12
1 The Messenger, Spring 2019 www.wcers.org As you may be aware, the Retirement System has been defending itself in litigation brought by the Wayne County Executive concerning the compo- sition of the Retirement Commission. The Retire- ment Commission currently consists of 8 mem- bers: 2 retiree representatives, 4 active employee representatives, the Chair of the Wayne County Commission, and the County Executive or his or her designee. In 2015 the County Executive at- tempted to: (a) remove a retiree representative; (b) remove an active employee representative; and (c) add 4 additional members who would be appointed by the County Executive. These changes would result in a new 10-member Retire- ment Commission with 5 members appointed/ designated by the County Executive, 1 retiree representative, 3 active employee representatives, and the Chair of the County Commission or his or her designee. After much consideration and discussion with legal counsel, the Retirement Commission deter- mined that the County Executive could not change the composition of the Retirement Com- mission without first amending the County Char- ter, which provides for the 8-member board. On March 23, 2017, the County Executive sued the Retirement Commission to force it to seat a new 10-member board. Although not originally a party to the litigation, the County Commission agreed with the Retirement Commission’s posi- tion and intervened in the case, also arguing that the composition of the Retirement Commission could not be changed without amending the County Charter. After hearing arguments from both sides, the Honorable Leslie Kim Smith ruled in favor of the Retirement Commission and County Commis- sion, holding that the composition of the Retire- ment Commission could not be modified without first amending the County (Continued on page 3) Elizabeth (Bettye) Misuraca was born on July 21, 1936 in Montgomery Alabama. She graduated from high school at age 16, married at 17 and migrated to Michigan. From an early age Bettye knew that she would make a great impact on the world. Early on in her career she was mentored by the late Attorney Hobart T. Taylor, who was appointed by President Kennedy as special coun- sel to the President’s Committee on Equal Em- ployment Opportunity. He helped to inspire her spirit of giving and serving which ignited her passion to fight for the rights of others. Bettye took the civil service exam and began working as a stenographer at the Wayne County Road Commission in 1963 for the Director of Administration, Joe Hartmann. She graduated from Wayne County Community College in 1976. She was promoted to Management Coordi- nator in the Engineering Department in 1978. During this time she developed a program to hire and rotate young engineers in different disci- plines. This program is still in effect today. A few years later she received her Bachelor’s De- gree from Wayne State University in 1980. With the help of Delphine Fairbanks, she worked on many projects at the airport which included (Continued on page 3) Retiree Spotlight April 2019 Inside this issue: Check Dates 2 Retiree Spotlight (cont) 3 Direct Deposit Form 4 New Retirees 7 In Loving Memory 9 2019 Commissioners 11 The Grand Park Centre Building 28 West Adams Suite 1900 Detroit, MI 48226 Phone: 313-224-5890 Fax: 313-224-1917 E-mail: [email protected] We’re on the Web! WCERS.org @WCERS Content: CaSandra Kirt Editor: Tina Turner Elizabeth (Bettye) Misuraca Retiree Board Member WCERS Former Assistant County Executive Retiree Newsflash Litigation Update: Composition of the Retirement Commission

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Page 1: Litigation Update: Composition of the Retirement Commissionwcers.org/Messenger/Retiree Newsletter Spring 2019.pdfment Commission could not be modified without first amending the County

1 The Messenger, Spring 2019

www.wcers.org

As you may be aware, the Retirement System has

been defending itself in litigation brought by the

Wayne County Executive concerning the compo-

sition of the Retirement Commission. The Retire-

ment Commission currently consists of 8 mem-

bers: 2 retiree representatives, 4 active employee

representatives, the Chair of the Wayne County

Commission, and the County Executive or his or

her designee. In 2015 the County Executive at-

tempted to: (a) remove a retiree representative;

(b) remove an active employee representative;

and (c) add 4 additional members who would be

appointed by the County Executive. These

changes would result in a new 10-member Retire-

ment Commission with 5 members appointed/

designated by the County Executive, 1 retiree

representative, 3 active employee representatives,

and the Chair of the County Commission or his or

her designee.

