October November 2013
Transcription
October November 2013
T h e O h i o R u r a l L e t t e r C ar r i e r s ’ A s s o c i a t i o n O f f i c i a l P u bl i c a t i o n OHIO RURAL LETTER CARRIER Volume 80 Issue Number 5 Fresh off the road from the National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri and the NRLCA national office in Alexandria, Va., I'm ready to sit still and bring you the hot topics from both of these trips. Of course, the biggest topic is Congress and what their bills will mean for the Postal Service and our future. At this writing, with all that has transpired on the world stage, there is a belief that Congress may have to PRESIDENT postpone government funding bills and any TOM GAMBLE Postal Reform for the time being. Does that mean we can sit back and rest on our laurels? Of course not, as a matter of fact there is no better time to advance our issues than right now. To that end, the National Office has kicked off a new program called “GrassTops. You recently received a letter asking you to take part in this program by reporting the important contacts that you may have. Contacts that would or could be influential in promoting our issues to our reps. on capitol hill. I hope that you will take time to contact the officers listed on that sheet so that we can develop a list of people willing to help us maintain the service that America has become used to and expects. Actually, the American public is as big a target for being inconvenienced as anybody; from eliminating to the door delivery, to cutting service to 5, 4 , even 3 days a week depending upon where you live. It's time for us to let them know just what the PMG has planned. The voting public is the key to turning things around. For years we've been discouraged from taking an active part in public discourse and erroneous articles about the Post Office and it's employees. Those days are past. The National Office has come to the realization that we need to get involved and take a role in what is aired, published and disseminated to the public. The National Office is ready to help you write, call and get the truth out through talking points they've developed. Just contact them or our grasstops coordinator: Lori Todd for guidance. You may already be aware that that the state board proposed a dues reduction for our state membership and it was passed at the You May Have Won A Prize Please See Page 13 for Details! Debra Osgood did not find her name in the last issue. October/November 2013 state convention. The board felt that, even though we haven't experienced a full year of the National steward system and the State Secretary / Treasurers duties had not changed that much, we were far enough into the black that a dues reduction was possible. However, the National Officers decided to initiate several Constitutional changes requiring an increase in the national portion of the dues effectively negating the dues decrease that was passed at our state convention. Among the reasons given for the National Dues increase were; continued operational deficits (red ink) and an increase in the cash payout for accrued sick leave when a National Officer leaves office. At this writing, we are actively working on moving our state convention into the month of June, as the delegates to the state convention requested. I believe we will be successful in moving our 2014 convention into the month of June. Watch for more information in coming issues of this newsletter. I hope that you will encourage your fellow carriers to attend the state convention as well as any meeting involving the Post Office and your job. We need to recruit as many new members as possible, especially from the new hires. After all, where will they learn about their new job? It certainly will not come from the Post Office. Speaking of the Union, I hope you enjoy the COLA increase that your union negotiated for you. You might want to remind those that need a little reassurance, that the Union is still bargaining and protecting some hard won benefits. In closing I have a little trivia question for you: who's voice is it that's doing the voice over for the Postal Service commercials? Hint: he has no concept of being hot, cold or exposed to the elements while delivering the mail! Yours' In Unity and Service Tom Gamble In This Issue: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3-4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9-10 Page 11 -12 Page 13-14 Page 15 Page 16 President’s Report Officer Information /Steward Information National Convention Pictures Vice President Report Northern Ohio District DR Report Cincinnati District DR Report Secretary/Treasurer’s Report Executive Com. Reports PAC Report In Memoriam Auxiliary Page Upcoming Events Page 2 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 Established in 1929 by H. I. Carpenter. Published in Salem, Ohio, six times a year. Entered as Non-Profit mail at the Post Office in Youngstown, Ohio. Non-Profit Postage is paid in Youngstown, Ohio. Subscription Price—$10.00 per year. Contributions are opinions expressed by the writers and do not reflect the opinions of the State Officers of the Ohio Rural Letter Carriers‘ Association or the Editor. 2012-2013 ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President Tom Gamble PO Box 9, New Middletown, OH 44442-0009 Ph 330-707-4242 Fax 330-707-4242 POSTMAN4201R@sbcglobal.net Vice President Floyd Edler Secretary/Treasurer Penny Koren 1060 Schrake Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601 104 Clay Road SW, Dellroy, OH 44620-9757 Ph 740-775-5679 Cell 740-703-7002 fe1060@horizonview.net Ph 330-735-2727 Fax 330-735-2535 pennykoren@yahoo.com EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Joyce Bower Barb Pitts 7456 County Road 107, Gibsonburg, OH 43431-9531 12914 Washingtonville Rd., Salem, OH 44460-9247 Ph 419-849-2613 jabower1951@yahoo.com Ph 330-533-6274 queenebabs@gmail.com * GMAC Insurance Rep Mark Funderburgh Diane Cox 7450 North River Road, Springfield, OH 45502-9448 4780 Stony Creek, Urbana OH 43078 Ph 937-605-4067 funge63@yahoo.com Phone 937-869-4724 diane_rlc@yahoo.com *Provident Guild APPOINTED OFFICES Editor Lori Todd PAC Chairman Mike Aitchison 610 West State Street, Salem, OH 44460 P.O. Box 340, Plain City, OH 43064-8873 Ph 234-567-4222 loritodd@yahoo.com Ph 614-873-4114 Fax 614-873-6352 Michael.Aitchison@nrlca.org OHRLCA STEWARD SYSTEM DELBERT HUTCHISSON Northern Ohio District DR P.O. Box 326, Fostoria, OH 44830-2767 Ph 419-435-3117 Fax 419-436-0376 Delbert.Hutchisson@nrlca.org SUSAN THAYER Northern Ohio District ADR PO Box 309, Liberty Center, OH 43532 Ph 567-264-4520 Fax 567-264-4521 Susan.Thayer@nrlca.org AREA STEWARDS Tana Humphrey (440-224-1276) – Northern Ohio District Offices 3434 Creek Road, Kingsville, Ohio 44048 e-mail humphrey44004@yahoo.com Andover, Austinburg, Bristolville, Brookfield, Burghill, Conneaut, Cortland, Dorset, Farmdale, Fowler, Hubbard, Kingsville, Kinsman, Pierpont, Rock Creek, Rome, Vienna, Williamsfield, Windsor, Willoughby Chris McCoy (330-898-2370) – Northern Ohio District Offices 5404 State Route 303, Newton Falls, Ohio 44444 e-mail homebigmac@yahoo.com Burton, Chesterland, Diamond, Garrettsville, Hiram, Huntsburg, Leavittsburg, Lowellville, Mantua, Masury, Middlefield, Mineral Ridge, Newton Falls, North Jackson, Orwell, Southington, Warren, West Farmington, Windham CATHY FUNDERBURGH Cincinnati District DR P.O. Box 96, Clifton, OH 45316 Ph 937-265-5477 Fax 937-528-2297 Catherine.Funderburgh@nrlca.org MIKE AITCHISON Cincinnati District ADR P.O. Box 340, Plain City, OH 43064-8873 Ph 614-873-4114 Fax 614-873-6352 Michael.Aitchison@nrlca.org RANDY ANDERSON JR. Cincinnati District ADR P.O. Box 795, Moundsville, WV 26041 Ph 304-810-4373 Randy.Anderson@nrlca.org RANDY BURGER Cincinnati District ADR P.O. Box 184, Pittsboro, IN 46167-0184 Ph 317-892-3893 AREA STEWARDS Michael J. Sikyta (614-855-3767) – Cincinnati District Offices 6162 Tettlin Field Drive, New Albany, Ohio 43054 e-mail sikyta4@gmail.com Fax 614-855-3767 Ashville, Baltimore, Canal Winchester, Carroll, Circleville, Frankfort, Groveport, Jeffersonville, Johnstown, Kingston, Lockbourne, Logan, Millersport, New Holland, Pickerington, Rushville, Somerset, Stoutsville, Thornville, Williamsport Philip Burnside (419-310-3817) – Cincinnati District Offices 8051 Township Road 165, Kenton, Ohio 43326 e-mail benzesrule@yahoo.com Belle Center, Bellefontaine, De Graff, Huntsville, Jackson Center, Kenton, La Rue, Milford Center, Mount Victory, North Lewisburg, Ostrander, Prospect, Quincy, Richwood, Ridgeway, Rushsylvania, Russells Point, Upper Sandusky, West Liberty, Woodstock Page 3 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 National Convention 2013 St. Louis, Missouri Above: The famous St. Louis Arch. To The Left: Vice President Floyd Edler with Ohio flag. Banquet Entertainment this year was Lee Bryce. Below: Mike Aitchison receiving PAC Award for Ohio. