DOTRA'S ... DotLine ...ISSUE NO. 43 May, 2003 |
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT By Guy LoBue
Since a report on our Spring Luncheon was not provided, I thought I would try my hand at the "gossip column" and offer some of my observations. The Spring Luncheon was held on March 12th at Roman Hall.
It was great to see our "Five Musketeers" there- that is, Phil Vecere , Joe Notaro, Sal Salvatini, Ed Skwara, and the bright spot at the table, Lady Marion (known as Hazel Rockhill.) Missing was John Mainzer who made reservations but never showed - must have had a "senior moment." Ed Skwara brought picture proof of the "Door Mat Fluke" he recently boated.
As always at our affairs, the Herrera boys and their spouses took up a whole table. It was a pleasure to see Jean Smith again. I understand she is taking a break from her musical career. Hope to see you around more often.
Our near "centurion" Tommy Pierce rarely misses any of our luncheons, and was there thanks to Ken Hey and his lovely wife Edie, who all drive up from South Jersey.
Many new faces were there as well. Mary Beth Whittaker and Jeff Lanigan took time off from the offices of Hazel Gluck just to be with us. Way to go ! George Masouras along with Herb Forrest and his wife attended also. There were retirees who brought along friends who are still working at NJDOT, hopefully future members.
I would like to bring forward an observation which I feel is important to the success of DOTRA. At our last Board of Directors meeting in April, Director Peg Wieger expressed her frustration with the difficulties encountered to fill a bus for DOTRA-sponsored shows. We have an enormous number of individuals to draw from to attend our functions. We have over 400 members, plus their spouses and friends who are potential attendees. Perhaps you folks out there have a reason for not participating - that we should be made aware of. Is it locations selected, time of day held, types of trip, high cost ….? Help us to help you. Please, please - drop a line to DOTRA at our PO Box or call any Director now. This is your organization and we need your input.
Thank you - Guy LoBue
DOTRA BOARD MEETINGS AND MONTHLY BRUNCH
JOIN US FOR LUNCH !!!
DOTRA BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD MONTHLY ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.
DOTRA will hold its next regular Monthly meeting on Tuesday,May 6th, 2003.
First Tuesday of the Month
Dutch treat lunch starts at 11:30 - 12:30. Meeting starts promptly at 12:30 ! All members of DOTRA are welcome !!!
Future Meetings -
Tuesday, June 3, 2003
NEW MEMBERS' CORNER
We welcome the following retirees who have recently joined the DOTRA organization:
Eugene Blasko(L) Marlton NJ C & M
(L) denotes LIFE Memberships !
LIFE MEMBERS REPORT
Since January 2003, the following DOTRA members have renewed as Life Members:
Frank Battaglia Forked River C&M
We thank all of you - old and new- for your support !
DOTRA MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS FOR 2003
Reminder to all those DOTRA members who may have forgotten that 2003 Renewal of Dues are now due. The status of your DOTRA Dues can be found on the Mailing Label of this issue of DOTLINE. Check it now to see that you are currently paid up. Just a reminder that this is 2003 and even if you presently have had a "senior moment," we will be happy to forgive you and send you your Membership Card for the current year. As of last count, there are more than 150 people who have not yet renewed for 2003.
You can always avoid this problem by renewing as a LIFE Member now!
DOTRA
CHAPLAIN'S REPORT
We would like to keep informed of any retiree who is ill, anyone confined to their home, or any retiree who needs help in one form or another. Please call or send a note to Guy LoBue at 609-585-4979 or write to 19 Mount Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08620.
Recent Obituaries:
Audrey E. Cordi (74) MVS ?
DOTRA EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT - Guy LoBue 609-585-4979
DIRECTORS / TERM OF OFFICE
Chet Andres (03)
COMMITTEES
CHAPLAIN - Guy LoBue 609-585-4979
HISTORIAN'S CORNER
By Wilma Gruzlovic
1980's Brought First Female DOT Commissioner
When Commissioner Louis Gambaccini resigned to take a position with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Assistant Commissioner for Management Anne P. Canby replaced him in September 1981.
Before her appointment to Commissioner, Canby had managed NJDOT's budget, capital programming, employee services and the engineering and operation units. She came from USDOT and was considered an expert on transportation finances.
