The monthly meeting of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association of the San Francisco Police Department was called to order by outgoing 2014 President Al Luenow. The meeting commenced at 1:45pm on January 12, 2015, at room #150 at the Hall of Justice.
Roll Call of Officers: President Al Luenow, Vice President John Keane, Secretary Mark McDonough (by telephone conference call), Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees Sally Foster, John Centurioni, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, and Jim O’Meara were present. Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to transition the 2015 officers to take their new positions and for outgoing President Al Luenow to fill the new trustee position. Sally Foster seconded the motion which passed without objection. Al Luenow passed the gavel to new President John Keane. Sally Foster transitioned from senior Trustee to Vice President. All Trustees moved up in seniority, and Al Luenow filled the last Trustee position. Mark McDonough started a new term as Secretary.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to accept the minutes from the December 2014 meeting. Trustee John Centurioni seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Receiving Applications for New Members; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Treasurer Dean Taylor presented a final 2014 list of unpaid members. The list suspended members were sent registered letters notifying them of their status, and asking for their dues pending being dropped from the membership in January 2015. Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to drop the below listed members from the membership roll. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. The below listed members, by Article III, section 4 were stricken from the roll of membership by President Keane:
Susan Bachman, Ann Bower, William Brunicardi, Fred Cole, Fred Curley, Charles Easton
Alexis Goldner, Paul Guinasso, Brian Kneuker, James Meyer, Kenneth Nieman,
Christa Peters, Sandra Phillips, Louis Rue, William Scott, Thomas Stack.
All dropped members will be welcomed back after dues and late fees are paid, and a doctor’s note of good health is provided.
There were no reinstatements. The next Academy Class signup is on March 3, 2015 at 11:30 am.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Dean Taylor presented the regular monthly bills in addition to death benefits that were paid to the beneficiaries of fallen members James Bates, John Mackey, Hope Nechuta, and Ed Weaver. The regular monthly bills consist of phone bills, postal bills, and administrative costs for banking, for our website, floral arrangements for families, and any other business cost related to our Association. Trustee Al Luenow made a motion to pay the monthly bills and death benefits. Trustee Leroy Lindo seconded the motion which passes without objection.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report of visitation. Floral arrangements sent to the families of George Jeffrey and James Bates.
Report of Trustees: Trustee Jim O’Meara presented a report on our Constitution rewrite. Jim needed to clarify an issue for the attorney. As mentioned in previous minutes, Probate Code 5600-5604 which clarifies a death benefit payment to a current spouse when a former spouse is on the beneficiary form. This issue is in conflict with a 1995 Supreme Court Ruling. We are asking for clarification from the attorney, as well as our governing body ERISA. O’Meara will advise us on costs for the Constitution rewrite after reporting back to the Attorney.
Jack Girot, age 92: Jack Girot was born on June 22, 1922 in San Francisco, California. Jack lost his father at the age of 5, and was then raised solely by his mother Clementine who Jack adored. Occasionally Jack’s Grandfather would take him to a “speak easy bar” as early as age 4. Jack often laughed at his remembrance of his Grandfather’s babysitting method. Jack joined the U.S. Army in July of 1938 at age 16. Jack had an infectious sense of humor and believed his under-age enlistment in the Army was humorous. He later enlisted in the U.S. Naval Coast Guard on December 7, 1942. Jack served his country as a brave man on the U.S.C.G. Cutter Dione outside the New York Harbor. After the war, Jack worked for Greyhound Bus as a driver, in San Francisco. At the urging of his mother, Jack looked for a different job. Jack joined the San Francisco Police Department on May 19, 1947. He was assigned to star #257 and entered the Police Academy. Jack earned a service pension upon retiring on July 9, 1973. Jack was promoted to Sergeant on January 1, 1960. During his career Jack worked at the following units: Park Police Station (June 2, 1947- September 1, 1949), Co.K (September 1, 1949- April 27, 1954), Park Police Station (April 27, 1954- November 25, 1957), Northern Police Station (November 25, 1957- January 1, 1960 promoted to Sergeant), Ingleside Police Station (January 1, 1960- June 13, 1960), Richmond Police Station (June 13, 1960- July 1, 1962), Central Police Station (July 1, 1962- September 7, 1964, and back to Ingleside Police Station from September 7, 1964 until his retirement on July 9, 1973. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Maureen who had served in the U.S. Marines as a Sergeant. They were married for 60 wonderful years and were devout Catholics. They gave to many charities.
