As part of GRUFF’s mandate, it has embarked on a big and important project to bring an initiative aimed at securing a continuous and long-term revenue stream for the struggling Government Employees Retirement System (GERS). The initiative involves dedicating a percentage of the territory’s rum tax revenues/Internal Revenue Matching Fund/rum cover over money, which comes to the territory, when locally produced rum is sold on the U.S. mainland.
GRUFF needs to collect over 5,000 signatures from registered voters territory-wide to be able to place its initiative on the November 2018 ballot. This initiative is aimed at helping to save the territory’s public pension system.
Gruff Petition Campaign Schedule
DATE —— PLACE —– TIME
Monday, July 17 Bovoni Housing Community 5:30-7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 18 Emancipation Garden 10 a.m. – noon
Wednesday, July 19 Bovoni Homes, Thomasville 5:30-7 p.m.
Thursday, July 20 Emancipation Garden 10 a.m. – noon
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Monday, July 24 Tutu High Rise 5:30-7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 25 Frenchtown Ball Park 10 a.m. – noon
Wednesday, July 26 Hidden Valley Housing Community 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 27 Frenchtown Ball Park 10 a.m. – noon
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Monday, July 31 Nadir Homes 5:30-7 p.m.
Tuesday, August 1 Smith Bay Ball Park 10 a.m. – noon
Wednesday, August 2 Estate Nazareth 5:30-7 p.m.
Thursday, August 3 Smith Bay Ball Park 10 a.m. – noon
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Monday, August 7 Old Tutu 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, August 8 Tutu Park Mall 10 a.m. – noon
Wednesday, August 9 Anna’s Retreat 5:30-7 p.m.
Thursday, August 10 Tutu Park Mall 10 a.m. – noon
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Monday, August 14 Grand View Apartments 5:30-7 p.m.
Tuesday, August 15 Emancipation Gardens 10 a.m. – noon
Wednesday, August 16 Make Up
Thursday, August 17 Make Up
As hard and unfair as it all is, GERS is terminal. There is no saving it. The over-generous pension promises were based on false projections, at a time of plenty. Honestly, how could a person expect to receive a generous pension with very little contributions over the years? Especially knowing the government rarely contributed its share? Then compounded by the utter irresponsible investments by GERS. It was never going to work. Numbers do not lie. Demand a payout now, dissolve the system and start over.