About Fayette County news. (Fayetteville, GA) 2009-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2023)
A8 Fayette County News Wednesday, March 15,2023 Retired State Employees Speak Out on New Economic Hardships Fayetteville Welcomes 24/7 Anytime Fitness Responding to a survey by the Georgia State Retir ees Association, large numbers of retired state employees responded that they can no longer live in dignity and with comfort on their hard-earned pensions. The response to the survey was overwhelming, accord ing to GSRA officials. Out of the 4,400 surveys distributed, more than 1,100 recipients responded. 471 also wrote narratives de scribing their day-to-day challenges in more detail. More than 96 percent re ported experiencing at least one of 12 hardships queried in making ends meet; al most half reported they were experiencing at least six different types of hard ships. Examples of hardships include “stopped buying certain foods,” “delayed paying utility bills(s) on time,” “delayed paying rent or mortgage on time,” “de layed getting routine or spe cialized healthcare including dental and vision care,” and “delayed filling prescriptions or split medi cation dosages to make them last longer.” Numerous retirees, many of them among the older members, have had to return to work to make ends meet, and even so, are still struggling. The loss of in come is impacting entire families, not just retirees in dividually. Other themes in clude pride in state service, food insecurity and even hunger, the challenge of managing healthcare needs on limited incomes, caregiv ing, social impacts, a sense of loss, and, for some, being in a downward spiral. Retirees reported doing everything they could have done to prepare for retire ment, but now are doing ev erything they can “just to survive.” While most respondents fell into the 66-75 a g e group, the comments illustrate that retirees of all ages are feel ing the impact of inflation exacerbated by erosion of retirement income. About 30 percent of respondents are uncompensated family caregivers. Some are caring for a spouse or an adult child. Others provide care for more elderly relatives, which often entails travel that they can ill-afford. Some older, single retirees report having no family sup port systems and express concern for being able to maintain their independ ence. Some younger ones relate the impact of declin ing resources while trying to provide for their minor chil dren. GSRA continues to ad vocate for the return of cost- of-living adjustments for retirees that faithfully served the State of Georgia and its citizens. Many worked at or below market salary with the understand ing their contributions to the retirement system would afford a secure and dignified retirement in come. Unfortunately, that un derstanding, for most, has not come to fruition with 14 years of no adjustments to keep pace with the cost of living. Below, attendees cheer as the red ribbon is cut at 24/7 Anytime Fitness Sydney Spencer News Reporter sspencer@fayette-news.net A new workout gym has opened in south Fayetteville, and it is attracting customers from across Fayette County. 24/7 Workout Anytime, along with the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, held its official ribbon cutting on March 9, opening to the pub lic. Notable community leaders such as Fayetteville Mayor Ed Johnson and members of Fayetteville City Council attended the cere mony. The location is owned and operated by Regina Grey and Salim Porter, who have hired enthusiastic staff who are will ing and ready to assist anyone on their fitness journey, no matter the starting point. Porter spoke about why the business was brought to Fayetteville. “We just moved to Fay etteville about a year ago. We love Fayetteville and what it has to offer. We just want to be part of the Fayetteville family and get to meet the great people that are out here, which we have already done,” said Porter. Porter highlighted the services offered at the gym. “We offer a sauna, tan ning, hydro massage, human touch massage, group train ing, personal training, and Zumba - a number of things. We do it all. All of our cardio machines are state-of-the-art. It has Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Netflix - everything - on it,” revealed Porter. When asked how the busi ness will benefit area res idents, Porter explained that they are contributing to a healthier community. “Everybody gets fit, a healthy community. We’re like family here. We love each other and we know everybody here by name. We do every thing for our guests,” ex plained Porter. 24/7 Anytime Fitness is lo cated at 535 Glynn Street South in southern Fay etteville, and staff say they look forward to keeping the community in shape and of fering fitness to anyone at any time. /A Body That’s FUN to Live in Again\ is Closer Than You Think! Make TODAY your January 1st I help people who are age 45+ to reach and exceed their health goals with customized lifestyle protocols in the areas of: Food • Movement • Sleep • Stress • Mindset My personalized habit-based coaching helps you achieve a body that’s FUN to live in again!! BOOK A FREE DISCOVERY SESSION TODAY! Jessica S. 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