human-trafficking here. "There is an astonishing number of ongoing investigations....don't ever underestimate the amount of this that is going on."

Capt. Ken Roske, PPD, spoke primarily to the response by the department to the negativity unleashed recently in the community.  The crime rate has significantly decreased in large part due to the many efforts to improve community outreach.

Chief Ken Hohenberg, KPD, reported the crime rate in the Tri-Cities is lower than both state and national averages. That being the case, he also shared that this area is a major drug distribution center on the road from production to delivery. "We are in the business of removing some very high-level dealers from the streets," he said, then added that ATF is involved in many of those cases.

Chief Hohenberg also reiterated the importance of education in any community.  "Our challenges are similar," he said, quoting school safety, building safety, and the teaching of safety as the first order of priorities.

All would agree with Chief Hohenberg, in this day and age, "if you see something that doesn't look right," give 'em a call!

Thanks to V.P./Program Chair, Dottie Stevens for another great program.

Candidates' Debate: 2016

L to R:  Rep. Terry Nealey, Senator Mark Schoesler, Steve Simmons, Mary Dye, Rick Jansons,
Gary Downing, Rebecca Francik, Rep. Larry Haler, Rep. Brad Klippert.
Not Shown: Senator Sharon Brown, Jennifer Goulet, Bill Jenkin

BFSRA hosted its most recent Candidates' Debate at its Septermber luncheon, September 26th. In attendance were representatives and senators representing each of the three different legislative districts (the 8th, the 9th and the 16th) found in the Benton/Franklin counties. Following you will find a comment or two made by each: 

District 8, position 1: Challenger, Rick Jansons - President of the Richland School Board. "I will not vote for things that take away what has been promised." 

District 8, position 1: Incumbent, Brad Klippert - Regarding maintaining PERS 2 & TERS 2 retirement plans for futures school employees, Klippert said, "We can't make promises here, it depends on future legislative sessions." 

District 8, position 2: Incumbent, Larry Haler - "You should not have to sacrifice your healthcare to suuport our (the legislature's) budget." Regarding maintaining PERS 2 & TERS 2, "Options are being considered in the legislature." 

District 8, position 2: Challenger, Steve Simmons - "I can be very supportive of all your issues. We need to support and show appreciation of teachers, and we need to hire good teachers."

District 9, position 1:  Mary Dye - "We (the legislature) made a commitment and we need to find meaningful ways to meet those commitments." 

District 9, position 1:  Jennifer Goulet - not present.

District 9, position 2: Joe Schmick - runs unopposed, was not present.

District 9, Senator: Mark Schloesser - "I am the only person in the room who can be held accountable for the m ost complicated pension system in the U.S." "The merger of LOEF 1 and PERS I would free 3 Million/biennieum for legislative priorities, LOEF 1 members would receive cash payouts, 50 Million more wold flow into local school districts, PERS 1 would recieve 100% funding in two years, and the COLA could then be returned." Later he commented, "Don't promise anyting you can't deliver on." 

District 16, position 1: Challenger, Rebecca Frankcik - active teacher.  "The legislature should honor pension obligations without reducing other state funded programs." 

District 16, position 1: Incumbent, Bill Jenkin - not in attendance. His report delivered by Susan Webber.  "The teacher's pension system should not serve as the 'piggy bank' when state needs funding for other programs." 

District 16, position 2: Challenger, Gary Downing - "Everyone one of these issues are my issues. I will work for you. If the legislature had done its job they wouldn't be offering excuses today."

District 16, position 2: Incumbent, Terry Nealy - "You have my support, but when it comes right down to voting, it gets difficult. We make sure you don't go backwards. The COLA will be difficult this year. PERS 2/TERS 2 - we have to take a hard look at it. If we can find a way to save money we have to do that." 

Kudos to BFSRA President Helen Bakshas and Legislative Committee, Jim and A.J. Foster, and Elaine Banks for a well presented debate.