With a national oil crisis and reduced speed limits on highways to 55 mph, the Department looked to other means of transportation. A cyclist, Canby supported alternate modes of transportation, including bicycling.
"I made all the engineers get on their bikes and ride down to the State House with me. The Governor was out of town, but Joe Merlino, President of the State Senate, was there and he greeted us with a resolution," she said. "I used to ride my bike to work … and park it in the Commissioner's spot.
"I think it was a little devilish of me. People would look out and say, 'What's she doing?' I'd just put my kickstand down."
(To be continued next issue …)
BUS TRIP SCHEDULED FOR MAY 21, 2003
There is still room !!!
Plans have been made by Peg Wieger for a great Spring bus trip to the very popular Ace in the Hole Dinner Theater in North Haledon (Paterson area) to see "Guys and Molls." This show is usually a big sellout for Senior groups in the area. A professional show along with a buffet lunch, beer and soda on the table ,and a one hour open bar , gratuities and transportation from Ewing. All for a ticket price of only $53.00.
A flyer with all pertinent information is attached to this issue of DOTLINE. If you want more information now or wish to be placed on the list, please call Director Peg Wieger at 609- 882-2263. Don't wait and Act Now!!
BUS TRIP TO LONGWOOD GARDENS AND FRANKLIN MINT ON JUNE 24TH
A great bus trip has been planned by Jim Springstead for June 24th- mixing a day of indoor and outdoor activities. Travel first to the Franklin Mint in Philadelphia, followed by a bus ride to Chadd's Ford Inn for a full course lunch and then on to picturesque Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. Cost for the entire day's activities and transportation is $54 per person. DOTRA has had this trip in year's past and it always has been a success! Bring a friend!
BUS TRIP TO CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA AND F.D. ROOSEVELT'S HYDE PARK
Mark Thursday September 25th on your Fall calendar for a wonderful early morning autumn bus ride to New York state. The world-renowned Culinary Institute of America is DOTRA's destination for a morning tour of the Institute and a gourmet's choice lunch in one of their special dining rooms. Following the lunch, the bus will continue to the magnificent grounds of the Franklin D. Roosevelt estate on the Hudson River.
Dolores Murphy is leading the DOTRA group and full details will be ready for the August issue of DOTLINE. Ticket cost is anticipated at $60 for transportation, lunch and tours. If you want preliminary information, call Dolores at 609-466-3341. Flyer in August DOTLINE
TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC ON HOLD !!!
The August 7th trip to tour the Capitol Building with staff from the office of US Representative Rush Holt has been tentatively cancelled due to terrorist alert restrictions in the DC area. This trip may take place should conditions change. However, the reserved bus has been cancelled. If anyone is interested in attending this tour , but with their own arranged transportation, contact Joanne Pannone at 609-443-6992 or Dot Andres at 896-1470.
2003 FLORIDA REUNION A SUCCESS !
On Tuesday February 11th, DOTRA members from Florida and elsewhere on the East coast met at the Rockledge CC in Rockledge Florida for their Annual Winter Reunion. Thanks to the great arrangements made by Chairman Frank Wegel and Sponsor Shirley Birkhead Pierce, a hale and hearty group of 43 met for a tasty buffet luncheon and 3 hours of nostalgia.
Each year the DOTRA reunion brings Floridians and snowbirds together, all having the common tie of prior NJDOT affiliation. Once again, our retirees of "longest standing" were there - Sante Falvo and wife Maria and Maury and Katherine Guadagno. Life in the Construction Division must have been easy based on their healthy appearances. More recent Construction alumni were Dave Quaid and Frank Scarpatti, with Frank looking more dapper than ever. The Design segment of the NJDOT was represented by Roy Tindall and wife Alice, and Florida reunion newcomers Charlie Takacs and wife Anne. There were those with Bureau of Equipment ties - Al Alaimo and friend Lisa, Loretta and Charlie Zweigle, and Marie and Joe Cleary. The Cleary's make the trip from North Carolina an annual event now that it coincides with Daytona Race Week. There were some Right of Way Division representatives - Jack and Barbara Wauters from Succasunna and Adolph "Rudy" Stepowany, with wife Marie who had her roots in the Office of Civil Rights. The Electrical Bureau was represented by Mike Busketta and wife Peggy who reside in nearby Summerfield FL and Betty and Don Clark who drove over from their new home in Punta Gorda on the West coast of Florida.