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver spoke during Wednesday afternoon session. Page 4 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 National Convention 2013 St. Louis, Missouri Clifford Daling presenting Michael Gan a gift from the National Board. Opening Ceremony at the 2013 National Convention. Mike Aitchison getting ready to golf. Carriage rides were provider all week in St. Louis. Mark Funderburgh, Delbert Hutchisson, Tim Barker and Cathy Funderburgh ready to destroy the golf course. Ron Ellis also getting ready for the big golf outing. Page 5 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 Remember back in the day when a that are there once the pre-funding mandate is no longer an issue. person’s word and a hand shake was conBut how would that work, if the American people still rank sidered a done deal? When one’s name the Postal Service as the most loved and trusted part of the governand reputation was on the line and a per- ment. Very simple, you just frighten the American voter into beson’s word actually meant something? lieving that the Postal Service has become wasteful, inefficient and When I think back to those times, it amazes costly and tax dollars will need to be used to “bail out” the Post me where our society has evolved. Office. No one wants their taxes raised. Remember, we started Let’s use the Postal Service and our talking about integrity? It doesn’t matter that none of this is true… Representatives as an example! it’s what will please the big money lobbyists that matters. It’s a fact that the men and women Some believe that this amounts to nothing less than an act of working for the Postal Service are the most sabotage? Are you among them…I’ll let you be the judge: VICE trusted and productive individuals in AmerWas the whole point of requiring the postal service to fund PRESIDENT ica today. They travel millions of miles benefits for workers it won’t hire until 2046 a way to ensure the FLOYD EDLER every day delivering letters, parcels, medi- agency wouldn’t still be around in 2046 to hire anybody? How cine and a friendly smile to every household about: 5 day delivery and cutting service, closing post offices, in America. closing processing plants, contracting out union work, attempting Delivering the mail is not an easy job, the days are long, work to take over health care, attempting to take over retirement, atis demanding, stress is high and safety is an issue. It’s not a job for tempting to break the unions and attempting to privatize the Postal everybody. For those that have prevailed and managed to survive Service. years on the job, and with the union’s help; negotiated a fair wage, One additional reminder, if Congress adopts the so-called health care, cost of living increases, and retirement benefits, it is “Chained CPI” to calculate annual cost of living adjustments to not unreasonable for them to expect that these hard won parts of federal annuities and Social Security benefits, it would mean thoutheir compensation should continue. When these hard working sands of dollars in lost income for seniors. This process won’t just Postal Workers hear that they are in danger of losing some or all of affect those already collecting benefits; it will reduce the income these benefits, it is understandable when you hear talk of a loss of of everyone who qualifies for benefits in the future. confidence in the integrity and trust that was placed in our Postal Please join me in calling your Representative and discussing and Congressional leadership. these important issues. Ask them to support the POSTAL Service How could this happen? Well let’s take a look. Back in 2006 Act ( S.316/H.R.630). The United States Postal Service StabilizaCongress passed the ”Postal Accountability and Enhancement tion Act (H.R. 961). And The Protect Overnight Delivery Act Act” better known as the PAEA. This law required the Postal Ser- (H.R.2459) vice to pre-fund retirement and health care funds for its’ retirees for some 75 years in advance, in just 10 years. Imagine trying to pay off your 30 year mortgage in 5 years and not placing a strain on your budget; especially in a down economy! John Barnett New Lexington Of course it has become widespread belief that Robert Kemp Louisville all of this was just a Gene Myers Whipple way to filter cash into a Harold Porter Hiram treasury that was trilEdith Randolph Canal Fulton lions of dollars in defiThomas Reau Replubic cit: thus the reason why they cannot refund our Thresa Runyan Dublin overpayment. This also Chrisetine Seaman Novelty Darrell Stanley West Mansfield gives rise to the theory that this unrealistic goal Spencer Stearns Mansfield was simply a means of Carl Whitaker Jamestown bankrupting the Postal Mary Gotchall Hammondsville Service as a way to Judy Denny Middleport open the door for priBarbara Lutey Aurora vate enterprise to step in and reap the rewards Mary Ross Marietta Patricia Vilt Aurora Sherry Spangler Proctorville Heidi Hiner Vienna Ronnie Shover McConnelsville Brenda Klotz Kansas Suzanne Synodinos Steubenville Susan Baker Lindsey Richard Breidenbaugh Orient Mary Conti Salem We are organizing our Grasstops campaign in Ohio. Who do you know Thomas Goodbar Xenia that has political influence or clout? Call me and lets talk about how you and Lance Moore Aurora Donna Mull Trenton your friends can help us with our plans to Save The Post Office! Lori Todd, Recent Retirees OHRLCA Requests Your Help Grasstop Coordinator - 234-567-4222 or email loritodd@yahoo.com. Page 6 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 Honey Bo Bo The Postal Service executives are depending on a distracted American public. A population that is not engaged in reality. The Postal Service spin on its third quarter financial report reminds me of the TV reality show “Honey Bo Bo”. Northern Ohio There is nothing more ludicrous than District Representative the Postal Service refusal to report or Delbert Hutchisson even acknowledge that there is good news in the Q3 financial report and evidence that a promising future is just on the horizon. The Postal Service press release accompanying the financial report, spins the numbers to make it seem the good news isn’t so good after all. The major news outlets apparently think that reporting means paraphrasing a press release, so now millions of people are all getting the same message. The “Honey Bo Bo” message is that things at the USPS are a little better but still terrible, so the cuts must go on. The new business model of the USPS seems to be, good news isn’t good when you are trying to justify downsizing, service cuts, and more dismantling of the infrastructure. The postal Service willing accomplices in the media are only reporting the propaganda and talking points from USPS press release. The New York Times article is entitled, “Postal Service is Still Losing Money, but not-Quite as Much.” The Washington Post headline is “Postal Service Financials Improve, but Big Losses Continue.” The media has no interest in reporting the facts of the financial report itself. There’s not a word in the opening paragraph of the USPS press release about the real cause of the deficit- the congressional mandate to prefund retiree health care benefits for decades into the future. The payment for the third quarter was $1.4 billion, and for the first three quarters, $4.2 