   

   

    

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to BFSRA's 2016-2017 year!!  Celebrating the opening of this new year today we began as we always do, with an indoor picnic (you just can't predict the weather) with music and socializing as we met up with friends from previous years, and a few new ones. The music was provided by, "Vickie and the Boys," who played some of older western standards; while the menu included pulled pork or hot dog or mixed salad with a brownie.

We heard from Jan Fraley regarding the SHAKE Program; Denny Brown, who is looking for mentors to work with young teachers (for a nice stipend); and from Todd Kenning with the MORE Project.

A great time was had by all.

"A Celebration of Life"

Outgoing vice-president/program chair, Helen Bakshas, put together a very moving "Celebration of Life" at the May Luncheon designed to remember, and celebrate, the lives of those members who we lost this year:   

Ardra E. Barbee, Louise O. Black, Glendine W. Boston, George A. Clark, Arthur B. Finke, Walter W. Grisham, Jill A. Hilmer, Darlene La Borde, Inez Miller, Helen K. Nash, Clyde L. Painter, Laurel R. Piippo, Alice Shaw, Ralhp P/ Stredwick, Ariden M. Vie, and Nellie A. Whetsler.

All will be sorely missed and long remembered by not only loved ones, family, and colleagues, but also the many students they taught and served throughout all those years. 

The program included a Prelude by LaVonne Johnson; "Borning Cry" sung by Helen Bakshas; "His Eye is on the Sparrow" sung by Vickie Bowles; "On Eagle's Wings" sung by Lindy Anderson; "When Peasce Like a River," sung by LaVonne Johnson, and "Amazing Grace" sung by all with accompaniment on the trumpet by Vickie Bowles. 

Names were read and member placed roses in a single vase. 

A touching celebration; thank you, Helen. 

Installation of Officers for 2016 - 2017

Meet your new officers for the upcoming year, and installing officer, WSSRA President, Bill Bergsma.  

If you see some familiar faces, you shouldn't be surprised. Lew and Marlys have held their offices for many years and continue to carry out their responsibilities in high fashion. Helen and Dottie have simply traded places, Dottie was president for 2015-2016, Helen was Vice-President/Program Chair.  We doubt this has happened very many times in the history of BFSRA, but we have no reservations about the year they are already putting together for 2016 - 2017. 

They are, L to R:  Lew Eming, Secretary; Marlys Mayer, Treasurer; Bill Bergsma, Helen Bakshas, President; and Dottie Stevens, Vice-President/Program Chair.

WSSRA President, Bill Bergsma, Visits BFSRA

Washington State School Retirees Association president, Bill Bergsma, visited BFSRA today.

He gave us an update on his experiences in that role; even commenting that BFSRA was, "the largest luncheon I have attended this year."

Bill also shared how rewarding it has been this past year working with the our new Executive Director, Michael Boring (who visited last month).

President Bergsma also installed our new officers for the 2016 - 2017 year.

Thank  you, President Bergsma. We  enjoyed having you with us today.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Curtis Horne

Dr. Curtis Horne and wife, Carolyn.

We were honored hear from Dr. Curtis Horne at the April luncheon. We heard him speak at the state convention in Wenatchee last summer and invited him to join us this month.

Dr. Horne graduated from lake Stevens High School.  He went on to earn a BA degree from Western Washington College of Education, an MA degree from Central Washington University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Idaho.

He taught elementary grades in Skagit County and in the secondary school in Pacific County. He has served vice principal and has held several central office positions including superintendent of schools; he served as a member of the board of directors and state president of the Washington Association of School Administrators. He lives in Port Angeles with his wife Carolyn.

Dr. Horne shared with us a briefing of some research he conducted into the life of organizations: how they start, how they grow, and how they end. The important factor in any organization, he said, was how that organization meets the needs of its constituents.  As long as their demands are being met the organization will grow and prosper, if not, they will experience decline. Examples he gave were some of the fraternal organizations that are no longer the driving forces they once were; specifically, the Masons, the Elks, Moose and others; many churches are experiencing the same decline.

Dr. Horne applied those concepts to WSSRA. What are the demands of the members? They are twofold: 1) We want our pensions protected, and 2) We enjoy the opportunity for social interactions.

