The President`s Message

9521 Las Tunas Drive, Suite 4, Temple City, CA 91780
Email: [email protected] • Toll Free 888-288-5073
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626-285-5138 • 323-283-4441
Fax 626-285-1461 • Website: www.larfpa.org
The
President’s
Message
by Paul Enox
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
So we are quickly approaching the end of the year and
as I am one to do, I find myself reflecting back on this
past year. But I will not bore you with reflections back
on my personal life this past year. However, I would
like to share my reflections back on this year from my
perspective as the president of the Los Angeles Retired
Fire & Police Association (LARFPA).
This past year, like every year since the great recession
of 2007 through 2009, was rife with articles and attacks
on public sector pensions. While it’s my belief that
when (if) we return to a booming economy the attacks
on public sector pension will lessen, they will not go
away completely.
Most of the Association’s members spent their careers
as union members and grew used to having a union
in place to advocate for them. However, that changes
once our members retire. The focus of the police and
fire unions is on their active members and I cannot find
fault with that. But public safety retirees need an advocate, too. Fortunately we have one. It’s LARFPA.
Continued on page 2
Opinions expressed in any column are those of
the concerned writer and are not to be regarded
necessarily as an expression of the philosophy
or position of The Los Angeles Retired Fire and
Police Association.
Winter 2014
LARFPA Meetings and Events
General Membership Meetings
When:
Where:
Speaker:
December 3, 2014 - 10 am – 12 pm
Grace E. Simons Lodge
Patrick M. Gannon
Chief of Airport Police at
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
When: March 4, 2014 - 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Grace E. Simons Lodge
Speaker: TBA
Coffee, doughnuts and box lunches will be
available during the March, September and
December General Membership Meetings.
Special Events
Holiday Celebration Luncheon
When:
December 7, 2014 - 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Sportsmen’s Lodge, Studio City, CA
For Information check our website
www.larfpa.org or call (888) 288-5073
Inside:
Wake Up the Echoes..........................................p 3
Retiree Health Subsidy Lawsuit........................p 4
News From Express Scripts..............................p 9
Odds and Ends.................................................p 22
Membership Update Form...............................p 21
2
President . . .
from page 1
The membership is blessed to have a very dynamic
and effective board of directors. The board has taken
that advocacy role on behalf of retirees deep into their
hearts. That’s why the LARFPA board initiated a
lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles in an effort to
once and for all have the courts declare that your health
subsidy is a benefit. Not a gift from the City that they
can rescind anytime they take it into their mind to do so
for budgetary or any other reason.
The LARFPA board has taken on the issue of the City
being slow to respond to the needs of members who are
entitled to worker compensation benefits. Because of
the diligence of the board, particularly board members
Don Forrest and Garrett Zimmon, significant progress
has been made on workers’ compensation issues. The
board has made significant progress in speeding up
the City’s response times to members. And not only
responding in a more timely manner, but being more
effective in meeting the members’ needs.
Members of your board show up at the meetings of the
Board of Pension Commissioners on a regular basis.
And that presence at the board meetings has protected
the membership from having inaccurate statements and
positions being taken without being challenged. Board
members Ken Buzzell and Lee Kebler have been especially diligent in this regard.
The recruiting efforts of the board, particularly board
member Art Placencia, have been more vigorous than
they have been at any time since I’ve been a member
of the board. And sadly, recruitment has to remain an
important agenda item for the board because we lose a
significant number of members each year to that transition that we must all make someday.
The health and effectiveness of any organization relies
heavily on the effectiveness of its leadership. Part of
leadership effectiveness relates
to getting new
blood, with fresh
perspectives that
The Newsletter is a publication for
members of the Los Angeles Retired
can be brought to
Fire & Police Association, Inc. All
bear. The memrights reserved.
bership is also
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fortunate in that
respect. The board recently welcomed two new board
members, Jim Mateer and Bob Weisz, both of whom fit
the criteria mentioned above.
A special thank you goes out to my vice-president,
Bob Olson, and to the old guard board members, Will
Gartland, Jim Wilke, and Ray Case, who have mentored
and helped me so much over the years. I also want to
acknowledge our bravest board member, Don Vincent.
No human being should have to endure all that he has
endured this past year. But Don keeps pushing ahead
and has never once asked to be relieved of his duties
as a board member despite the significant challenges it
presents to him to be a member of this board.
Finally, I would not have gotten through this year without the OUTSTANDING help and assistance I get from
the ladies of our office staff, Maureen and Desiree. I
love you both.
So when I reflect back on this past year I do so with a
sense of satisfaction and thankfulness. And I have every reason to believe that despite how successful 2014
has been, that 2015 will be even more successful.
LOS ANGELES RETIRED FIRE AND
POLICE ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 2014-2015
President — Paul E. Enox, LAPD
Vice President — Robert L. Olsen, LAFD
Secretary — William O. Gartland, LAPD
Treasurer — Jimmy Hill, LAFD
Directors
Fire
Ken Buzzell
Raymond Case
James R. Chastain
Don Forrest
Lee Kebler
William Quinn
Police
James Mateer
Arthur (Art) Placencia
Don Vincent
Robert M. Weisz
James Wilke
Garrett W. Zimmon
Directors Emeritus
J. J. Cremins
L. Michael Dwyer
Robin Welborn
3
From Secretary
Will Gartland . . .
Wake Up the
Echoes . . . .
During the General Membership Meeting held on
September 3, 2014 the election of the Association’s
Officers and four Directors was conducted. The Officers for 2014/2015 are President Paul E. Enox, VicePresident Robert L. Olsen, Treasurer Jimmy Hill and
Secretary William O. Gartland. The Directors elected
for a three year term are James Wilke, James Chastain,
Denis Cremins and Don Forrest.
There have been other changes on the Board since the
Membership meeting. James Chastain stepped down
as Treasurer and was replaced by Jimmy Hill. Denis
Cremins resigned in September and has been replaced
by James I. Mateer and Robert M. Weisz has been appointed to the board to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Richard Green. A full list of the Association’s
Board of Directors and their committee assignments is
included in the newsletter. Welcome to Jim and Bob.
Special acknowledgement is due to Jim Chastain. Jim
has been a member of the board since 1994. He has
served as Director, Treasurer, Vice-President and President. His contributions to the Association have been
many and he remains as a director and will continue to
guide our newer members.
My echoes were both good and bad. On the good
side I attended the 2014 Above and Beyond Awards
Ceremony. The ceremony honors the officers who
are awarded the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart.
This was the first time since I retired in 1999 that I
attended the ceremony and I met many of the officers
and civilians I worked with during my 44 year career.
Two of the officers who received the Purple Heart
Medal posthumously were officers that I had worked
with. Detective Robert Endler and I had worked
Wilshire Patrol together in the 60s and Detective Gerald (Blackie) Sawyer and I were assigned to Narcotics
Division in the70’s. They received their fatal injuries
before the Department had a Purple Heart Medal. The
Department is to be commended for looking into past
events that may have qualified officers for this medal.
The bad echo is the notice that the Associates (Former
Los Angeles Police Department Associates) are going EOW on December 3, 2014. The Associates are
retired police officers who started this informal gathering of retirees in 1960’s. Due to the formation of
neighborhood retired groups, the attendance at the Associates’ meetings dwindled to the point that the Associates can no longer sustain their activities. For the
past few years, the Associates remained active primarily through the efforts of Tom Hayes, Bill Dumbauld,
Jim Mateer, Art Sjoquist and Rene Payan. The Associates will have their last meeting on December 3, 2014
at Taix Restaurant. Refer to the Coming Attractions
section of the newsletter for more information.