billion. Were it not for the obligation, the Postal Service would have shown a profit of over $300 million for the year- to date- and $700 million for the third quarter. After a complete review of the third quarter financial report, one can only conclude that revenues are up. The report shows a clear trend of revenues increasing for the first nine months of the year, operating revenue is up $688 million, a 1.3% improvement, thanks primarily to more e-commerce. Revenue from shipping and package service is up 7.5% over the last year. First class packages are up over 15%, and Standard Parcels, Parcel Select, and Parcel Return are up almost 20% and growing. Presently the USPS has a “partnering” agreement with FedEx and UPS. For example, the Postal Service delivers the last mile on a full third of FedEx’s ground shipments, and using Parcel Return, UPS customers can return merchandise by dropping it in any Postal Service mail box or at any Post Office. This partnering agreement gives FedEx and UPS a percent of the market share that they could not maintain on their own. The Postal Service has been blaming the internet for its inevitable decline, but the truth is parcel volume is sky rocketing due to purchases made online. The volume is so great that the postal Service has implemented Sunday parcel delivery. You read that right, “Sunday delivery”. Presently in some Cincinnati district offices, RCA’s can volunteer to be scheduled to work Sundays for parcel delivery. The good news is Congressional staffers are reading the financial report and ignoring the Postal Service press release and attempt to spin the data negatively. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is one who is not fooled by the USPS spin on its third quarter financial report. In a recent interview he said, “I am convinced that proposals to slow down mail delivery and provide less service are the wrong way to go”. He introduced legislation, to modernize the Postal Service, save Saturday I-75 71 mail delivery and repeal the crippling mandate by SUSAN THAYER, ADR DELBERT HUTCHISSON, DR congress under the 2006 PAEA (Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act) to sink $5.5 billion a year into DELBERT HUTCHISSON, DR a future retiree healthcare plan that is already adequately funded to cover present and future retirees. This over funding is responsible for at least 80% of the Postal Service funding woes. The legislation by Sanders would let the Postal Service look for innova77 tive ways to attract more customers, to reinstate overRANDY 270 ANDERSON, night delivery standards to speed mail delivery and ADR prevent shut downs of mail sorting centers. Safeguards also would be put in place to protect rural post MIKE AITCHISON, ADR CATHY FUNDERBURGH, DR offices. If you like the reality TV show “Honey Bo Bo” just remember its make believe and fantasy. If you read the Postal Service press release that accompanied its third quarter financial report, just remember they earned $300 million so far this fiscal year, and those are the facts not make believe or fantasy. Thank you kindly Delbert K. Hutchisson National Steward System Page 7 Cincinnati DR Cathy Funderburgh The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier I have received numerous questions on the Relief Day Work List (RDWL) that was introduced in May, 2000, and is referenced in Article 8.5 of the National Agreement. Can management make the relief carriers split a route to avoid using the RDWL? Yes, management can require relief carriers to split a route before using anyone on the RDWL. Is management allowed to make the relief carriers carry more than one route? Yes, management can make a relief carrier carry two routes in a single day but the daily evaluations of both routes can not be over 12 hours. Can management bring in another relief carrier from another office before using the RDWL? No, management can not bring in a relief carrier from another office in order to avoid using the RDWL. If I am on the RDWL and I have plans for that day then can I refuse to work? No, you can not refuse to work. By signing the RDWL, you have agreed to work your relief day as needed. Can I be made to work if I am on leave the day before or the day after my relief day? No, that is the one time the union will argue that you can refuse to work. If I have plans then can I just get off of the list so I won't have to work that day? No, once you have been told that you will be needed to work then you must work that day. However, you can get off the list at any time after that point. If I get off the list, then will I be able to sign up for the RDWL? You will have to wait until the next signing period. When is the sign up period? You can sign up to work your relief day twice a year. First opportunity is the three weeks prior to the beginning of the new guarantee period and the second time is three weeks prior to the beginning of the first full pay period in May. How long is the list posted for? Two weeks. Does the new list supersede the previous list? Yes. I am the next in rotation to work but management said that they have to start at the top because of the new list. Is that correct? Yes, the new list supersedes any previous list. Is the list on a rotating basis or is the senior carrier allowed to work all the time? Yes, the list is on a rotating basis starting with the most senior carrier. Is it possible for the same carrier on the RDWL to be selected each time? Yes, if that carrier is the only one to have the relief day that is needed. If there is a need to work a regular carrier due to an unscheduled absence, is management required to call a carrier on the RDWL? Yes, the next carrier in rotation who is not on leave and not working that day. What happens when there is still no one to work? Management will ask for volunteers to work. If no one volunteers then the regular carriers will be ordered to work by junior regular. Is assigning the junior regulars on a rotation bases? No, the junior regular can be forced in each and every time unless the carrier is in 2080 problems or will exceed 56 hours in one week. If I work, then where will my relief carrier work? The relief carrier can be assigned to any route in the delivery unit with the provisions of the National Agreement. If the leave replacement has never served the open route, but is qualified on other routes in the delivery unit, then management may change assignments with another leave replacement, who has experience on the route need- October/November 2013 ing coverage. However, RCAs serving their primary route assignments or an auxiliary route may not have their assignments changed. If management violates the RDWL and I file a grievance over it then can I be paid for it? No, administrative errors in the assignment of work to regular carriers on relief days will not result in monetary remedies. What is an “administrative error”? It is an honest mistake or error. Are there any ways to correct an administrative error? Yes, by allowing the carrier to make-up the missed opportunity to work. I am on the RDWL but I am exceeding 2080 hours and management skipped me. Are they allowed to do that? Yes, the employer is not required to work any carrier if it would cause the carrier to exceed the guarantee hours or 56 actual hours within one week. How do I get paid for working my relief day? The carrier will have a choice. A DACA Code 3 will allow the carrier to receive an X day plus 50% of their daily rate of pay. A DACA Code 5 pays the carrier 150% of their daily rate. Where do I write a DACA Code at to ensure that I am paid correctly? On your PS Form 4240, place the DACA Code number in column 8 (Sub hours) on the corresponding day. What is an X day? An X day is when the carrier will be paid to take the day off- much like a day of annual leave. If I am NOT on the RDWL then can I be paid a DACA Code 5? No, you can only receive a DACA Code R or a DACA Code 3. If I take a DACA Code 5 then will I receive an X day? No, only carriers using a DACA Code 3 will receive another day off. How long do I have to use an X day? 12 weeks. Who will determine when I get to use the X