Carman The Crossing Guard Says In Her 30 Years Of Working In Social Security Dept., She Saw 2 Mistaken Deaths Who Needed Benefits

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Carman Johnson has many opinions about many things. She is also the Crossing Guard for school children going and coming to school each day on Main Street and South Avenue. Talking to her about traffic problems in Beacon reveals a plethora of information. But it was Sue Serino’s latest photo opp with and declaration of Hulk Hogan Day while employees of the Social Security office in Poughkeepsie were protesting and demanding it be re-opened, alongside other residents of Dutchess County, that got Carman upset.

“That really ticked me off,” Carman told A Little Beacon Blog. “To declare a day for that man, when social security offices are being closed, is, is…” She couldn’t find the words. Carman is a retired federal employee for the Social Security Department. A position she held for 30 years. Prior to that, she worked in the Draft Department for 3 years during the Vietnam War. “That was the worst job of my life,” she told ALBB.

Ned Johnson and his wife in Seattle. Looking very much alive. Ned was declared Dead by Elon Musk’s DOGE Department, and his social security stopped and withdrawn from his bank account.
Photo Credit: Kevin Clark / Seattle Times

“Do you know,” Carman began, “that in the 30 years I worked in Social Security, there were only 2 deaths that were wrong. The people were still alive, but Social Security had them as dead.” Under the current administration, several alive people are being marked as dead, their benefits stopped, and in some cases, money sucked out of their bank accounts.

Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency are hunting for dead people on Social Security rolls, and claims they found many.

In Seattle, there was Ned Johnson, the Seattle Times reported. “You wake up one day and discover you’re dead,” Johnson told the reporter. “It’s been truly surreal.” The reporter stated: "Musk is contending that hordes of dead people are listed as alive in the Social Security databases, and are fraudulently still drawing benefits (which the Social Security director disputes)."

Ned is 82 and collecting Social Security. But when he was identified as dead, his payments stopped and $5,201 had been withdrawn from their bank account by the federal government, on the grounds that he had died months prior. His Medicare insurance was also canceled.

While on the phone with the bank to dispute the withdrawal, Ned asked the bank what he died of. The bank told him to ask Social Security. But when he called Social Security, he could hardly get through because it has become so understaffed. The reporter stated: "He called Social Security two or three times a day for two weeks, with each call put on hold and then eventually disconnected. Finally someone answered and gave him an appointment for March 13. Then he got a call delaying that to March 24.

"In a huff, he went to the office on the ninth floor of the Henry Jackson Federal Building downtown. It’s one of the buildings proposed to be closed under what the AP called 'a frenetic and error-riddled push by Elon Musk’s budget-cutting advisers.'”

Ned eventually proved that he was alive, and got the $5,201 back. But he hasn't received his current Social Security checks yet.

Back in Beacon: “They are trying to privatize social security,” Carman said. “I don’t even know how that would work. They are getting into that money.” Does Carman believe it criminal? Like they are trying to steal the social security money? “Yes. People worked their whole lives for that money. And now the federal government is making it harder to receive it. You have to verify yourself in person, and they are closing offices.”

Carman concluded with: “You know, someone said that Sue Serino was all about the photo opps. I know her to fight against unnecessary federal and county fees. But I guess that person was right. Sue’s just there for the photo opps.”

Carman was one of many who used to love Hulk Hogan. But after his racist revelation years ago, she stopped. Just like this Beacon local did.

County Exec. Sue Serino Criticized For Gushing Over Anti-Union, Racist Hulk Hogan During Social Security Office Closure Demonstration

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Screenshot of the post Dutchess County made on Facebook of County Executive Sue Serino helping Hulk Hogan promote his beer while demonstrators were outside the Poughkeepsie Social Security Office demanding that it not be closed by DOGE.

While Dutchess County residents and the union representing frontline Social Security employees in New York (AFGE Local 3343) were outside of the Social Security Office in Poughkeepsie, demanding that it be removed from the DOGE list of supposed lease cancellations, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino was gushing over Hulk Hogan, a self-declared racist and anti-union wrestler who was promoting his new Real American Beer at a ShopRite in Poughkeepsie.