December 3, 2014 is also the date of LARFPA General
Membership Meeting. Our meeting starts at 10 a.m.
at the Grace E. Simons Lodge. It is a short drive from
the Lodge to Taix. I hope to see you at both events.
Numbers to Remember
(All in the 213 Area Code unless noted)
Fire & Police Pension Department......... 978-4545
Toll Free....................................... 800-787-2489
Assistance
Report a death
Lost or missing check
Members Service Section....................... 978-4495
Direct deposit information
Income tax withholding
Beneficiary change (for members only)
Health Insurance
United Fire Fighters, L.A. City............... 895-4006
Fire Relief Association..................... 323-259-5200
UFLAC Dental Insurance....................... 977-9014
Police Personnel Department . ............... 486-4630
Police Relief Association (& Dental Ins.)
674-3701 or Toll Free 888-252-7721
Police Protective League......................... 251-4554
800-535-2775
On the Fire side, remember that Fire Relief will
assist you in making all notifications of death of
member or their spouse.
4
LARFPA Standing
Committees - 2014
From Director
Ken Buzzell . . .
Retiree Health
Subsidy Lawsuit
Since the last newsletter, there has been considerable
activity involving the retiree health subsidy lawsuit
filed by the Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police Association, and four of our members, against the City.
The case is now officially known as Fry v. City of Los
Angeles. (The case has been identified as Fry by the
Court because that is the last name of the first individual specifically named in the lawsuit.) So let me
bring you up to speed as to what has happened.
On July 28, 2014, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge
Joanne O’Donnell handed down a 22-page ruling
on Fry. (For the sake of brevity, legal citations and
points of law are not going to be reproduced in this
article.)
Of major significance to all members of the Fire and
Police Pension System, Judge O’Donnell validated
our legal claim ruling the retiree health subsidy to
be a vested pension benefit. Consistent with this
position, the judge ruled Ordinance 181814, which
implemented a freeze of the retiree health subsidy for
members not agreeing to pay an additional two percent in pension contributions, was an illegal impairment of a vested pension benefit under State Law.
The City tried to defend the freeze by pointing to the
“opt-in window” offered during which time members in Tiers 2 through 5 could buy back an unfrozen
retiree health subsidy by making an additional twopercent pension contribution (Ordinance 181893).
Judge O’Donnell ruled that the “opt-in” offer did not
save the freeze because the opportunity to buy back
a vested right did not offer members any new advantage to offset the impact of the freeze.
Unfortunately, the judge said she would not order the
City to either stop collection of the additional 2% or
to pay back the 2% contributions already made. Instead, she referred that part of the case to a “general
trial court.” The other court will now have to rule on
these two issues.
Continued on page 5
FINANCE:
Jim Chastain, Jimmy Hill, Ken Buzzell, Bob Weisz
OFFICE:
Jim Wilke, Lee Kebler
PUBLICATIONS:
Will Gartland, Ray Case, Jim Mateer
SOCIAL:
Bob Olsen, Don Forrest, Will Gartland, Art Placencia
BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION:
Fire: Bill Quinn, Don Forrest, Bob Olsen
Police: Jim Wilke, Art Placencia
PENSION:
Lee Kebler, Paul Enox, Ken Buzzell, Bob Weisz
LIAISON COMMITTEES
FIRE RELIEF:
Lee Kebler, Bob Olsen
POLICE RELIEF:
Paul Enox
UFLAC:
Ray Case, Bill Quinn
POLICE PROTECTIVE LEAGUE:
Jim Wilke, Art Placencia
PENSION COMMISSION:
Lee Kebler, Don Vincent, Ken Buzzell
POLICE MEMORIAL FUND:
Will Gartland
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
GOVERNMENT:
Ray Case, Will Gartland, Jim Chastain,
Lee Kebler, Ken Buzzell
BYLAWS:
Paul Enox, Jim Chastain, Don Vincent, Bill Quinn
WEBSITE:
Ray Case, Will Gartland, Bill Quinn
FIRE MEMORIAL:
Bill Quinn, Lee Kebler, Don Forrest
ELECTIONS:
Fire: Ray Case, Lee Kebler
Police: Paul Enox
RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE:
Fire: Jimmy Hill
Police: Jim Wilke, Art Placencia
5
Retiree Health Subsidy Lawsuit
from page 4
Judge O’Donnell also refused to order the City to
guarantee future increases in the retiree health subsidy. Instead she stated the discretion to provide future
increases would remain with the Board of Pension
Commissioners. (In effect, this was a victory for us
because it restored the Board’s discretionary authority to provide future increases in the retiree health
subsidy that had been taken away with the passage of
the two referenced City Ordinances.)
On September 5, 2014, following a request from our
attorney, Judge O’Donnell issued a Writ of Mandate, stating the Board of Pension Commissioners is
“authorized to exercise the discretion delegated to
it under Los Angeles Administrative Code section
4.1154 (e) without regard to Los Angeles Administrative Code section 4.1166.” The Pension Board has
been ordered to notify the Court within 90 days of
the actions taken to comply with this Writ.
In effect, the Writ ordered the Pension Board to end
the mandatory freeze imposed by the 2011 City Ordinance.
Concurrently, on September 3, the 2% items were
assigned to Judge Holly Kendig. However, upon
review our attorney discovered that prior to being
assigned to the bench, Judge Kendig had been an
attorney with the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers.
Furthermore, it was discovered that while employed
at that firm, she was one of the attorneys of record
representing the City in the case of United Fire-
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fighter of Los Angeles City v. City of Los Angeles.
(For those who do not remember, this case involved
the City’s attempt to place a cap on cost of living
increases for future years of service for members of
the old Article 18 Pension System – now known as
Tier 2. The City had placed a City Charter measure
on the Ballot in 1982, known as Proposition H, to
implement this proposal. However, even though the
measure passed, it was found to be in violation of
California Public Pension Law and was overturned
by the Courts.) In view of this discovery, our attorney asked Judge Kendig to recuse herself from
the case. On September 11, Judge Kendig formally
agreed to recuse herself.
On September 15, this writer contacted the Pension
Department (LAFPP) to determine what actions were
being taken to comply with the writ. You can image
my surprise when I was told the Pension Department
was unaware a writ had been issued. It seems Meyers Nave, the law firm retained by the City in this
case, had neglected to inform either Pension Department staff or the Department’s fiduciary counsel of
the judge’s order. (I know you are going to find this
hard to believe, but the CAO’s Office also forgot to
let anyone know.) In response to this revelation, I
forwarded a copy of the minute order to the Pension
Department staff.
On September 18, a posting on the Pension Department email site read, “Beginning with the October
31st pension payment, LAFPP will provide the current “non-frozen” subsidy to pensioners who were
impacted by the freeze. Additionally, any future
retirees who previously elected not to contribute the
additional 2% of their active salary will receive the
“non-frozen” subsidy when they retire.” The site
also noted, “The City of Los Angeles may appeal the
Writ order and try to obtain a stay of the Writ ruling
pending appeal.” … “A decision to appeal the Writ
would be made solely by the City of Los Angeles and
not the LAFPP Board.”
A resolution to comply with the court order was calendared for approval at the Board of Pension Commissioner’s meeting of October 16, 2014. However,
on October 15, Meyers Nave sent an email to our
attorney, LAFPP’s attorney, and the Pension Board
Continued on page 6
6
Retiree Health Subsidy Lawsuit
from page 5
stating the City was filing a notice of appeal from the
Writ with the Superior Court as well as a mandamus
petition in the Court of Appeal seeking to stay and
overturn the Writ.
getting a stay. It was suggested that the Board could
take an action if necessary to grant the increase in the
subsidy on the November 30 pension checks.
