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Retired teachers urged to vote, contact legislators


The following column was submitted by Nancy Stockton on behalf of the Uvalde Area Retired Teachers Association.

The Uvalde Area Retired Teachers Association welcomed 70 people to its potluck lunch meeting held Oct. 16 at the Herby Ham Activity Center. Texas Retired Teachers Association District 20 legislative chairman Ken Hanson and his wife, Nola, were special guests.

Before the meal, chapter president Bill Ed Kolinek gave the invocation, and Sharon Fowler led the pledges for the United States and the Texas flags.

Barbara Burell led in the singing of God Bless America. Burell had those with an October or November birthday stand as she led the “Happy Birthday” song. Then the members and guests served themselves for the meal.

After a while, Kolinek called the business meeting to order.

B. J. Cooper, secretary, pointed out that copies of the Aug. 20 meeting minutes were on the tables. With no changes or additions, the minutes were approved. Kay Welch gave the treasurer’s report. Molly Turner, a member of the book committee, gave an update on the book project, which gives a new book to every first-grade student in public or private schools in Uvalde and area schools.

The program was presented by Ken Hanson. He emphasized the importance of keeping in contact with your legislators.

“You need to contact your legislator because they cannot read every bill that will be voted on,” he said. He said that when contact is made, usually with the chief of staff, constituents need to know the bill’s number.

Hanson rallied the audience to register and vote, stating that too many retired school personnel do not vote, therefore, the legislator probably won’t be very concerned about what you want to happen.

Personal contact, via letters, phone calls and actually meeting legislators, is more effective than emails, but any contact is important.

Hostesses were thanked for setting up the meeting, decorations and desserts. Hostesses were Karyn Kingsbery, Mary Fowler, Dora Cruz, Sharon Fowler, Jackie Horton, Sherry Laffere, Gail Nichols, DeeAnna Raley, Mary Stewart and Vicki Watson.

Diana Bonnet was thanked for working on the yearbooks. Bonnet gave special recognition to Gloria Resma and the Uvalde Leader-News for their help. Bonnet urged members to look over their yearbooks for information on legislators and benefits as well as future meetings. The next meeting will be an evening meeting on Dec. 11 at the Herby Ham Activity Center. A catered meal will be served.

A basket of Uvalde products was given to the Hansons, and Bonnet held the drawing for door prizes. After the door prizes were given out, Kolinek adjourned the meeting.

(Left) Uvalde Area Retired Teachers Association members Eunice Sosa (left) and Darlene Laws display the certificates they received from the Texas Retired Teachers Association for their contributions. Sosa, health chairman for UARTA, was lauded for promoting healthy living among Teacher Retirement System of Texas retirees, and Laws received the volunteer service award. (Right)Texas Retired Teachers Association District 20 legislative chairman Ken Hanson (second from right) and his wife, Nola Hanson, are greeted by Uvalde Area Retired Teachers Association members (far left to right) Jeanie Hart and Bill Ed Kolinek. The Hansons were special guests at the Oct. 16 meeting of the UARTA.

(Left) Uvalde Area Retired Teachers Association members Eunice Sosa (left) and Darlene Laws display the certificates they received from the Texas Retired Teachers Association for their contributions. Sosa, health chairman for UARTA, was lauded for promoting healthy living among Teacher Retirement System of Texas retirees, and Laws received the volunteer service award. (Right)Texas Retired Teachers Association District 20 legislative chairman Ken Hanson (second from right) and his wife, Nola Hanson, are greeted by Uvalde Area Retired Teachers Association members (far left to right) Jeanie Hart and Bill Ed Kolinek. The Hansons were special guests at the Oct. 16 meeting of the UARTA.

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