day? Management will schedule the day off. What will happen if my X day is not used within 12 weeks? The carrier will be paid 100% of their daily rate of pay in lieu of the X day that was earned. Is there any time of the year that an X day earned must be taken in the same pay period? Yes, any X day earned from the start of the guarantee period through the end of the Christmas period must use the X day in the same pay period or the carrier will be paid 100% of their daily rate of pay. What is a DACA Code R? The regular carrier agrees to work their relief day without any over time so that the relief carrier may have a day off. I worked my day off but did not receive additional pay. What should I do? Carriers always have the right to file a grievance. However, the best way to avoid this issue is to have the additional pay issue worked out BEFORE you work your relief day. I hope this answers all of your questions on the Relief Day Work List. When in doubt, call your union steward. Be safe and stand up for yourself! ATTENTION Please note that if you have news of the death of any member let Secretary/Treasurer Penny Koren know. She can then put it on the web site and send it on to the paper. Secretary/Treasurer, Penny Koren 104 Clay Road SW, Dellroy OH 44620-9757 Ph 330 735-2727 Fax 330-735-2535 pennykoren@yahoo.com Page 8 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier Secretary/Treasurer Penny Koren As of September 9, 2013, the Membership Analysis prepared by the National Office has Ohio’s total membership at 4160. The membership consists of 2188 Regular Carriers, 907 Retired Carriers, 1055 Relief Carriers, and 10 Associate Members. The Membership Analysis dated September 9, 2012 had Ohio’s total membership as 4161. Ohio is only one (1) less member than the same date last year. We need to continue our efforts to recruit new members. The strength of our union is our members; to remain strong we need to increase our membership. Do your part and invite a recently appointed RCA to join the NRLCA. Your State Board submitted an amendment to the delegates of the 2013 State Convention to decrease the State’s portion of your dues, the amendment was passed and will take effect within two (2) pay periods. The NRLCA Board submitted an amendment to the NRLCA Constitution, Article III Section 6 Dues. The amendment was passed and will change the way the National’s portions of dues are figured from a stated amount to a percentage of your salary. The percentage computation will automatically adjust dues with each salary adjustment. The next salary adjust is the COLA increase which is effective September 7, 2013 a total increase of $937 per annum for a 40-hour route. A Salary chart will be available at nrlca.org. Ohio had 42 Delegates at the National Convention in St Louis Missouri. Thanks to all who represented Ohio at the National Convention. A list of the attendees is published in this issue. These National Dele- Tesa Tidwell gates made decisions that will directly af- Rebekah Kuenzel fect your work life, paycheck and the Leslie Zzimmermanlle OHRLCA Assets. Ohio’s delegates were Dylan LoPresti sent to the National Convention to repre- Darrick Arrington sent you. Please take time to speak to a Caitlin Luna delegate and ask; how they voted on the Jennifer Clerkin issues brought forth on the Convention Aimee Anderton Floor. Danielle Page The Ohio State Board appealed two (2) Najee Benton appeal decisions to the National Conven- Will Colegrove Jr tion Assembly. The appeals to the National Kathylee Basile Convention Assembly were the final inter- Katie Hissett nal steps in the appeal process. The deci- Amy Richards sions that were heard were in direct conflict Donna Lloyd with the OHRLCA Constitution. This is an Tenna Mapes issue to be corrected in the near future. Ruth Huffman Open season for FEHB begins Mon- Kelly Santibanez Hall day November 11, 2013 and ends Decem- Barbara Costanzo ber 9, 2013. During the “Open Season” you Vickie Berry may enroll and make changes in the Fed- Shannon Pfrenger eral Employees Benefit Plans. Please re- Diana Barton member to take full advantage of the U.S. Robin Temple Postal Service’s Flexible Spending Ac- Ada Ison count (FSA) program for regular and PTF Christopher Mercer rural carriers. The FSA program allows Abdul Quraishi carriers to pay for child or adult daycare Brach Janney expenses and family health care expenses, Aaron Raymond that are not reimbursed by insurance, with October/November 2013 tax-free dollars. The NRLCA offered many seminars during the National Convention. There were seminars on Retirement presented by Joni Montroy. When you retire you must meet one of these requirements; Age 62 with 5 years of creditable service Age 60 with 20 years of creditable service Age 55 with 30 years of creditable service Creditable service includes, career time, non-career service time and military service for which deposit was withheld. Noncareer deposit is explained in the September 2013 issue of the National Rural letter Carrier Magazine pages 374 – 376. Enjoy the beautiful fall weather and I hope you plan to attend your Fall District Meeting. NEW MEMBERS New Comerstown Bellevue Ashville Medina Medina Sandusky Wellington Delaware Chagrin Falls Ravenna Hinckley Kinsman Chardon Gnadenhutten Green Springs Rome Huron Galloway Ravenna Perrysville Kinsman Lisbon Defiance Fairborn Delphos Hilliard Dellroy Springfield Michele Mix Lisa Gollahon Angela Foster Alicia Ball Joanne Murray Bobbi Campbell Deanna Williams Robin Higginbotham Kristen Moyer Pamela Hout Shenna Donaldson Carrie Dungan Katie Serna Lorenzo Bentley Darlene Elchert Robyn Timcho Lori Haffa Dawn Dufresne Garic Ward Deborah Immel Tina Urban Kimberly Tompkins Kimberly McKnight Heather Mercer Matthew Rowland Jennifer Bookman Bonnie Starling Amanda Taylor Westerville Waynesville Momence Fredericktown Risingsun New Martinsville Middle Port Toronto Mineral Ridge Attica Coshocton Louisville Delta Minford New Riegel Toronto Andover Clyde Lore City Jackson Mount Vernon Oxford East Liverpool Pioneer Wakeman New Matamoras Wadsworth Loveland Page 9 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier Are You Planning A Trip? If you are enrolled with the Rural Carrier Benefit Plan and taking a trip more than 100 miles away from home or going to another country, make sure you have these two phone numbers with you. Careington provides travel assisJoyce Bower tance for a serious injury, illness or travel related emergencies. In the states call 1Executive 800-988-0638 and out of country 1-715Committeeman 342-3548. There is also access to a licensed registered nurse 24/7/365 at 1-866-796-1857 (pin#526). This is an added benefit to the RCBP. It can be viewed on the National Website. Type in health benefit in the SEARCHNRLCA.ORG and it will take you to a page to scroll down to Rural Carrier Benefit Plan. Click on that and scroll down to Advantage Plus Plan and open. There you will see a brochure of this plan. Or if you are like me and have a “look at later mail” pile, you may find the brochure had been mailed to you with a card to carry with you. Open season for Health Benefits and FSA will start Nov. 11 and end on Dec. 9 also watch for your booklet in the mail or the 2013 Brochure is on the NRLCA website. It can be accessed in the same manner as above. The Flexible Spending Acount is pretax money taken out of every paycheck to pay for health care expenses or dependent care. It can be used to offset the deductibles and any other acceptable out of pocket expenses. There is a maximum of $2500 or a minimum of $130 per year. You will have access to this money at any time of the year and have until March of the following year to use it. Be very careful in how much you decide to take out, because you loose any unused funds. You will receive a booklet in the mail or it can be viewed on the NRLCA website. Transamerica is health insurance for RCA's. The open season ended on Sept. 15, but any newly hired RCA will have 30 days after their first 45 days of being hired. This can also be found on the NRLCA website. The NRLCA and Ohio websites have useful information, so please