This writer was then given a chance to address the
Board on behalf of our organization. I pointed out
that attorneys for Meyers Nave had more than a
month since the Writ had been issued to file for a stay
and had still not filed. The attorneys for the City had
the opportunity back in July to ask the judge to issue
a stay in case she chose to grant a writ, but they had
failed to do so. Furthermore, there was no guarantee the stay would be granted simply because it was
requested.
In the body of the email, Meyers Nave wrote, “it
is the City’s position that the Writ is automatically
stayed upon appeal. Therefore, the City is formally
requesting that the Retirement Board stay any intended actions relative to the Writ in light of the
City’s Notice of Appeal. To avoid uncertainty, at the
request of the Board, the City is asking all parties for I pointed out Meyers Nave was not the Board’s ata formal stipulation to stay implementation of the
torney so the Board should not be directed by their
Writ of Mandate in order to preserve the status quo
request. I reminded the Board that Meyers Nave had
pending appeal or a decision on the City’s mandamus not even bothered to notify the Department a Writ
petition. The Writ will cause significant and irrepahad been issued. In effect, Meyers Nave was asking
rable effects on the City, because even though there
the Board to grant the City a decision Meyers Nave
is no final judgment, the City’s retiree medical contri- had been unsuccessful achieving in court.
bution rate may be recalculated for the next year and
I noted it was the Board, and not Meyers Nave, the
its union agreements are potentially affected, among
City Council, the Mayor or the CAO who were under
other issues.”
the Court Order. I asked why the Board members
On October 16, this item came before the Board with would want to subject themselves to the wrath of the
a staff recommendation to adopt the “resolution in
Court for not following the order.
order to comply with the court order…and to comI brought up the fact the Writ was handed down
mence providing the current, ”non-frozen” subsidy
September 5. I said it was my position that waiting
for members whose subsidies had been or would
have been frozen in the future.” A lengthy discussion until the last possible moment to grant the subsidy
increase in order to avoid two additional months of
soon followed over whether the resolution should
payments did not look like a good faith effort to combe adopted or held over until a Board meeting in
ply with the order. The Writ directed the Board to
November to see if Meyers Nave was successful in
notify the Court by December 4 of the actions taken
to comply with the order. It did not give the Board
90 days to look around for a way to avoid compliThe Newsletter is published four times a year.
ance.
Submit articles, announcements, and informaAnd finally, I noted the resolution before the Board
tion to
had absolutely nothing to do with “recalculating” the
LARFPA Publications Chairman
9521 Las Tunas Drive, Suite 4
Temple City, CA 91780
Phone 626-285-5138 — FAX 626-285-1461
The deadlines for submissions to the Newsletter
are Spring - February 1 — Summer - May 1
Fall - August 1 and Winter - November 1
City’s retiree medical contribution. It appeared Meyers Nave didn’t even know what was on the agenda.
As for the request that all parties formally stipulate to
stay implementation of the Writ in order to preserve
the status quo, I refused to even dignify that with a
response. Why would we voluntarily give back what
we just won?
Continued on page 7
7
Retiree Health Subsidy Lawsuit
from page 6
Following my presentation and comments from several of our elected Commissioners, the Board decided
to hold a conference call with their legal counsel
from the firm of Reed Smith. During that conversation, it was pointed out that there was no guarantee
that a stay would automatically be granted with the
filing of an appeal, as suggested by Meyers Nave.
Reed Smith also suggested that because a legal order
had been issued to the Department, the Board should
move to comply with it.
Following this discussion, Ray Ciranna, the General
Manager, asked that the Board approve the resolution because in his opinion waiting until the end of
November was cutting it too close to meet the 90-day
order.
A vote was then taken with the resolution passing
unanimously.
On October 30, 2014, Meyers Nave filed a 50-page
appeal with the Court of Appeals in the Second
District. In their concluding statement, Meyers Nave
wrote, “the City respectfully requests that this Court
issue a peremptory writ of mandate discharging and
vacating the trial court’s writ; or issue an alternative
writ, expedite briefing after the Real Parties’ return
and stay the operation of the underlying writ of mandate and all further proceedings in the trial court until
final disposition on the merits.”
So here we are on November 1, 2014, the deadline
for this article. We are still waiting for a new judge
to be assigned to deal with the 2% issues, and, of
course, we will have to deal with the appeal. But no
matter how long it takes, it is the intent of our Association to see this lawsuit to its logical conclusion.
Even though no one else has seen fit to offer assistance, you can rest assured the Los Angeles Retired
Fire and Police Association will always be there to
defend and protect your pension rights and benefits.
On another note, I would like to take this opportunity
to wish each and every one of you a safe and happy
holiday season.
From Director
Don Forrest . . .
Greetings from
Retirement Land
Our weather is getting cooler and our brush season
is nearing an end. Oops!! Hold on there “Bucko”
and wait just a minute. You old timers out there will
remember the “Bel-Air/Brentwood Brush Fire” that
occurred in early November 1961. It was one of
L.A.’s worst disasters and the LAFD’s worst brush
fire in its history. The fire started on the morning of
November 6, and burned for several days with continuous hot, dry Santa Ana wind conditions. The fire
consumed 16,900 acres and destroyed 484 expensive
homes plus 21 other buildings. So fellow smoke eaters, we’re not out of the woods yet. Any volunteers
for a little mountain patrol duty? The pay is bad, the
food is worse, but it will get you out of the house for
a while.
During the greatest intensity of the conflagration,
the LAFD was utilizing 85% of all its available resources and equipment. Staggering thought. Many
neighboring municipalities surrounding Los Angeles sent fire companies to fill key LAFD stations to
respond to other fires and emergencies in the City.
Thank you, brothers. One remarkable fact was that
the southern, western and eastern perimeters of the
fire were contained in 12 hours. Amazing. A total of
77,500,000 gallons of water were used and perhaps
the most amazing fact was that not one life was lost –
nor a single serious injury sustained. Wow!!
In a 1959 survey conducted by the NFPA, they predicted this disaster. In a heavy brush mountain area
- densely populated with little or no brush clearance
around the structures - the propensity to use wood
shake and shingles on homes in the area, narrow
roads in and out of homes in the neighborhood, etc.,
it was just a matter of time. Well, the NFPA was
“spot-on” with their report. Too bad no one was
listening. The aftermath did bring about some much
needed changes in our mountain areas populated with
residences and other buildings; banning the use of
Continued on page 8
8
Greetings from Retirement Land . . .
from page 7
wood shingle and shake roofs in new construction,
repairs or replacement of existing roofs, mandatory
clearance of brush around structures and so on – you
fire lads know. Based on the potential for this disaster, we--the LAFD and the residents of Bel-Air/
Brentwood--came out of this disaster better than was
predicted. Hard work and luck.
Now, for a little workers’ comp news. I was just
informed, again, I think it could really happen this
time, that new Express Scripts I.D. cards will be
going out soon. The info I got from the City’s representative stated the cards were going out in 14 days.
Well, that was on October 8th. Sadly, this representative doesn’t always provide factual, up-to-date
information that is passed onto me…and, that is the
one source I expect to be both timely and factual
with any and all information. But nooooo!! That has
not been the case. Due to that fact, I checked with
Ms. Michele Meyer at Express Scripts. Ms. Meyer
is the Senior Account Executive for workers’ comp.
