Experienced voices addressing community issues, we are a Virginia non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization dedicated to a better informed and involved citizenry.
Posted August 2nd, 2024 by Amanda Jordan Categories:Future
The public is welcome to our meetings. Beginning August 14, 2024, the meetings will take place at The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Boulevard , Charlottesville, VA 22901, the second Wednesday of the month from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is no charge, although we suggest you join our group which has been in existence for 25 years. The membership dues are only $25 per year and can be paid online on the ‘Join SSV’ page. Your dues will help us continue to deliver top-quality presentations. If you have questions, please email info@seniorstatesmen.org. Click the tab above to see samples of our newsletter.
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Ranked Choice Voting in Virginia – Sally Hudson In June 2025, Charlottesville will use ranked choice voting in its primary election for City Council. The Albemarle Board of Supervisors is considering adopting ranked choice voting, too. Learn more about how ranked choice voting works. Joan Sally Hudson, founder and Executive Director of Ranked Choice Virginia. She served two terms in the Virginia House of Delegates representing Charlottesville and Albemarle.
Past programs are arranged in inverse chronological order. Speaker bios and links to videos and podcasts are given, with a program summary written by SSV board members
The January 2025 program was led by J. Miles Coleman, Associate Editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of VA Center for Politics. Miles crafted very illustrative slides and prefaced his talk with the caveat that “traditional indicators” in analyzing elections were “out the window.” To our rapt audience of about fifty-five people, Miles turned first to Oceola County, Florida and said that “things began to go haywire for Harris there.” The numbers showed that county went 60% for Biden in 2020 but went narrowly for Trump in 2024. Closer to home, he looked at Loudon County, Virginia, where data had Harris carrying the vote by a 17% margin, this was down from Biden’s 20% in 2020. He and others were shocked that all the so-called “toss up states” went for Trump, especially in view of how well Democrats had done in the off-year elections. He attributed the difference to “Trump’s strength in getting voters who do not regularly vote to the polls to vote for him,” and remarked that there is a “Global Anti-Incumbent” view. Pre-election polls showed Americans likely to vote were evenly concerned about the economy and the future of democracy. His summarized that the 2024 Presidential election numbers showed Trump did better everywhere, even in California and New York, where democratic majorities were smaller. Miles expressed that the bell-weather governors’ elections in New Jersey and Wisconsin might be “markers” for America’s future direction.
Miles said Trump’s mandate is to “not mess up” and that Democrats must reach out in a meaningful way to the minorities that fled the party last year. He pointed out that “ticket splitting” was rarer and rarer. To keep the Senate from becoming staunchly in the column of the GOP, Miles suggested that the Democrats might focus on races in Maine and North Carolina, and on keeping Ossof in Georgia. He said the House is still remarkably close and that the Democrats gained 2 seats.
Finally, Miles looked at Virginia Governor’s races, saying that Spanberger probably has the Democratic nod and Winsome-Sears, the Republicans. Miles pointed out that Virginia is going to have a woman governor, and cautiously opined that if the mid-term elections go as in the past, the Democrats might “flip” the US house back in 2026. Miles ended his presentation by taking questions from the audience.
The December gathering began with the Annual business meeting. The Program Committee and the President shared reports. The Nominating Committee recommended the following directors for election: Sue Liberman for a renewal term of 2 years; five new members for 2-year terms each: Dr. Charles Chick Dassance, Dr. Frank Friedman, Ms. Connie Jorgensen, Ms. Sue Lewis and Ms. Sandi Meadows. Secretary Bonnie Brewer confirmed a quorum. All were elected by unanimous vote, to join continuing SSV Board members: Grant Brownrigg, Ella Jordan, Jim Nix, and Margie Swanson. Officers nominated and unanimously elected were: President, Sue Liberman, Vice President/Programs Margie Swanson, and Treasurer Jim Nix. The Secretary position remains open.
Part 2 of the meeting was a relaxing and thought-provoking program by Susan Tate on Wellness, health, and sexuality for seniors. Many valuable strategies and activities were shared, including staying physically and mentally active, meditating or simply taking time to reflect, reframing our words, resisting aging stereotypes and negativity, and pursuing/valuing personal connections. All 50+ in attendance were touched.
Part 3 of the meeting was a heartwarming and most deserved recognition of Gene Ecton Davis…one of the 5 individuals who founded SSV in 1995. President Sue Liberman shared an impressive and moving snapshot of Gene’s awesome contributions to our community and other communities.
