Welcome to the Mahoning Retired Teachers Association(MRTA) serving the greater Youngstown, Ohio area and a local affiliate of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association
Fall Meetings 2021
September 8, 2021 - Speaker: Dr. Jay Brock - The Coronavirus and You Chicken Newport, Pasta, Rosemary Potatoes, Green Bean Almandine, Tossed Salad, Lemon Dessert Click here for the reservation form.
November 10, 20221 -Speaker: Maro Iacone - The STRS and The Audit Program: Veterans Honored Roast Turkey with dressing, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Broccoli/Cauliflower Au Gratin, Tossed Salad, Pumpkin Dessert Click here for the reservation form.
December 8. 2021 -Program: The Boardman High School Jazz Band Community Service: Donations for the Salvation Army Toys for Kids Meat Loaf, Pasta, Mashed Potatoes/Gravy, Corn, Tossed Salad, Rolls, Cream Pie Dessert Click here for the reservation form.
Welcome to our new officers for 2020-2022!
President: Phil Butto 1st Vice President: Susan Harris 2nd Vice President: Ruth Frankenburg Secretary: Barb Ade Treasurer: Debra Mettee
Yearly MRTA dues are now $20 per year. Lifetime MRTA dues are now $75. Luncheon prices have also increased to $15.
Stay up to date with news from STRS - get eUPDATES after each board meeting - Go to the website at www.strsoh.org - scroll down to the black box that says SUBSCRIBE - tell them to sign you up for eUPDATES and give your email address - press send. Click here to go to the website.
MRTA Luncheons and Programs take place at: Drake's Landing 2177 W. Western Reserve Rd.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION - Sonia Tsvetkoff MRTA has awarded one scholarship this year to Jensen Kniska, a senior attending Youngstown State University. Jensen will receive an education degree majoring in early childhood education and intervention specialist. Following graduation in December, Jensen would like to pursue a master's degree in speech pathology. She has been on the YSU Dean's List and the President's List multiple times. We congratulate her on winning the award, and hope to have her attend one of our meetings this fall.
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION - June Logan ORTA has reached its goal of $75,000 needed to fund the STRS Forensic Audit. Mr. Ted Siedle will be conducting it. For more information, go to orta.org/advocacy. There is lots of information about what ORTA is currently doing and also a box for you to comment on "What Advocacy Means to You."
On Facebook there is an Ohio STRS Members Only forum. You can share comments, news and posts aout our current retirement system.
INFORMATIVE AND PROTECTIVE COVID NEWS - Peggy Bennett
This information may be helpful if you are looking for the Covid-19 vaccine, but don't know how or where to get it. No entity will take walk-ins. You must make an appointment to get the vaccine. Here are some places (and contact information) you might try:
Mahoning County Health Department - 50 Winchester Dr.., Austintown 330-270-2855(option 9) ( 8-4;30 M-F) or www.mahoninghealth.org
Youngstown City Health Department - 903 Otis St., Youngstown 330-502-4276 (8-4 M-F) www.covid.19youngstownohio.gov
Mercy Health -= Vaccines distributed at two location. North Lima - 9471 Market St or Youngstown or 1053 Belmont Avenue 866-624-0366 Asking individuals to print the form found on www.mercy.com prior to coming. If unable to do so, they will have forms available.
Giant Eagle Pharmacies - Vaccines available at the Boardman, Poland, Austintown and Canfield locations.
Walgreens Pharmacy - Poland, 30 W. McKinley Way 330-757-4752; Youngstown, 40 N. Meridian Rd. 330-270-5861; Youngstown, 3800Tippecanoe Rd. 330797-3205; Austintown, 2316 Mahoning Ave. 330-792-4785
CVS Pharmacies
Veterans Administration
Rite Aid Pharmacies - www.reteaid.com
Anyone who is looking, please reach out to the pharmacy you use. Vaccines are being distributed to pharmacies randomly.
Information provided by Cassandra Valetini, LSW Agency Community Liaison, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio (formerly Area Agency on Aging 11).
Forensic Audit, an Editorial - Barbara Ade
First of all, I would like to personally thank those who donated money to fund the investigation of the State Teachers Retirement System Pension Fund. I would also like to thank the Ohio Retired Teachers Association for assuming fiduciary responsibility for the investigation. $75,000 has been raised, and Edward(Ted) Siedle has agreed to conduct it. Mr. Siedle is highly credentialed. He is a former SEA attorney who is nationally recognized for his expertise on pension and investment management matters.
The audit has begun. Mr. Siedel is asking whistle blowers to come forward. And he has begun asking for specific pension documents to be made available online. Please take time to follow the audit. Mr. Siedle states, "The investigation will review whether the assets held by STRS are being reported accurately, and what the fees are for managing those assets." It will also look for conflicts of interest(Siedle). At the conclusion of the investigation, it is hoped that enough information will enable retired teachers to regain the COLA they are entitled to under Ohio Revised ode. ORTA..org/Advocacy will keep you informed. Stay tuned, stay informed.