On Monday, October 13, 2014, over fifty members attended the fall General Meeting of the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans. The group met in Warren, Michigan, at UAW Region 1 Hall.

MiARA President Dick Long called the meeting to order and led the body in the Pledge of Allegiance. Delores Saulsberry followed the Pledge with a thought- provoking invocation.

Region 1 Director Chuck Hall welcomed the MiARA members back to the hall. Chuck spoke about the need for all members to continue their involvement by supporting labor-friendly candidates in the November election.

President Long introduced Richard Bernstein, a candidate for the Michigan Supreme Court. Richard thanked the Alliance members for their work and contributions. Richard’s talk was well- received. He remarked that life is not always fair, but he felt that Judges have to be fair.

Bernstein illustrated the importance of not giving up and overcoming adversity with a personal story. He spoke of his accident in New York when a bicyclist travelling at 35 miles per hour struck him. Richard spent weeks in the hospital and for months after his release undergoing physical therapy. However, in spite of intense pain, he never

gave up and he eventually overcame the damage from this terrible accident.

Richard finished his address with a reminder to voters to fill out their ballots to the very end where judicial offices are found.

Democratic Party Chairperson Lon Johnson followed Richard’s appearance with information about the present campaign. Lon put a positive spin on the current state of the election. He stated, “We are winning because we have the issues to drive our citizens to vote.”

Johnson concluded with a summary of the efforts throughout Michigan regarding phone calls, walks and an aggressive voter absentee ballot program.

MiARA Board Member Charlie Robinson had the pleasure of introducing his boss, Michigan State Senator Vince Gregory.

Senator Gregory has spoken to MiARA members before and always brings a fresh outlook to legislation underway in Lansing. Gregory mentioned the need to change the state House and Senate, to reverse current trends, and to return Michigan to its former glory.

Senator Gregory was passionate when talking about veterans. He said Michigan is dead last in employing vets and he is working hard to make this change.

Angela Foxworth, Social Security Administration Representative; Cyndi Peltonen, a candidate for the District 13