use them to keep up to date. Committeeperson Joyce Bower October/November 2013 IT’S FALL AGAIN Conventions have come and gone and I regret to say that I could not attend the National Convention due to an accident at work that left me with a broken arm and torn shoulder. My experience so far with being off work because of an injury has been pretty smooth. The 45 days of continuous pay has been right up to date. I have Barb Pitts found that as long as you follow what Executive they tell you as far as filling out forms and getting your doctors to do the Committeeman same; all goes well. OWCP assigns you a nurse that works with you and your doctor to get the treatment you need. The only problem we have run into is that there are not many doctors that are willing to see OWCP patients. Much to my dismay (I am becoming very impatient), most of the waiting is to find a doctor. I am now on the second leg of filing for OWCP pay and I will have to continue this article in the next paper, as I don’t really know how that will turn out, or how long I will have to wait for a pay. I heard that the convention went well and Jeanette Dwyer was elected our President for the second year. Way to go Jeanette! However, like we anticipated National Board asked for and got an increase in dues, which will offset the decrease in dues your State Board authorized before the state convention. You will probably find the exact amounts in this paper from our Sec/Treas. Ohio still needs your help with quotes from our Rural Carrier insurance, National General (their new name). We need all we can get , so please pick up the phone (it only takes a few minutes) and call today 1-877-564-1131 and use code R-46 for Ohio. GMACI Agents only take NRLCA service calls; for policy changes, billings, and any other services needed. The more NRLCA members in our state who receive a quote the more money our state receives in promotional fees. Just some food for thought, open season for health insurance is coming up November 11, so put it on your calendar, if you are thinking of changing companies. In our busy lives it’s easy to forget like I did last year when I wanted to change carriers. In closing let me remind all of you to BE CAREFUL out there. School is back in and children are getting on and off school buses. The weather is changing, with wet streets and falling leaves coming down. Don’t forget to check your tires and make sure they have enough tread on them for the coming weather, this means LLV’s, too. Barb Pitts-Committeeman Delegates That Attended National Convention Delbert Hutchisson Raymond R Nichols Michael D Aitchison Penny Koren Shirley Ortz Thomas Gamble Carla B Dedden Janna Hirschfeld Shirley Huffman Gayle Sweet Erik Hirschfeld Sandra Laramee Mark Funderburgh Floyd Edler Barbara Pitts Catherine Funderburgh John Thomas Lori Todd Joyce Bower Robin Rowland Tuwana Aitchison Joe Butcher Ronald Ellis Jr. Thomas Noble Patsy Hickle Carlton Riley Diana Brown Diane Cox Roland Hausfeld Matthew Burke Floyd Tackett Timothy Barker Elaine Ferguson Helen Cline Barbara Perkins Peggy Ferneding Ryan Campbell Misty Gamerdinger Robert Chapman William Owen Lisa Heaton—First Timer Miranda Rodgers Michael Crawford—First Timer Sheila Hattan—Non Delegate Page 10 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier Contact Your Congress Person Hello to everyone. I hope everyone is planning on attending your district meetings, if you have not already done so. There will be a lot of useful information handed out at these meetings. The more education we receive, the Mark Funderburgh stronger we make our union and ourExecutive selves. Committeeman We have all heard about the financial problems with the U.S.P.S. How can a company give away $14-18 BILLION dollars and expect to stay in the black. That is just what our employer is doing, giving rate reductions to major mailers for “Performing mailing preparation activities”. My thoughts on this, in this age of computers , would amount to about two to three hours of programming a computer to apply an address and place the flats or letters in order of delivery for our routes. If I were allowed to perform this task at the rate the USPS is allowing, I could retire and move to the Caribbean after working one week for them. I could even afford to buy my own island and invite everyone down for a party with what they are giving away in rate reductions. If the U.S.P.S. would do the processing of this mail they could make another $3 BILLION profit. The associations representing the major mailers are suggesting to the PRC to oppose any rate increase and demand the U.S.P.S. to reduce employee wages and benefits to further their bottom line. Why should we, the rural carriers of this organization, fund the lack of upper management’s ability to have any business sense (or common sense for that matter) to run the daily operations of a multi-billion dollar company? Which brings me to the next part; WE rural carrier postal employees need to educate the public and our congressmen and women as to what our employer is doing to this business. Each and every one of us needs to contact our congress person and let your voice be heard. Don’t leave it up to the person working next to you, take the initiative and help save your job, your life, and your career. If we do nothing, sooner or later it will happen. It will start with five-day delivery, then down to two or three days, then Ups or fed-ex will slowly take over and deliver on the days we don’t, then before you know it we are all on the un-employment line looking back and wondering what the heck went wrong. This may sound harsh and it may or may not happen, but are you willing to take that chance. We all are busy and have a lot of things going on in our lives, I understand that, but if we do not get involved in our union and educate ourselves, it will slowly die out and we will have nothing to bargain with and no one to blame but ourselves. If you are struggling with what to say, or how to say it, there are sample letters and talking points available on the legislative side of the national website: nrlca.org or you may contact a state board member and we will guide you through the process. Our national President was at our state convention and made a statement that I have tried to abide by ( since my first convention some 10 years ago), she said even though we have our differences on the state level, when we hit the doors at the end of convention we need to be as one; arm in arm. I hope you will join me arm in arm (maybe on my island someday) in the fight for this great union and state. October/November 2013 It’s All In The Service I am looking forward to attending fall district meetings and bringing information to all of you. Please try to attend your district meeting and learn how to protect your job and your salary. There used to be a time when it was business as usual and we could go to sleep at night Diane Cox after a good days work, resting assured that our job was safe and would always be there as long Executive Committeeman as we wanted it. I know those days are gone. Many of you don’t want to think about job” insecurity”, but that is just like sticking your head in the sand. We don’t want to believe that our Congressional leaders in Washington D.C., let alone our own Postmaster General, are not doing the hard work to keep and maintain the Postal Service as the most trusted government agency in the history of the U.S. We have our problems, but by and large, most of our customers believe in us and trust us. There have even been many cases where rural carriers have even saved lives. We don’t have to save lives to be heroes, though. Each of us can decide that we can make a difference. Every time we deliver a package to a customer in person, or any personal interaction with our customers, we have the opportunity to make a good impression of the Postal Service. Yeah, I know it sounds sappy and, after all, you just want to get done so you can take yours kids to soccer practice, etc. Trust me, I know, but we need our customers. We need them to like the service they get from us. We need them to go to bat for