Roll Call: President John Keane, Vice President Sally Foster, Secretary Mark McDonough, Treasurer Dean Taylor, and Trustees John Centurioni, Leroy Lindo, Ray Kane, Jim O’Meara, and Al Luenow were present.
Approval of the Minutes: Trustee John Centurioni made a motion to approve the minutes from our last meeting on February 10, 2015. Trustee Al Luenow seconded the motion which passed without objection.
Receiving Applications; Suspensions and Reinstatements: Trustees John Centurioni and Ray Kane responded to the San Francisco Regional Police Academy on March 3, 2015 at 11:45am. The Trustees presented our WOAA membership to the 245L (Lateral Transfer) class. For the first time in my memory, I report a disappointing outcome. Only one class member applied for membership. In a 50 year span, if fees and benefits remain the same, a member’s beneficiary would receive over 3 times the amount paid by the member. Yet, some recruits accept the paperwork and state that they will retain it for consideration. A ticket in the ‘Club Level’ at AT&T Park for a San Francisco Giants game most often will cost more than the $72.00 yearly fee for the WOAA. There are no suspensions for 2015, as they are scheduled for any non-payment of dues in the first six months of each year.
Thomas Stack was lifted from suspension upon receiving his back fees and is hereby reinstated.
Communications and Bills: Trustee Ray Kane made a motion to pay the monthly bills. Trustee Jim O’Meara seconded the motion. The bills included our regular monthly bills which include our website management fees, salaries for monthly management services, telephone bills, death benefits paid (to the beneficiaries of Nicholas J. Mahoney, George Paulin, and Anthony Carreon), $700 to our book keeper for extended hours to blend two accounting systems for billing and record keeping, and $384.95 for flowers sent to memorial services of our fallen members.
Thank you letters to our Board were sent to us by Dianne (Warren) Mahan, Eileen (Mike) Travis, and Opal (Harold) McCoy. The letters were thankful for our service and mentioned the flowers that were sent by Sally Foster.
Report of Visiting Committee: No report this month.
Report of Trustees: We received reports of the following deceased members;
Department Award information was not made available this month.
Aaron O. Barnes, age 84: Aaron Barnes was born, on March 30, 1930 in Wharton, Texas. Aaron was listed as a ‘Parking Controlman’ prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department. Aaron joined the S.F.P.D. on July 1, 1964 at the age of 34 entered the Police Academy, and upon graduation was sent to Central Police Station. Aaron was assigned to star #1204. During Aaron’s career, he was assigned to the following units: Co. A (1964-1965), Taraval Police Station (1965-1971), and back to Central Police Station (1971-1986). Aaron suffered an injury in 1986 and eventually was awarded a Disability Pension. Aaron’s exit date from the San Francisco Police Department on March 23, 1987. Aaron was preceded in death by his loyal wife of 62 years, Willie Jean Barnes. Willie Jean passed away on July 14, 2014. Aaron was survived by his six children and eight grandchildren.
George W. Paulin, age 90: George Paulin was born in San Francisco. George graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1945. George was a proud Veteran who served in the United States Army during the cold war in Europe where he would eventually meet his wife Huguette, in France. George was listed as a ‘Baker’, prior to entering the San Francisco Police Department. George entered the S.F.P.D. on September 17, 1957 at age 30. George, during his 28 year career, worked at the following units: Ingleside Police Station (1957-1959), Company K PP (1959-1980), Richmond Police Station (1980-1982), P&T (2 weeks in 1982), Richmond Police Station (1982-1984), and Muni (April 18, 1984 through July 10, 1984). George retired as a Sergeant with a service pension on July 10, 1984. George was assigned to star #850. George was the loving son of Matthew and Agnes Paulin and is preceded in death by his brothers Francis, John, Harry and sisters, Catherine and Amelia. George leaves behind his loving wife Huguette with whom he was married to for over 60 years. George also has numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly. George looked upon his time in the Traffic Bureau as his most favorable including his traffic post assignment at Geary and Stockton streets where he served as an unofficial diplomat to San Francisco visitors. George worked as an instructor in traffic school during his retirement, and for a short period of time for the Danville Police Department.
Calvin Gene Tom, age 61: Calvin G. Tom was born in San Francisco on January 5, 1954. Calvin graduated from Galileo High School and later attended San Jose State University. Calvin worked for the California Department of Transportation. Calvin later entered the San Francisco Police Department on February 4, 1991, and was assigned to star #621. During a 25 year career, Calvin worked as a diligent and conscientious patrol officer in the following units: Central Police Station (March 14, 1991- October 12, 1991), Mission Police Station (October 12, 1991-July 18, 1992), Potrero Police Station (July 18, 1992-July 16, 1994), Muni Transit (July 16, 1994-September 15, 2001), Richmond Police Station (September 15, 2001- June 28, 2008), S.S.P.S (June 28, 2008- February 7, 2009), and the Airport (February 7, 2009 – February 16, 2015). Calvin is survived by his loving wife Mary and his sons Justin and Lance. Calvin was a devoted son to his parents Eugene and Agnes. Calvin was a dear brother to his sisters Wanda Low, Pam Wong, and to his brother-in-law Ben Wong.
Report of Special Committee: Flowers were sent the services of our fallen members listed in this report. Vice President Sally Foster is the sole operator of this committee and has diligently worked to provide this service to families of fallen members.
Unfinished Business: Trustee Jim O’Meara reported that he will meet with Labor Attorney Ed Willig of Carr and McClelland to discuss services to review our Constitutional rewrite. Our Constitution and By-Laws are in need of updates in regard to language and current policies and practices. The project was spear-headed by Past President Bob Mattox who teamed with SFPOA Journal Editor Ray Shine to install the necessary language and updates.
New Business: No report this month.
Adjournment: President John Keane led our Board in a moment of silence for all departed fallen members. President Keane scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday April 14, 2015. The meeting will be held at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant St, room #150 at 1:45pm.
To All Members: Please visit our website at ‘sfwidowsandorphans.org’. Our resources box on the upper right side tool bar will provide Beneficiary Forms for members. I have been informed that the ‘resources’ box will not appear on I-pads or notebooks. Please use a desk top or lap top computer. Beneficiary ‘changes’ require a signature of a board member or Notary. Please use this form for address and/or contact number changes. Our Monthly Minutes and our Summary Annual Report are posted on our website. As I have stated in past articles, I will mail the Summary Annual Report to any member who makes this request. I have had only two requests in 2015. My continued thanks go out to Paul Chignell of the POA, Lt. Nick Rainsford and Jon Voong of Personnel, and Insp. John Monroe of the Police Commission Office. We receive employee history for our obituary section from Personnel. John Monroe supplies department awards for members that assist us on obituraries. Paul Chignell has been invaluable in contacting our members who have retired and changed their addresses and contact numbers, when we are unable to locate and/or contact them. I can be contacted at 415 681-3660, and emailed at ‘markmac825@comcast.net’.
To Retirees: The WOAA has attempted, unsuccessfully, to contact Harold Cole and Fred Curley. If any member knows the two aforementioned members, or has any information that would be helpful, please contact me at the above listed telephone number, or email address.