See our website for the full text. The SSV Board is honored to make a personal donation of $200 to The Center library for the purchase of books in honor of Gene Ecton Davis.
Posted November 28th, 2024 by Amanda Jordan Categories:Programs
The November program, led by Libby Edwards-Allbaugh, Owner of the Tax Ladies, and Jason Statuta, Managing Director of Petrichor Wealth, gave the audience an opportunity to learn strategies to assist with keeping their taxes in check. Year-end tax and investment planning is essential to keeping more of what people earn. Tax planning involves analyzing your financial situation to ensure that all elements work together to enable you to pay the lowest taxes possible, avoid penalties and enhance your overall financial health.
The tax planning ideas that Libby and Jason focused on were understanding 2024 tax laws- both now and in the future, maximizing retirement plan contributions for those still in the workplace or self-employed; managing your Required Minimum Distributions (RMD’s) for those over the age of 70 1/2 through the use of Qualified charitable distributions (QCD’s); considering greater charitable giving in higher income years or using Donor Advised Funds (DAF) for highly appreciated assets when there is a windfall within a tax year; tax loss harvesting to capture the losses which can offset some or all capital gains in your taxable portfolios or the use of direct indexing funds- an investment vehicle that can provide enhanced tax benefits for some investors.
For individuals and small business owners, the advantages are clear. Reducing their tax burden, integrating tax strategies with broader financial goals and minimizing the risk of audits and penalties are all ways that integrated tax planning benefits the well prepared taxpayer.
Posted October 14th, 2024 by Amanda Jordan Categories:Programs
Sue Liberman, President of Senior Statesman of Virginia (SSV), emphasized the importance of seniors being informed and engaged in the upcoming election. The purpose of today’s meeting was to provide information and resources to help members feel confident about voting.
Jim Nix, SSV Board member and Treasure, and member of the Charlottesville Electoral Board, reviewed key election dates and deadlines, including:
· October 15th – Last day to register to vote
· October 25th – Last day to request an absentee ballot
· November 2nd – Last day for early voting. Jim stressed the importance of not waiting until the last minute to request and return absentee ballots due to postal service delays.
Jim introduced speakers Lauren Eddy, Albemarle County Registrar, and Taylor Yowell, City of Charlottesville Registrar. The registrars provided an overview of the various voting options and procedures, including:
· In-person early voting at their offices
· Requesting and returning absentee ballots by mail or drop box
· Voting provisionally if issues arise (e.g. lost/misplaced absentee ballot, same-day registration)
They emphasized the importance of voters checking their registration status and polling place; both noting that there are no major changes to voting procedures from previous elections.
The registrars discussed the security measures in place to protect the integrity of the election, including:
· Backup power and contingency plans for technical issues
· Bipartisan observation and oversight of all election processes
· Coordination with emergency management and law enforcement to ensure voter and election official safety
They assured the group that voting will continue no matter what, even in the event of power outages or other disruptions.
President Liberman closed the meeting by encouraging everyone to exercise their right to vote and have their voice heard. She also provided an overview of upcoming Senior Statesman events, including tax preparation tips in November and the annual meeting meeting in December…with a celebration and program focus on
Health, Wellness and Sexuality for the Senior!!
Posted September 27th, 2024 by Amanda Jordan Categories:Programs
More than 100 civic-minded seniors attended the 5th Congressional District Candidate Forum on September 11th at The Center. Senior Statesmen of Virginia (SSV), The Center and the League of Women Voters Charlottesville Area jointly hosted the Forum. The League provided voter registration services and voting information.
President Sue Liberman welcomed everyone and noted the events of 9-11-2001 as we remembered the solemn anniversary. She also paid tribute to the brave men and women on Flight 93. Their collective action avoided additional attacks on our democracy. President Sue encouraged everyone to take action and vote on November 5th…to again prevent an attack on our Democracy.
Gloria Witt, the Democratic candidate for the 5th District, and John A McGuire, Republican candidate, were invited to participate in the Forum. Gloria Witt accepted. Senior Statesmen member Bob Beard moderated.
Candidate Witt shared her background, noting she spent a long career in procurement, enhancing her negotiation and collaboration skills. She is successful in helping people with different, even competing, views find common ground and agreement. She believes a “no” is an opportunity to learn more, and that listening to other points of view can open up discussion and lead to consensus.
