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Cold Wind in August

Posted

To the editor:

I waited for you

You waited for me

That it seemed like, seemed like a mighty long time.

- Van Morrison, “Cold Wind in August”

The New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees has responded to my letter 'Bylaws of Gravity' in The Chief's July 24 edition,

I requested a reply in the “Debunked” section of their website, which was posted.

Marianne Pizzitola, president of NYCOPSR, wrote on Facebook that I am making NYCOPSR spend donations on a legal letter to me and the “newspapers” that I contacted with “unsubstantiated allegations," and that I should apologize and update them.

I stand by the content of my letter.

I assisted Marianne by forwarding or including her in emails that gave journalists, editors and publishers a heads up.

My response:

1) On bylaws, the originals have been received, but an amendments request is pending.

2) NYCOPSR hasn’t proactively provided members the bylaws, by email or via their website, or informed them of the right to request them. Or review other NYCOPSR documents pursuant to the bylaws and the most current IRS Form 990.

3) Despite a denial, sections of the bylaws govern (voting and eligibity) rights of members.

4) I am advocating that the bylaws be proactively disclosed to all members even if not legally required.

5) It is important to distinguish NYCOPSR from the MLC - by being more transparent.

6) I haven’t doubted the integrity of the Board or NYCOPSR. This is a difference of opinion over transparency policy.

8) According to my Membership account, I am a Donor-Qualified member of NYCOPSR, until June 23, 2027.

As of this writing, NYCOPSR still states that “A Donor Qualified means someone has donated, but not paid to become a member.”

During the July 24 NYCOPSR weekly session (available on the YouTube channel and X) Marianne Pizzitola, president, stated that I was still not a member of the organization.

Adding that I’m eligible to be a member but haven’t paid dues to be a member.

I requested that a correction be made at the July 31 weekly update but one was not forthcoming.

I have been suspended from the NYCOPSR Facebook group until August 6, 2026 - apparently for sharing an Aug. 3 Work-Bites article that I wrote, similar to this one.

Ironically, NYCOPSR retained my post of the MLC bylaws.

Harry Weiner

Comments

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  • Harry

    NYSOPSR’s reply to my original letter can be found here -

    https://www.nycretirees.org/debunked

    Wednesday, August 5 Report this

  • Harry

    UPDATE: I posted this letter to the NYCOPSR Facebook group on 8/6/26. It was deleted and I was suspended by the moderator until 8/9/26.

    Friday, August 7 Report this

  • Harry

    Update 8/8/26: I was suspended from the NYCOPSR Facebook group by the moderator (8/6/26 - 8/9/26) wfor posting this letter.

    Saturday, August 8 Report this