Dear Source:
Last month the GERS administrator informed territorial retirees that GERS would be conducting an election for one new Board member to represent retirees in each of the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix districts. Retirees were advised to look out for a ballot that would be mailed to the address that retirees had registered with GERS. Retirees have until February 21, 2011 to return their ballot.
Last month the GERS administrator informed territorial retirees that GERS would be conducting an election for one new Board member to represent retirees in each of the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix districts. Retirees were advised to look out for a ballot that would be mailed to the address that retirees had registered with GERS. Retirees have until February 21, 2011 to return their ballot.
As ballots hit the mail boxes this month, AARP would like to remind retirees of the tremendous importance of this election. When the GERS Reform Act of 2005 (Act 6794) was hotly debated in the Legislature, the election of a retiree to the Board was a special item that AARP and its partners in the Save GERS Coalition fought diligently to obtain. The Coalition’s goal was to ensure that the vulnerable retiree population would have representation on the GERS Board. The understanding was that the new retiree Board members would serve as a conduit to help retirees understand why Board members made various decisions and what the possible outcomes might be as a result of those decisions.
Although AARP has some concerns related to how and why candidates were included or excluded from this election process the fact remains the same. It is critical that those eligible to vote make the effort to vote. The Coalition members fought to make sure that retirees would be represented by a peer who held their interests foremost in their mind. Now is the time for retirees to seize the unique opportunity before them.
Now, it’s up to you, government retirees. Watch your mailbox and vote. Return your ballot in the postage paid envelope included in the GERS letter before the Monday, February 21st deadline. If you are a government retiree receiving an annuity from GERS and you haven’t received a ballot by mid-January, go to the nearest GERS office to find out what has caused the delay. Election of a retiree to represent you on the GERS Board is a benefit that many people worked hard to obtain for you. Make your vote count. Sincerely,
Denyce E. Singleton, AARP Senior State Director
Denyce E. Singleton, AARP Senior State Director