Candidate Witt stated that she has several family members who are teachers, and thus believes in the power of excellent schools; restoring a woman’s right to control her own body; changes in access to health care is needed; and changes in gun control to allow background checks and safety requirements. She believes climate change is real and deserves policy attention.
More than a dozen questions were asked, spanning additional topics such as the economy, inflation, Project 2025, Ukraine war with invading Russia, Gaza conflict among Hamas/Israel/Palestine, and more.
Candidate Witt encouraged everyone to vote and invited anyone interested to volunteer!
Posted August 21st, 2024 by Amanda Jordan Categories:Programs
To open our “Optimizing Brain Health” program, Dr Kathleen Fuchs of the UVA Memory and Aging Care Clinic (MACC) shared definitions, including cognitive changes in normal aging: slowed information processing, reduced mental flexibility, slowed learning, mild inefficiency in retrieval and words/names. Plasticity offers hope for older brains…it is new brain connections in response to life experiences. New thoughts and skills carve out new memory pathways. Repetition and practice strengthen these pathways. Animal studies show improved cognitive performance with: 1) enriched environment; 2) exercise; and 3) increased social interaction.
Cognitive reserve provides persons with higher lifetime intellectual enrichment the ability to withstand neurological disease progression without suffering cognitive impairment or dementia. Education (early and lifelong learning), cognitively challenging work, cognitive leisure activities, social activities and aerobic exercise are contributors to Cognitive Reserve.
#1 brain health activity: exercise. Exercise 3-4 times per week. Build up to 30 minutes. Increase your heart rate. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting, if you don’t currently exercise. Walking and talking double benefit.
Follow a Mediterranean diet. Watch sleep quantity/quality. Check hearing. Monitor your mood. Seek socialization.
IF interested in participating in research, contact Colleen Webber, UVA Memory Disorders Division, 243-5898 phone.
The Center’s Executive Director Melanie Benjamin shared literally hundreds of ways to improve plasticity and cognitive reserve at The Center, including exercise/fitness, painting/art, Spanish/Italian/French, crocheting, gardening, cooking, quilting, dancing, support groups (Parkinson’s, Womens, Cancer, Mental Health, ADHD, Grief, Retirement, Aging in Place, etc.), education (Pride Series, DEI Series, Brain Health, Cell Phone tutorial, Architecture, Good Life series, Funerals, Medicare, Vietnam, WWII, Money, Navigating Senior Living Options and more), luncheons, music performances, movies, documentaries, beer and bingo, book clubs, health services (flu clinic) AND MORE !!
Maintain your brain….you have the power.
*****
Following the program, the SSV held a reception welcoming everyone back to The Center at Belvedere:
Posted June 23rd, 2024 by Ella Categories:Programs
Dr. Jean Runyon and Dr. Brie Gertler
Dr. Jean Runyon, President of PVCC, and Dr. Brie Gertler, Vice Provost of UVA, provided an informative overview of each institution’s focus and impact. They shared the many ways that the two institutions of higher education collaborate …both in educational and economic initiatives to the benefit of all citizens!
Dr. Runyon shared how new programs are created and was asked if a tourism program might be in the future. Dr. Gertler was asked how the University is adapting to support adult learners. She noted that the College of Professional Studies is geared specifically for adult students returning to college in pursuit of their bachelor’s degree.
Both leaders shared how their institutions are supporting educational opportunities for incarcerated students. In addition, both leaders detailed how they are working to educate and support faculty around the appropriate uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education. Both leaders shared the growing national interest college students have in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) majors, with computer science #1. And, despite the decreasing college student interest in humanities/social sciences majors, the humanities and social sciences are and will be part of the general education requirements. Learning how to think, analyze, and communicate will remain important components of higher education.
*****
The SSV will return to The Center at Belvedere for programming in August. The SSV Board extends its sincere appreciation to the staff of the Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge for their support in hosting meetings during this past year:
Delegate Amy Laufer, Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Katrina Callsen
Another standing-room-only crowd listened intently and asked great questions as our two VA Delegates and VA Senator shared a General Assembly Update…an annual benefit for SSV members.
Delegate Katrina Callsen (54th House District, all of City and small part of Albemarle County in urban ring) serves on Courts, Finance, and Local Government Committees; introduced 14 bills. She is very proud of the Kinship For Foster Care legislation she authored. Katrina was named the “Freshman Delegate of the Year,” by the 34 first-time delegates. She continues to work on probation reform, residual marijuana possession reform (from felony to misdemeanor) and removing guns from college campuses.
