DOTRA'S ... DotLine ...

Welcome to all the recent new members and LIFE members joining DOTRA's ranks. If we haven't thanked or mentioned your names previously in DOTLINE, we apologize.

There are reported to be 513 employees from NJDOT and MVS who retired as of July 1, 2002. On June 25 and 26 this year, the Department held receptions to honor all the new retirees. Some of our DOTRA Directors and members were invited to be there to congratulate the "new" retirees and distribute DOTRA Membership applications. Recruitment posters and applications had been placed earlier in key places through the Department. Thanks to Kristina Erin Kaye, Guy LoBue and Dot and Chet Andres for being there as "recruitment officers." I hope that we will be getting a few new members to add and become active in our organization.

I hope that all retirees are enjoying the summer and it is not too hot for them.

DOTRA's AT A CROSS ROAD …

After several years as an organization that has remained in a status quo position- adding small numbers of new members while our existing membership dwindles by the reality of time passing by- we are in a very fortunate positive position to resume a growth spurt. In 1991, the NJDOT experienced its first mass retirement wave. With the support of the Department through then Commissioner Tom Downs, our DOTRA organization was born. We struggled for the first year or two to recruit members from a State-wide base, elect officers, draw up by-laws, arrange for social and sporting activities, and publish a newsletter and we finally reached a plateau of "accepted" success. Recently that complacency and the natural results from passage of time has begun to erode our organization. Efforts to recruit new potential Directors, officers and social activity leaders from our membership to replace the "aging" (yes, we are!) have had poor to no response from the current DOTRA roster.

What a great opportunity is being handed to us with the new wave of retirees - Class of 2002 - and we are going out to recruit them to beef up our membership ranks and also to fill those key Board positions where we need new ideas and new vigor. Our current DOTRA members have a common bond with the new wave of 2002 retirees. We all worked at the NJDOT and feel that we had left behind something useful.

In the next few months it may be necessary to revise DOTRA's By-laws, increase its Directorships, select new officers and re-think the way our Activities/ Luncheons and Meetings are presently done. Our Social Activities are generally very successful but we are relying on the same core of people to do the work. It should be DOTRA's goal to accommodate all retirees in this new wave of 2002 and incorporate their ideas into a re-vitalized DOTRA organization- encouraging active participation in the "fun things" of retired life.

The present Board and Officers are looking for your comments and input to have our organization continue at a successful level. Please call any of the listed DOTRA Directors or Officers and give your advice!!

DOTRA NEEDS A TREASURER !!!!

After serving six years as DOTRA Treasurer, Frank Herrera has requested to step down as he has been performing dual duties with another major organization. At the same time DOTRA is looking to fill a vacant Assistant Treasurer position. If you have the slightest interest or think you can help, please call Frank at 609- 392-0633 or any of the DOTRA Officers or Directors for information.

DOTRA BOARD MEETINGS

PICNIC PLANNED FOR Sept. 4th

On Wednesday, September 4th, DOTRA will be holding its Annual Picnic. Again to be held at the Mercer County Valley Road Picnic Grounds near the Belle Mountain Ski Area just south of Lambertville, the festivities are scheduled to start at 12 Noon. The picnic will be catered by Risoldi's. Cost is $15.00 per person. See the enclosed flyer.

Join this end of the summer event with your former co-workers at the NJDOT.

NEW MEMBERS' CORNER

We welcome the following retirees who have recently joined the DOTRA organization:

Charles Slack (Construction & Maintenance) ..... Lambertville, NJ
Ceil Witkowski (Construction & Maintenance) ..... Hamilton, NJ
Lula Clark (Motor Vehicle Services) ..... Trenton, NJ
Robert L. Davis (Construction & Maintenance) ..... Williamstown, NJ
James Stevenson (Community Involvement) ..... Hamilton, NJ
Elaine Green (Human Resources) ..... Pemberton, NJ

LIFE MEMBERS REPORT

Since April 2002, the following DOTRA members have renewed as Life Members:

