AARP Chapter #243 Meeting Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Prior to the meeting, the refreshment committee offered sandwiches from a meat and cheese platter, salads, coffee, tea, and sodas. A delicious cake celebrating the chapter’s 50th anniversary was shared, as well as donuts donated by Wegman’s.
Michaele welcomed our speakers, Wendy Colucci, of the NYS Labor Council, and Lori Nelson, of a CNY Alliance of 11 county organizations. They spoke against voting for a Constitutional Convention on the upcoming ballot proposition, outlining their reasons for this position.
Michaele called the chapter meeting to order at 1:20pm, welcoming three new people and one new member among the 57 people attending. She asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.
Committee Reports;
- Secretary’s Report: A Motion to accept the September minutes as submitted was made by Myrtie Wilkos, seconded by Kathy O’Connor and passed.
- Treasurer’s Report: Charlie Adams’ September report showed $395.50 total revenue, $530.29 total expenditures, and a $805.62 balance on account. A Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as submitted was made by Mary Klekosky, seconded by Marcia Dattler, and passed.
- Membership: Sharon Haresky reported 168 total members. One is new, and two have renewed membership. Another member requested to be taken off due to illness.
- Community Service: Sharon reported that Mary Klekosky brought 31 lap robes from donors, and another member turned in 12, making the current reported total 67. Forty-eight eye glasses and 19 lbs. of food were collected. Today’s Vera House collection looks generous; she thanked all for contributing. The cash for Inter-religious Consortium is $38.00.
- Programs: Marcia Dattler reminded all that November’s speaker will be Randy Hoak, Associate Director of NYS AARP, who will discuss their national Livable Communities initiative. The December 5th meeting will be the Holiday Party; there will be no speaker.
- Legislative: Bob O’Connor reported on AARP national and state actions: I. Federal -
A. Health Care Repeal: Last month’s Senate Graham-Cassidy Bill proposed drastic changes and cuts in federal support of health care. Over 50 major groups - with AARP listed first - opposed it. It failed to reach a vote due to insufficient support in the senate.
B. Income Tax Reform: Two major proposals released so far are: 1.
Fewer tax brackets, and 2. Elimination of Charitable Donations, State and Local tax deductions.
C. Domestic Programs: Cuts to federal funding and programs for community services like Meals on Wheels are proposed.
D. Caregiving: A major issue for National and State AARP. Last month, Congress passed the RAISE Act unanimously. It requires the Sect. of Health and Human Services to develop a major emphasis on Family Caregiving to provide support for it at national, state and local levels.
aII. State -
A. National Grid Request to raise Electric and Gas delivery rates. The
PSC is still receiving consumer comments on this via their posted phone #.
B. AARP Advocacy Workshop - Nov. 9th: It will be held at the Liverpool
Comfort Inn from 8:30am to 3:00 pm. Register at aarp.cvent.com/events to find out about actions coming up in 2018. Bob O’Connor will also help you register if you let him know asap.
C. Absentee Ballot Deadline: Apply for absentee ballots early for the Nov.
7th election. They should be completed and returned to BOE, personally or by mail, by Nov. 3.
- Outreach: A few Outreach events have passed without an AARP presence, due to lack of a committee chair. Marva and Sam Hudson will work the registration table for the Oct. 19th financial workshop, and Stan Kaye and Bob Fluck will do the same for the Oct. 26th workshop at Comfort Inn in Liverpool.
- Blood Pressure: Seven people had blood pressure readings.
- Refreshments: Cora Reals thanked Kathy O’Connor and Lois Vitale for today’s salads. She said the November meeting will have pizza and salad donated by Randy Hoak. Her request for cookies for that meeting was answered by Marcia Dattler, Naomi Kaye, and Gretchen Stappenbeck.
- Newsletter: Dona Clark not present.
- Finance Committee: Charlie Adams reminded all to bring art, photography and/or hand-made items for auction at the Holiday Party.
- Website: Carol Decker submitted a report showing 823 website ”hits” in September. She asked for a show of hands on the website’s continued usefulness. Unanimous support for the website occurred.
- Exercise: Carol led a routine, and then asked for a show of hands on whether it be continued at meetings. All showed approval.
Old Business:
Outreach Coordinator Position: Bob Fluck offered to resume the position for as
long as possible. All greatly appreciate this.

New Business:
- Route 81 Community Grid Support: AARP state and local supports this
option. A DOT decision should be forthcoming soon. Peter Sarver asked for members, in their red shirts, to participate in a noon rally on Tuesday, Oct. 10th in Syracuse Hanover Square. He also asked supporters to show up at a Dewitt Town Hall forum at 5:30 pm.
- Community Engagement Initiative: Peter passed out an Onondaga Citizens League survey to accumulate data on participation levels and rates.
- Local Transportation Innovations: Peter advised that Representative Pam Hunter is working on state subsidies for LYFT use by working moms. Also, he said SMTC is reviewing Bus Rapid Transit as a way to increase ridership. There will be a SMART open house from 4 to 7:30 pm, 11/2 at the SKY Armory, 352 S.Clinton St. showing the conclusion of their study on transportation.
- Tuesday, Dec. 5th Chapter Holiday Party at Barbagallos- Diamond Rm. II: Mary Klekosky announced menu choices of Beef Tips with gravy over noodles, Chicken Francais with baked potato and broccoli, or haddock (baked or fried) with baked potato and broccoli. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the November meeting or by sending a check to the AARP office no later than November 27th.
Reminders: Bring canned goods, can tabs, soup labels, box tops and cash for various organizations we support. Also, Save-Around-Syracuse Books are available.
Today’s 50-50 Raffle winners: $20 to Myrtie Wilkos, $20 to Gretchen Stappenbeck, and $40 to the chapter.
“Autumn Hodge-Podge” Basket - donated by Michaele Wendell, was won by Dawn Bennett, and raised $38.00 for the chapter.
Other Announcements:
- On November 8th, Randy Hoak, Assoc. Dir.NYS AARP, will give an evening seminar on “Livable Communities” at 5:30 - 7:00 pm, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church assembly room, 900 Vine Street, Liverpool.
- Joan Miller invited all to a Constitutional Convention Forum on October 18th at 7:00 pm in Minoa Library, Town of Manlius.
- Founding Member, Arlene Bolton, passed away Sept. 22nd. Her memorial service will be announced soon.
- The County Office on Aging will be holding forums on aging services on 10/25 at the Robert Cecil Center, W. Seneca Tpk. Their office can be reached at ongov.net Check Aging Services on the Departments drop-down menu for more information.
Motion to Adjourn was made by Stan Kaye, seconded by Gretchen Stappenbeck, and carried. Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 8th, 2017