The monthly meeting of the Widows and Orphans Aid Association for December was called to order by President Mark McDonough on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 1:31 p.m. in Room 150 at the Hall of Justice.
Roll Call of Officers:
President Mark McDonough, Vice-President Robert Mattox, Secretary Joe Reilly, Treasurer Dean Taylor, Trustees John Keane, Al Luenow and Harold Vance were present. Trustees John Centurioni and Sally Foster were excused. President McDonough opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of the minutes of the November meeting:
A motion made by Mattox, seconded by Keane, to approve the November minutes passed without objection.
Receiving applications for new members, suspensions and reinstatements:
Secretary Joe Reilly asked the Trustees to reinstate member Brian Kneuker after receipt of back dues and penalties. A motion by Keane seconded by Vance passed without objection.
Communications and Bills:
Dean Taylor presented the Treasurer’s report and requested approval for payment of expenses, including four benefit payments. A motion by Luenow seconded by Mattox to approve payment passed without objection. Secretary Reilly noted for the record that the Trustees had approved via e-mail on December 4th, a $1000.00 advance on the payment to the beneficiary of Cullen Cahill. Joe Reilly reported that the Association received memorial donations in memory of Joan Liuzzi from Patricia M. Quinn ($25.00), Dennis and Vicky Quinn ($25.00),
Julianne and Christopher Viadro ($50.00), Shelley Peery ($100.00), Martin and Marie Murphy ($100.00), Joe and Mona Anand ($100.00).
Report of the Trustees:
The Association received notices of four member deaths this past month:
Cullen P. Cahill, 38 years, 200th Academy Class, Star #4162.
Cullen was appointed to the Department in April, 2001. He completed his training at Bayview Station which was followed by a transfer to Mission Station later that same year. He returned to Bayview in 2004 and remained there until he was briefly transferred to Tactical in 2008 for Specialist Training. Cullen returned to Bayview in 2009, where he served for the duration of his career and continued his role as a member of the Department’s Specialist Team.
Michael D. Nevin, Sr., 69 years, 101st Academy Class, Star #166.
Mike was appointed to the Department in June, 1965. His first assignment was to Mission Station followed by a transfer to Southern in 1966. In 1968 Mike was transferred to the Bureau of Special Services (BSS). Two years later in 1970 he was transferred to the Bureau of Inspectors and was promoted to Assistant Inspector in 1972. He served in the Crimes Specific Task Force (CSTF) in 1976, returning to the Inspectors Bureau briefly in 1977 before being assigned to Internal Affairs (Management Control) later that same year. Mike returned to the Bureau in 1978 when he was promoted to Inspector continuing to serve there until his retirement in 1993. During his career Mike was assigned to the Mayoral Protection Detail during the administration of Mayor Joe Alioto. After he closed his law enforcement career, Mike continued in Public Service becoming a well-respected Daly City Council member and later a Mateo County Supervisor.
Philip J. Welsh, 56 years, 180th Academy Class, Star #1861.
Phil was appointed to the Department in June, 1995. He completed his training at Bayview Station and was transferred to Central Station in 1996 where he remained for the duration of his career. For the last several years, Phil served as the Co. A Permit Officer, that indispensable officer in every station to whom everyone turns when they don’t know where else to go. Phil received two Police Commission Commendations, a Meritorious Conduct Award and hundreds of complimentary letters from citizens during his years of service.
Thomas F. Westbrook, 44 years, 187th Academy Class, Star #165.
Thomas was appointed to the Department in January, 1998. He completed his training at Southern Station and was then transferred to Bayview later that same year. In 2000, he transferred to the former Tenderloin Task Force where he continued to serve for the remainder of his career. In addition to two Police Commission Commendations, Thomas received a Bronze Medal of Valor in July, 2000 for his role in evacuating over 40 persons from a burning building at 225 Taylor St., which later became an arson and Homicide investigation, and a second Bronze Medal of Valor in March, 2003 for his role in capturing an armed fugitive parolee after a violent struggle over a loaded firearm that he attempted to fire at the officers.
Report of Visiting Committee: Mark McDonough and Joe Reilly attended services for Officer Phil Welsh. Joe Reilly attended services for retired Inspector Michael D. Nevin, Sr.
Report of Special Committees: (Mark McDonough, Harold Vance and Joe Reilly)
The subject of the Association’s dues and benefit structure as well as the viability of the Association’s existing Constitution and By-Laws was again addressed. After a review of typical costs for final expenses, the current benefit level appears to be adequate in the current economy to meet the stated purpose and objectives of the Association. There was no further proposal brought forward for any substantive changes at this time. President McDonough thanked the Committee members and closed the discussion.
Unfinished Business:
Nominations and Elections:
The Association did not receive any additional nominations for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and two Trustees beginning in January, 2013. Under Article VI, Section 2, since there are no opposed offices, a unanimous ballot was declared and the election period closed. The new officers and Trustees will be installed at the January meeting: President Bob Mattox, Vice-President Al Luenow, returning Secretary Joe Reilly and returning Trustees John Centurioni and Harold Vance.
New Business: None
Good of the Association:
If you are a Widows and Orphans member whose dues are deducted from your paycheck and are retiring soon, or if you have retired in the last year, please remember that payroll deductions for dues stop once you are retired. Dues payments are not deducted from retirement checks. (Automatic payment through the credit union is not affected) Please contact the Association for instructions on maintaining your membership. Members can contact the Association at woaasfpolice@gmail.com in addition to the Association’s voice mail phone number
(415) 681-3660, or speak to any one of the Association officers.
Please contact the Association in order to update your beneficiary status. The WOAA can send you the form via e-mail. In general, any change to your beneficiary designation must be notarized unless it is witnessed by one of the Association Officers or Trustees.
Adjournment:
President McDonough set the next meeting for Tuesday, January 8, 2012 at 1:45 p.m. in Room 150 at the Hall of Justice. A moment of silence was observed for all our deceased members. The meeting was adjourned at 2:44 p.m.
Fraternally,
Joe Reilly, Secretary