Gerald Altobelli (Design) ..... Burlington,NJ
Louis Amico (ROW / CPM) ..... Columbus,NJ
Jean Banks (Acct & Audit) ..... Ewing,NJ
Charles Fetterly (Maintenance) ..... Bedminster,NJ
Dave Quaid (Construction & Maintenacne) ..... Port Orange,FL
Stephen Marchant (Civil Rights) ..... Trenton, NJ
Jean Melana (Data Resource) ..... Boynton Bch,FL
Russell Stephenson (project Development) ..... Willingboro,NJ
Roy Tindall (Design) ..... Sun City, FL

Previous:

John Nolan (Invest Svc) ..... Hobe Sound ,FL
"Gene" Strycharz (support Svc) ..... Trenton, NJ

CHAPLAIN'S REPORT
BY Guy LoBue

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:

Pearl T. Moeller (MVS) ..... (83)
Patricia V. Whitfield (MVS) ..... (73)
Sebastian R. Fraulino (ROW) ..... (81)
Mary Ragazzo (MVS) ..... (80)
John F. Gillespie,Jr. (DOT) ..... (60)
*George H. Woodruff (DOT) ..... (76)
Fannie Brenna (MVS) ..... (92)
Helen A. McGuire (MVS) ..... (91)
John E. Hobson (DOT) ..... (73)
*Norman Comfort (DOT) ..... (62)
*Frederick W. Stemmer (DOT) ..... (73)
Charles L. Logan, Jr. (MVS) ..... (73)
* Helen Mauer (DOT) ..... ?
*William Cassaday (ROW) ..... ?
Mary G. Carnival (DOT) ..... ?
Anna K. Rofano (MVS) ..... (87)

* DOTRA Members

Ed.Note: DOTRA lost two of its behind the scenes supporters during the past two months.

George Woodruff was one of our diligent and silent workers, for more than 6 years maintaining the current data base for all aspects of DOTRA membership - addresses, dues paid records and printing labels for DOTLINE.

One of our first and hardest working supporters was not even a member. Quietly for more than 10 years she folded and mailed out quarterly issues of DOTLINE, fielded many telephone calls from former NJDOT'ers about DOTRA, shared her husband with DOTRA and worked supportively alongside husband Guy in establishing the early DOTRA organization. We will miss you Edna LoBue.

DOTRA EXECUTIVE BOARD

OFFICERS

President - Dick Hobson
1st Vice President - Guy LoBue
2nd Vice President - Walt Gable
Treasurer - Frank Herrera
Recording Ssecretary - Hazel Rockhill
Corresponding Secretary - Dee Wisneski

DIRECTORS

Chet Andres
Adrian Lincoln
Joe Bodnar
Dolores Murphy
Fran Geurds
Mary Stafford
Wilma Gruzlovic
Peg Wieger
Don Hutchinson

COMMITTEES

CHAPLAIN - Guy LoBue
MEMBERSHIP - Chet & Dot Andres
BY-LAWS - Chet Andres
HISTORIAN - Wilma Gruzlovic
ACTIVITIES - Fran Geurds & Jim Springstead
DOTLINE - Dot Andres & Dee Wisneski
WEBSITE - Kristina Erin Kaye ..... 609-918-0603

DOTRA'S ON THE INTERNET

Log onto DOTRA's own Web Site at: http:/www. dotra.org

SOCIAL COMMITTEE VERY ACTIVE !!!

Fran Geurds and Jim Springstead - Social CoChair of DOTRA have been busily planning some great bus trips for DOTRA members and guests. Attached to this issue of DOTLINE are two bus trips ready for your social calendars for Fall/ Winter season.

On Wednesday, October 16th, a repeat of the popular Casino Bus Trip to Atlantic City is scheduled. Limited to 32 attendees on the VIP Bus Service to the Hilton Casino, the Trip Price is $27.00 with Coin Package of $20.00. En route to and from Atlantic City, hostess service is provided serving coffee and soft drinks, finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and donuts. Arrangements on the VIP Bus is designed for seating four persons per table, lending itself to an amiable time on board.

The first 32 people to contact Fran Geurds or Jim Springstead will be the lucky ones !!!

A Christmas Trip to "Miracle of Christmas" at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster PA is scheduled for Wednesday November 20, 2002. The trip includes an early morning pre-Christmas shopping stop at the Rockvale PA Shopping Outlet Stores, followed by your Lunch at the Best Western in Eden, PA and onto the spectacular "Sight and Sound" Show at 4 PM. This is sure to be a great day of pre-holiday festivities. This is a real bargain at $58.00, usually this trip would cost $90.00.

