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REMINDER

HHA OF CNY SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS JULY 30, 2010. 

APLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JULY 30, 2010

 

HARNESS HORSE ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS FOR THE 2010-2011 ACADEMIC YEAR

 

The HHA of CNY Scholarships are made available to HHA of CNY members and their immediate families, for study beyond the high school level.

The following conditions apply:

The application deadline is July 30, 2010.  All applications must be mailed to the HHA of CNY Scholarship Fund, and must be postmarked no later than July 30, 2010.

Three scholarships will be available. They will be paid to the successful applicant in two allocations.  One-half paid at the beginning of the semester and the other half to be paid upon completion of the semester submitting proof of a 2.5 GPA.

The scholarships are competitive and will be ranked according the scholarship committee scoring system.

One First Place scholarship will be awarded to one student for a period of one year of study in the amount of $5,000.

A Second Place scholarship will be awarded to one other student for a period of one year of study in the amount of $2,500.00.  

A Third Place scholarship will be awarded to one other student for a period of one year of study in the amount of $1,500.00.

The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of merit and financial need. 

Applicants must have already been accepted in an accredited program of study leading specifically to a degree or certification beyond the high school level. 

* You must submit a copy of you letter of acceptance with the application.

Prior recipients of an HHA of CNY Scholarship are eligible to apply. No person, however, may win more than two HHA of CNY Scholarship awards, whether in consecutive years or not.

The Scholarship applicant must be a 2010 HHA of CNY member in good standing,    or the immediate family of a member in good standing. “Immediate family” means spouse or child.  Legal guardians in good standing also meet eligibility.

 The Scholarship awards will be announced by August 16, 2010.                

The HHA of CNY Scholarship Committee may request a personal interview prior to  awarding the Scholarships.

 

FOR AN APPLICATION, CALL OR WRITE:

HARNESS HORSE ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

HHA of CNY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

PO BOX 586

VERNON, NY 13476

315-829-3872

JUNE 18, 2010

Rick Papa, President

315-829-3872

 

Today, The Harness Horse Association of Central New York (HHA of CNY) announced significant increases in health benefits for trainers, drivers and grooms who are members that wish to participate. The board of directors has voted to increase the subsidy on our health benefit plan, making all important health benefits of high quality available to those horsemen wishing to participate. The announcement comes on the heels of the recent institution of a significant scholarship benefit and fire insurance protection for horsemen stabled at Vernon Downs.

President Rick Papa announced the new increase in the subsidies which apply to Blue Cross/ Blue Shield coverage that most members initially choose. Currently, the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield plans available through the HHA of CNY start with basic premiums for a single person at $ 397.31; for a 2 person household at $ 917.89 and for a family at $ 993.29. The subsidy increase has been raised so that now the single person coverage will cost only $ 97.31/mo. out of pocket for the basic plan; the 2 person household will be $ 217.89/mo for the basic plan; and the family coverage will cost $193.29 for the basic plan.  The balance reimbursed by the HHA of CNY.

President Rick Papa said “it has taken us a long time to be able to provide some real meaningful health benefit options to our members, but this plan and these significant increases in our subsidies bring us in line with some of the biggest associations in the industry whose members pay for similar coverage at the rate of $ 150.00/mo. for a single; $ 250.00/ mo. for 2 person coverage and $ 300.00/mo. for family plans.  The Board of Directors  encourage all members to visit the horsemen’s office for more details or to call Board member Joe D’Agostino at 315- 829- 5824 to set up an appointment to review all the options afforded you, on these and other expanding benefits provided by the HHA of CNY.

-30-

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    JUNE 1, 2010

Contact: Rick Papa, President (315) 829-3872 

 

HHACNY Announces College Scholarship Program

 

    As promised, The Board of Directors of the Harness Horse Association of Central New York (HHACNY) is continuing to examine ways to address the needs of hard working horsemen and their families at Vernon Downs. 

    As a result of significant planning and an affirmative vote on Saturday, May 29, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce the creation of three scholarships to be awarded in the amounts of $5000, $2500, and $1500. Scholarships will be available exclusively for current members of HHA of CNY and their immediate families (spouses and children), as well as the youngsters who have legal guardians that are members.

    HHACNY President Rick Papa appointed an initial Scholarship Committee consisting of horsemen representatives, Joseph Camerino, Ph.D., a board member with deep roots in the New York State education system; Dr. George Shaheen and Joseph D'Agostino. Scholarship eligibility will be based on financial need and scholastic ability and the Committee was charged with the responsibility of preparing the criteria for both. Scholarship applications should be distributed by July 1st.

    Rick Papa expressed the sentiments of the Board, "It's pleasing that as we progress past some very unfortunate diversions not of our creation, we are finally able to begin to focus our attention on enhancing the lives of those who choose to race at Vernon Downs. Horsemen should reap the full value of their labors and investments. We continue to preserve and protect those benefits due to our horsemen by state law and contractual provisions. By recently providing fire insurance, now three scholarships and hopefully other benefits in the near future, the HHACNY wants to make this association a significant resource for the betterment of members and their families." 

