Remembering Bobby Smith
The
PERFECT
Politician!
and matters related to PFRS
I On
know,
your
eyes were
when
you PBA
read
that title and
I don’t had
blame
Sept. you
16, rolled
those of
us who
at the
Convention
in Phoenix
the
you.
Is
there
such
a
thing
as
a
perfect
politician?
The
phrase
almost
seems
extraordinary honor of hearing Louisiana State Trooper Bobby Smith tell
the
contradictory.
But if I ever
you to read journey
anything
I have life.
written,
this
story of his incredible,
and wanted
truly unbelievable,
through
His story
is had
it. what
Spoiler
alert:
The
perfect
politician
does
not
exist.
Much
like
Santa
I know will be a profound and lasting impact on many of our lives
Claus,
the Tooth Fairy and the Boogey Man, a perfect politician is a myth.
that day.
I’ve said it more than once; politicians are a lot like spouses. You will nev-
On Oct.
we woke of up
the surreal
news that you
Bobby
had passed
er agree
100 2, percent
the to time,
and sometimes
will Smith
have serious
dis-
Patrick
away through There
the night.
I
can’t
even
begin
to
adequately
tell
his
story
on these
Patrick agreements.
will probably be an argument about money, and
I can
Colligan
pages. If you
weren’t
at the be convention
and
want
learn
about his
inspiring
Colligan guarantee
that
you won’t
on the same
side
of to
every
political
issue.
story
please
see
page
52
or
visit
www.visionsofcourage.com.
We
lost
There is no way to avoid the presence of politicians in our lives, another
and so
true
hero on
Oct. 2, a a blind
who
taught
more than
million people
since
the NJ State PBA must
maintain
very man
active
role
in politics.
Our 1 priorities
are simple
1986
how to
see. too far from the very reason that some law enforcement officers gathered
and don’t
stray
back
in follow
1896 to
establish
this great
union.
My
guess
is that they
probably
better
If you
New
Jersey politics,
even
a little
bit,
you witnessed
one
hell of a wanted
ride in the
first
pay,
whatever
kind
of
retirement
benefits
existed
in
the
1800s,
benefits,
protections
and
days of October. If you weren’t happy with the political landscape at any one moment in those
improved
officer
safety.
I
know
there
is
a
tremendous
success
story
in
our
wake
and
we
days, you only had to wait about 15 minutes for the score to change. The score changed often.
have
the
pensions,
pay,
benefits
and
extensive
legislation
to
prove
it.
It
is
an
awesome
It forced us, for many reasons, to endorse a gubernatorial candidate much quicker than we
legacy
that I am proud
to continue
and an incredible
responsibility
that
I certainly
had
anticipated.
I will explain
the landscape
and how quickly
it moved
at our
Oct. 18 don’t
state
take
lightly.
meeting. We also have the great honor of introducing our endorsed candidate, Ambassador
We have a lot to be proud of that we are always fighting to protect. We are the sec-
Phil Murphy, at that meeting.
ond-highest paid law enforcement officers in this country, and the NJSPBA has repre-
Later the
in the
pages
of this
will law
hear
more about officers
the plan since
to split
from the
sented
vast
majority
of issue
New you
Jersey
enforcement
its PFRS
inception.
We
state
as
a
stand-alone
system
run
as
a
public
labor
management
plan.
I
will
say
that
after
have collective bargaining rights many officers around the country are denied. These
almost
two don’t
years of
research,
haven’t found
not without
to do it, being
but many
reasons
successes
happen
by I accident,
and one
they single
don’t reason
happen
involved
in
to
it.
the do political
process during the past 120-plus years. My life would certainly be easier and
my
wife
would
be much
happier
I just
had
to attend
a few
outings
couple
The
plan
will have
zero impact
on if the
other
systems.
We will
still golf
contract
with and
the a Division
PBA
barbecues
instead
of
all
the
political
events
and
meetings
I
go
to
every
day.
Unfor-
to cut checks and administer parts of the plan so nobody gets laid off. Standing alone,
our
tunately,
that’s
not
how
we
move
our
agenda
forward.
plan will be ranked in the top 150 pension plans in the country, and we will still be able to
During investments
the past few at years,
we possible
have taken
steps to defend what we have earned from
purchase
the best
rates.
politicians who are quick to praise us and hate us in the same breath. We started a PBA
The NJ State pension investments lost almost 1 percent this past year. When compared
Political Action Committee (which the Board of Delegates approved unanimously). We
nationally,
should
know
that
took
lot of work.