us. We need them to care about us and we need them to know that we care about them. Every day it seems that we are given more to do in our jobs, and our pay doesn’t seem to go with it. I know our National Board is working for us and they will succeed. I have a good feeling about the contractual time study that is being conducted on our rural evaluation. President Dwyer gave us a lot of hopeful words on this at state convention. It will take time, but I think we will fair very well at the end of the study. I, personally, think the USPS thinks so too. That is probably why they are trying to cut delivery days, door -to-door service and saying we are broke. We need to counter this by contacting our Congressmen and Senators. Tell them that we don’t take tax money to operate, only revenue from postage sales, etc. ( Did you know, a lot of your customers don’t even know this.) Tell them to support S316, H.R.630, H.R.961 and H.R.2459. Your State Board is working hard for you. Take a few hours to attend your fall district meeting. You will be surprised the amount of information you can get. I am also happy to tell you about Aimee Anderton a new incentive I am offering to any new Provident Guild member. For any new member that signs up during fall district meetings, I will pay the one-time sign-up fee. If you want to sign-up and can’t make it to your meeting, simply call or email me and I will send you the form. Remember, you can sign up at the level that you want as long as you aren’t older than the cap for that level. As long as you (and/or your spouse) are under age 56, you can become a member. You will be glad you did. Hope to see you this fall and please be safe out there. COA Change of Address can now be done on the National Web Site at nrlca.org Page 11 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier Congratulations OHIO!!! The Rural Letter Carriers of Ohio were recognized for their activism and participation in preserving our hard earned benefits at the National Convention held in St. Louis, MO last Mike Aitchison August. Ohio was recognized as the premier PAC Chairman state for their collective participation in the NRLCA Political Action Committee. In addition to the dollars that were donated, all of us are to be commended for our letters, phone calls, and visits to our Representatives and Senators. NRLCA Vice-President Floyd Edler is becoming quite renowned for his efforts to educate these Congressmen, as well as keeping them informed about the sentiments from around the country. Unfortunately, as of this writing, House Bill 2748 is still very much in play. Do to the summer break, Congress was not in session through August and into September. Rest assured that activity concerning Postal Reform will be ramping up quickly and your Legislative Staff will be working diligently to stay on top of events as they develop. Hopefully Ohio is well involved in the e-alert program and is able to respond quickly by contacting our Ohio representatives when requested. If you have not signed up to be notified electronically if you can help sway our state’s representatives in Washington, please consider doing so. You can achieve this by visiting the national website, www.nrlca.org. As I mentioned earlier, Ohio was number one in the aggregate total of PAC donations. We made over $52,000 available in the fight to preserve our postal heritage, our good paying jobs, and our well-deserved benefits. Following is a table of contributors who realize that if “I” don’t take a stand for us, “I” may as well be against us. Please, do what you can to ensure that we all have a USPS to retire from. Keep your donations coming in, and if you never have, take this plea to heart and consider doing something positive to benefit all rural carriers, present and future, across this great land. Emerald Capitol Bower, Joyce Funderburgh, Mark Funderburgh, Catherine Koren, Penny Diamond Capitol Aitchison, Michael Greene, Dawn Noble, Thomas Ruby Capitol Anderson, Dixie Barker, Timothy Cox, Diane Edler, Floyd Heaton, Sandra Mcintire, Judith McIntire-Millhone, Connie Mull, Donna Pitts, Barbara Schuler, Jody Elite Circle Aitchison, Tuwana Butcher, Joe Dillow, Donna Gamble, Thomas Laramee, Sandra Smithberger, John Anderson, Patsy Chapman, Robert Elliott, Susan Gamerdinger, Misty Miller, Larry Thayer, Susan Brubaker, Connie Dedden, Carla Ferguson, Elaine Hickle, Patsy Smart, John Todd, Lori Executive Abbot, Larry Adams, Deborah Belen, Betsey Achor, Judith Ackerman, Sheila Adams, Donald Archambeault, John Bennington, Jennifer Bickel, Lillian October/November 2013 Executive Borland, Billie Chepke, Melissa Conti, Mary Elliott, Susan Ferneding, Peggy Garlitz, Roderick Green, Peggy Harrison, Richard Hirschfeld, Erik Huffman, Shirley Hutchisson, Delbert Klotz, Brenda Lockhart, Bess Metzger, Daryl Otermat, Samuel Piatt, Eileen Quinn, Faye Reese, Robert Riley, Carlton Schardt, Colleen Seiter, Lowell Shortland, Dixie Stewart, Teresa Swickard, Warner Ward, Sharon Wilson, Thomas Brester, Pamela Christy, Michael Daniels, Carla Elmore, Lisa Foos, Darlene Goodlive, James Guk, Christina Hausfeld, Roland Hirschfeld, Janna Hughes, Brenda Klevit, Denise Kromer, Michelle Madden, Catherine Nichols, Raymond Owen, William Porter, Harold Ravenscraft, Bob Richmond, Rona Rodgers, Miranda Schultz, Frederick Shaffer, Ida Spears, George Stoll, Richard Thatcher, Grace Wenrick, Elizabeth Wittler, Jane Zonker, Ronald Burke, Mathew Cline, Helen Daniels, Janice Eubanks, Christina Garlitz, Charlotte Gosden, Brandy Haas, Richard Heddleson, Rodney Hrinko, Mary Humphrey, Norman Klosinski, Thomas Lavender, Jeanne Mericle, Debra Ortz, Shirley Palm, Norma Preston, Janet Redinbo, Theodore Rickard, Deborah Rowland, Robin Scott, Kay Shellhouse, Sharon St. Clair, Darrick Sweet, Gayle Wallis, Michael Wentz, Shelia Wlodarsky, Diane Leadership Addington, Tammy Amstutz, Mark Baker, Denise Barnabi, Michael Bennett, Earl Black, Judy Bohl, Kevin Buck, Delbert Campbell, Janet Chaffee, Joyce Chappuies, Carolyn Cole, Patsy Cycyk, Pamela Dewitz, Judy Dulin, Joseph Edmonson, Edward Eubank, William Feikert, Sandra Fisher, James Fries, Harold Gilbert, Paul Graham, Lisa Guess, Shannon Hastings, Patsy Herbster, Roger Hoffman, Albert Hoover, Monte Hunter, Margaret Jackson, Leslie Jones, Maxine Keller, Judy Kerr, Phyllis Alge, Joan Arthur , Emilee Balbaugh, Raymond Bell, Patricia Bensman, Leonard Blevins, Fran Brown, James Burkle, Elsie Campbell, Paul Chandler, Bill Choudhary, Carol Cook, Valerie Dailey, Lisa Diltz, Beverly Dunlap, Angela Elder, Nathan Evans, Joan Filbert, Nancy Fisher, Marianne Fuls, Lorrie Gotchall, Mary Gredig, Sheila Gunhouse, Susan Hayward, Susan Hill, Mary Holloway, Lawrence Houston, Margery Irvin, James James, Ronald Jozwiak Jr., John Keller, Sandra King, Mary Altizer, Elizabeth Baker, Cynthia Banks, Karen Bennett, Boyd Bishop, Rita Bohaychyk, Annabelle Brumbaugh, Susan Burrer, Charlene Campbell, Ryan Channell, Nancy Chumney, Gary Cramer, Autumn Davis, Angela Donaker, Wanda Edinger, Charles Ensman, Todd Feeny, Michael Finkel, Mildred Fravel, Leo Gibbs, Karen Grabow, Diane Griffith, Roy Hake, Trina Heitzman, Jean Hilston, Henry Honsberger, Larry Humphrey, Tana Irvin, Sandra Jones, David Keiser, Richard Kempton, DonaldKinsler, Sandra Page 12 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier Leadership Kovalski, James Lanning, Margaret Leslie, Suella Ludwig, Emerson Martin, Roger Mccoy, Dethel Mcgrath, Stephanie Michalak, Jane Montavon, Gerald Morris, Beci Mulder, Richard Nichols, Randy Patton, Montford Peter, Max Pierce, Patricia Poland, Linda Randolph, Edith Rieke, Sharon Ring, Charles Roe, Ralph` Royer, Marvin Ryzner, John Schonauer, Joni Senn, Gerald Shipp, Helen Slone, Mildred Smith, Sheryll Starcher, Patricia Stidd, Doris Tackett, James Toki, Thomas Tschopp, Paula Vonstein, Joyce White, Leonard Wilkerson, Dianna Wisard, Joseph Worden, Michelle Lacer, Kimberly Langley, Dona Lehman, John Lehmann, David Limestoll, Darlene Lipscomb, Jill Mansfield, Harold Manz, Paul Martin, Rosalee May, Connie Mcfadden, Eric Mcfarland, Sheila Mckinney, William Michael, Patricia Mitchell, Rita Monaco, Marlene Moore, Cecil