After much consideration and discussion with

legal counsel, the Retirement Commission deter-

mined that the County Executive could not

change the composition of the Retirement Com-

mission without first amending the County Char-

ter, which provides for the 8-member board. On

March 23, 2017, the County Executive sued the

Retirement Commission to force it to seat a new

10-member board. Although not originally a

party to the litigation, the County Commission

agreed with the Retirement Commission’s posi-

tion and intervened in the case, also arguing that

the composition of the Retirement Commission

could not be changed without amending the

County Charter.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the

Honorable Leslie Kim Smith ruled in favor of the

Retirement Commission and County Commis-

sion, holding that the composition of the Retire-

ment Commission could not be modified without

first amending the County (Continued on page 3)

Elizabeth (Bettye) Misuraca was born on July 21,

1936 in Montgomery Alabama. She graduated

from high school at age 16, married at 17 and

migrated to Michigan. From an early age Bettye

knew that she would make a great impact on the

world. Early on in her career she was mentored

by the late Attorney Hobart T. Taylor, who was

appointed by President Kennedy as special coun-

sel to the President’s Committee on Equal Em-

ployment Opportunity. He helped to inspire her

spirit of giving and serving which ignited her

passion to fight for the rights of others.

Bettye took the civil service exam and began

working as a stenographer at the Wayne County

Road Commission in 1963 for the Director of

Administration, Joe Hartmann. She graduated

from Wayne County Community College in

1976. She was promoted to Management Coordi-

nator in the Engineering Department in 1978.

During this time she developed a program to hire

and rotate young engineers in different disci-

plines. This program is still in effect today. A

few years later she received her Bachelor’s De-

gree from Wayne State University in 1980. With

the help of Delphine Fairbanks, she worked on

many projects at the airport which included

(Continued on page 3)

Retiree Spotlight

April 2019

Inside this issue:

Check Dates 2

Retiree Spotlight (cont) 3

Direct Deposit Form 4

New Retirees 7

In Loving Memory 9

2019 Commissioners 11

The Grand Park Centre Building

28 West Adams

Suite 1900

Detroit, MI 48226

Phone: 313-224-5890

Fax: 313-224-1917 E-mail:

[email protected]

We’re on the Web!

WCERS.org

@WCERS

Content: CaSandra Kirt

Editor: Tina Turner

Elizabeth (Bettye) Misuraca Retiree Board Member WCERS

Former Assistant County Executive

Retiree Newsflash Litigation Update: Composition of the

Retirement Commission

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2 The Messenger, Spring 2019

www.wcers.org

2019 Office Closures

Memorial Day 05/27/2019

Independence Day 07/04/2019

Labor Day 09/02/2019

Columbus Day 10/14/2019

Thanksgiving 11/28/2019-11/29/2019

Christmas/(Eve) 12/24/2019-12/25/2019

Swing Holidays 12/26/2019-12/27/2019

New Years/(Eve) 12/30/2019-01/01/2020

Check Dates

The following are the remaining dates of your

retirement checks for the 2019 year: May 05/01/2019

June 05/31/2019

July 07/01/2019

August 08/01/2019

September 08/30/2019

October 09/30/2019

Automatic Required Minimum

Distributions (RMD)

(AXA, MassMutual, VOYA)

If you will be 70 1/2 by the end of 2019

and you have not begun to draw your re-

quired minimum distribution, you MUST

do so before the end of the year as re-

quired by the IRS. If you fail to take your

RMD, it will be done automatically for you

by Wayne County, to save you from being

penalized by the IRS.

Unless, you are still working after age 70

1/2. In this case, you may still be able to

begin drawing benefits after this time.

If you have questions, please call:

Mrs. Courtney Johnson (313) 224-2817

Messenger Articles

If you have any information you would like to

include in “The Messenger,” it must be sub-

mitted in writing and received in our office. All

writings are limited to 300 characters and are

subject to review and may be denied or edited

for any reason deemed necessary by WCERS

editor

Tina Turner ([email protected]).