Quite
simply
that should
not have
hap-
lobby hard you
virtually
every
day,
and
we a engage
heavily
with
the entire
legislature.
We have
pened.
Standing
alone
would
also
give
us
greater
control
to
restore
COLA
much
quicker
than
had significant successes not only in moving legislation but also in stopping bad legisla-
Chapter
78
would
ever
allow
and
eventually
return
us
to
the
days
of
a
single
tier.
Most
impor-
tion. We have continued the very long tradition of endorsing candidates on the county,
tantly,
the federal
new plan
would
be in considered
“public” can
plan,
and we our
would
maintain the
state and
levels.
No still
one
New Jersey a politics
question
commitment
to
constitutional
right
to
a
pension.
aggressively taking a stand for our members.
Traditionally,
we drafted
have been
for our
“Halloween
endorsement.”
Our
candidate
The
bill has been
and known
as expected
is already
at 47 pages.
I think most
would
agree
endorsements
were
important,
but
they
were
too
little,
too
late
for
many.
I
decided
that
that the state isn’t very good at running a pension. Nothing will ever protect us from a down-
this
year’s
governor’s
race
was
just
too
important
to
be
the
last
person
at
the
table.
So
turn in the market, but at least we can make sure their hands are out of our wallets.
we Also
committed
to
endorsi ng
early
to
ensure
our
endorsement
would
carry
some
weight.
in this issue, you will read about Kevin Lyons, the NJ State PBA-endorsed candidate
We took a hard look at the many candidates for governor from both sides of the aisle.
for Retiree Representative to the PFRS Trustee Board. His background and knowledge about
We analyzed their records, their relationship with the State PBA, their commitment to
pension issues speaks for itself. He is not one of the many candidates that suddenly jumped
our issues and whether they would keep their word to our members. Unfortunately,
into
this
race
because
the mood
struck
him. what
Many we
of those
candidates
truly candidate
have no concept
there
isn’t
enough
room
here to
address
learned
from every
about
of
what
that
PFRS
Board
does
as
evidenced
by
their
campaign
materials.
their respective issues, but there were some incredibly chilling ideas out Kevin
there. has been
involved
in union
issues for
will
bring alongside
that knowledge
and passion
to the PFRS
Following
our review,
we decades
were the and
first
union,
our brothers
and sisters
from
Board.
If
you
are
a
retiree
who
cares
about
your
pension,
make
sure
you
vote.
And
hope
you
the FMBA, to endorse Phil Murphy for governor. Is Phil a “perfect politician?” I Of
course
will
for Kevin
Lyons.
not. vote
He doesn’t
claim
to be perfect. We’ve already agreed to disagree on a few matters.
But
what we
solidifies
our confidence
in Phil tragic
Murphy
is that
he enforcement
has proven to officers
be a phone
Finally,
find ourselves
again in another
period
of law
being
call
away,
and
it
is
clear
beyond
a
doubt
that
we
will
be
respected
–
more
just or a
injured and killed. As I said at the beginning of the month, there will be no street than
protests
voice
at
the
table.
politicians calling for justice; just officers and families mourning the loss of another hero. The
Is Phil to left
center on
issues? overnight,
Sure, he is, but
but the
not tide
on will
the issues
we I lobby
for.
answer
this of insanity
will some
not happen
change that
again.
pray it
is
much sooner than later.
Stay safe! d
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
R
a
NEW JERSEY STATE
POLICEMEN’S BENEVOLENT
ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE BOARD
PATRICK COLLIGAN
State President
P
Co
MARC KOVAR
Executive Vice-President
198
If
day
day
It fo
had
mee
Phil
L
stat
alm
to d
T
to c
plan
pur
T
nati
pen
Cha
tant
con
T
that
turn
A
for R
pen
into
of w
invo
Boa
will
F
inju
poli
ans
mu
S
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
4
■
www.njcopsmagazine.com
JULY
2017
NEW JERSEY COPS ■ OCTOBER
2016
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