Sue Serino took it a step further by declaring the day Hulk Hogan Day, without consulting with constituents, many of whom objected in the comments of Dutchess County's announcement of these decisions. Sue Serino used to be a New York State Senator before losing her seat and running for the Dutchess County Executive position,

Not only did Dutchess County not prioritize the protest outside of the Social Security Office, it also slighted the new name of the Mid-Hudson Civic Center to an asterisk, dismissing the man who has paid for its upgrades: Majed J. Nesheiwat. In 2018, Majed, who also goes by “Mitch,” explained why modernizing the center was so important to him: “I came to Poughkeepsie at the age of 15 from Jordan. With hard work and opportunity, I built my business and raised my family here. As a teenager, my first thrilling experience in life was at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, when I went to watch a live wrestling match. I have countless happy memories here and now my children and grandchildren are creating their own memories here. I love this community and I feel like it is only right to give back, especially after all it has given me. This opportunity with the civic center is the perfect way for us to do that. My family and I are looking forward to working with the civic center and serving our community for many years to come,” as reported by 101.5 WPDH.

Dutchess County’s Satement

Dutchess County’s statement gushed:
"Some 40 years after the Hulkster first flexed his 24-inch pythons to the delight of fans at the former Mid-Hudson Civic Center*, County Executive Sue Serino proclaimed today “𝐇𝐮𝐥𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲” in Dutchess County, as the former WWF champ returned to Poughkeepsie. More than an entertainment icon, Hulk Hogan has for years given his time to terminally ill children through the Make-A-Wish foundation, among his other charitable activities. Hundreds of local fans today were thrilled to see the Hulkster back in Dutchess County today at Shop-Rite at Hudson Heritage in Poughkeepsie, where his new beer line is being sold.

* = Now the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center"

The Hulk Hogan statement was made on Facebook the day of the protest at Social Security Office at 8:05pm and has received 590 comments so far, mostly critical. The next post Dutchess County made was the following morning at 6:27am, telling people how to use their HELPLINE to reach trained mental health professionals.

Finally, Dutchess County posted about the "uncertainty and questions surrounding the Social Security Office in Poughkeepsie" at 8:30am. The critical comments continued. The post offered to help people navigate the phone line to call into the office. Not sure if Dutchess County has tried calling the line themselves, but it does go in a circle and sometimes ends up in West Nyack, which is also on the DOGE list for lease termination.

A Sampling of Comments from Dutchess County’s Facebook Page:

Vincent Kennedy
"Racist, anti union, jabroni. What I'm trying to say is, he's right on brand for Republican politicians."

Hudson Valley Strong - Indivisible
"We were protesting the closure of the Poughkeepsie Social Security Office on Main St. Your supporters were asking why you weren't there. Now we know."

Deb Van Beusichem Heilmann
"He is a hateful misogynist and DC spends time and money naming a day for him? Meanwhile down the street people are begging for help outside of the closed SSA doors! Poor leadership, Ms. Serino, poor leadership."

Brian MacGregor
"You should have been with us rallying against the closing of the Poughkeepsie Social Security office."

John Gorman
"Services that our neighbors, your constituents, rely on to survive each and everyday are being gutted and slashed to the bone and what are you doing? Doing what you do best…never missing a photo op."

Amer Ahmed
"Sue serino only cares about her next photo op when will you people understand"

Kate Grantz
"This is shameful. Sue, shouldn’t you have been paying attention to what was going on at the SSA? Get your priorities straight."

Nicole Marie
"No kid has wanted him for a Make a Wish for at least 20 years. Don't give us those lies."

Tim Kirtland
"I wonder if she will keep that blissful smile on her face after a bunch of her voters lose their SSD, SSI Medicaid, Medicare and Food Stamp benefits."

Zenta Janks
"🤣 Great. An old, washed-up, fake fighter, peddling cheap beer.. Fitting for our current environment. Wow, Dutchess co. is lame."

Todd Musselman
"Why did you invite that 🤡? Call it Jabroni day. The Jokester not the Hulkster."

Nil O'Boyle
"So Serino decided this was the most important thing to do? Supporting a racist steroid junky pushing beer. Talk about being out of touch."

Resident of Poughkeepsie, Ryan Manzi, told ALBB that he knows of senior citizens who need services from the building now, but cannot get it. “A friend told me she had an issue and they told her she had to schedule an appointment weeks out. She’s disabled and uses a cane and walker all of the time.”

