Roll Call: President Sally Foster, Vice President John Centurioni, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Al Luenow were present. Trustee John Keane was excused. Also present were the representatives of Wells Fargo Bank/ Abbot Downing. Our regular order of business was preempted for a presentation and report on our investments by Jerome Paolini of Abbot Downing. Jerome presented our quarterly report of our portfolio as well as a report of what to expect in the near future.
Jerome reported that we had a very positive second quarter after a less than impressive first quarter. Jerome reported that our portfolio is up 2.69% for the quarter and 2.58% for the year. Jerome stated that due to the Brexit Referendum in Europe where the UK left the European Union, our International Stocks did contribute. However, our domestic stocks in Commodities of Oil and Nareit Equities rose to 13% each and were a major contributor to our positive report. Jerome stated we are in the latter stages of a Bull Market and he is hoping and expecting a good year overall.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to accept the minutes from last month’s meeting in June. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Receiving Applications, Suspensions, and Reinstatements: There were no new applications or reinstatements this month. However, after six months of collecting dues that included bills and letters sent to a large number of members who still receive their bill in the mail, after numerous phone calls (multiple calls to some members), and attempts to collect dues from every member, we were left with thirteen members who did not pay their 2016 dues. Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to suspend the names of the members who failed to pay their dues. Trustee Al Luenow seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection. Pursuant to Article IV Section 1 (Fees, Dues, Fines, and Assessments) of our WOAA Constitution and By-Laws, the following members are now suspended from the WOAA:
Nancy Brewer, Jesse Cruz, Joseph Filamor, James Green, Steven Harris,
Nathan Johnson, James M. Kelly, Stanley Lee, Mark Lustenberger, Justin Madden,
James Robinson, Robert Tayac, Harlan Wilson.
A letter of suspension will be sent by registered mail to each suspended member. Refusal to sign for the mail and notice will not nullify or invalidate the suspension. If the WOAA does not receive the dues, fines, and assessments from the above listed suspended members by December 31, 2016, the suspended members will be presented at the January 2017 WOAA business meeting for a vote to drop them from the membership.
Communications and Bills: Treasurer Taylor presented the regular monthly bills, our Insurance Bill, and the beneficiary payouts for the following recently deceased members: James Bachelor, Stewart Spencer, Gary Swanson, and Loyce Tucker. Vice- President John Centurioni made a motion to pay all bills. Trustee Ray Kane seconded the motion. The motion passed without objection.
Treasurer Taylor announced that the WOAA received a One Thousand Dollar donation from Anna Foss, the widow of member Doug Foss who passed away last year. Treasurer Taylor also received a warm letter and a two-hundred dollar donation from San Francisco Attorney Peter Bagatelos.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received the sad news of the passing of the following WOAA members:
Stewart H. Spencer, age 92 : Stewart Howard Spencer was born in the San Francisco on May 28, 1924. Stewart was born to parents Stewart and Vernadene. Stewart and Vernadene divorced and she later married Victor Grant who became a loving and supportive husband and father to Stewart and his brother Lionel (Bud). Victor Grant moved the family to Honolulu, Hawaii. Stewart was a senior in High School on December 7, 1941 when he observed the attack on Pearl Harbor from his beach perch at Waikiki. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, Stewart enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force with dreams of becoming a pilot. Stewart completed his training and was given his “Wings” in 1944. Stewart was a newly minted P-47 fighter pilot. His first deployment was to Cesenatico, Italy and later to Linz, Austria. After the war, Stewart moved is wife Olga and family back to San Francisco in 1946. Stewart joined the San Francisco Police Department in 1951, however, Stewart who remained in the Reserves returned to War feeling his experience was needed to fight in the Korean Conflict. Stewart missed flying and seized the opportunity to return his career to the sky. He was transferred to Thule Air Base in Greenland in 1952 while Olga and their two children Sandy and Vic, stayed in Redwood City, Ca. Stewart was the Provost Marshall for the base. The base was built during the Cold War as a strategic defense location against Russian attack. During this assignment he reevaluated his career and decided to become a helicopter pilot. Stewart completed his training and was assigned to multiple bases and assignments. While part of the 23rd helicopter squadron, he