President Tom Wagner called the March 9 meeting of the Ice Box of the Nation AARP to order at 1 p.m. at Koochiching County Senior Center.
Minutes of the February meeting were read and treasurer Florence Strukel gave the financial report. Our small yearly dues continue to be collected by membership chairwoman Shirley Wagner. We were pleased to welcome back former members Jim and Lola Ysen and to visit with two guests.
Members noted that Social Security and Medicare payments are under consideration for reduction by Congress. The International Falls Journal often publish addresses for our congressional and legislative leaders, if we wish to send letters of concern to them.
We again discussed the need for a local Alzheimers unit for our family and friends who are so afflicted. It is good to have a unit in Northome, but that still entails an out of town trip to visit loved ones and precludes daily visits. We need both local dialysis and Alzheimers units. Legislation that would allow Americans to use the Fort Frances, Ontario unit are being looked into. However, it is noted that Americans would only be allowed to use the unit when there are no Canadian residents needing treatment.
A number of times we have noted the it is difficult to clearly hear each other and our program presenters. We investigated purchasing or borrowing a portable microphone system, however, the Koochiching County Senior Center kindly offered the use of their system. Of course we accepted with much gratitude; the speaker system will be put into use at our April meeting.
We discussed the plan put forth by Gov. Dayton to relax the education/licensing rules for teachers. Dayton suggests that Minnesota has a shortage of teachers and by modifying the licensure regulations more teachers would become available. There were many thoughts concerning this proposal, but no consensus of opinion.
The meeting closed and refreshments were served by Violet Johnson.
The next meeting is set for 1 p.m. April 13 at Koochiching County Senior Center. Strukel volunteered to be our hostess.