George Jeffrey, age 90: George Jeffrey was born on August 22, 1925 in San Francisco, California. Prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department George worked for Muni as a street car driver, and as a Salesman. George was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corp and flew over 50 combat missions over Germany during WWII. George entered the S.F.P.D. on June 8, 1953. George entered the Police Academy on July 20, 1953. George worked in the following units between1953 and 1980: Ingleside Police Station (1953), Co.K AIB (1956), Mission Police Station (promoted to Sergeant 1964), Supervisor’s Captain Office (promoted to Lieutenant 1969), back to Co.K AIB (1969), Co.K Solo (1969), Co.K E&I (1971), and back to Mission Police Station (promoted to the rank of Captain 1978). George retired as a Captain of Police on October 7, 1980. George earned several medals of valor: On September 10, 1958 George was awarded a silver medal of valor for an arrest of an armed robbery suspect who stole a taxi cab; On March 2, 1959 George was awarded a silver medal of valor for an arrest of armed burglars who fired shots at other police officers; George was awarded a bronze medal of valor for saving several tenants from a burning building; George was awarded a bronze medal of valor on August 5, for a brief struggle and arrest of a suspect who had robbed a grocery store; George was awarded a bronze medal of valor on July 3, 1967 for saving several tenants in a large apartment fire1966; George was awarded a silver medal of valor for on February 9, 1978 for participating in an arrest with Officers Peter Godbois and Martin Walsh. Jeffrey, Godbois, and Walsh disarmed and arrested the suspect who mortally shot and killed Officer Robert Hooper.
Marta McDowell, age 59: Marta Elaine McDowell was born on August 16, 1955 in San Francisco, California. Marta is listed as a Merchandiser prior to entering the S.F.P.D. Marta was appointed to the San Francisco Police Department on March 14, 1977 and was assigned to star #385. Marta earned a service retirement on July 31, 2011 after serving 34 years. Marta worked in the following units during her career: Northern Police Station (1977), Southern Police Station (1977), Central Police Station (1978), Mission Police Station (1983), Investigations and Room 400 (1990), Operations Center (1990-1991) Juvenile Investigations (1991), Homicide Detail (2003), Mission Police Station (2005), and Taraval Police Station (2010). Marta was promoted to the rank of Inspector on September 2, 1992, and to Sergeant on April 7, 1992. Marta was awarded two police commission commendations during her career: on July 8, 1977 for an arrest of a murder suspect as he was attempting to dispose of the body; and on May 8, 2008 (no other information available). Marta is the beloved mother of Casey and Cory, beloved daughter of Elaine and the late Jack; dear sister of Susan (George) Carmichael; loving aunt of George Carmichael and Mia McDowell; great aunt of Rhys.
I communicated with retired Lt. Judie Pursell in regard to her close friend, Marta McDowell. Judie stated the following: Marta was a true friend, a great friend, simply the best friend you could ever hope to know. Marta was a giving person who never hesitated to give others the greatest give you can give to another person…your time. Marta was a helpful person when real help was needed, and was a positive and inspiring friend when spirit was the need of another. Marta was a friend that was reliable and proved her accountability repeatedly. Marta was a devoted sister and daughter. At a time of need, Marta helped take care of her aging parents and was her mother’s primary caregiver when her father passes away. She was “the rock” for her ailing mother. Marta’s help to her family and others was an example of her genuine selflessness. And at the same time, Marta was devoted to her children. Marta provided everything her children would need and want as she worked as many hours as needed. Her children loved and adored her. Marta had an unbreakable bond with Susan, her sister. A few years ago they were able to travel throughout Europe together in a trip of a lifetime. She could charm you, warm you, and humor you with storytelling, her smile, and her snarky sarcastic joke telling. Marta was a dedicated police officer, FTO, and Sergeant who devoted her efforts to teach new officers. Marta was a mentor, a role model, a teacher, and a friend. She will be loved and missed by all she touched in her lifetime.