Health, Dental, Optical, and

Life Insurance

For questions regarding your healthcare bene-

fits, please contact Wayne County Benefits at

[email protected] or your account

representative listed below:

General Questions and Enrollment contact:

Ebony Byrd (313) 224-0436 (A-L)

Email: [email protected]

Deborah Brown (313) 224-6076 (M-Z)

Email: [email protected]

All questions regarding Stipends contact:

Wallace Shelton (313) 967-6432

Email: [email protected]

RETIREE PAYROLL CONTACTS

Andrea Pennington

(313) 224-2774

Jim Magee

(313) 224-2821

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3 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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COUNTY OF

WAYNE

Charter. Specifically, Judge Smith opined that

“any changes to the Retirement Commission are

changes to the County Charter that must be sub-

mitted to the electorate for a vote pursuant to the

Michigan Constitution, 1963 Const. Article 7,

Section 2, and pursuant to the Charter Counties

Act, MCL 45.514(1)(o)” and dismissed the case.

The County Executive appealed Judge Smith’s

decision to the Michigan Court of Appeals which

held oral arguments on the case on March 5,

2019. The retirees were well represented at the

hearing with over 100 retirees in attendance.

There was not enough room in the courtroom for

all of the retirees, so several had to listen to the

proceedings through a speaker in a room down

the hall. We do not have a timetable for when

the Court of Appeals will issue a decision, but

we anticipate a decision will be issued within the

next 2 months or so.

Congratulations to Commissioner Gary Woron-

chak on his Retirement. Thank you for your ser-

vices at Retirement/Wayne County. Mr. Woron-

chak was first elected to the Wayne County

Commission in 2004 representing the 13th dis-

trict and served 14 years. In 2011 Commissioner

Woronchak was elected by his colleagues to be

the Chair of the Wayne County Commission and

pursuant to the Home Rule Charter he served as

the ex-officio member of the Retirement Com-

mission until his retirement from the Wayne

County Commission on December 31, 2018.

During Mr. Woronchak’s tenure he was an advo-

cate of improving the fiscal health of the retire-

ment system, increasing transparency and reduc-

ing cost. Mr. Woronchak worked with his fel-

low Retirement Commissioners and staff by re-

viewing the performances and services offered

by Retirement System Service Providers and

approving investments for the benefit of its

members. Mr. Woronchak worked with the Re-

tirement Commissioners and staff reviewing and

updating existing policies and adopting new

policies relating to governance, administration,

and investment. Mr. Woronchak participated in

discussions for implementing reforms to the De-

fined Benefit, Defined Contribution, and De-

ferred Compensation Plans to improve their op-

eration and effectiveness.

The Retirement System would like to welcome

Wayne County Chair, Commissioner Alisha R.

Bell (D-Detroit) to the Board of Retirement

Commissioners. Ms. Bell was first elected to the

Wayne County Commission in 2002 and repre-

sents District 7. Ms. Bell has worked tirelessly

for the citizens of Wayne County. Ms. Bell was

elected Chair of the Wayne County Commission

in a vote of her fellow Commissioners on Janu-

ary 8, 2019. Ms. Bell replaces former Commis-

sion Chair Gary Woronchak (D-Dearborn). Ms.

Bell will work in conjunction with the Retire-

ment Commission to work diligently to ensure

its members benefits.

(Retiree Newsflash continued from page 1)

Sign Up Today!

Wayne County Re-tirement encour-ages the use of di-rect deposit to re-ceive your monthly pension. It’s Fast, it’s Safe, and it’s Reliable. If you wish to sign-up, please complete the form on pg. 6 or at: www.wcers.org and submit it to our office. If you have questions or would like a form mailed to you, please con-tact our office at 313-224-5890. Did you know you could have your Direct Deposit statement sent to your email? Go to wcers.org and select Email Authorization Form under the Retired Members menu.

opening the Jim Davey Terminal, and the

ground breaking project for the McNamara Ter-

minal. While running the summer program at the

airport she hired hundreds of youths, many of

which gained permanent employment and later

retired. Other projects that she worked on in-

clude the Wayne County Dickerson Facility, and

assisting with the opening of 600 Randolph.

Bettye helped to form a SEIU Union to fight for

the Road Commission employees. Through her

passion, dedication and drive she gained a repu-

tation for being very effective and loyal and soon

became the “go to” person for the Administra-

tion. Although she worked against Executives

Bill Lucas and Ed McNamara, they both put her

on their administrative teams. She became an

Executive Assistant, was promoted to Director of

Faith Base, then later to the Assistant County

Executive over Governmental Affairs (from

where she retired in 2002).