I spoke with her on October 22nd and she stated that
the new cards have not been mailed out to date and
still doesn’t have an exact date when this will take
place. She is hoping soon. Too bad the City’s rep
doesn’t check with the Express Scripts people. Express Scripts is providing us with information regarding the cards and instructions of what to do with the
old cards and new cards. You will find it on our website. One of the changes you will see is the Federal
Drug Enforcement Administration has reclassified
(also known as rescheduled) hydrocodone-containing
medications into the category known as Schedule II
of the Controlled Substances Act. The medications
are NOT allowed to be refilled. A new prescription
is required for every fill. This will affect approximately 241 injured workers. Express Scripts will
notify all affected members via mail. Before moving on, I want to remind all of you who are seeing
a workers’ comp doctor to keep an eye out for any
prescription, report or other paperwork generated by
the doctor or his/her medical staff that they are using
your workers’ comp I.D. number….NOT your Medicare/Medicare Part “D” number. This could create
a problem for you where you would end up paying
the bill out of your own pocket. This just happened
to one of our members. Due to the fact that the error was created by the doctor or the medical staff,
Express Scripts would not cover the bill and he had
to pay. So, right or wrong, a word to the wise – stay
vigilant for all paperwork generated by your workers’
comp doctor.
Now for some positive stuff. It’s always my pleasure
to bring to your attention those workers’ comp. staff
members, while looking out for us, have gone the
extra mile and have provided outstanding service to
our fire and police members.
Honor Roll
AIMS
TRISTAR
Myra Nonnette
Thomas Hacker
Shaun Perryman
Rebecca Lighthart
Norma Salcedo
Brian Ross
Delores West
Johnette White
EXPRESS SCRIPTS
Valerie Lucero
Thank you for your dedicated hard work in looking
after our members and their medical needs. Keep up
the good work.
And finally — as we head into the “Holidays,”
don’t forget there are only 30 or 40 shopping days
left to buy that special person that special gift. It’s
either, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” or “Bah Humbug,” depending on your take on the “Holidays.” For those of you
who didn’t get around to taking down your outdoor
Christmas lights last year – well, you’re ahead of
your neighbors. If you did take them down – hire
a kid to put them back up - you are too old to be up
that high on a ladder anymore, and….if you fall off,
it’s not going to be IOD.
For those of you not into Christmas, me included,
there is always, “Festivus for the Rest of Us.”
What—you don’t know what Festivus is? C’mon—if
you were a Seinfeld fan, you would know. Here is
Continued on page 9
9
Greetings from Retirement Land . . .
from page 8
some Festivus history—George Costanza’s family didn’t celebrate the holidays the traditional way.
George’s father, Frank, came up with the “Festivus”
celebration. First of all, they didn’t have a Christmas
tree. Too much stuff on a dead tree and he found the
tinsel distracting. So, the Costanza family had an unadorned aluminum pole in the living room. You have
to admit tinsel is a pain to put on a tree and it is distracting. The second important tradition was Frank’s
“Feats of Strength.” George had to pin his father in
order for “Festivus” to be over, which never happened. Then there was the family meal—meatloaf or
spaghetti, during which the all-important, “Airing of
Grievances,” took place. This is the time when the
Costanza family members expressed their feelings
that “during the past year – you have disappointed
me in the following ways….” If you did, however,
want your complaint anonymous – you could write
it down on a piece of paper and tape it to the “Festivus” pole. Frank never had that problem. He would
state, “I got a lot of problems with you people and
you’re gonna hear about it.” Geez, kinda sounds like
me – but, we all know someone like that. Maybe the
Costanza’s were on to something.
Happy Holidays and “Happy Festivus” for the rest of
us. See you at the LARFPA Holiday and “Festivus”
gathering at the Sportsmen’s Lodge on December 7th.
Be safe and stay healthy.
Don
Special Notice to
our Members
Any Email correspondence that is addressed
to our Association office should state the
“Subject matter” under the subject space.
This is necessary due to the volume of emails
sent to the office.
Thank you all for your support.
Board of Directors
IMPORTANT NEWS
FROM EXPRESS
SCRIPTS
From Director Don Forrest . . .
The City of Los Angeles has chosen Express-Scripts
as your pharmacy benefit manager for your Workers’
Compensation medications. New cards will soon
be sent to all injured workers. Just take your new
Express-Scripts card to your local pharmacy and you
can obtain your Workers’ Comp medications at no
cost to you! Your Workers’ Compensation ID number is updated, so please discard any previous cards
you may have and use the new updated card. You
can also call Express-Scripts at 800.945.5951 to:
Request a new card and ensure the most up to date
address is on file. Help your pharmacy easily process your Workers’
Comp meds.
Ask questions regarding your prescriptions! Express
Scripts is available to you at 800.945.5951 24 hours
a day!
Sending in new prescriptions to be filled at mail
order? Remember to write WORKERS’ COMP on
the back of the prescription along with your name,
date of birth, ID number, address, and phone number. Please ensure you have enough medication on hand
prior to sending in your prescription to be filled with
the Express-Scripts pharmacy. Mail in your Prescriptions to:
Express-Scripts
PO Box 60924
Phoenix AZ 85082-0924 our New Area Code, FAX NUMBER
AND Website.
Phones 626-285-5138 • 323-283-4441
Fax 626-285-1461 • Toll Free 888-288-5073
Website: www.larfpa.org
10
From Director
Art Placencia . . .
Ho Ho Ho or
Bah Humbug?
Well, is it Ho Ho Ho or Bah Humbug?
The holidays have arrived, the year is over and how
are you feeling? For my part, it’s been a learning and
sad experience on the LARFPA Board of Directors. I’ll
start with the sad; our board member, Richard (Dick)
Green, died this year. I didn’t know him personally
until I came onto the Board; we just started getting
acquainted when he went EOW. He was an interesting
person who had a great career on LAPD and LAUSD,
his 91 year personal life was pretty interesting, too.
The other unfortunate thing was that Denis Cremins
resigned from the Board. He is full-time with Burbank
Police Department and wasn’t able to be as active as
he wanted. I’ll miss Denis, he’s a great guy.
I have been working as hard I can to recruit more
members. It appears that we are losing more members
(EOW) faster than we can recruit new ones. We are
losing many members from the great generation and
also some baby boomers. Eventually, an entire great
generation of LAPD and LAFD will go EOW and it’s
going to be the duty of the next generation to carry on.
I try to keep coming up with ideas to stimulate our
recruitment efforts. I had some rally towels made up
with the LARFPA logo on them and handed them out
at the September General Membership meeting.
I am hoping the rally towels displaying our logo will
get retirees and actives with 20 years plus interested in
asking questions about our Association. Hopefully, we
can generate new memberships. I can still use some
help in recruitment of new members, so give me a call
or e-mail me.
I was re-elected to another term on the board so you’ll
continue to read and hear from me. I hope when you
have any issues regarding our Association, you will
give me a call. I don’t know all the answers, but I can
always ask the other board members. One thing that I
would like to accomplish next year is getting LARFPA
to help the 501(c)(3) non-profits, LAPES PIPES &
DRUMS and the LAPD Honor Guard, with some
donations from our Benevolent Association. I sure
could use some help from our members. A few lines
on an email from a member requesting the Benevolent
Association to donate funds to the two groups would
go a long way. They do so much for retirees’ families.
Send email to [email protected]. Thanks.
Hopefully, next year we will be closer to finding out
how the LARFPA lawsuit against the City of Los
Angeles will be doing. If you don’t know what’s it’s
about, give me a call. Speaking of the lawsuit, every
retiree should thank Director Ken Buzzell for taking
the lead in this lawsuit protecting our benefits.
Another issue that has improved is the relationship
with Tri-Star representatives and the claims staff.
Directors Don Forrest and Garrett
Zimmon have met with some representatives at Tri-Star and have started
a great professional relationship which
has helped many of our members with
claims issues. Every board member
has their specialty; hopefully, I will
be able to claim my specialty in the
future to better serve the membership.
I have learned many things this past
year regarding what we can do to help
our members and I continue learning
from the other board members.
