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NEW YORK: When State Comptroller Alan Hevesi (D) decided to oppose Gov. George Pataki's (R) plan to reduce employer contributions to the state retirement system, he immediately called on Retiree Chapter 82 Pres. Gary Tavormina for assistance. Both appeared at a news conference in Albany earlier this year to speak out for responsible financing for the pension fund. Hevesi is the sole trustee of the New York Retirement System.

MARYLAND: At AFSCME's International Convention in Anaheim, Calif., Maryland Chapter 1 Pres. Ida Ward was honored with AFSCME's coveted "Star of Excellence" award. One of several award winners identified as "21st Century Activists," Ward was singled out for heroutstanding achievements in "membership mobilization." Her citation referred to such recent efforts as organizing members to lobby the Maryland legislature against increased drug co-pays and manipulation of the state pension board; testifying before legislative committees; bringing busloads of retirees to the nation's capitol to rally for a real Medicare drug benefit; and motivating chapter members to volunteer for political campaigns.

OHIO: Once again, the honor of oldest finisher in the International Convention's PEOPLE Fun Run has gone to Loneste Blackwell, president of Ohio Chapter 1184 and the recently elected secretary of the national AFSCME Retiree Council. For many years, she participated on the OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11 relay team at AFSCME conventions, then went solo as a retiree runner. "I actually walk the race," Blackwell said, "but it's no easy task to cross the finish line. I walk a lot at home in Columbus, and that helps keep me in shape for the PEOPLE event every two years."

The race is a fundraiser for PEOPLE, AFSCME's political action committee. As a race participant, Blackwell collects donations from her fellow retirees and this year won a special award for the money she raised. All the money collected for the Fun Run will help elect AFSCME endorsed candidates in Federal elections.

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