Letter: AARP: Medicare And Social Security

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Letter: AARP: Medicare And Social Security

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 00:00

Earlier this year, AARP launched “You’ve Earned a Say,” a national conversation about the future of Social Security and Medicare, to engage citizens in communities across the country. To date tens of thousands of New Yorkers shared their thoughts through surveys, community conversations, forums, teletown hall sessions and other activities.

Through this conversation, AARP is providing voters with balanced information about the pros and cons of Medicare and Social Security proposals that are being debated in Washington and on the campaign trail — minus the political jargon and spin.

Although some candidates and political campaigns took advantage this election season and used AARP’s logo and quote out of context in political ads, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.

The next president and Congress will likely decide the future of Medicare and Social Security. AARP believes candidates owe voters more than 30-second sound bites on their plans for the future of these programs.

Our voters’ guide, available today on earnedasay.org, enables voters to find out where the candidates stand on Medicare, Social Security and financial security.

We encourage AARP members and New Yorkers of all ages to ask questions about where the candidates stand on these important issues, that are important not only to today’s retirees but future retirees as well so they can make their own decisions on Election Day.

Marilyn Pinsky
AARP New York State President

News

Father Sommer Coming To St. Bernard’s

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

When Msgr. Ralph Sommer was growing up he found inspiration from the example of his uncle, Father Ralph Besendorfer. “He was a Brooklyn priest,” said Msgr. Sommer, who is known to parishioners as “Father Sommer” or “Father Ralph.”

“My uncle was a most powerful and delightful influence, happy, caring, and helpful,” said Father Sommer, outgoing pastor of St. Brigid’s Church, in Westbury. “I would look at him and say, ‘I could do that.’”

For a number of years, Father Besendorfer would come out to St. Bernard’s in Levittown on weekends to assist.

Now, Father Sommer finds himself about to become pastor of St. Bernard’s on June 26, succeeding Msgr. Gerard Ringenback, pastor of St. Bernard’s since 2001.

He doesn’t know if anyone at St. Bernard’s will remember his uncle, Father Sommer said, but “if I meet people who remember him from that time, it will be a nice thing.”

Born in Flushing, Queens, Father Sommer grew up in Garden City, attending St. Anne’s School. He advanced to St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, a high school for young men considering the priesthood.

“It was a caring community,” with priest-instructors and students who shared an interest in exploring the priesthood.

For college, he left the seminary system for Adelphi University near his home. “I walked every day. We didn’t have another car.”

Adelphi offered an opportunity to test his vocation. He majored in psychology, “which I thought would help me if I became a priest.”

After Adelphi, he returned to priestly studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington. Upon graduation, he was ordained a priest in 1983.

Sports

Semonella Signs

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

Senior pitcher Anthony Semonella at Division Avenue High School has received a scholarship from the University of Bridgeport and has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at the collegiate level. He was joined by parents Donna and Ralph Semonella, Principal Dr. Francesco Ianni, Physical Education Chairperson Mauro Chiti and varsity baseball coach Tom Tuttle as he signed a letter confirming his acceptance to the university’s athletic program.

Photo provided by Syntax

Robert Naughton To Return To Cardinals

Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:00

St. Thomas Aquinas College freshman Robert Naughton, of Levittown, has made his impact known in the NCAA Baseball East Coast Conference. Naughton started out his 2013 campaign not allowing an earned run in the first 19 innings he pitched.

At completion of his first season Naughton pitched 58 innings compiling a record of 6-1, leading the East Coast Athletic Conference with an era of 1.54.