I was appointed to the Social Committee and at this Decembers 3, 2014
Continued on page 11
11
Ho Ho Ho or Bah Humbug?
from page 10
General Membership meeting we will be raffling off
(free) two holiday baskets to attendees at the General
Membership meeting. The baskets are from the Association to show our appreciation and hopefully liven
up our not so exciting General Membership meeting.
Speaking about the holidays, if I don’t see you at the
December 3rd General Membership meeting, don’t forget the LARFPA Holiday Celebration on December 7th.
If I don’t see you at either the December General
Membership meeting or Holiday Celebration, I wish
you Happy Holidays. I hope the members continue
to support me in my endeavors on the membership’s
behalf. I also hope the membership continues supporting the LARFPA Board of Directors. One thing I am
not sad about and have truly learned is that the board
is dedicated to our membership’s concerns.
I am sure many of our members are going to have Ho
Ho Ho holidays. Some of our members are possibly
going to have Bah Humbug holidays. I know the feelings, been there. Just remember, no matter which of
the holiday feelings you’re having, “A retiree’s job is
to stay healthy.” You never know what the next year
might bring. I am hoping for improvement. Happy
Holidays and a Healthy New Year.
Pension News . . .
by George V. Aliano
Elected Retired Police Member L.A. Fire & Police
Pension Commission
THE PENSION AUDIT
Every five (5) years the City of Los Angeles has an
outside independent qualified auditing firm to conduct an audit of our Pension Department operations.
The auditors review all of our policies and procedures. The latest audit covered the period of 2008
through 2012 and the firm of Hewilt Ennis Knupp
(HEK) was selected to conduct the audit.
HEK submitted a report with fifty-five (55) recommendations designed to strengthen policies, thirtyfour (34) recommendations assigned to the full Board
and twenty-one (21) recommendations to various
committees. My Benefits Committee was assigned
ten (10) recommendations to review.
All recommendations are just that, recommendations.
It’s up to the Board to decide the advantages or disadvantages to each one and report the reasons for our
decisions.
One issue that is usually pointed out is the amount
that is paid in fees to the money managers we hire.
Our response is this: We pay a reduced fee through
negotiations with these managers because they take
into consideration the value of our fund and having
us as a client. We discuss the plus and minus of being more involved in passive verses active management of our money. (As a side note, the return on our
investments from July 2012 through July 2013 was
17+%. This is a high mark as far as returns go and
one the City likes to see.)
Credit goes to our staff, our management, and our
internal auditors who insure that we adhere to what
we state as our policies and direction and that corrections are made if more beneficial methods or systems
are put forth and acted upon.
If you are interested in reviewing the one-hundredten (110) page report, it is available on our website:
www.lafpp.com under Financial Reports – 2012 Actuarial Valuation Report.
Continued on page 14
12
Greetings from
the new guy . . .
From Director Jim Mateer
Greetings fellow members of the Los Angeles Retired
Fire & Police Association. This is my first month as
a member of the Board of Directors and my first time
writing to you the membership.
As a way of introduction to you, I retired from the Los
Angeles Police Department in August of 2001 after 24
years of service. From there I went to work for the Los
Angeles World Airports as an Airport Safety Officer,
assigned to Ontario International Airport. For my career
at Ontario Airport, I needed to graduate from the Rio
Hondo Fire Academy and obtain my Firefighter I & II
certificates and EMT. The assignment at Ontario Airport
included the law enforcement, medical and crash rescue
duties. Thirteen years of platoon duty assignment, and
turning sixty in March, I decided to fully retire from
public service.
in those days. In late 1975, I along with 1,500 others,
waited over night at three LA high schools for an opportunity to apply to the LAPD. Wow, how things have
changed. Now days, academy classes go wanting for
recruits and I repeatedly hear stories about the recruitment efforts of the Department falling short.
One of the many thoughts I had, preparing for retirement, was how fortunate I have been over the last 37
years. For pretty much all my adult life, I’ve had the
honor and privilege to work with some amazing people.
My training officers and peer leaders in my younger
career taught and mentored me to be safe and how to
work successfully as a police officer. As a supervisor,
I worked with some remarkable leaders who made me
want to be an effective and proactive supervisor.
Here on the Board of Directors, I hope to actively represent the interests of the membership. I want to insure
our benefits into retirement are not tampered with by
those in the city who would seek to eliminate or reduce
our hard earned benefits. I also look forward to working closely with our partners on the fire side. We all
know how close we work together with the members of
As I was preparing for retirement, I was reminiscing
the LA City Fire Department – we have a lot in comabout how things have evolved over the years. Back in
the early 1970’s I made the decision I wanted to become mon and we need to stand close and watch each other’s
backs into retirement.
a LAPD officer. A neighbor had just joined the Department after two tours in Viet Nam. It sounded like a fun
In closing, I consider it a distinct privilege to represent
job. I graduated from Cal State LA in June of 1975, and the membership. I look forward to serving. Please feel
because of a budget freeze, I joined the LAPD Refree to contact me should you have a concern or issue
serves. I worked two to three shifts per week in Hollyyou think needs to be addressed.
wood Division. I could not believe how much fun I had
Directions to Sportsmen’s Lodge
13
Sunday, December 7, 2014
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Annual Holiday Celebration
The Sportsmen’s Lodge
12833 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604
Deadline for Reservations:
November 26, 2014
The Holiday Celebration
hosted by the Los Angeles Retired
Fire & Police Association.
Members and their families only.
Valet parking entrance located
off of Coldwater Canyon.
All reservations must be
received by mail on or before
the deadline date.
For parties of 8-12:
Please remit one check for
full payment.
Table location will be assigned.
Sorry, no refunds.
Tickets will be available for
pick up at the door.
Please contact the Association if you have any questions:
Toll Free: (888) 288-5073 or Email us at [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________________
Please return this section with your payment of $10.00 per person to:
LARFPA, 9521 Las Tunas Drive, Ste. #4, Temple City, CA 91780
Name:____________________________________________ Phone:____________________
Number of Adults:______ Children:______ Amount Enclosed:______ Check Number:______
Please specify if you are Fire:_______ Police:_______
Please select your entrée options below (1 per person):
Steak with mushroom sauce:____ Lemon herb chicken:____ Vegetarian:____ Children’s meal:____
There will be no refunds given. Please send your reservation in by November 26, 2014
14
2014 Venice/Pacific
Holiday Luncheon
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
2014 Venice/Pacific Holiday Luncheon at 11:30 hours
Old Blue Running Team
for 2015 . . .
By Member Mike McKean
The Old Blue Running Team for “2015” held its first
Ports O’
Call Restaurant
run on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 8 a.m. Team
Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 11:30 hours 1199 Nagoya Way,
Captain Jackie Landsman gave us our beginning of
Ports O
’ C
all R
estaurant Berth 76, San Pedro, CA 90731
the season information/pep talk. The runners were,
Steve Keyser, Ray Serna, Ron Hodges, Rick BustaNagoya ay, Berth 7location
6, San Pedro, CA 90731 Come join1199 us in
our W
fabulous
with
a view of
mante, Oscar Carballo, Jackie Landsman and Jay
the
LA Harbor
USS
IOWA
Come join us in our fabulous location and
with the
a view of the LA Harbor and the USS IOWA Hernando. The support team members were Mike
Buffet style lunch with round table seating,
Melancon, Mike McKean, Mike Arroyo, John Walker
• Buffet style lunch with round table seating, full cash bar and free parking full cash bar and free parking
and Phil Toledo. The location of all of our runs is
• Salmon, red pepper coulis and Sliced London Broil. Steamed veggies, rice pilaf, choice of two Salmon, red pepper coulis and Sliced London Broil.