Maintenance and Materials had representatives there too - Peg and George Wieger, Min and John Kennedy, Dot and Chet Andres,and Kathy and Frank Wegel. Administration and Support Services were represented by now Floridians - Joan and Rick Fugaro (MVS), Jim and Trude Hart of Data Processing, and Ernie and Ruth Zasoski of Accident Records.
What a wonderful cross-section of the New Jersey Department of Transportation - loyal and true right into the golden retirement years!
Hope to see you all again next year on Tuesday February 10th, 2004 - hopefully joined by more of your former co-workers.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
DOTRA Members are needed to assist with DOTLINE mailings, help with bus trips or to just give advice while serving as a DOTRA Director. Write or call Chet Andres at 609-896-1470.
HERE AND THERE
We NJDOT retirees are certainly a diverse group, still loyally caught up in our former ties with the Department! Such was another of those occasions at Rockledge Florida this past February.
Our DOTRA mailbox has been full of renewals for the year 2003, and along with those arrive a few messages about our lives after the NJDOT. Francis "Bob" Fitzpatrick (ROW) and wife Mary took a great bus trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. You do not have to travel far and abroad to see great vacation spots close to New Jersey. Norma Spleid (Electrical) out there in California sends her best wishes to her former co-workers and "looks forward to receiving each issue of DOTLINE." Herb Forrest Jr. wishes all a Happy new Year and hopes to see everyone at the Spring luncheon.
Nice to hear and see new members continue to join our organization, particularly from the far reaches of the Regions! The latest Northern Region (previously known as Region 2) joiner is Jose Marino, former Bridge Maintenance Supervisor. Welcome to the golden years Jose ! Frank Mathews (ROW) always sends a cute animal card with is check! Nice to hear from Elizabeth and John Griffith (Maint) now living in Chiefland, Florida. Another note from Florida sent by "snowbird" Dominic Tassone (Equipment) who writes he's "enjoying the winter in Hallandale Florida -playing golf and shuffleboard. He also wants to know where is George Poole. Anybody have this information ?
Joe O'Brien ( Traffic Engineering) and his wife are " still hanging out down there in Charleston, South Carolina. My wife and I still act like tourists. Enjoy reading DOTLINE, especially Here and There. Would love to attend some of the functions, but it's a long commute. I would like to send along best wishes to all of my old friends and co-workers!" So nice to hear from you Joe! Keep in touch.
Emily Bitter (ROW ) writes that she enjoys receiving and reading the DOTLINE down there in Orlando Florida. Long note received from California from Marty Van Riper (Construction). He writes, "Lonnie and I have left the mountain life in Lake Arrowhead California and relocated to the town of Hemet, CA Hemet is a desert town located about 30 miles west of Palm springs. The town of Hemet is about 60% retired people and lots of golf courses. Our new address is 622 N. Hemet Street, hemet CA 92544. We expect to be back in New Jersey over the Labor Day holiday to welcome the arrival of our second grandson!" Good news Marty- it is indeed a small world! Have you run into one of your former co-workers and DOTRA member Moray Epstein (Public Information Office) who also lives in Hemet, California !
REMAINDER OF UPCOMING DOTRA EVENTS
May 21 Wednesday
June 4th Wednesday at 11:30 AM
June 24th Tuesday
September 10th Wednesday
September 25th Thursday
November OPEN
December DATE OPEN
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY TO PUT FEBRUARY 10th, 2004 ON YOUR CALENDAR. THAT'S THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL FLORIDA REUNION IN ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA. ANY DOTRA MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE IN FLORIDA DURING THAT TIME AND WANT TO BE ADVISED OF THE DETAILS SHOULD SEND THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS (LOCAL OR FLORIDA) TO OUR DOTRA MAILBOX OR WRITE DIRECTLY TO CHAIRMAN FRANK WEGEL, 8060 142ND STREET IN SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 OR PHONE 561-388-3991
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