A TIP OF THE HAT to Kumar Chatterjee, chosen new chairman of the Windsor Police Services Board. A tough assignment, Kumar; but you must be doing a good job. Best wishes for continued success...//I talked with Joseph Habowsky recently. A severe illness hit him during the winter, which hospitalized him, but he is now well along toward recovery. As we all know, Joseph has long been very fitness-conscious, which undoubtedly helped greatly to bring him through a rough ordeal...//OUR SYMPATHY goes to Harry Morrow, former Director of Social Work, on the loss of his wife last August. Heartfelt condolences, Harry...//Recently I saw a letter in The Globe and Mail, by Peter Sonnenfeld, on a suitably austere geological subject. Good to see you still in the public debate, Peter. Let us know how you are enjoying Toronto. We now have a goodly representation of members in the big city.
THAT LITTLE SKIRMISH between Val Cervin and Norm Shklov over the pension, like every such contretemps, may well have positive spinoffs. People can disagree, even on fundamentals, yet admit of some merit on both sides. Val used the word "secrecy" which may well have been somewhat too strong. BUT MOST WOULD AGREE that the level of "openness" in our pension operation, and the extent to which information is regularly provided to members is, well, unimpressive. And that's not good enough in today's financial climate, where openness is de rigeur... Small wonder that Ed Henrie refers to "concerns (and unfounded rumours) regarding the soundness of our pension plan" (page 6). Though Ed is wholly and correctly reassuring on the essential soundness of the Plan, he might have added that rumours can take root in any situation where information has the appearance of being restricted... I hope this will come in for some critical assessment in the Guide to the Pension Plan which will be prepared under Norm Shklov's direction in the next few months (see page 3)..
I HEARD RECENTLY (quite unofficially) that the number of faculty and librarians retiring in the current year could be as high as 30. Our membership ranks could swell in the next four or five years, with the inflow greatly exceeding the outflow (hardy lot that we are!). MY GUESS IS that the Association could find its ingenuity sorely tested to maintain the adaptability needed for survival in the new environment of changing age composition and interests which lies ahead. Hey, that makes the Calgary initiative even more worth watching, and supporting, because these changes are nation-wide.
THIS IS THE SIXTEENTH ISSUE of The Newsletter. As you might guess, I thoroughly enjoy putting it out. (My friends have always seen me as a frustrated wannabe journalist, and they're right!)... But there are times when I feel like the Maytag repairman... longing to get some echo back. I know that members appreciate The Newsletter. Many of you have been most generous in your comments, for which I say thanks. But I would love to see more participation. Our membership is, by definition, a thinking membership, with opinions, and a communicating membership, able to express their opinions. Why not take the plunge? Let your colleagues know what you're doing in retirement, what you're thinking, what movies you've seen and books read, etcetera...Moreover, tell me what this little publication might do better, or maybe quit doing... Joan Hackett is a wonderful associate editor. Her regular column is a sheer delight, and she is always available for discussion and suggestions... Would YOU like to affiliate with The Newsletter in that way writing articles even on an occasional basis? Please let me know. Nothing can go on indefinitely as a one-person operation; the time, I feel, is now at hand to start splitting up this cake!
Bill phillips
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