Griffith Park. Our runs are held in the Crystal Springs
salads, Norweigan shrimp veggies,
and penne. rice
Coffee, tea and desserts. Steamed
pilaf,
choice
of two
area. It is an out and back course that starts and
salads,
Norweigan
shrimp
and penne.
in the parking lot behind the Park Rangers
• $35 includes buffet, tax and tip *MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Pete Waack, 21414 finishes
Berendo Ave. Coffee, tea and desserts.
Headquarters Building. We can be found on the last
Torrance, CA 90502-­‐1835. Deadline to mail checks: December 3, 2014. Sunday of the month at about 8 a.m. at the far, far
$35 includes buffet, tax and tip
reaches of the parking lot beside the baseball field.
*MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
After the run, we make sure everyone has returned
Pete Waack, 21414 Berendo Ave.
from the run and cooled down. We then proceed to
Torrance, CA 90502-1835.
the Los Feliz Cafe for breakfast.
Deadline to mail checks: December 3, 2014.
At breakfast, we discuss a myriad of topics of which
medical procedures and problems seem to be the
most “popular.” We also discuss travels of team
members and even allow pictures to be shown, some
times. Our team is always on the lookout for “new”
runners and support personnel. DROP participants
are eligible to run for Old Blue.
Any questions contact Ret. Det. Pete Waack via email: [email protected]
Any questions contact Ret. Det. Pete Waack via email: [email protected] Pension News . . .
from page 11
We will complete a final report and send it to the City
in a few months. It should be good news to them and
to you that no unethical or improper violations were
reported and the report is a positive one.
Respectively,
George Aliano
Our next run/breakfast meeting is on Sunday, November 30, 2014. The dates of the following runs are
December 28, 2014, January 25, 2015, and February
22, 2015. The Baker to Vegas/Challenge Cup Relay
is scheduled for the weekend of March 28/29, 2015
in Las Vegas.
We also guarantee that we have perfect weather or
double your money back!
Thanks,
Mike McKean
Job Opportunities for Retired
Fire and Police
Check our web site, www.larfpa.org
15
Central Coast Fuzz That Wuz
Coming
Attractions
Los Angeles Retired Fire
And Police Association
General Membership Meetings
When: December 3, 2014 - 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Grace E. Simons Lodge
Speakers: Patrick M. Gannon
Chief of Airport Police at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
When: March 4, 2015 - 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Grace E. Simons Lodge
Speaker: To be Announced
Coffee, doughnuts and box lunches will be available during the March, September and December
General Membership Meetings.
Special Events
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION LUNCHEON
When: December 7, 2014
Time:
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Sportsmen’s Lodge, Studio City, CA
The Associates (Retired Police)
FINAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATES
When: December 3rd
Where: Taix Restaurant - 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Jim Mateer 909-599-0062
[email protected]
or Bill Dumbauld 562-598-8936
[email protected]
RICK ORTIZ’S FIREFIGHTERS’
LUNCHEON
When:
Where:
April 21, 2015
10:30 a.m. to Noon
Home Town Buffet
9635 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA`
*Open to all LAPD active or retired.
When: December 18, 2014
Social: 11:00 a.m./Lunch 12:00 p.m.
Where: Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo
When:
Social:
Where:
Contact:
March 19, 2015
11:00 a.m./Lunch 12:00 p.m.
Ventana Grill, Pismo Beach
Terry Barclay
[email protected]
BREAKFAST GET TOGETHER (FIRE)
When:
Where:
Third Thursday of every month
7:30 a.m.
Firehouse Cafe
1244 Sycamore Ave., Simi Valley, CA
For more info call 805-498-7990
Firefighters For Christ
When:
Where: Contact: The FFC Los Angeles Chapter meets three times a month at 0800 hours to accommodate all three shifts (A,B,C). All are invited. Just show up!
Downtown Denny’s
530 Ramirez Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(Across from Piper Tech)
Check FFC website for scheduled
meetings http://www.ffclosangeles.
com/FFC_Los_Angeles_Chapter/
Home.html
Inland Blue Line
Monthly Breakfast
When: First Tuesday of every month - 9:00 a.m.
Where: Richie’s Diner
40615 Murrieta Hot Springs Road
Murrieta, CA
Contact: Stan Kensic 951-696-1971
or Bill Fromling 951-308-4570
Continued on page 16
16
Coming Attractions . . .
from page 15
Italian-American Police
Officers Association
When:
Where: Contact:
2nd Wednesday of every month
5:00 p.m.
Palermo’s Restaurant
1858 N. Vermont
Los Angeles, CA 90027
www.iapoaosc.org
L.A. BLUE ARIZONA ROADRUNNERS
When:
Contact:
(contact Jan Duke for location)
First Saturday of every month
11:30 a.m.
Jan Duke 775-546-3444 or email
[email protected]
LAPD CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
When:
Where: Contact:
4th Thursday of every month
Except November and December
11:30 a.m.
Los Angeles Police Relief Association
600 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles (New location due to Academy Cafe closure)
Sgt. Mike Apodaca 213-216-7009
www.lapcsg.com
LAPD Lake Havasu
When:
Where:
Contact: Last Wednesday of every month
12:00 noon
Elks Lodge
Tom Bradford 928-453-4683
LAPD Silver Foxes
Breakfast Meeting
When: Last Thursday of every month
10:00 a.m.
Where: Route 66 Classic Grill
18730 Soledad Canyon Rd.
Canyon Country, CA 91351
Contact: Bob Weisz
[email protected]
Facebook: LAPD Silver Foxes
LONG BEACH BLUE
When:
Where:
Contact
Last Friday of the month - 10 a.m.
El Dorado Golf Course
(Studebaker St. south of Willow)
John Halligan at
[email protected]
Old Blue Running Team
When:
Where:
Last Sunday of month
8:00 a.m.
October through February
Griffith Park Ranger Station
Sacramento Area Blue Line
Association (SABLA)
When:
Where: Contact: 2nd Thursday of every month
except December – 11:30 a.m.
Strikes Bowling Alley
5681 Lonetree Blvd., Rocklin, CA
Joe Sandoval 916-961-3679
SIERRA BLUE GROUP OF
NORTHERN NEVADA
(4th Wed. of every month/alternates location)
When: Christmas Dinner on Friday,
December 12, 2014
5:30 pm Social Hour/6:30 pm Dinner
$35 for “Holiday Party Buffet Menu”
A block of rooms at the discounted
price of $59.00 will be made available.
Where: Carson Valley Inn & Casino,
Minden, NV
Contact: Lenny Munoz (775) 622-9840 or
[email protected]
(4th Wed. of every month/alternates location)
When: Jan 28 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Red Hut Café, Carson City, NV
When: Feb 25 – 11:30 a.m
Where: Tamarack Junction, Reno, NV
When: Mar 25 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Red Hut Café, Carson City, NV
Continued on page 17
17
Coming Attractions . . .
from page 16
South Orange CountyNorth County San Diego
LAFD Breakfast Club
When:
Where: Contact: Third Thursday of every month
9:00 a.m.
Grandma’s Hilltop Hideaway
539 Vista Bella, Oceanside, CA
Ed Diaz 714-256-5769
Tehachapi Blue Line
When:
Where:
Contact:
First Wednesday of every month
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Village Grill (upper room)
410 E. Tehachapi Blvd.
Dave Hiner
[email protected]
Valley Retired Blues
When:
Where:
Contact:
Third Wednesday of every month
10:30 a.m.
Lamplighter Restaurant
DeSoto at Nordoff St.