Ryan continued: “Sue Serino makes $185,500 as County Executive to declare a random day for a guy whose racism was exposed. While people on her own premises are struggling. The history of the Civic Center had to professional wrestling cannot be understated. It was huge in the territory days of wrestling! Randy Savage introduced Ms. Elizabeth at the Civic Center…The Macho Man and Ms. Elizabeth! Nobody will argue the history of the venue. Hogan made a few appearances, although not always wrestling. And yet Sue Serino felt it more important to show face to a disgraced bigot than make any motion to defend at Social Security Office during the protest.”

The County Executive’s salary is a raised from $157,424 to $185,500 that was passed in 2023, as reported by the The Highlands Current.

Ryan told ALBB that he saw a 30 foot or so dumpster on the sidewalk of Academy Street along the side of the Social Security Office building one month ago, but nothing as of late. “No one comes out. No guys with hard hats or reflective vests like it was when they first announced the renovations.”

News 12 reported that Hulk Hogan abandoned little kid fans who had been waiting for hours to see him. Blaise Gomz reported: “The fans reached out exclusively to News 12 saying they waited four hours at the ShopRite in Montgomery on Wednesday for a promised meet-and-greet with Hogan during one of his stops in the Hudson Valley to promote his new beer brand, Real American Beer.”

A feather said that his son had a Pokémon card he wanted Hogan to sign, but as the family got closer to their turn in line, the father claimed that Hogan abruptly left. “It was really quick,” the father told News 12. “They just stood up and bolted along the back. Some lady was very upset, screaming and cursing. My son just started crying and a bunch of other kids were crying.”

News 12 said that they tried contacting Hogan’s publicist for comment about the complaints from the father and others, but weren’t given a response.

Pro-Hogan, Anti-Politics Comments

A few comments at Facebook were accepting of the County Executive’s decision, like these:

Grace Rafferty
"Its hulk hogan. An 80s icon. Why make this political? Yes he supports Trump but this wasn’t a Trump rally he was promoting his beer."

Pasquale Mirra
"Look at all the crybabies on this thread 😂😂😂"

Mary Skovan
"go Sue, go MAGA"

Dolores Peluso
"nothing wrong with being maga"

Patrick Panzarino
"A bunch of lefties in this comment section"

The cover image at the union AFGE Local 3343 who represents employees in 14 New York Social Security Offices.

A demonstrator with their poster.
Photo Credit: Patrick Grego/The New Pine Plains Herald

The County Executive's State of the County Address was called "The Lives We Touch." Some of those those lives wrote out their statements on protest posters published in The New Pine Plain's Herald, and stated: "Dutchess County Needs A Social Security Office For 100,684 Elders, 26.5% of Population." Another poster stated: "Dutchess County Needs To Keep This Office Accessible To Seniors and the Disabled. Do Not Close SSA For Good."

Dutchess County Dems posted a statement criticizing County Executive Sue Serino for not participating in the demonstration outside the Social SEcurity Office in Poughkeepsie.

Former City Councilmember for Beacon, Dan Aymar-Blair, who ran for and won the Dutchess County Comptroller seat, did attend the protest and spoke to demonstrators. The New Pine Plains Herald quoted him as saying: “These are critical services the Social Security Administration provides for our community. I can’t even imagine how we’ve come to the point where we are attacking and taking away services from the most vulnerable people in our community.”

His office recently published a report that outlines how federal funding impacts the county: “Dutchess County is dependent on 10% of our budget being federal funding. Entitlements coming into Dutchess County — Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and other services going directly to the people of Dutchess County — amount to $1.9 billion. If anyone touches this federal funding, we’re all going to feel it. Whether you get these services or other services, it’s going to cascade through our economy.”

After the demonstration, the The New Pine Plains Herald reported that the SSA emailed them to comment on the office’s status, saying: “We do not plan on closing the Poughkeepsie Social Security office,” a spokesperson wrote. “There is a new ten-year lease for that office that will become effective upon completion of the renovation.”

However, as of March 16, the office still remains on the DOGE list.

Is Hulk Hogan Anti-Union?

According to The Sportster and Jesse Ventura, yes. Jesse was trying to unionize the wrestler performers for WWE in the 1980s. According to the publication, wrestlers did not have health insurance or pension from their employer WWE.

From the article: "There have been occasions where people have tried to get a union off the ground, notably in the 80s when the industry was undergoing wholesale change. The story of Jesse Venture trying to get his fellow performers to unite in the face of Vince McMahon's unchecked power is one that could have caused a meaningful difference, if it were not for Hulk Hogan."