Sound good?? Send back your completed flyers with checks included to Fran or Jim as quickly as possible !!!

PUT WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11th ON YOUR CALENDAR

Plans are being made now for DOTRA's Annual holiday Luncheon to be held at Giovi's in Yardville. Save this date. Details will follow in the November issue of DOTLINE.

HISTORIAN'S CORNER
By Wilma Gruzlovic

Looking Back to……1976
(Excerpted from September 1976 Edition of the Transporter)

DOT Distributes 22 of 88 Vehicles to Elderly and Handicapped Groups

The keys of 22 vehicles, the first of 88 vans, buses and station wagons being distributed throughout the State for use in programs to transport elderly and handicapped people, were recently presented to nine private non-profit organizations by Commissioner Alan Sagner.

The nine organizations are among 52 agencies throughout the State selected by an Interdepartmental Committee consisting of representatives of the Department's Division of Commuter Services, the Department of Community Affairs' Division on Aging, and the Department of Institution and Agencies' Division of Youth and Family Services.

The vehicle distribution program was managed by the Bureau of Analysis and Marketing headed by Bernard Strongin, Chief, and coordinated by Joseph Huggler, Principal Transportation Analyst.

11th ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON

There was a very good turnout of DOTRA members and guests at Roman Hall on Wednesday June 5th. Many thanks to Adrian Lincoln(ROW) and wife Anna for arranging and hosting the 11th Anniversary of DOTRA. Entertainment before and throughout the lunch was provided by Dick Brytenbagh at the keyboard, and after dinner songs by the Lincoln's daughter, Eileen Nesbit, a professional singer in NYC.

The Anniversary luncheon brought out many retirees, including Jack Friedenrich (E&O Comm) and Helen Giba (Comm.Office). Dot and Pete Stam (Acctg & Model Shop) were there back from Florida . Also back from Florida were Betty and Frank Roy(Data Resources). Good to see Tom Scerba ( Bridge Des.), one of the original founders of the NJDOT Golf Club. Taking off from the golf course that day were Charles Takacs( Design) and Ed Jones(Design).

The Herrera Family, great supporters of all DOTRA events, were there en masse. Nice to see one of our newer members - Jeff Lannigan (Design). Pat and John Quinn (Research) were able to attend this year.

Marie Beatty (Office of Highway Engr) was there with daughter Carole celebrating her ??? birthday. No grass growing under Marie's feet - next they were off for several nights of celebration in Atlantic City where they are frequently "comped" as frequent players. Lucky Marie !! Many of our regulars were there- George and Peg Wieger (C&M), Adolph and Marie Stepowany (ROW and Civil Rights), Pete Hollis (Eqt) and Ray Sculley (Design).

HERE AND THERE
By Dot Andres

Hope everyone out there has found a cool place to spend the summer of 2002. Our mailbox has not been very busy with notes from members, but we are getting a steady stream of new member applications as a result of the "second wave of mass retirements," an epilogue to the many retirements 11 years ago which lead to the forming of our current DOTRA organization in early 1992.

Along with his application for LIFE Membership was a note from Lou Amico (ROW) who retired in 1998. Lou says Hello to everyone ! Since retiring, Lou and his wife have traveled to London, Sicily and Ireland. Lou's Ireland trip occurred during late September 2001. While in a pub in Dublin, they met a young lass who upon discovering they were American, gave his wife a big hug and told them, "All of Ireland is saddened by what happened on 9/11 and Ireland is 100% for the USA. " What a year this has been !

Frank Mathews (ROW) is in Lady Lake FL and his note with renewal was very brief - a very cute picture of a small white cat. Guess you are among us cat-lovers!

Jean Melana (Data Proc) has decided to become a Life member after five years. Jean has relocated to Boynton Beach Florida and unfortunately missed the 2002 Florida reunion but is looking forward to the next one on 2/11/03. Jean says she enjoys reading the updates of former co-workers thru DOTLINE and sends her regards to all.

Notes also were received from John Quinn (Research), Al Fischback (Maintenance). Dave Quaid (Const) and Mike Busketta (Electrical) renewed their dues from hot, rainy Florida. We last saw them at the Rockledge reunion in February and hope they are doing well!