Northridge, CA
Emmett Drennen 818-340-7561
WEST-END INLAND EMPIRE BLUES
When:
Where:
Contact:
9:00 a.m. - Last Thursday of every month (*Holiday Schedule)
Next meeting: 2014 - *Dec. 18
2015 Meeting Schedule: Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 26, Apr 30, May 28, Jun 25,
Jul 30, Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 29,
*Nov 19, *Dec 17
Elks Lodge
1150 W. 4th Street, Ontario, CA 91762
(Intersection Mountain Ave/4th St, two buildings west of Mountain on 4th)
Rick Alatorre: [email protected] or
Art Placencia: [email protected]
Central Coast Fuzz That
Wuzz . . .
by Terry Barclay
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 18, 2014
11:00 AM
March 19, 2015
11:00 AM
Fuzz That Wuzz
Christmas Luncheon
Fuzz That Wuzz
Ventana Grill Luncheon
On September 11th, sixty-three members of the Fuzz
That Wuzz converged on the San Luis Obispo Country
Club for our annual auction/luncheon. Bill Mortimer
and his staff from the country club took great care of
us and we were treated to a terrific meal. The lunch
was followed by our 50/50 drawing. Robin Stemples
helped out by picking the winning tickets and of
course one of the winners was Robin. We had three
$75.00 winners. The auction was conducted by Jeff
Watkins, Paul Mattson, and Tom Donnelly. The
money raised by the auction is used to purchase the
gifts for our up-coming Christmas event. There was
some very aggressive bidding on two items donated
by the DeBernardi family and the winners of the
bidding wars more than got their money’s worth. Our
first time attendees were Dana Hansen and Spike
Valencia. Others in attendance: Patty Fuller, Oscar
Carballo, Dan Dale, Patty DeBernardi, Jack Giroud, Maxine Ingels, Mike Gannon, Art and Cathy
Hotchkiss, Jim and Donna Jones, Walt and Do
Kainz, Tom and Paulette Lee, Stella Mattson, Billie
McAlpine, Angie Trowbridge, Patty O’Lear, Bob
Rackerby, Walt Strickel, JJ Thompson, Phil and
Louann Toledo, Melissa Watkins, Gene and Nadine
Watland, Dorie Zwinger, Mike and Audrey Brandt,
Sean McGee and Melanie Chan, Henry and Alice
Leal, Fred Tuggey, Gil Rivera, Bud and Tomi Price,
Al Schlocker, Sammie McHenry, Greg and Margret
Dossey, Ruth Donnelly, Dave and Judy Aikins, Alan
and Barbara Deal, and Tom Stead.
Our next event will be our Christmas Luncheon which
will be held on December 18th at the Madonna Inn. Social hour will start at 11:00 AM followed by lunch. Email me at [email protected] or call (805) 9294943 if you are interested in attending.
18
In Memoriam
Name
Arthur R. Parker
Loren A. Illengo
Daniel J. McMahon
Donald R. Beaver
Gregory C. Telian
Thomas M. Burroughs
Joel O. Slafter
Robert W. Karger
Robert D. Patterson
Name
James M. Gibson
Serial: 10610
Fred W. Hall
Serial: 4987
Hector C. Rodriquez
Serial: 15277
Earl F. Dapper
Serial: 6921
Richard W. Green
Serial: 3448
Thomas M. Burke
Serial: 14438
Kaye E. Holding
Lloyd Hall
Robert E. Leahy
Serial: 20294
John H. Kinard
William F. Kreft
Jeffrey A. Rogers
Serial: 13036
Grover E. Randolph
Kathleen M. Talbot
Serial: 31941
Arthur L. Davies
William J. Lee
Rene R. Najera
Richard A. Hodgson
Died
6/30/14
7/2/14
7/13/14
7/16/14
7/27/14
8/5/14
8/5/14
8/12/14
8/14/14
Died
6/22/14
6/26/14
7/2/14
7/3/14
7/7/14
7/9/14
7/10/14
7/12/14
7/17/14
7/18/14
7/18/14
7/21/14
7/22/14
7/26/14
7/27/14
7/30/14
7/30/14
8/3/14
Name
Fire Side
Daryl D. Rohloff
Richard W. Matthes
Robert E. Dingwall
Thelma S. Dreher
Roy B. Swanhart
Roy W. Kline
Roger T. Hirdler
Jerry R. Johns
Keith A. Wilson
Name
Died
8/18/14
9/1/14
9/8/14
9/10/14
9/10/14
9/13/14
9/17/14
9/28/14
9/28/14
Police Side
Wallace D. Nissen
Ralph J. Gray
William D. Humphrey
William L. Vail
Charles L. Worthen
Keith T. Burley
Richard B. Young
G.E. Obendrauf
Theodore B. Ley
Joseph L. Sanders
Robert C. Gibson
Frank J. Bielman
Charles N. Connor
Joseph M. Walker
Erick Alcaraz
Serial: 41284
Talmadge L. Cobb
Toy E. Beard
Steven D. Bishop
Serial: 21942
Quindaro Campbell
Michael T. Kriha
Serial: 12147
Thomas O. Simpson
Forest E. Sloan
Robert G. Barker
Justin B. Hickey
Thomas J. Oberhaus
Died
8/4/14
8/5/14
8/7/14
8/7/14
8/7/14
8/8/14
8/11/14
8/12/14
8/20/14
8/25/14
9/1/14
9/3/14
9/3/14
9/3/14
9/6/14
9/7/14
9/9/14
9/12/14
9/14/14
9/16/14
9/16/14
9/18/14
9/19/14
9/19/14
9/20/14
Name
Claude A Griggs
Laura M. Harrison
Dennis D. Thorn
Edward M. Holland
Richard A. Arlt
Gilbert E. Nash
Antoni Kwapinski
Kenneth J. Clore. Jr.
Arnett L. Hartsfield
Name
David E. Baca
Serial: 22020
Craig W. Majors
Serial: 36604
Harlee W. Lassiter
Michael K. Lackey
Serial: 14833
Eugene W. Mounts
Ronald B. Lewis
Serial: 10816
Richard K. Parker
Serial: 10763
Kenneth E. Eppens
Serial: 11609
Marian L Adams
Serial: 38547
James T. O’Riley
Paul K. Nicholas
Ronald E. Chambers
Serial: 23267
Marcus H. Hissong
Kevin R. Casey
Serial: 7594
Stuart J. Finck
Gary M. Metz
Robert R. Loomis
Serial: 7712
Died
10/1/14
10/5/14
10/5/14
10/7/14
10/17/14
10/17/14
10/24/14
10/26/14
10/31/14
Died
9/23/14
9/23/14
9/25/14
9/27/14
9/27/14
9/29/14
10/5/14
10/6/14
10/7/14
10/15/14
10/18/14
10/19/14
10/19/14
10/20/14
10/21/14
10/22/14
10/28/14
19
In Memoriam
Name
Patricia A. Hess
Shirlie Heryford
Cora M. Oliver
Rosalyn Goodrow
Name
Phyllis E. Creighton
Donna J. Johnson
Elise C. Nybo
Jeanne T. Greeley
Lucille A. Brennan
Betty K. Moody
Hilda L. Fulmer
Fay M. Kapin
Fire Widows & Widowers
Died
6/22/14
7/2/14
7/4/14
7/10/14
Name
Dolores E. Mellein
Marjorie R. Hauck
Beatrice Rogers
Verla S. Converse
Died
7/24/14
7/28/14
9/25/14
9/28/14
Name
Laura M. Harrison
Barbara A. Nelson
Erin C. Craft
Mary V. Dudley
Police Widows & Widowers
Died
5/6/14
6/16/14
7/6/14
7/31/14
8/4/14
8/7/14
8/8/14
8/11/14
Name
Emma Wright
Barbara A. Hambly
Pauline M. Williams
Joann Hinds
Doris B. Smyre
Helen G. Anderson
Janice C. Cullings
Thomas O. Simpson
Died
8/17/14
8/25/14
8/25/14
8/26/14
9/2/14
9/6/14
9/9/14
9/16/14
Name
Rose Rosenthal
Lula M. Taylor
Patricia J. Vanover
Margaret A. Ramsey
Magdalena Flannery
Laura B. Shy
Jean Eggert
Fire Death Notification List
Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Department — 800-787-2489 / 213-978-4545
Operations Control Division (non-emergency only) — 213-485-6185 - 24-hour number
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association ­— 800-244-3439 / 323-259-5200
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City — 800-252-8352 / 213-978-3750
LA Fireman’s Credit Union — 800-231-1626
Police Death Notification List
Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Department — 800-787-2489 / 213-978-4545
Report a Retired Member’s Death
Los Angeles Police Relief Association — 888-252-7721 / 213-674-3701
Los Angeles Police Protective League — 800-535-2775 / 213-251-4554
Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union — 800-872-2843
Los Angeles Police Department Employee Assistance Unit — 213-486-0190
Death and Funeral Notice / Honor Guard
Died
10/3/14
10/3/14
10/15/14