Is Hulk Hogan Racist?

According to many, including himself, yes. The BBC reported: "In a video made public by The National Enquirer, Hogan said: "I guess we're all a little racist" and used the n-word while referring to his daughter's love life." Reporting states that he calls his statement "the biggest mistake of his life." It cost him a reversal of his placement into the Wrestling Hall Of Fame and the WWE terminating his contract, although at the time, BBC reports, his lawyer called it a resignation.

Hogan was later reinstated into the Wrestling Hall Of Fame, and not all Black wrestlers were happy about it. The trio called The New Day posted a statement through Koji Kingston, who is part of the trio: "Who WWE puts into the HOF is totally and completely up to the company. On a personal level when someone makes racist and hateful comments about any race or group of people, especially to the degree that Hogan made about our people, we find it difficult to simply forget - regardless of how long ago it was, or the situation in which those comments were made."

Trending: People "Dumping Teslas;" Tesla Dealerships, Sales and Stock Price Sliding As Elon Musk Slashes Federal Programs

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Elon Musk, one of the loudest Pied Pipers in the world, is feeling repercussions from slashing and burning federal social programs and firing large swaths of people at whim. As his so-called Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) added Beacon’s closest Social Security Office in Poughkeepsie to the DOGE list of upcoming canceled leases, Tesla dealerships around the world are being attacked, Tesla charging stations burned, the number of Tesla vehicles is declining, as is the stock. And Wired Magazine reports that Cheryl Crow dumped her Tesla.

When ALBB first published Elon Musk news at Facebook or Instagram, some of the readers got upset. For some reason, they equate criticism of Elon Musk, seemingly CEO Of Everything But Master Of Nothing, as “liberal.” ALBB does not understand the correlation, but is here for keeping our eye on Musk, as he is impacting all of our lives. Just three weekends ago, we learned that one of our friends using SNAP at the Beacon Farmer’s Market experienced their SNAP being slashed in half.

So. All eyes on Musk. As for reader reactions to ALBB touching “political” issues, well, it’s just enjoyable to watch Elon slash and burn his brand as he tries to slash and burn our lives. Equally enjoyable is making some Beacon locals angry when shown Elon protest videos, to where one person, Maggie Doggo at Facebook told ALBB to rename to “A Little Liberal Blog.” Loving the alliteration.

It’s a pivot from when others of you were calling ALBB “Katie’s Palestinian Plight,” as dubbed by Erin Hunt via email. Maggie Doggo said that ALBB has been in a “temper tantrum” since November 5th (does Maggie mean October 7th?). Tracy Eraca Pavlovic agreed: “they sure have!!!!!” with 2 angry face emojis.

Either way, ALBB is glad you are reading and feel so connected with ALBB that you feel like this publication is putty in your hands, to change as you wish.

Yes, we are getting back to Beacon News today!! Because we really need to get you that Sue Serino + Hulk Hogan = 💗💅🏼 while Elon and DOGE close the Social Security Office in Poughkeepsie. More to come! ✍🏼

The Lease For Poughkeepsie's Social Security Office Listed On DOGE Wall Of Receipts For Savings

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The Social Security Office in Poughkeepsie has made the DOGE Wall of Receipts, as first reported by WAMC. The lease for it, listed at $359,135/year, is slated to end July 31, 2025. It is one of 47 Social Security offices that are on list thus far.

Lease for the Poughkeepsie, NY Social Security office on the DOGE website.

White Plains' lease, valued at $511,908, is scheduled to end on May 31, 2025. The DOGE website says that the Lease termination notice was sent on 1/29/2025. DOGE projects the savings to be $262,689. It is not clear who is feeling this savings, since people cannot access a service at the office they paid for with their taxes.

Lease for the White Plains, NY Social Security office on the DOGE website.

The Social Security office in Horseheads, NY is also on the list, valued at $311,690 and a "savings" is listed for $1,558,450. The note on that "receipt" is: "Agency response on no longer a need for space provided by Portfolio. This payment assumes a 5-year continuation of the lease."

Lease for the Horseheads, NY Social Security office on the DOGE website.

Says Senator Rob Rolison who represents Beacon and used to be the Mayor of Poughkeepsie is quoted by WAMC as having said: "The public, they have a right to have clear and accurate information as it relates to government services. It’s like, ‘Maybe we’re gonna plow the roads today, or maybe [not]?' It’s not fair. Savings are great, especially when it comes to government. But when we’re talking about Social Security, people deserve better."