Through years of experiences she became friends

with many people in politics including President

Lyndon Johnson, Governor James Blanchard,

Mayor Coleman Young, and many

Commissioners and Councilmen.

Bettye has been the recipient of many prestigious

awards: Winning Ways Award from Ed McNa-

mara, Women Who Lead Award, Visionary

Award from the Wayne County Commission,

and a Lifetime Membership to the NAACP for

her work in Civil Rights. She is in her 10th year

serving on the Wayne County Employees Retire-

ment System (WCERS).

For over 60 years, Bettye has proven to be a for-

midable force and true treasure of Michigan.

She has been described as a humanitarian and

visionary. Saying “no” is just not in her vocabu-

lary!

Bettye was happily married for nearly 50-years

to Robert (Bob) D. Jarrett the former Director of

the Wayne County Public Works Division before

he passed away March 21, 2018. She is a proud

mother and grandmother.

Bettye currently works for the Public Service

Credit Union as the Director of Community Re-

lations. She stated, “Every administration gave

me another view of life, and all have come to-

gether in a beautiful collage.”

(Retiree Spotlight—Misuraca continued from page 1)

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4 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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5 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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What am I doing with all of my time in Retirement? Studies show that many retirees have concerns about financing their retirement and about what they

will do with their new found freedom. Although you have looked forward to retirement, what if it’s not

as you’ve imagined? What now?

In order to have a more meaningful and enjoyable retirement, it is important to stay active, engaged and

productive. Many people get their identity and their social interaction from work. The idea of stopping

work means they could lose both. It is vital to find new ways to keep busy to fill the 40-50 hours a

week that were once devoted to your job. How to fill your time comes by knowing yourself and the things that you are passionate about. Hobbies

can only fill a portion of your time. Research suggests that many Americans between ages 44-70 are en-

gaging in what is known as encore careers (aka post careers or second acts). These careers help to

combine social impact, personal meaning and continued income all together. Retirees that have encore careers are usually healthier, happier and have a higher sense of purpose. Suc-

cessful retirees are those that give back by working or volunteering for any organization that they care

about. This may be just what you need! There is a new movement called Ecotourism. It includes traveling the world, having wonderful life ex-

periences, enjoying volunteer work while conserving the earth. The program connects travelers who

want to have cultural experiences while doing volunteer work. There are 170 countries and over 3000

hosts involved in this program. One of the adventures includes volunteering in Australia on the Farm Animal Rescue charity. On this

trip you will be helping to save farm animals that have been abused or neglected. Another tour is in the

Azores assisting scientist with whale and dolphin research to help conserve marine life. Other pro-

grams include working in an orphanage or daycare with children in Peru or teaching English at a public

higher education institution in Sudan. Interested in farming? Supporting the organic farm movement in

Thailand allows you to volunteer from weeks to years, exchanging each day of work for your board and

lodging. There are so many opportunities that will help you to see the world and make a difference.

Local opportunities to volunteer include hospitals, schools, social clubs, homeless shelters, soup kitch-

ens, faith based institutions, food banks, concert halls, sports venues and cultural organizations. What

starts out as a volunteer opportunity could lead you to your encore career. You don’t have to look far

to fill a need.

Whether you decide to have a second career or volunteer your time to use your talents and skills, it is

important to fill your time and life with purpose!

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6 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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Get up and get moving! Walking has proven to be one of the best exercises for older

adults, providing many health benefits for your body as you

age. It requires little financial investment. It’s easy to get started. All you need is a great pair of shoes and a little deter-

mination.

Did you know that walking can be as equally effective as run-

ning as long as you burn the same amount of calories? It’s an

aerobic exercise. It has been proven to lower your risks of

high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes by

15%-20% if done regularly. Studies have suggested that walk-

ing daily can reduce your chances of having a heart attack by

30%-50%.

Another benefit of walking is that it helps to burn calories, which most likely will lead to weight loss. Re-

searchers found that just by walking an hour a day, your chances of obesity can be reduced substantially. It

helps to keep you mobile, increases circulation, while giving strength to the muscles, knees and hips. You

can walk at your own pace, it can be done indoors or outside all year round and it’s easy to stick with over

the long term. Whether you walk alone, with a partner or in a group it’s a great way to stay active.