    Members are encouraged to submit inquiries or suggestions to your directors or to the HHA of CNY office any time.

 

 

 

 

Increasing Horsemen's Benefits

May 13, 2010

 

The HHACNY Board of Directors are pleased to announce an added benefit for all its members. Horses wholly owned by HHACNY members that are stabled at Vernon Downs are now covered against loss due to fire. This coverage is up to $15,000 per horse.  We hope this coverage is never needed, but it is a benefit that our Board feels members should have, especially in light of the recent tragedies at Lebanon Raceway and the near tragedy at Plainridge Racecourse.

Over the next several weeks, The Board of Directors will also be actively engaged in discussions and planning regarding the implementation of enhanced benefits for our members. These initiatives include: 

1)    studying methods to further reduce the cost you must bear of your share of the current available health insurance

2)    restoring our funding of a college scholarship protocol for our members and their families either as a one or two benefit award

3)    exploring other benefit programs        

We are always looking for better ways to serve our members. Your ideas are welcome and invited to help us better serve you. Over the last few years, we have battled very hard to get to the point we have promised. Now, we want you to come to reap the benefits of what we fought for; the right to have better economic protection for you and your family. Know that our efforts in this regard have no beginning or end... they are constant. 

Thanks and the best of racing luck,

 

Rick Papa and the Entire Board of Directors   

 

 

 

 

 

April 5, 2010

URGENT

            We have a chance right now to correct the Workers’ Compensation Law as it pertains to the Harness Racing Industry.  The Empire State Harness Horsemen’s

Alliance (ESHHA) has collectively retained  counsel and  drafted the necessary language to fix the problems within the current law and persuaded the State Assembly and Senate to introduce our legislative changesThese changes are now embodied in bill numbers are A 10309 and S 7072.

            The rest is up to you and everyone else involved in our industry.  You must contact your local Assemblyman/Assemblywoman and your local State Senator by letter, e-mail, fax, or phone.  This is not a high priority item in Albany which is why they must be contacted by large numbers of people.  Ask your family, friends, neighbors, those in any groups to which you belong to join in and write or call.  We have enclosed a list of local Assembly and Senate members.  If you need help locating your Legislator, please contact our office.

We have submitted a proposal that adds the following five exemptions to the existing Workers’ Compensation Law:

 1.     Catch Drivers

2.     Temporary Designated Trainers

3.    Shippers

4.     Farriers

5.    Veterinarians

If these exemptions are approved, Catch Drivers now by regulation independent contractors, would be so by statute, and their earnings would not be added to your payroll for Workers’ Compensation premium assessmentsTemporary designated Trainers would no longer be assessed premiums for Shippers, Farriers, and Veterinarians as they would also now be statutorily considered Independent Contractors and their fees could not be added to your payroll.

 

            When contacting your State Legislator, some of the points you should consider mentioning are:

1.    Under New York Law an employee is a person who contracts to work for an employer and is under the employer’s control with respect to the results provided and the means used to achieve the results.

2.    A person who works for another, subject to less extensive control is an “Independent Contractor”.

3.    To establish the presence or absence of control, typical factors to be considered are:

a.     The employer’s control over the time, place and method of the worker’s performance.

b.    Whether the employer furnished equipment, tools or supplies used by the worker.

c.    Whether the worker received a salary from the employer.

d.    Whether the employer withholds taxes or merely pays commissions.

e.    Whether the employer reimburses the worker’s expenses.

f.     Whether the employee sets the worker’s rate.

g.    Whether the employee restricts the worker’s performance of services for others.

All of our proposed exemptions fall outside of the legal employer-employee relationship definitionThe Catch Driver is free to accept or decline requests to drive horses; furnishes his/her own equipment; and pays his/her own expenses.   The Designated Trainer asserts no meaningful control over the services being provided by the Groom; has no financial or meaningful employment relationship with the Groom; provides no equipment or supplies to the Groom, and does not compensate the Groom.

The Shipper, Farrier and Veterinarian all are compensated pursuant to a negotiated fee and such fee is not related to hours worked; they are all free to provide services to customers of their choice; all are responsible for their own expenses and equipment; and all are free to terminate services at any time.

I’ve given you quite a bit of material to choose from.  Don’t use it all; use your own experiences with Workers’ Compensation nightmares if you’ve had any.  Concentrate on Drivers fees, or Designated Trainers, or Shippers, Farriers, or Veterinarians.  Keep it simple and concentrate on the difference between employees and independent contractors.  Please do your part.  Let’s stop the State Insurance Fund from winding up with your hard earned dollars.  We may never have this chance again.  Remember, ask your legislators to support bills:

 

                                    A 10309 and S 7072

                                                           

                                                Thanks for your help!

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Sulky Benefits

Coverage on wheels has been raised from $ 500.00 per wheel to $ 750.00.

Sulky benefits has been raised total coverage (including wheels) from $ 2,000.00 to

$ 3,000.00.

If you have any questions on health benefits please contact Joe D’Agostino at

315-829-5824.

If you have any questions on sulky benefits please contact this office.

 

 

 

 

 

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