WSSRA works diligently to protect not only our (retired members) pensions, but also those retirees of the future, the actives. He strongly advocated that each of us know our 3 legislators (we each have 3). They are "regular folks" like the rest of us, so shake hands with them at the fairs, at the town-hall meetings, and invite them to the luncheons (we do, and they are already scheduled for next fall to join us). Ask them if they believe the legislature should keep its promises, let them know your concern is that in regards to the TRS1 and PERS1, they have not. Stay in contact with them.

We know from personal interviews with them, they prefer emails. Many have told us they come right into their cell phones, and that the input they receive from their constituents is vital to their work.

Social Interaction:  Interesting Dr. Horne brought that up, there has been some discussion amongst a few of the board members about BFSRA organizing a few social activites outside the usual monthly luncheon fare. Anyone interested in a wine tour?

Thanks to Dr. Horne for sharing his insights and wisdom.

 

Scholarship Winners Announced at April Luncheon:

At our April luncheon were introduced to our Scholarship winners from both our region, E-8 (Benton/Franklin, Walla Walla, Asotin/Dayton), and our own BFSRA winners who are students in the School of Education at WSU-TriCities.

First, the Scholarship Winners:

This year, for the first time, BFSRA is awarding its 3 scholarships to students enrolled in the School of Education at WSU:TriCities. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000 and we proud to announce the winners from L to R: Kylee Chiesa, will graduate in 2017 with a degree in Special Education, she is a graduate of Southridge High School; David Isley, will also graduate in 2017 and will work in the primary grades, he graduated from Chiawana High School;  and David Ryther, who will graduate this year and plans to tech middle school math, he graduated from Kennewick High School.  

Congratulations to each!!!

L to R: Kylee Chiesa, David Isley, David Ryther.

We are also proud to announce all three winners from WSSRA-Region 8 (Benton/Franklin, Walla Walla, and Asotin/Dayton) are from our TriCity area. They are, from left to right: Madalyn Jacobs (Connell High School), Kaitlin Rosenthal (Richland High School), and Trevor Roberts, (Kamaikin High School).

Madalyn and Kaitlin, recipients of the Robert J. Handy Scholarship will receive $900/year for up to 4 years. Trevor receives the WSSSRA-Foundation Scholarhsip, a one-time grant of $1,500.  

Congratulations to each!!! 

L to R: Madalyn Jacobs, Kaitlin Rosenthal, and Trevor Roberts. 

Dr. Michael Boring, WSSRA Executive Director, Visits BFSRA

L to R:  President, Dottie Stevens; WSSRA Executive Director, Dr. Mike Boring;
Sharon Boring; Vice President/Program Chair, Helen Bakshas 

Vice-President/Program Chair, Helen Bakshas, introduced Dr. Michael Boring, Executive Director, WSSRA, and his wife Sharon, at the luncheon today. Dr. Boring and his wife grew up small town Lewis County; he from Rochester, she from Little Rock, Wa. They met in high school and have been married 54 years this coming June. They have three sons; one is the principal at Corvallis High School in Oregon.

Dr. Boring reported the legislators successfully protected our benefits this session; however the COLA lost to Plan I retirees a few years ago is still to be approved for reinstatement. The upswing in that regard, he said, was that the members have done a good job of keeping this issue before lawmakers, and there is a growing number of them who understand and support our plight in this regard. He also said that WSSRA does a good job of keeping relations with the legislators positive, which fosters good working relationships: he said it doesn't work as well with other groups. Good for us!

There will 150 seats up for re-election next November. We must remain vigilant to find and support those who give good cause to our issues. There will likely be the need to re-tread as we re-train new members, as he said there well could be a "less friendly" reception by the legislature once all the new lawmakers are in place.

WSSRA now entertains just over 18,000 members (25% of which are actives), from a potential of 50,000 retirees. Those numbers lend clout in Olympia. He would like to see us grow to 20,000 in the next few years. "The larger we grow, the more successful we will accomplishing our goals." Amen.