Walking can also build your immunity to illness. People who walk regularly become ill less frequently and

for shorter periods of time. A study discovered that those who walk at least 20 minutes a day for 5 days a

week have 43% less sick days compared to those that did not. Not only does walking make you feel great,

it could possibly add years to your life!

If walking isn’t your thing maybe dancing is. Much like walking and running, dance is also an aerobic activity.

There are so many forms of dance, including ballroom, line, disco, salsa, tap and jazz. Any of these can help

improve your heart and lungs, increase your energy and add to your muscle strength and tone. Dancing can

also help with maintaining a healthy weight, reduce osteoporosis, while increasing better balance, reaction

time, control, posture and awareness. If you’re looking for ways to reduce stress or lower your risk of de-

pression, just turn up the music and get moving! It’s like riding a bicycle, you never really forget once you

get started.

Learning new steps and songs can be a great boost to your self-

esteem and self-confidence, while improving your mental functions

and overall well-being. It is not necessary to pay for dance classes as

there are many social groups that offer them for free. You can dance

anywhere, at social venues, community gatherings, or in your home.

Research has shown that dancing can lead to healthier behaviors such

as eating more nutritiously, and keeping up with your medications.

Just like walking, dancing can be done all year round, with a group, a

partner or alone.

Best of all it’s a great way to make new friends while building new

social connections.

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7 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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New Retirees

Name Dept.

Albert Adams DPS

Amy Hathaway Cir Ct

Andrea Willis Cir Ct

Barry Ellerholz WCAA

Bonita Hawkins Co Clk

Brenda Robinson Co Clk

Brett Michalski WCAA

Carlton Greene DOE

Charles Highbaugh DHVCW

Curtis Harris DPS

Cynthia Dooley DHVCW

David Praedel WCSD

David R. Green WCS

Deborah Price Cir Ct

Dennis Frederick DOE

Derrick A. Wade WCS

Douglas Hughes WCS

Duane Russow DOE

Eric Nixon WCS

Gary Woronchak Comm

Gretta Washington M&B

James Albart DOE

James Jones WCS

James Surowiec Corp Couns

James Trombley WCAA

Jan Gieraga WCAA

Janet Sanders DPS

Jdg. June Blackwell-Hatcher Prob Ct

Jdg. Richard Halloran Cir Cr

Jdg. Robert J. Colombo, Jr. Cir Ct

Jessica Lao DHVCW

Jimmy Marshall DOE

Joan Day Reg of Deed

John B. Asquini WCS

John Breen Cir Ct

John Prater DPS

Name Dept

Joyce Lightbody DOE

Keisa Clark WCS

Kelly Garland Co Clk

Kenneth Kaszubowski DPS

Kenneth Ross DPS

Kevin F. Kelley HHS

Leonard Cartwright WCS

Lillian Brown WCJDH

Margaret M Casey DHVCW

Marianne Rea Comm

Mark A. Hasselbach DPS

Maurice Thompson DOE

Michael Gatson WCS

Michelle Williams M&B

Mohammad Razi DPS

Nancy Ellison Co Clk

Nancy Neff Prosc.

Neil Mackinnon WCAA

Patricia Roberson WCS

Patrick Simmons DPS

Philip Kozlowski Sr. WCS

Philip Trudeau DOE

Phillip Kozlowski, Jr. WCS

Robert A. Stevens Pros Atty

Robert Daiuto, Jr. DOE

Robin Harris WCS

Robin King Treas

Russell E. Herr WCS

Shaun McLachlan WCAA

Simone Smith WCSD

Steven Hunter WCS

Steven Jones WCAA

Theresa Glenn Cir Ct

Venus Amos Co Clk

Victor Plesa DPS

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8 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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Reported August 2018-January-2019