10/15/14
Died
9/18/14
9/24/14
9/27/14
9/30/14
10/5/14
10/15/14
10/20/14
20
20
IMPORTANT: Please shred or otherwise destroy the pages of this Newsletter containing personal
information of members. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
New Members
FIRE:
Matt S. Fistonich
Joseph F. Foley
Mario L. Molina
Arthur A. Perez
Jim E. Prevo
Gary F. Zieger
POLICE:
Judy L. Acosta
Ricardo L. Adam
Alicia Beighley
Vicki D. Bretz
Daniel Burzumato
Henry Covarrubias
Michael G. Fanning
Gwendolyn A. Gil
Joseph E. Harris
Nels E. Jensen
Debra Delgado
Ernie Jones
Greg Jones
Janelle Kessner
Sal LaBarbera
Antonio A. Lee
Gerald J. Macenas
Susan E. Mallette
Yvette T. Perrodin
Rudolf Pichardo
Eileen M. Quinn
Wayne L. Rayford
Ron Terrazas
Oscar R. Winslow
Randall S. Yslas
Los Angeles Retired Fire & Police Association
Change of Address/ Update form
Los
Fire
& Police
Association
**PleaseAngeles
submit this formRetired
only if you have
any changes
and we will update
our records.**
Mail to: LARFPA, 9521 Las Tunas
Drive,
4, Temple
City, CAform
91780, or fax to: (626) 285-1461
Change
ofSuite
Address/
Update
No additions or changes will be accepted by telephone.
**Please submit this form only if you have any changes and we will update our records.**
Mail to: LARFPA, 9521 Las Tunas Drive, Suite 4, Temple City, CA 91780, or fax to: (626) 285-1461
Check One: Fire:______ Police:______ Check One: Retired:______ Active:______ Widow/er_______
No additions or changes will be accepted by telephone.
Appointment Date:_________________ Retirement Date:_________________ Rank:________________
Serial
or Employee
#:
Security Number
last four:Widow/er_______
Check
One: Fire:______
Police:______ Check One:Social
Retired:______
Active:______
Name:
Spouse:
Appointment Date:_________________ Retirement Date:_________________
Rank:________________
Serial or Employee #:
New
Street Address:
Name:
City:
Primary
Phone
(for roster publication):
New Street
Address:
Secondary
Phone (for office use only):
City:
Social Security Number last four:
Apt/Sp.#
Spouse:
State:
Zip:
New Email: Apt/Sp.#
State:
Primary Phone (for roster publication):
Previous
Street
Address:
Secondary
Phone
(for office use only):
City:
Previous
PreviousPhone:
Street Address:
Zip:
New Email:
Apt/Sp.#
State:
Zip:
Previous Email:
Apt/Sp.#
City:
State:
Zip:
Important!
Please complete the following regardingPrevious
your information
Previous Phone:
Email: for the next membership
Roster:
Important!
complete
the to
following
regarding your
information
for the next membership
 WouldPlease
you like
your name
be kept confidential?
Yes_____
No_____
Roster:
 Would you like your home address to be kept confidential? Yes_____ No_____
Wouldyou
youlike
likeyour
yourprimary
name tophone
be keptnumber
confidential?
Yes_____
No_____
Would
to be kept
confidential?
Yes_____ No_____
Wouldyou
youlike
likeyour
youremail
homeaddress
addresstotobe
bekept
keptconfidential?
confidential?Yes_____
Yes_____No_____
No_____
Would
WouldWould
you likeyou
your
phone
number
kept
confidential?
Yes_____
No_____
Yes_____
No_____
Police:
likeprimary
your serial
number
to to
bebe
kept
confidential?
 Would you like your email address to be kept confidential? Yes_____ No_____
Email Preference
: Choosing
below,
youserial
acknowledge
that your
newsletter will be
emailed to you
instead of postal mail.
Yes_____
No_____
 Police: Would
youyeslike
your
number
to beassociation
kept confidential?
Would you like to receive the quarterly Newsletter via Email?
YES
NO
Receive Email notification of Meetings & Association events?
YES
NO
Email Preference: Choosing yes below, you acknowledge that your association newsletter will be emailed to you instead of postal mail.
Would you like to receive the quarterly Newsletter via Email?
YES
NO
Membership
Roster:
Receive Email
notification of Meetings & Association events?
YES
NO
Would you like to have the Membership Roster Mailed to you?
YES
NO
Membership Roster:
Newsletter:
Would you like to have the Membership Roster Mailed to you?
YES
Would you like your information published in the next Newsletter as it is listed above? YES
Newsletter:
Signature:
Would you like your information published in the next Newsletter as it is listed above?
Signature:
Date:
YES
NO
NO
NO
Date:
Revised 11/2014
Revised 11/2014
21
After a number of meetings with the staff and employee organizations, they developed a new constant
monitoring system to keep track of our older members.
Knowing that all retirees receive a health subsidy that is
supervised by an employee organization, older retirees
have many doctor’s appointments and when a retiree
fails to use the health subsidy an investigation is implemented to determine if the retiree is alive. This program is currently working well.
The explosion of longevity for the older population of
our system is amazing. In 2001 there were approximately 250 members of the pension system over 90
years of age. By 2012, the Alive and Well group had
grown to 545 members and it is estimated at this time
we have about 750 retirees over the age of 90. Our oldest retiree is Fire widow Venita Picinich, 107 years old,
and the oldest sworn pensioner is Deputy Police Chief
Harold Sullivan, 102 years old. There are more widows
in our Alive and Well group than male members. We
should be thankful for the medical profession and our
great health plans for our enhanced life spans. We also
need to be vigilant to see that the City doesn’t change
are health subsidy.
There has been so much political talk about the minimum wage, I thought you should know that the mini-
PAID
Whittier, CA
Permit No. 1
Address Service Requested
I hadn’t seen any reports about the Alive and Well
members (over 90) of our Pension System and wondered what happened to all the calls our older members
had received back in 2012 from the private investigators that were interviewing them. So, I called the Fire
and Police Pension System and was lucky to contact
staff member Joan Washington who has been working
with the Alive and Well group since 2001 to find out
what happened to the program. She explained that the
old system of contacting each retiree was way too time
consuming and expensive and there had to be a more
efficient way to operate this program especially with
increasing demographics of our system.
9521 Las Tunas Drive, Suite 4
Temple City, CA 91780
Odds and Ends
Los Angeles Retired
Fire & Police Association, Inc.
From Director
Lee Kebler . . .
Presorted
Standard
U.S. Postage
22
mum wage was established in 1938 and was 25 cents an
hour. Unbelievable.
Looking forward to seeing some of you at our General
Membership meeting on December 3, 2014 at Grace E.
Simons Lodge. Don’t forget to get your reservations in
for the Christmas Party December 7, 2014 at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. For more information call
our office at 888-288-5073.