Dr. Boring also noted that our (WSSRA's) emphasis on scholarships, active members, and teacher grants put us ahead of the rest of the country, as an association. He talked about how important it is for us to lend support to students pursuing education as a career, and to continue to provide teacher grants which gets us into the schools and in front of today's school employees. We couldn't agree more.

IN OTHER NEWS: 

Marlys Mayer and Jim Bumgarner, Award Nominees

Marlys Mayer - McNaughton Outreach Award Nominee 

Due to her participation "beyond the programs of WSSRA in her community, developing a better life for community members, and improving the image of retired school employees in this community," Marlys has been nominated for the prestigious, state-level, award. In addition to her commitment as our Treasurer for the last 14 years, she is devoted to volunteering at Kadlec Hospital for 15 years and more than 5.000 hours. She orients and trains over 100 high school students who volunteer more than 11,000 hours at the hospital; and this is just one example of her fine community service in the Tri-Cities.

Jim Bumgarner - Hoban Meritorious Award Nominee

Jim has "performed beyond the norm to accomplish his assigned duty within the association." He served twice as President of Unit 29 and has committed to being our regional E-8 District Rep next year.  He also chairs the very successful Pre-Retirement Seminar where over the past three years, over 300 future retirees have attended.  Jim is tech savvy; he is the guy running the "blogspot" and the Facebook group page for BFSRA. Jim is very artistic. He drew and donated the new header for our newsletter.

Rohn Rutledge - AMBA Representative was with us today. Rohn shared the benefits of membership in AMBA, and - made sure we know he is not a salesman, but rather someone who makes sure we have good information upon which to base some important decisions affecting our retirement status.

Don Parks - Membership Chair, reported we have 745 members. I think Don has personally signed up over half of them. Nice work, Don. Click here to send Don an email. 

Alice Allison - Scholarship Chair, reported that WSU has chosen our Scholarship winners and they will be announced at the next luncheon. You might remember the Executive Board has decided to award scholarships to local college students already enrolled in schools of education. In that pursuit, the colleges choose the recipients for us. Whew!

See you next month.

Boys & Girls Clubs of B/F Counties: Music & Arts Center

Josh Peterson, Director, of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties, presented members with an outstanding program today regarding this even more outstanding facility and place for kids to grow and learn.

With 100 currently enrolled members, about 70 attend the program on a daily basis. The club is open from 3:30pm to 6:30pm, Mondays through Fridays; with a Summer Camp available as well.

To achieve their mission of empowering all young people, especially those who need the club most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens: Students are encouraged to stay in school and on track to graduate; they are taught to eat healthy and to stay active through fun activities; and they are active in many community volunteer activities and many become leaders in their school and/or social circles.

Students are offered over 25 programs in music, art, dance and technology that are not included in the public school offerings. Fees do apply, but no one has been turned away due to a lack of ability to pay.

Watch the kids in action in this very professionally produced video done at the downtown Kennewick club: Click Here.

Tri-City School Superintendents Discuss the Levy

L to R: Rick Schulte, Richland School Superintendent; Michelle Whitney,
Pasco School Superintendent: Dave Bond, Kennewick School Superintendent. 

BFSRA was honored at the January luncheon to host the three superintendents from the Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick School Districts.  They were there to discuss the February 9th levy elections coming up in each district.

Each had ten minutes or so for presentation and each laid out their particular situations very clearly. The basics are: Bonds are for buildings, levies are for learning; the state isn't meeting it's obligation to fund it's "paramount duty" and even if they did, as Rick Schulte said, "we would want more than what is needed for the basics."

Levies primarily fund student learning and staffing; instructional support and technology; athletics and activies; operations and maintenance. Levy requests for this election are, in each district, Replacement Levies meaning the funding they seek will not increase taxes, but merely continue the same amounts presently being utilized for operations:  Kennewick property owners would continue to pay at $3.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value per year; Pasco would continue at $4.50; and Richland at $3.28.

Thank you, Superintendents, for your expertise, knowledge, and dedication to all our kids.

Please Vote!!