Name Dept

Alfred Fox WCS

Alma Simms WCGH

Andrew Blazic CEO

Anna Miller WCGH

Antione Thomas DPS

Arlan Burnham DPS

Arte Pierce Cir Ct

Arthur Andrews DPS

Arthur Thomas WCSD

Barbara Jacobs Treas

Barbara Norfleet WCGH

Barbara Schendel Corp Coun

Betty Jo Price WCS

Betty Pavlizke WCRC

Beverly Rucker Cir Ct

British Patterson RET

Carmen Wells WCGH

Carolynne White HCS

Charles McElroy WCRC

Charles Reinhardt WCRC

Claude Cooper WCSD

Corinne O'Brien HCS

David Boisvert WCSD

David Stahl WCRC

Deborah Darns-Dickson DHVCW

Demosthenes Arsman Taxation

Dolores Smith WCRC

Dorothy Moore WCGH

Edward Kopy DPS

Elaine Gregory WCS

Elaine Rhodes Co Clk

Eleanore Maciejewski WCRC

Elizabeth Philippart Pros Atty

Elmer Holcomb WCSD

Elvira Blanchard DPS

Emma V. Cox WCGH

Florentine Stronski HHS

Name Dept

Frances Gallaway WCRC

Frances Murawa DPS

Frank Felock Prob Ct

George Lloyd Prob Ct

Gerald Celeskey Pros Atty

Geraldine Galecki WCRC

Glorious Cohen WCGH

Harold Stratton WCS

Helen Goltz Library

Helen Manderville Juv Ct

Helen Sanson Treas

Henry Etta Hunt WCS

Irene Turek WCRC

Jane Connors WCRC

Jean Rouster DPS

Joan Martinuzzi DPS

John Smathers WCAA

Jomil Ferguson DHVCW

Judith Keller Bd of Aud

June Coleman Pros Atty

Karla Lamar Cir Ct

Kenneth Gray WCSD

Krystyna Chmielinska WCRC

Larry Jacobs DPS

Lawrence Daniels DPS

Lee Murchison DOE

Lee Smith WCSD

Leland Onkka CorpCoun

Leonard Satlowski DPS

llhan Sarici WCHD

Lorraine Stryjak WCRC

Mae Hafner WCRC

Marcus Rogers WCRC

Marie Wiktor Co Clk

Marilyn Gabel DPS

Marlene Talley Co Clk

Mary Lou Kulakowski WCGH

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9 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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Name Dept

Mary Peters FOC

Mary Rowan WCGH

Mary Schmelzer DPS

Maureen Pulte Reilly Cir Ct

Michael O'Leary WCRC

Milton Hewer WCRC

Nalda Doletzky WCRC

Otis Wilson WCS

Patrcia Wier WCS

Patric Meaker DPS

Patricia Ardinger WCGH

Peter Benz DOE

Phillip Frederick Co Clk

Ralph Fulton HHS

Raymond Trojan DPS

Regina Wencel WCRC

Robel Anderson DPS

Robert Aitken DPS

Roberteen Slusher HCS

Rodney Hassinger Pros Atty

Ronald Ericson FOC

Ronald Littleton WCAA

Name Dept

Ruth Davis HCS

Ruth Liggans Reg of Deed

Ruth Ruhl Prob Ct

Sam Soskin Library

Sandra Bose WCRC

Timothy Weber DOE

Todd Kidwell Cir Ct

Vernon Davis DPS

Virginia Evans WCGH

Vivian Ochampaugh WCGH

Wallace Dixon WCS

Wanda Heinrich 36th Dist

Warren Brush M & B

Wilfred Fisette DPS

William Leake WCS

William Zeek Corp Couns

Willie Whitlow WCGH

Wilma Lopota WCRC

Winifred Byrd WCGH

Winona Rawls Reg of Deed

Worthy Carver WCS

Yvonne Sims WCS

Winifred (Winnie) B. Byrd was born on December 6, 1925 in Colorado Springs, CO.

She was very studious and received a full academic scholarship to the prestigious Colo-

rado College to study biology. She graduated in 1947. She met and married Curtis

Byrd and they eventually moved to Michigan.

Winnie began her career at Wayne County as a medical technologist in October, 1950.

During her more than 30 year career with Wayne County she was promoted several

times and retired December 12, 1981 as the Assistant Medical Technologist Supervisor

in the Wayne County General Hospital.

In 1989 Winnie and her husband moved to Silver Springs, FL. She participated in

many volunteer activities that included Habitat for Humanity and serving as treasurer of the American Association of University

Women. She served as a deacon and elder at the Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church, and was a longstanding member

of the choir for nearly 30 years,

The Wayne County Employees’ Retirement System (WCERS) would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of

Winifred B. Byrd, who will be remembered for the many lives she touched with her kindness.