flew H-21’s. In 1956, he became the commander of the unit to be assigned to Tripoli, Libya. This new assignment at Wheelus Air Base would not be without adventure such as sand storms, helicopter crashes and the birth of their third child Paul. Returning stateside in 1960 Stewart and the family was stationed at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, Florida. During this time, he learned to fly jet planes, attended radar controller’s school, and became an instructor in radar intercept. Several other assignments and bases followed including Alaska, Nevada, Texas and returning to Florida. In October 1966, he was assigned to the 20th helicopter squadron in Vietnam. During this time, he piloted HH3-E Jolly Green Giant helicopters on clandestine missions from the airfield in Udorn, Thailand. Upon returning, he decided to retire from the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. He then worked as a civilian flight instructor. Stewart had been introduced to ranching as a youth in California, and returned to ranching when he purchased land and cattle. Stewart, Olga, and Paul moved to Woodland, California in 1971. They purchased a 22 acre Walnut Ranch and expanded the business to include grapes for Cache Creek Winery. Olga passed away in September of 1987. Stewart sold the Ranch in 1990 after meeting his second wife Julia. Stewart had been introduced to Julia on a ‘blind date’ that was orchestrated by his brother Bud. They married in November 1990 and moved to Santa Rosa, California in 1993. Julia passed in 2011. Stewart lived a very full life, passing just one month prior to the celebration of his 92nd birthday. He was a patriot, aviator, farmer, world traveler, and solid family man. He was stoic and uncomplaining about his declining health to the very end. He exhibited all of the traits of how to live a good honest life. The family held a private memorial tribute with the spreading of his ashes on San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate Bridge, a bridge he watched being built as a child growing up in San Francisco. Stewart is survived by his brother Lionel (Bud), daughter Sandy, sons Victor and Paul, and grandchildren Heather and Norman, and great grandchildren Cayler and Kenna. Stewart was in the San Francisco Police Department from July 30, 1947 to July 24, 1951. Stewart resigned after nearly four years to pursue the above written career in the United States Air Force. There was no information on Stewart’s career in the San Francisco Police Department other than the dates of his entrance and exit. I would like to thank Paul Spencer for the information of his father’s life that I used for this column. Paul Spencer is a fire fighter in Northern California.
William “Bill” K. White, age 75: William Keith White was born in San Francisco on September 28, 1940. Bill is listed as “Mechanic” for his occupation previous to the San Francisco Police Department. Bill entered the S.F.P.D. on July 16, 1966 and wore star #303. After spending two months in the Academy, Bill worked the following assignments: Taraval Police Station (September 12, 1966), Park Police Station (June 10, 1969), Richmond Police Station (April 20, 1972), Co. K Traffic Bureau (January 21, 1973, and working E&I and Solos thru June of 1976), Park Police Station (July 1, 1976), back to the Solos (January 18, 1978), Investigations Personal Crimes (June 12, 1979), back to Co. K H&R (July 15, 1979), Criminalistics Division/ Photo Lab (June 18, 1980), and back to Co. K Solos (February 1, 1992). Bill retired on July 5, 1996 with a service pension after nearly 30 years. Bill was promoted to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector on June 13, 1979. Bill was awarded a Meritorious Award 3rd Grade for the capture of Robbery suspects who had committed 12 holdups in the Taraval District. The arrest was made on April 2, 1968. A little more than 2 months later, Bill was involved in pulling a woman from the surf at Ocean Beach. His respiratory attempts to revive her failed. Bill later received another Meritorious 3rd Grade award for his heroic attempt to save a life. Bill’s wife Stephanie (SFPD Inspector-retired) wrote an obituary for Bill. Stephanie wrote that Bill was a kind and patient man, and a true gentleman who always took care of her. Stephanie stated that Bill honed his photography skills as a Sergeant in the photo lab and it kindled his lifetime love for photos. Bill always said to take a photo with someone in it. Stephanie and Bill loved motorcycle trips (often to Sturgis) and to travel abroad. Stephanie said Bill was ahead of his time in regard to the new era of all things electronic and computerized culminated by his purchase of a Tesla. Saturday mornings were reserved for dog training with Stuart and Phoebe who are lost without Bill. Stephanie stated that Bill also had a special love for the game of golf. Bill is survived by Stephanie his loving wife of 29 years, his son Darrick (Julee), and by nephews, nieces and grandchildren. Stephanie stated that Bill will also be sorely missed by his best friend Jim Brown.
