The President’ s Message
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICEMEN’ S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD
PATRICK COLLIGAN State President
MARC KOVAR Executive Vice-President
Peter Andreyev 1st Vice-President Henry Werner 2nd Vice-President Michael Pellegrino 3rd Vice-President Mark Aurigemma 4th Vice-President Eugene Dello 5th Vice-President Keith Bennett 6th Vice-President Richard Kott 7th Vice-President Frederick Ludd, Sr. 8th Vice-President Luke Sciallo 9th Vice-President Frank P. Cipully 10th Vice-President John Cernek 11th Vice-President Ed Carattini, Jr. 12th Vice-President
Michael Kaniuk Financial Secretary Margaret Hammond Recording Secretary John Monsees Treasurer
Michael Freeman Trustee Bryan Flammia Trustee Robert Ormezzano Trustee Terrance Benson, Sr. Trustee Rodney Furby Trustee Charles Schwartz Trustee Patrick Moran Trustee
Joseph A. Macones Sergeant-at-Arms Sean Plasket Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Tardio Sergeant-at-Arms Michael Heller Sergeant-at-Arms Keith Curry Sergeant-at-Arms Christopher Ricciotti Sergeant-at-Arms John Granahan Sergeant-at-Arms Andrew Pacucci Sergeant-at-Arms Joseph Nigro Sergeant-at-Arms Kelly Polack Sergeant-at-Arms Glenn Pagano Sergeant-at-Arms
Remembering Bobby Smith and matters related to PFRS
A reunion that was
On Sept. 16, those of us who were at the PBA Convention in Phoenix had the destined
extraordinary honor of hearing Louisiana to
State Trooper be
Bobby Smith tell the story of his incredible, and truly unbelievable, journey through life. His story had what I know will be a profound and lasting impact on many of our lives that day.
On Oct. 2, we woke up to the surreal news that Bobby Smith had passed
Patrick away through the night. I can’ t even begin to adequately tell his story on these
Colligan pages There. If you certainly weren’ t have at the been convention times during and want this to journey learn about that I his wondered inspiring, story“ What please was see I thinking page 52,” or when visit www I agreed. visionsofcourage to take the helm. com. We of the lost NJ another State true PBA hero. Long Oct hours. 2, a time blind away man from who taught a great more family than, all 1 the million experts people with since all
1986 how to see the. answers and a State Legislature that often leaves me shaking my
If you follow New head Jersey. And politics then those, even moments a little bit, come you witnessed along that one make hell of every a ride single the minute If you worthwhile weren’ t happy and with remind the political me that landscape I made the at any right one decision moment. in One those of
first days of October. days Patrick, you only had those to wait moments about 15 occurred minutes a for couple the score weeks to change ago when. The score Lisa changed Preslar, president many of reasons Garden, to State endorse Concerns a gubernatorial of Police Survivors candidate( much COPS), quicker sent me than a text we
often.
It Colligan forced us, for had anticipated message. I will explain and a the picture landscape from the and road how to quickly Washington it moved, D at. C our that Oct read. 18: state meeting“ u helped. We reunite also have a family the great today honor” of introducing our endorsed candidate, Ambassador Phil Murphy, at that meeting. Every year, the State PBA sponsors a bus trip to the National Law Enforcement Officers Later in the pages of this issue you will hear more about the plan to split PFRS from the Memorial in Washington for the Garden State COPS. We hire two buses and buy dinner state as a stand-alone system run as a public labor management plan. I will say that after for the survivors of New Jersey law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice almost two years of research, I haven’ t found one single reason not to do it, but many reasons( to regardless do it. of union affiliation). The survivors, especially those who recently suffered the loss, have the opportunity to visit the wall privately a few weeks before the tens of
The plan will have zero impact on the other systems. We will still contract with the Division thousands of people arrive for Police Week in May. It was a great tradition started before to cut checks and administer parts of the plan so nobody gets laid off. Standing alone, our I took over and will continue as long as even one survivor wants to attend. It comes at no plan will be ranked in the top 150 pension plans in the country, and we will still be able to small expense to the PBA, but it is a check I will always be honored to write.
purchase investments at the best possible rates. As The Lisa NJ State explained pension it,“ investments Something special lost almost happens 1 percent on every this past trip, year but. this When year compared topped
them nationally all.”, As you she should was know introducing that took herself a lot of to work one. Quite of the simply bus drivers that should, he told not her have about happened special. Standing connection alone would he had also to give her us group greater. He control told Lisa to restore that his COLA first much cousin quicker, Plainfield than
the officer Chapter Abigail 78 would Powlett ever, allow was the and first eventually female return police us officer to the killed days of in a the single line tier of. duty Most in importantly., the Lisa new brought plan would the driver still, be Danny considered LeSane a,“ to public the other” plan, bus and, and we would introduced maintain him the to
New
Jersey Abigail constitutional’ s daughter right, Noreen to a pension, and. two of her grandchildren. A tearful and emotional reunion
The took bill has place been right drafted in the and aisle as expected of the bus is. already The two at hadn 47 pages
’ t seen. I think each most other would since agree Abigail that’ s the funeral state in isn 1985’ t very
. Abigail good at’ s running estranged a pension husband
. Nothing moved will the ever two protect children us right from after a downturn in the funeral
. the( For market more
, about but at least this historic we can make event sure, see their our story hands on are page out
37 of.)
our wallets.
Personally Also in this, I issue’ m flattered, you will, but read this about was Kevin a reunion Lyons that, the was NJ State destined PBA-endorsed to be. Of all candidate the bus companies for Retiree Representative that we could to have the hired PFRS and Trustee of the Board nearly. His 200 background drivers that and Coach knowledge USA could about have pension sent issues that day speaks, I have for itself to think. He is that not reunion one of the had many nothing candidates to do with that any suddenly of us. jumped As Lisa said into, this“ Something race because special the mood happens struck on every him. Many trip.” of And those that candidates, my friends truly, is one have of no the concept times when of what I know that PFRS I made Board the right does decision as evidenced. by their campaign materials. Kevin has been involved Before in we union part issues this month for decades, I would and be will remiss bring if that I didn knowledge’ t thank and every passion one of to you the PFRS who
headed
Board. If to you
Trenton are a retiree with who just cares about about 24 hours your’ pension notice for
, make the sure vote you on vote Assembly
. And I hope Bill A99 you
.
We will’ ve vote been for wielding Kevin Lyons a bigger. stick in Trenton, but every once in a while, we need a bat. It was Finally a message, we find ourselves heard loud again and in clear another and tragic the assembly period of law vote enforcement certainly reflected officers being that. THANK injured and YOU killed! d. As I said at the beginning of the month, there will be no street protests or politicians calling for justice; just officers and families mourning the loss of another hero. The answer to this insanity will not happen overnight, but the tide will change again. I pray it is much sooner than later.
Stay safe! d
4 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ APRIL 2017