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Social Security

For the fourth time in less than a year the Acting Inspector Gen-

eral of the Social Security Administration has issued a warning to

seniors not to be fooled by schemes regarding their Social Secu-

rity.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received many

reports of people receiving threatening phone calls from some-

one claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA)

office. The callers are using a tactic called “spoofing”. This means

that the phone number that displays on your caller identification

is the real number for the Social Security Administration office.

Please be aware that although the phone number displayed on your caller identification is correct, it is not

Social Security that is calling. The caller may be trying to get your social security number, birth date, or any

personal information so they can steal your money and possibly your identity.

The caller may say that there has been some illegal or improper activity with your social security account, or

that your social security number has been deactivated or suspended. Another trick they use to get your

personal information is by saying you are entitled to an increase in your benefit payment but additional infor-

mation is required. Scammers will make threats that you will be arrested, face other criminal charges or that

your social security payments will be stopped. Do not give them the information they are demanding.

The Social Security Administration employee will never use threatening language, make promises to increase

your benefits, or talk about your cost of living adjustment in exchange for your personal information.

Remember that you are in control. Hang up immediately! Do not continue the conversation. The longer you

talk to the scammers, the more likely they will be able to convince you to give them your personal informa-

tion.

Unfortunately the scams are working. The Federal Trade Commission states that over $10 million has been

lost to scammers in recent years.

If you do receive a call like this please:

DO NOT GIVE THE CALLER YOUR INFORMATION

DO NOT TRUST THE PHONE NUMBER ON YOUR CALLER ID

CALL THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION DIRECTLY

Please report the fraudulent call to the Office of the Inspector General. Call the OIG Hotline

at 1-800-269-0271, or call Social Security office, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

You do not have to be a victim to Social Security Fraud!

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11 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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Retiree Clubs

Wayne County Retiree Sub-Chapter 38 meets the second Tuesday of each month starting at 1:00p.m. at UAW

Local 182, 35603 Plymouth Road, Livonia, MI 48150.

Web address: www.wcsubchapter38.com

Wayne County Retirees Association is accepting new members. Email [email protected] for more information

or visit the following website:

Web address: www.waynecountyretireesassociation.com

Wayne County Employees Retirement Club meets the third Thursday of each month (excluding July and Au-

gust) at the Field Engineering Office, 33809 Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor, Wayne, MI 48184. Meetings start at 1:00 p.m.

Dues are $20.00 per year. *Elevator accessible. Email: [email protected]

GAA Retirees Club meets every other month (odd months) on the 3rd Wednesday of the month (November and

December TBD) at Richard’s Family Restaurant 39305 Plymouth Rd., Livonia, MI 48150. Meetings start at 12:30 p.m.

Dues are $20.00 per year and can be sent to Sandy O’Leary, 35584 Ann Arbor Trail, Livonia MI 48150.

Friends of Eloise

More information on this club can be found on Facebook @Friends of Eloise

DISCOUNTS Detroit Public Library

Comerica Java and Jazz

Concert Series

Every 3rd Tuesday

March 19, -July 16, 2019

6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.

5201 Woodward Ave.

Detroit, MI 48202

Charles H. Wright Museum

of African American

History

FREE ADMISSION Every 2ND Sunday

EVERY MONTH

1:00-5:00 p.m.

315 East Warren Ave.

Detroit, MI 48201

KOHL’S Department Store – 15%

(Every Wednesday)

Marshall’s Department Store – 10%

Randazzo’s Fruit Market - (62+)

IHOP – 10% (55+)

AMC Movie Theatre – 30% (60+)

AMTRAK Train and TRAILWAYS BUS

10% (65+)

FREE

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12 The Messenger, Spring 2019

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Office Directory

General Information Main (313) 224-5890

Fax Number (313) 224-1917 Email: [email protected]

Payroll Lost Check (313) 224-2774

Direct Deposit (313) 224-2774 Taxes (313) 224-2774

Wayne County Employees’ Retirement System

28 W. Adams, Suite 1900

Detroit, Michigan 48226

First Class Mail

U.S. Postage PAID

Detroit, Michigan

Permit No. 1024

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

@WCERS