Or people deserve what they are currently paying for.

The Social Security office in Newburgh closed last June 2024. While the initial closure notice that was given for the Poughkeepsie office was that it was going to be temporary and done for renovations, there is no evidence of renovations having taken place. The phone number to the Poughkeepsie office routes in a robotic circle, eventually landing a caller in West Nyack, the office for which is also temporarily closed for renovations. According to WAMC, the Kingston Social Security office closed for "temporary renovations" years ago and never reopened.

Congressman Pat Ryan, whose district includes Beacon, has been suspicious of the renovations. Congressman Ryan spoke with WAMC last Friday, saying that this closure is what he feared: "“This will deeply harm so many of my constituents, so many people in the Hudson Valley that count on being able to go to an office to access the benefits that they have worked their whole lives to earn."

As reported by WAMC: "New York Attorney General Letitia James sent a letter to Acting SSA Commissioner Lee Dudek this week asking him to reconsider closing the hub, which serves as a central point the Hudson Valley. James says the White Plains office currently has a backlog of roughly 2,000 cases, and that ‘eliminating the office would exacerbate the problem and harm even more vulnerable New Yorkers.’”

Closing these buildings feels like when the Post Offices were closing or experiencing severe staff reductions, including at the Beacon location.

Currently, the offices in Peekskill or Middletown are the closest to Beacon.

Social Security Office In Poughkeepsie Remains Closed - Renovations Unconfirmed

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The Social Security Administration office in Poughkeepsie remains closed with no renovations having started in sight. It was reported that the office closed on January 30th, and was set to re-open temporarily, but nothing temporary has appeared. A phone number offered in the article saying it is for Poughkeepsie actually goes to West Nyack, which is also closed. An operator answering the West Nyack phone number said that they had not seen renovations at West Nyack themselves.

A reader of ALBB was unaware of the closure in Poughkeepsie and tried to utilize the office this week, but to no avail. They asked ALBB to inform the public, and also noted: “I just lost $60 on Uber, and one woman who came to the door cried. Thanks! 🍉”

The Social Security office in Newburgh closed in June 2024. The next closest is in Middletown. Both Congressman Pat Ryan and Senator Rob Rolison wrote letters demanding that it stay open, but to no avail.

Google says that the Poughkeepsie office is Open, but it is not. Additionally, the phone number listed in the Google listing routes to a different but similar circle of nowhere. When you hit 0 for Operator, the recording requests that you enter your entire social security number before advancing. ALBB did not do that, and hung up.

Congressman Pat Ryan had demanded that the Poughkeepsie office be opened, and doubted that renovations were the reason. The Congressman said in an email sent to the Poughkeepsie Journal: "It’s absolutely outrageous that the only Social Security office in Dutchess has closed its doors to seniors seeking in-person assistance," He had pursued the Social Security office for a timeline of renovations, and demanded communications with the public, but received no reply. He continued: "And it’s completely unacceptable that almost two weeks later, the Social Security Administration still hasn’t responded to the most basic of questions."

Former Mayor of Poughkeepsie and current New York State Senator Rob Rolison also said to the Poughkeepsie Journal: "Disruptions like this, temporary or not, cause real, tangible challenges for those who need timely access and support. The well-being of so many in the Hudson Valley depends on access to the Social Security Administration office and staff, and forcing transportation to Middletown is simply not an option for too many individuals."

Neither elected officials were successful in keeping the Newburgh office open, so chances look bleak for Poughkeepsie. ALBB reached out to Congressman Ryan’s Poughkeepsie office, spoke to his staff, but has not received an update.

The Poughkeepsie Journal interviewed a Poughkeepsie resident, Ernest Robinson, about how he would access the next closest Social Security office in Middletown if he needs help with accessing his benefits. Ernest said: “You would have to take Metro-North all the way down to, I think, Croton-Harmon. Then switch over and come back up on the Amtrak line," Robinson said. "So it would be definitely difficult.” The trip would take over an hour.

People use Social Security offices to get new cards and to access their benefits, which include:

  • Retirement Benefits

  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • Benefits for spouses and other survivors of a family member who has died

The auto-loop answering service said that those applying for Disability Insurance would need to wait at least 200 days for their application to be processed.