Report of Special Committee: Floral arrangements were sent to the families of fallen members, George Jeffrey and James Bates.
Unfinished Business: As previously stated in the Report of Trustees section above, Trustee Jim O’Meara reported on his visit to the attorney in regard to the Constitutional rewrite. O’Meara o clarified which issues our board needed to present to the attorney for research. The beneficiary issue stemming from the above listed Probate Code, and the wording of our Constitutional rewrite. Trustee O’Meara will present a more detailed report at a future meeting as we attempt to bring a rewritten Constitution and By-Laws that will reflect current times and climate.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Association: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Keane led our board members in a moment of silence for our fallen members. President Keane set the February 10, 2015 meeting to be held in room #150 at the Hall of Justice at 1:45pm.
To All Members: Please visit our website “sfwidowsandorphans.org”. Members can access beneficiary forms when clicking on the “resources” box on the upper right area of the tool bar. Please use this form for beneficiary changes, and for address and/or contact number changes. The beneficiary change requires a signature of a Board Member, or, a Notary Public, as a witness. Please mail your forms to our address: WOAA, P.O. Box 880034, San Francisco, California 94188. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660, and by email at markmac825@comcast.net. We continue to give thanks to the following people for their continued assistance and contributions to our organization: Paul Chignell of the POA, Jon Voong and Lt. Troy Dangerfield of Personnel, and Inspector John Monroe of the Police Commission Office.
Summary Annual Report: I addressed this concern last month. Please re-read the article if you are reading this one. I will be gathering statistics in the next two weeks to begin writing the Summary Annual Report. Beginning in 2014, we will again be posting the report on our website. The report can be read and printed from the website. I WILL send out the report to any member who does not have access to a computer and requests the report via U.S. Mail. I will also begin a list of members who wish to have it mailed yearly. I can be contacted by email or pone listed above in the TO ALL MEMBERS section.
To Current Members: I have been notifying members for several months that we would be transitioning payroll deductions to the full amount of $72.00 every January. All Members, active and retired, are now paying dues each January. Active members do not have small amounts of dues payments each check. We have received calls from members who were surprised at their January paycheck and admitted to not reading this column.
Treasurer Dean Taylor issued the following:
“Just a brief explanation as to why we switched from the bi-weekly payment to the
annual payment.
1) Every two weeks the city processes approximately 1800 payments for the Widows
and Orphans which are transferred to the Widows and Orphans account. Every two
weeks the city charges us a fee to provide us this service. By going to an annual
payment we are charged once a year, saving the organization money.
2) When a member goes on extended disability or personal leave, we do not receive
payment for the time the member is off work. By going to an annual payment, that
member is CURRENT for the entire year meaning we do not have to send them a
“supplemental bill” for the time they were off, and did not pay.
3) When a member retires, we calculate the amount of dues they are responsible
for, for the remainder of the year. For whatever reason, we are only receiving a
small percentage of those member’s payments. The annual payment will alleviate
this problem.
I would also like to encourage ALL RETIRED MEMBERS to sign up for direct deposit
through the Credit Union, or your bank. A recurring problem that we experience is
keeping member’s addresses up to date. If we do NOT have your current
address, and have not paid your dues, you risk being suspended or removed from the
membership for the San Francisco Police Department Widows and Orphans Aid Assn”.