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Editorial Comments  Dear Editor Through your Newspaper I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the volunteers who helped with the Supernannie Competition, StageManager Jaqui Dalli, who did a wonderful job with her team Liz Carr and Rosanna Guy, all the artists, singers, choreographers and dancers, compere John Cortes, make up artist Claudia, La Chappy and daughter as the SuperHeroes and Jane Wink, as well as the gorgeous grandchildren, and above all the wonderful grandmothers who participated in the Contest. Set designer Miguel Peña and the three winners must also be congratulated. Second Princess: 47yr old Maria Luisa Dalli First Princess: 70 yr old Sonia Santos Supernannie 2009: 47 yr old Lucy Tinkler I also wish to thank our sponsor Kenneth Castiel, of www.YesWeCan, Maurice Stagnetto Solomon Seruya, Ace Trading Ltd. and the Eliott's Hotel. "The Supernannie show" producer is delighted to be donating 5 colourful paintings for the KGV Hospital (Painted by Carmen and Yvonne Gomez) to brighten up the hospital walls for patients, so this together with a Cheque, make the grand total of £664 the amount donated from this show to the Psychological Support Group. We would have liked to give more but unfortunately the crisis or being so near Christmas meant that the show was unfortunately not as well supported as we would have liked, needless to say we want to thank all those persons that did make the effort to support us. The winners of the raffle were: Lawrence Harrison -dinner for two at the Eliott's Hotel Lucy Tinkler - Cuban Painting donated by organisers Susan Hernandez - Champagne donated by Lewis Stagnetto Louis Olivares - "Millions of sweets" donated by Ace Trading Ltd. Fanny Cruz - Cosmetic Basket by SM Seruya Ltd.
Many thanks
GIBRALTAR PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION Without Prejudice or Political Bias: Newsletter All pensioners are reminded that the Annual General Meeting of the Association takes place on the 8th December 2009 at 10.30am at the John Mackintosh Hall. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there. It is paramount that you should attend as, apart from the election of the new committee, details will be given of items under discussion and action that needs to be taken. The following needs action and decisions from Government:- 1. Roadworthiness certificates for those over the age of 70 should be free (first raised in December 2007); 2. Free medical treatment should be provided for all those over the age of 65, irrespective whether one or the other party continue to work, and applicable to all permanent residents in Gibraltar, even if not in receipt of an Old Age Pension from Gibraltar but provided the person is in receipt of an old Age Pension from UK; 3. Payments of benefits available for the elderly need to be revised, as a matter of urgency, to take account of rising costs and cost of living; 4. We fully support the claim from some of our members, who have returned after a lifetime in UK, to resettle in Gibraltar, but continue to be taxed in UK. This matter has been raised with HM Revenue & Customs for their views and the support of the Gibraltar Government is paramount. The main problem is that the UK has no Double Taxation Agreement with Gibraltar. 5. We again look towards our Government to discontinue means testing for patients and escorts proceeding to UK and elsewhere for medical treatment. This matter was first raised by the Association in 2004 and again in 2006 but with a negative reply from Government. This is an urgent matter affecting a number of our members (it is worth remembering that, rightly so, means testing for scholarships was discontinued some years ago), and the same principle should apply to Sponsored patients. 6. We again ask Government and in particular the Minister for Health to consider and approve free full dental treatment for the elderly and not just limited to emergency dental treatment and oral surgery. 7. THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM IN OUR AGENDA, AND HAS BEEN SO, SINCE WE STARTED OVER 6 YEARS AGO, IS THE PAYMENT OR PART OF THE OCCUPATIONAL PENSION TO THE WIDOW/WIDOWER ON THE DEATH OF THE HOLDER. A SYSTEM MUST BE URGENTLY DIVISED. PERHAPS CONSIDERATION COULD BE GIVEN BY GOVERNMENT IN TAXING PRESENT AND FUTURE PENSIONS WITH A VERY LOW TAX, SAY 1%, AND CREATING A NEW FUND TO PAY WIDOWS/WIDOWERS. THIS MATTER IS A MANIFESTO COMMITMENT OF THE GSD AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT OUR CHIEF MINISTER AND GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE THIS MATTER URGENT AND FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION AND COME UP WITH A WORKABLE SYSTEM. 8. Consideration needs to be given for pensioners over the age of 70 years, to be given free or reduced telephone, water and electricity charges. Whilst we acknowledge with thanks the discount of £60, introduced in 2006, we are still of the view that special tariffs should apply. We look towards the Minister for Trade, Employment and Communications to give this matter urgent and favorable consideration. 9. Other areas that need to be revised are, (a) increase to Death Grants; (b) a further opportunity to be given for pensioners to pay arrears of their social insurance contributions; (c) abolish the medical house call fees for those over the age of 70 years; (d) stop means testing for spectacles and (e) the appointment of a Minister directly responsible for all matters affecting pensioners and who should meet with responsible Associations dealing with these matters on a monthly basis. . We take this opportunity to wish all our members, pensioners generally and the whole of Gibraltar the very best for the Festive Season and the New Year. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the GIBRALTAR PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION To be held at the John Mackintosh Hall on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 10.30am. The Agenda will include election of new committee and details of items discussed and under discussion, including the question of payment of pensions to widows/widowers on the death of the holder; payments of Community Care/Household Cost Allowance; tax payable on UK pensions by Gibraltarians and others returning to Gibraltar etc etc. YOUR ATTENDANCE IS VITAL AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL PENSIONERS, FUTURE PENSIONERS, WIDOWS, WIDOWERS AND SUPPORTERS AT THE MEETING. Remember the date Tuesday 8th December at 10.30am at the John Mackintosh Hall Asamblea General tendra lugar el Martes dia 8 de Diciembre a las 10.30 am en el JohnMackintosh Hall. Todos los pensionistas y simpatizantes estan invitados.
Tres etapas
Pasado, presente y futuro
la vida de una persona
el futuro es novedad
si nos podemos de pies
el presente es tu persona
no pensemos en el pasado
ni pensemos en el día a día
pongamos toda energia
el futuro es ese rayo
el futuro son los niños
Maria J. Plicio Pages
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