Moore, Mary Mortensen, June Mulder, Margery Murphy-Vogt, Debbie Nagel, Donna Norman, Jamie Parker, Terry Pendergrast, Elaine Perkins, Barbara Piatt, Ruth Pierce, Lisa Pieren, Molly Pirinen, Jean Potochnik, Karen Pottmeyer, Larry Reinhart, James Rethmel, Rodney Rietschlin, Debra Riffle, Andrew Ring, Jill Robinson, Daniel Roll, Otto Ross, Betsy Royse, Cynthia Runtas, Marilyn Satterfield, Debara Schneider, Nancy Schwartz, Dale Sellers, Wendy Shick, Darlene Shipe, Dalton Sickinger, Diane Sikyta, Michael Smith, Charles Smith, Marie Spears, Mark Stanton, Amy Stauffer, Douglas Steele, Willard Strickland, Dennis Swartz, Douglas Tangeman, Amanda Thiedt, Larry Tondy, Nancy Towers, Debra Tucker, Tina Vadasz, Howard Wank, Paul Webb, Audra Whiteman, Galen Wiget, Sandra Williamson, Leslie Wilson, Frederick Witte-Stewart, CarleneWood, Dena Yoder, Gary Yoder, Hubert Supporter Ackerman, Ramona Ashworth, Karen Barnhouse, Sandra Beckwith, Patricia Adkins, Peggy Baranyai, Kristine Barton, Arlene Bethel, Gloria Albright, Penelope Barnes, Jean Beckett, Pauline Blunk, Richard Brand, Linda Caraccio, Suzanne Clark, Dorothy Coy, David Crouch, Melva Dannemiller, Joseph Dixon, Kimberly Feasel, Michael Garmyn, Hollis Gooding, Rachel Graham, Diann Guenther-Snyder, Claudia Hammond, Marilyn Heller, Cynthia Hickman, Donna Inniger, Paula Kelsey, William Kleemeyer, Harriett October/November 2013 Brown, Diana Carlson, Colleen Clewell, Santa Crawford, Michael Crumpler, Kay Davis, Roxanne Ehman, Nancy Fowler, Clarence Gladen, Lynda Gordon, Mark Graham, Karen Hagley, Larry Harris, Martha Henderson, Nolan Howser, John Jacobs, Roger Kessler, Catherine Kunka, Peter Busch, Donald Ceja, Linda Copeland, George Crites, Pamela Cunningham, Kimberly Devine, Nancy Farabaugh, Elizabeth Fulton, Anita Glassburn, Genevieve Graef, Jerry Grilliot, Roger Hagstrom, Anna Hawkins, Kimberly Herr, Robert Hunter, Teresa Karl, Diane King, Winifred Lindon, Sherry Supporter Loertscher, Paul Mace, Helen Mastroianni, Douglas Mccoy, Christopher Miller, Kathryn Nichols, Mary Petri, Donna Pond, Robert Pyers, Paul Riffle, Melvin Scarry, Brian Shank, John Smith, Hannelore Stacklin, Ruth Straits, Dayle Taylor, Glenn Thompson, Michael Walton, Jaclin Webb, Robert Williams, Harold Woodward, Maria Wymer, Lisa Young, Tera Lovenshimer, Paul Lugabihl, Sheri Maddux, Rhonda Mann, Alicia Mayberry, Rodney Mcallister, Betty Meier, Marjorie Miller, Elizabeth Minor, James Moody, John Pacer, Laura Payne, Tina Pfeffer, Paula Pippert, Linda Prenger, John Pullin, Ivan Radsick, Janet Reamsnyder, Tony Roberts, Kimberly Roe, Carl Schilling, Amy Seavolt, Phyllis Shroyer, Fred Slane, Cindy Specht, Whitney Spencer, Constance Stanwick, Thomas Starlin, Nancy Synodinos, Suzanne Tapke, Timothy Teutsch, Marjorie Thomas, John Trammel, Randy Turner, Tammy Ward, Kathleen Ward, Patricia Wetzel, Alan Will, Virginia Williams, Ruth Wise, Robert Wrage, Melissa Wright, Julienne Yingling, Lois Yoder, Glenn Zedaker, Jason As always, in your service!! Michael D. Aitchison Page 13 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 In Memoriam Mary Ann Riggs, age 80, of Freeport died peacefully at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2013 in Beacon Pointe Rehab Center. Born August 16, 1933 in Conotton, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Daniel Martin Trushell and Anna Rosalie Grace Trushell. She was a 1952 graduate of Scio High School. She was employed by the Freeport Press in the typesetting department for numerous years and then took a position with Baker’s Foods as a cashier and produce manager in 1978. She worked for Baker’s for twenty-four years and retired as office manager in 2002. Mary Ann was a member of the Freeport Presbyterian Church, the former Presbyterian Missionary Circle, Lakeland Senior Citizens, the I Help You Club, and helped with the Blue Ribbon General 4-H Club. She was very active in the Ohio Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary where she filled various offices. She enjoyed attending the National and State Conventions, traveling all over the United States. She married Edward Blair Riggs on June 11, 1952. Together they owned and operated a dairy farm on Dry Ridge Road until 1980. Blair died July 19, 1990. Surviving are two daughters: Patsy Ann (Wayne) Anderson of Freeport and Donna Kay (John) Koch of Freeport; five grandchildren: Jason (Kimberly) Anderson of Freeport, Ginger (Gary) Cyrus of Freeport, Jacob (Amanda) Koch of Cambridge, Angela (Todd) Smith of Uhrichsville, and Mitchell (Shannone) Koch of Freeport; nine great-grandchildren: Shaelyn Anderson, Tyson Anderson, Stetson Cyrus, Daisy Cyrus, Seth Koch, Audra Koch, Alexis Smith, Lance Smith, and Cooper Koch; one greatgranddaughter on the way; six sisters: Marie Case of Florida, Sara (George) Case of New Philadelphia, Elsie Chambers of Strasburg, Thelma DeWire of Canton, Sylvia (Harry) Albright of Conotton, and Freeda (Ken) Shultz of Canton; two brothers: Dan (Hazel) Trushell of Bowerston and Paul (Martha) Trushell of Scio; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Kraus who died March 28, 2013. Online condolences may be made on the funeral home’s website. SPOTLIGHT PAGE In every issue we would like to have a Spotlight Page. Anyone knowing of a person or post office they feel should be spotlighted please send information to: Editor Lori Todd at loritodd@yahoo.com. Lolita M. Appel, 50, of Edgerton, Ohio, died at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she was a patient, after an extended illness. Mrs. Appel was a 1981 graduate of Edgerton High School and was a rural postal carrier in Hicksville for 15 years. Prior to working at the post office, she had worked at Ohio Art Company for seven years. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Edgerton and the Altar Rosary Society, of which she was vice president, and was active in the church as a former school board member at St. Mary School; as a former member of the parish council; and as a longtime song leader and choir participant. She served one term with the Defiance County Soil and Water Supervisory Board and was active with the Edgerton Community Choir, the FFA Alumni, of which she served as secretary, and was a fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Lolita M. Appel was born on February 27, 1963, in Defiance, Ohio, the daughter of Louis J. and Joann F. (Stark) Schaper. She married Duane R. Appel on April 26, 1986, in Edgerton and he survives. Survivors also include two sons, Aaron Appel of St. Louis, Missouri, and Brandon Appel of Edgerton; one daughter, Natalie Appel of Edgerton; a granddaughter, Addyson Appel; her father, Louis Schaper of Bryan, Ohio; her mother, Joann (Bob) Lantz of Bryan; one sister, Jenny (David) Reamsnyder of West Unity, Ohio; and three brothers, Bill (Wendy) Schaper, Dan (Sara) Schaper and Tom (Heather) Schaper, all of Bryan. Memorials are requested to St. Mary School or to Susan G. Komen Foundation to fight breast cancer. Page 14 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 In Memoriam Ronald Hugh Scott, 97, passed away Friday, July 26, 2013 at Genesis Health Care in Bryan, Ohio where he had resided for three years. Ron was born July 10, 1916 in Columbia, Ohio to Verdie (Richardson) and Carmen Scott. A 1936 graduate of Stryker High School, he married Helen Peugeot March 25, 1937. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bryan. A Navy veteran of World War II, he then worked as a rural mail carrier, retiring from the Bryan Post Office in 1972. He was president of the Ohio Rural Letter Carriers Association from 1961-1963. In the early 1950’s he owned and operated the Easy Method Driver Training School in Bryan. After retiring, he operated a saw and blade sharpening business and participated in many craft shows with his woodworking projects. He brightened up all family gatherings with his great smile and his homemade ice cream. Ron and Helen enjoyed camping with the NW Chapter of Retired Cardinals Camping Club in the summers and spending winters in warmer areas as long as their health permitted. A devoted husband, he cared for Helen at home as long as he could. She preceded him in death in 2008. Their only son, Philip, died in April 2013. