Official Minutes – HVBS Meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2003
On a beautiful day in May with trees blooming in abundance Shadow (substitute driver to relieve the strain on PC Wiz’s "one good eye") ably piloted PC Wiz’s Dodge Stratus to arrive at the Hoffman House at 11:18 AM. Geronimo appeared in good time at 11:26 AM. The patio being open, members were presented with the question of the location for our weighty conference. Deliberator opted for our usual indoor venue, Geronimo seconded the motion and we arranged ourselves around our usual corner table. Deliberator correctly stated that we really had no choice since the agenda called for a rectangular table and the patio tables were all square!
Our official waitress, Vickie, made her third consecutive appearance and took beverage orders. Shadow ordered "cabernet", Deliberator seconded the order, PC Wiz with his usual Killian’s Red and an iced tea for Geronimo who informed us of his determination to stick to a diet. Members support him in his most difficult (as we all know) effort. Shadow supplied copies of an article from the Albany Times Union concerning complaints against lawyers. The lawyers fund repays people that have had their attorneys helping themselves to escrow funds illegally. Members were not surprised that the greatest number of complaints were in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.
In personal updates Geronimo brought us up-to-date on Associate Member Kay who is doing just fine – resuming regular exercise. Shadow asked how Danny is doing on the "Left Coast" and we were informed he had found a part-time job as a technical contractor – no small accomplishment in these times! Unfortunately, no benefits while health insurance is $400/month per person. Concerning himself, Geronimo recently had a abdominal cat-scan which found some "spots" on his liver. He is nonplussed at the cost of the scan which took "about 6 minutes" at a staggering $1899! However, it did save him a cathartic dose which our Shadow did suffer through and heartily recommended against, if possible. PC Wiz made the point that these machines are very expensive and that GE manufactured them – seconded by Deliberator. Then PC Wiz was asked about his recent lens implantation operation, missing the point of which eye he considered his "good eye". He explained that it was a double operation in which the cells inside the eye which secrete the internal fluid were partially "zapped" by laser to reduce the pressure (lower the risk of glaucoma). Vision is much clearer and brighter but still a little fuzzy. Shadow informed members of interesting findings concerning their Senior Blue prescription coverage. By dropping the coverage ($60 per person extra a month), he and Associate Member Shirley actually save money on drugs. Geronimo mentioned news of Canadian sources and Shadow said they had already checked out the website.
Shadow
had no comment concerning repairs to the Vogt domicile. Deliberator mentioned his son John is again running for re-election to the Mohonasen school board. It seems they were short a candidate for the election but, due to the vote postponement caused by the NY State Legislature, they now had a surplus of candidates for the positions. Deliberator importuned PC Wiz to be sure to vote for John in this contest (regardless of voting for the budget). PC Wiz agreed and Shadow volunteered, through some skullduggery, to also ballot for John. Deliberator thanked him for the thought but didn’t think it possible.
Members criticized the State Government figures of Governor Pataki, Speaker Silver and Senate Leader Bruno mercilessly for their irresponsible lack of budgets, out-of-control spending and capricious tax increases. PC Wiz pointed out that in the last election neither Pataki, Carl McCall or Allan Hevesy raised the issue of the looming deficit – although they knew it was pending. Most media also, as part of the conspiracy, were silent in the problem. Deliberator said the Mohonasen board, if the State aid was increased, were going to use it to reduce the school taxes – very commendable. Geronimo stated he is facing a 12% increase. Shadow thought the STAR program was not very useful unless you were eligible for the "enhanced" reduction.
Deliberator
asked PC Wiz to explain some of the choices, such as optical drives and monitors, in purchasing a new Dell computer. Shadow explained how the Dell website has great detailed explanations that you can click on for each item. Although PC Wiz purchased his machine from the website, Deliberator insisted he wanted to speak to a real person in making his order. Conclusion (no surprise): Deliberator is going to deliberate about the purchase in spite of the fact that Geronimo’s own upgrade is delayed until there is a deliberated purchase! Geronimo queried PC Wiz on how he felt about the new Dell. PC Wiz said he thought it really wasn’t faster (his printer runs a lot slower) but that, in general, it worked competently, booted faster and seemed quite stable – no small complement compared to Windows 98! Shadow mentioned starting up his XP, winding up with an unexpected "narrow window" and Geronimo expounded on his experiences with the same phenomenon and how to re-expand windows. Deliberator commented that all he wanted was to plug the parts together and have it work – essentially they succeed pretty well.
In our economics section Shadow commented that the last member of President Bush’s original economic team has left. Deliberator noted that chairman of the Federal Reserve Greenspan, just supported for another term by the president, is 78 years old. The perennial issue of GE and PCB’s (subject of another court review) prompted Geronimo to bring up the case of IBM in Fishkill who polluted local wells with MBE’s and, quite properly, financed a system to bring clean water to the affected homes. HVBS members grumbled about new fees and taxes. Geronimo noted the $20,000 exclusion for pension income on the State form although this does not mitigate the increases, especially in NYC (bridge tolls, subway now $2.00, property taxes, increased sales tax, possible commuter tax, etc.).
The major item in our sports discussion concerned the reprehensible NASCAR payment to Jesse Jackson of $250,000 (O’Reilly) for his "educational programs", e.g. mistress payments, etc. All felt that, although there are few minority drivers, entry is open to all who can qualify competitively. NASCAR did give a miserly $10,000 to a program in Philadelphia specifically to train minority drivers. Geronimo stated that the Mets are "stumblebums", mentioning that Sanchez showed his lack of interest by having a haircut while the game was in progress! Deliberator contended that since the Yankees got rid of Stanton they have no bullpen to rely on. Geronimo contended, to general approval, that when Jeter returns from his injury things will improve since he is the team’s natural leader. Shadow praised Tom Golisano, recent candidate for Governor, for saving the Buffalo Sabres hockey team for Buffalo by buying it.
With steaming cups of coffee restoring our spirits, Geronimo reported on plans for his and Kay’s trip to the American Southwest (limousine to the airport and back) for two weeks on May 22. The tour will end in Las Vegas where they will meet with Dan and his bride. HVBS members wished them bon voyage (sorry, like "freedom fries" – "have a grand trip"). Deliberator proposed Wednesday June 25, 2003 for our next session. Shadow raised problems with setting a definite date due to possible travel plans so a secondary date of July 2 was proposed. The date of Wednesday June 25, 2003 was therefore tentatively ratified. HVBS third meeting of the year of Iraqi Liberation was adjourned.
Thanks to Geronimo for submitting corrections to his trip itinerary.