Manuel P. Williams, age 91: Manuel P. Williams was born in San Francisco on May 9, 1925. Manuel is listed as having a previous occupation (to the S.F.P.D.) of “Motor Repair”. Manuel entered the San Francisco Police Department on October 16, 1948 at age 23. Manuel spent two weeks in the Academy and was assigned to wear star #1242. Manuel worked the following assignments during his career: Ingleside Police Station (October 30, 1948), Mission Police Station (May 22, 1950), Co. K 3Wh (November 1, 1956), and then to Traffic Administration (May 17, 1965) where he worked until retirement. Manuel retired on January 20, 1976 with a 27 plus year service pension. We were unable to find award information for Manual, however, his employment card record listed Captain’s Commendations for arrests of Burglary and Robbery, and for seizing 6 firearms in a Burglary arrest and investigation. One of the Robbery arrests was the apprehension of 4 suspects who conspired to holdup a Safeway store.
Report of Special Committee: No report this month. See Unfinished Business.
Unfinished Business: President Foster led a round (or rectangular) table discussion on two topics. First we discussed the raising of our dues which our Board voted for, and announced in our monthly minutes earlier this year. Treasurer Dean Taylor had been in contact with the SFPCU Board and has obtained an Automatic Payment form. This form will be mailed to our members for changes made in our dues. The dues are being increased to $100 in 2017, and $150 in 2018 with our payout increasing to $18,000 by 2018. I explained our Actuarial Study (2015) and they recommendations a dues increase to bring the WOAA towards being 100% solvent (we are currently at 74%).
President Foster then led us into the Constitution and By-Laws rewrite project. We finished the language on Article III, Section 5 Military Leave. We agreed, as a board, to absorb any dues of a member who is on Active Military Leave. The member will pay us the dues upon their return from Leave. If the member voluntarily RE-UPS their leave and extends their absence, the member will then be responsible for dues payments and will be held responsible for non- payment subjecting themselves to possible suspension and dropped membership. The WOAA Board agreed to add language to Article III, Section 6 which regulates reinstatement after being dropped from the membership. Presently a dropped member can reapply to come back when they pay their back dues, fines, and assessments, and provide us with a report of good health from a physician. We have added a time limit. A dropped member will have a two year time limit to reapply in accordance with this section. Our Constitution and By-Laws Rewrite project began over two years ago with Past President Bob Mattox. I have updated our members with the progress and content since that time. When the Rewrite is completed, it will be submitted to an attorney for a final review and approval. The Rewrite changes will be sent to all members for a final vote.
New Business: No report this month.
Good of the Order: No report this month.
Adjournment: President Foster led our Board Members in a moment of silence for our fallen members. President Foster then scheduled our next monthly meeting for August 9, 2016 at 1:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street, room #150 in San Francisco, California.
To All Members: Our continued thanks go out to Retired Captain Paul Chignell of the POA who takes time away from his full POA schedule to assist us in locating members who have changed their residence address without giving notice. We thank David Ng of Personnell and Risa Tom and Sgt. Rachael Kilshaw of the Police Commission Office whose combined efforts provide us with the necessary information to complete our obituary section for our fallen members. Retired SFPD Lieutenant and Past WOAA President Rene Laprevotte has assisted our efforts in communicating with retired members and families of deceased members. Rene just recently assisted us in helping to come in contact with the family of fallen member (2015) Stan Damas. We did not hear from the Damas family and did not have good contact information. Thanks to information received from Rene and his “Grim Reaper” website, Treasurer Dean Taylor tracked down a family member through the Real Estate Listing of Stan’s home in Corte Madera. Rene provided address information. I received numerous phone calls from retired members regarding the Damas family. Thank you Rene Laprevotte. Lastly we thank the Traffic Solo Unit for providing us with space to keep files and to have our monthly meetings, and to Ray Shine of the POA Journal who assists me monthly with our column. Also, we will be submitting our Constitution Rewrite to Ray who will assist us with the language.
Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. Beneficiary forms can be accessed on this website by clicking on the ‘Resources’ tool bar. Print the form and complete it with all necessary contact information. Your new beneficiary requires the signature of a WOAA Board Member, or a Notary. Please use this form if you want to notify us of an address or contact information change. Address and contact information changes do not require a Notary. I can be reached at 415 681-3660. I do not return missed calls NOT accompanied by a voice mail. Calling me multiple times in a short time span or over many days WITHOUT A VOICE MAIL MESSAGE will not prompt me to return the missed call. Please use my email address of ‘markmac825@comcast.net” for correspondence.