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard Scott and a niece Lynetta Perkins. Surviving are nieces Joan McNamee, Stryker; Jane Elder, Anaheim, CA; Jeanne Vorhees, Tucson, AZ and Laezon Recor, Toledo. Also surviving are nephews Tom Opdycke, Bryan and Jim Scott, Dublin, Ohio. Visitation will be held Friday, August 2nd from 4-8pm at the Grisier Funeral Home in Stryker, Ohio. Private graveside services will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Stryker prior to a memorial service. Pastor Dorothy Ritchey-Moore will conduct this service in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church in Bryan Saturday August 3rd at 11am. Memorial suggestions include the First Presbyterian Church of Bryan or the patient activity fund at Genesis Health Care-Bryan center. CONTEST Every issue of the Ohio Rural Letter Carrier will contain a name of a member in the body of one of the board members articles. Find your name in the article and win a $25 Visa Voucher from Atlanta Postal Credit Union. The name will be placed where it makes no sense (example: The USPS is a great place loritodd to work). Contact Penny Koren at 330735-2727 to claim your prize. Debra Osgood did not find her name in the last issue. Keep reading everyone! Charles E. Dennis, 67, of Delaware passed on unexpectedly to his heavenly eternal home Thursday evening August 1, 2013. He was born November 6, 1945 in Akron, Ohio to Teddy E. and Delcie G. (Fluharty) Dennis. Chuck graduated from Elm Valley High School in 1963 and served in the National Guard from 1965 – 1970 earning the rank of sergeant. He retired from the US Postal Service in 2011 after 22 years of service. He had previously worked at Natures Plant Food in Marion as plant manager and Glenwood Range Co. as production control manager. Chuck was a kind hearted, gentle man who loved and lived for his family. He dearly loved his grandchildren and great granddaughter and enjoyed attending and watching their various sporting events. Chuck enjoyed gardening, bowling, and in his younger years golfing. He was loved by all and truly loved helping others. He will be greatly missed, but we have peace in knowing he is now in his heavenly home. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Joyce (Furay); children, Linda Dennis-Perry, Brenda Johns, and Teddy C. Dennis; 6 grandchildren, Jessica, Stephanie, Jeff, Ryan, Aly, and Teddy; and recently blessed with a precious angel and great granddaughter, Aubrianna; sister, Betty Alvey; brother, John Dennis; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alum Creek Friends Church, 3385 St. Rt. 229, Marengo, Ohio 43334. The Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center is honored to serve the Dennis family. Condolences may be expressed and memories may be shared by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com CHANGE OF ADDRESS OHRLCA uses the same address that you have on file with the USPS. Therefore, if you need to change your address, you have three options: 1. Use PS Form 1216, Employee‘s Current Mailing Address. Send it to: HRSSC, Benefits/Compensation, PO Box 970400, Greensboro, NC 27497-0400. 2. Call the HRSSC at 877-477-3273, option 5. Validate your identity with your Employee ID number or USPS Pin, then option 9 to speak to a service representative whowill assist you. 3. For carriers with PC access: Log on to LiteBlue using your EID and USPS Pin. Click on the Change of Address/Phone/Emergency Contact link under Employee Resources. Your current information will be displayed. To update your information, click the edit button, and you’re on your way. Follow the prompts to review, confirm and save your changes. That‘s it, you‘re done! Page 15 The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier October/November 2013 The 2013-2014 Ohio Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Auxiliary Auxiliary Officers PRESIDENT PAUL ORTZ 11696 Youngstown Pitts Rd. New Middletown OH 44442 Phone 330-542-9496 orlcasjo2001@comcast.net VICE PRESIDENT ED COX 4780 Stony Creek Urbana OH 43078 Phone 937-869-4724 diane_rlc@yahoo.com SECRETARY/TREASURER DIANA HAUSFELD P. O. Box 105 Minster, OH 45865-0105 Phone 419-628-2433 diana@hktelco.net EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMAN Jodie Burke, Chairman 4822 Delevan Dr. Lyndhurst OH, 44124 Phone 216–382-3031 goofy16jb@yahoo.com Ray Mull, Secretary 9235 Wayne Trace Rd. Camden OH, 45311 Phone 513-543-3766 zxtomcat@aol.com Sandy Schwartz, Board Member 10 Eastmoor Court New Bremen, OH 45869-1101 Phone 419-305-3800 skschwartz@nktelco.net JUNIOR SPONSOR Pat Singelyn 18991 Munn Rd. Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 Phone 330-562-8886 plsteacher207@yahoo.com JUNIORS 2013-2014 President: Abby Hausfeld 733 Oakwood Drive, Minster, OH 45865 VP: Riley Hausfeld 733 Oakwood Drive, Minster, OH 45865 Secretary : Samantha Fernandez, Defiance, OH 43512 Treasurer: Nate Hausfeld, 733 Oakwood Drive, Minster, OH 45865 New Auxiliary Board (left to right): President Paul Ortz, Executive Board Members Sandy Schwartz, Ray Mull, Jodi Burke, Secretary/Treasurer Diana Hausfeld, Vice President Ed Cox. AUXILIARY NEWS Hi friends, Well, we just came back from St Louis for the National Convention. What a wonderful time to renew old friendships and make more friends from all over our great country. The first thing I did was to go up in the ARCH, the gateway to the West, it was a great experience. At the convention Shelia Reardon Gilmore was elected President of the National Auxiliary of the National Rural Letter Carrier Association. She chose for her humanitarian project this year "J.D.R.F." Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The purpose of this project is to raise money to support the Research Foundation. The number of Americans who have Type 1 diabetes is app. 3,000,000. 30,000 peo- Paul Ortz, President ple each year are diagnosed with T.I.D. of this number 15,000 are children. Last year we raised app $85,000. for the Program of Love, (Epidermolysis Bullosa or EB) Every year we have a very worth while project. Please support us with the items our members will be selling and your donations. We will be coming to your District meetings to tell you more about this years project and the items we have for sale. I'm looking for your support in the coming year. In our poster contest at National this year we had three winners from Ohio. Thanks for doing your posters. The winners are Tyson Wayne Anderson, age 6, Stetson Joseph Cyrus, age 8 & Shaelyn Blair Anderson age 11. These are the grandchildren of Patsy Anderson of Freeport, District 3 and the Great Grandchildren of Mary Ann Riggs. Congratulations to these Juniors. The children have so much fun at the conventions. Please come to the conventions and the district meetings to learn about your spouse's job and make new friends. As a spouse you are automatically a member of the Auxiliary. We are coming to the time of year to remind our spouse to be safe as they do their job, safety, safety is so important. Also let's remind each other of this time of the year to be THANKFUL for the rural carrier jobs we have and all the benefits. Many do not have what we have. Sometimes we are discouraged with all the changes taking place but still lets be thankful. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Thank You, Sincerely, Paul Ortz Page 16 UPCOMING EVENTS The Ohio Rural Letter Carrier Members Send Address Changes to: Ohio Rural Letter Carriers Association 104 Clay Road SW Dellroy OH 44620-9757 October/November 2013 Non-Profit U. S. Postage PAID Permit # 225 Youngstown, OH Fall Board Meeting October 20-21, 2013 Holiday Inn Eastgate 4501 Eastgate Blvd., Cincinnati, OH 45245 Spring Booster Meeting TBA All dates and times are subject to change due to unexpected events. Please check our website OHRLCA.org for changes to this schedule and the most current date information. DEADLINE for the December/January issue is November 12, 2013. Please have all articles to Editor Lori Todd by that date. loritodd@yahoo.com Ohio Delegation At National Convention In St. Louis