Delegate Amy Laufer (55th House District, remainder of Albemarle County) serves on Finance, Education and Agriculture/Chesapeake/Natural Resources Committees. She is most proud of her work on women’s health issues and agriculture. She continues to work on safe gun controls and agriculture issues, as well as disability issues.
Senator Creigh Deeds (11th Senate District, serves all of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville). He is the second longest-serving member of the VA Senate and serves on the Budget Conference Committee, as well as Commerce and Labor (chair), Courts of Justice, Finance/Appropriations, and Privileges/Elections/Rules Committees. He counts the appointment of two new State Corporation Commission members (with 3 members total) as a major accomplishment. He continues to work on the Budget, safe gun controls, and mental health issues.
All three shared their support for increased higher education funding and increased health care workers funding in the budget; both included higher salaries. All three noted that working with the Governor’s office has been challenging, as this Governor has vetoed 153 bills of 1,046, amended 116 bills of 1,046, and signed 777 bills of 1,046. He then added 242 more amendments to the first budget bill which was passed with significant bi-partisan support. Rather than address the 242 amendments, the VA House and Senate decided to create a second budget bill, which will be addressed at a Special General Assembly session on May 13th.
They agreed that it is imperative that the budget not be vetoed, as that would cause VA to lose its AAA bond rating. Thus, the General Assembly decided to create an entirely new budget for General Assembly passage and forwarding to the Governor for signature.
All three closed by expressing appreciation for those who attended and the importance of communicating citizen views and concerns with them. All three have newsletters available to constituents. They look forward to hearing from YOU.
Delegate Callsen also provided this selection of bills passed that have direct impact on senior citizens:
• A bill to create the Virginia Memory Center to collect information and provide assistance with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. (HB1455 Carr) – Passed
• A new law to fight financial exploitation of seniors by allowing banks to train staff on how and report suspected cases of financial abuse. The law also allows financial institutions to list trusted persons who may be contacted in cases of suspected elder abuse. (HB692 Mald) – Passed
• Legislation to improve the continuity of health care for patients by prohibiting insurance retroactively denying a previously approved authorization when a patient is switching insurance policies. (HB1134 Willett) – Passed
• Legislation to require more training for firefighters and first responders in helping those w/Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. (HB933 LeVere Bolling) – Passed
Two bills that did not pass and may be of interest:
• A bill to create a Drug Price Affordability Board which would have the authority to set up limits on certain prescription medications. (HB570 Delaney) – Vetoed
• A bill to allow IDs issued by senior living facilities be used for voting. Many people living in senior communities or group homes no longer have a need for a Driver’s License so this would allow residents to use their community ID for voting. (HB26 Reid) – Vetoed
Posted April 18th, 2024 by Ella Categories:Programs
With a standing-room-only crowd, Dr. Philip E Bourne, founding dean of the School of Data Science at UVA, shared an overview of “Artificial Intelligence – Good or Bad?” Dr. Bourne brings trailblazing experience from business (launched four companies), biomedical/data science research (published 300+ papers and 5 books), academia (University of California-San Diego), and government (first Director of Data Science for the National Institutes of Health) to Senior Statesmen of Virginia and UVA! He also founded the group ‘Deans on Bikes.’
Dr. Bourne shared a primary question to start the discussion: How Disruptive will AI be? He traced the history of Artificial Intelligence, noting it first appeared in the 1970’s. He shared how the data that affects society has changed and grown. Dr. Bourne shared a graph with which we can view and track the AI innovation; on the vertical axis, we have Volume, Velocity and Variety. On the horizontal axis, we have the six stages of innovation: Digitization (did we know that data doubles every TWO years now?), Disruption, Demonetization, Dematerialization and Democratization (what happens when AI models, like quantum computing, reach human capacity? Will this happen?)
Dr. Bourne noted that UVA students accept AI for what it is and look at future growth and uses. For higher education, he suggested that learning modalities will change…. Robotics? Will a job market shift then happen? Will decisionmaking bias develop? Will privacy be eroded? How can we mitigate/eliminate misuse? Virtual reality — will it allow students from farflung geographic locations to ‘be in the same room.’
Many questions were asked and generated discussion and more questions. AI will continue to be a hot topic!
