PRSRT STD HOUSTON POLICE RETIRED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION US POSTAGE PAID P.O. BOX 2288, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77252-2288 HOUSTON, TX PERMIT NO. 9155 THE With Honor We Served . With Pride We Remember OFFICIALETI PUBLICATIONR OF THEED HOUSTON POLICE RETIREDADGE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION VOL.R XIII, NO. 4 B August - September 2014 Thanks to the Entertainment Committee The SILENT AUCTION at the HPROA Reunion was held at the The Association is still seeking a host for the Academy Convention Center in Crockett, Texas on Saturday, June Reunion and would welcome any member who would like to 28, 2014 with 123 attendees. The proceeds derived from volunteer to host this Reunion please contact the Association the silent auction was $1871.50, which was donated to the President Steve Rayne at [email protected]. Family Assistance Committee. We assure you that this donation will greatly aid in the comfort Your Family Assistance Committee would like to thank all and well being of our “ sick and shut-ins”. that donated the items for the auction. We also extend our thanks to those that actually won the bid for their generous contribution. The persons that worked the silent auction were Steve and Vickie Rayne, Sue Gaines, E.J. and Delores FAMILY ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE Smith, Phyllis Wunsche, Cathy Buckles and Joe Weber. We thank them and appreciate their work in making this auction Forrest W. Turbeville, Chairman a great success. Nelson Foehner, Member Doug Bostock, Member We want to acknowledge and extend our special thanks Ron Headley, Member to Steve and Vicki Rayne for hosting this reunion. Their Ray Smith, Member efforts and hard work as host made this Reunion possible and a great success. Open Letter to Line of Duty Death Widows We, the Board of Directors of the Houston Police Retired To be accepted into our organization as a Member you will Officers Association, would like to invite you as the spouse have to comply with the rules as stated on the application. If of an officer killed in the line of duty to become a member you choose to accept this invitation, please contact HPROA of our organization. If you accept you will be inducted as for an application. If you choose not to accept our invitation a member for life at no cost to you. As a member you will then please accept our sincere thank you for the supreme be allowed to vote on issues concerning the HPROA and price paid by your spouse and God Bless you and your family. can also serve on the board and committees, receive We will not forget those officers, or their families. our newspaper, The Retired Badge, a pin with our logo and an identification card showing you as a member. If you have any questions you may contact Board Member You are also invited to attend our monthly meetings and Jim St. John at 936-321-4990. all of our reunions. Thank You, Board of Directors HPROA 2 The Retired Badge August - September 2014 Edition FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BILL ELKIN It seems to me that hardly a month goes He further states that because of this by that our main nemesis, Bill King, is not fact, 6.2 percent is not deducted busy writing another of his columns in from their salaries, and is a savings the Houston Chronicle attacking the benefit. What he does not mention is three City of Houston Pension plans. He the fact the city also does not have to is the main one of a trio of locals raising pay 6.2 percent as their part of Social their voices bemoaning the city’s Security, which is a savings to it. financial indebtedness over the three pension plans for city employees. The All in all, King attempts to create other two are Mayor Annise Parker and the illusion of doom and gloom for Councilman Stephen Costello. the city because of their obligation to adequately fund each of the King’s column on May 18, 2014, sites the systems. But what is glaringly missing commonality of the three plans, all being in the article is the fact that the city a “Defined Benefit” pension, and each has not made it’s annual required are governed by their respective Board contribution, or ARC, for police and of Trustees, currently elected by active municipal pension systems in the past and retired members. He also mentions 14 or 16 years. that the city has the right to have one or two members on the boards (ours has two This is the monies that if made in a Bill Elkin, Executive Director city members, mayor’s appointee and timely manner, could be used to the city’s treasurer (Director of Finance), reduce the unfunded part of the This is evidenced by the fact that on July and he continues that this does not give financial reports, and could be 9th, at a hearing held by the Committee the city any flexibility in managing the invested by each system to grow their on Pensions, which was invited testimony plans. He obviously thinks that the city interest earnings. only, the city’s Assistant Director of should have complete control over the Finance, Mr. Rasheed, testified on behalf governance of each plan. King’s articles in the Houston Chronicle of the city and Todd Clark, Chairman is certainly a forecast of efforts by the of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and King does also mention, in the article, city to have legislation introduced Retirement Fund presented his testimony that police and fire employees do in the upcoming next session of the in response. In my opinion, there as a not participate in Social Security, and Texas Legislature, impacting all City of spectator, Mr. Rasheed’s presentation was therefore will not receive a Social Houston pension plans. the usual misinformation and distortion of Security check. the facts by the city, but is a foretaste of things to come. Address Change Most retired officers are somewhat settled in their lives and in HPROA’s mailing address: P.O. Box 2288, Houston, TX 77252-2288. their homes. However, occasionally some of us find it necessary Phone numbers: (713) 802-2967, toll free number 1-866-856-7252. to make changes and move. Should you do so, please advise Email: www.hpdretired.com the HPROA of your new location. The HPROA can better serve you if we know where you are. The Retired Badge August - September 2014 Edition 3 A Message from Stephen Rayne, President HPROA This year all the current board I want to acknowledge all the work members, including myself, decided done by my wife Vickie, to put on the to run for re-election. As you can silent auction, and thank the ladies see from the ballot, competition (Sue Gaines, Delores Smith and Cathy for the board positions was not a Buckles) who helped her during the heated battle. We always encourage reunion. Our meal was again catered interested and dedicated members by The Moosehead Cafe of Crockett. to run for these volunteer positions As in the past the meal was delicious and welcome their participation. Your and the brisket just melted in your HPROA currently has a good group of mouth. I was again complimented directors who work well together and several times about the quality of the have some fun doing it. meal. All seemed to have a good time and we have the Crockett Civic I want to thank Bob Schields for again Center already reserved for next being our Nominating Committee year’s reunion on June 27, 2015. Chairman and E.J. Smith for being our Election Committee Chairman. Also, A quick reminder about your Burial my thanks goes out to the volunteers Fund. Nelson Zoch and I are trustees who helped stuff and stamp the on the burial fund board of directors. Stephen Rayne, President HPROA ballot envelopes at the July meeting We both have an up to date roster and helped count the ballots at the of the funds members and their August meeting. beneficiaries. We plan to have these On August 14, 2014, two important rosters with us at all monthly meetings activities will occur during our monthly On Saturday June 28, 2014 we had and reunions so all HPROA members HPROA meeting. First, is the counting our annual East Texas Reunion in can check their information in the of the ballots, you sent in, to elect Crockett Texas. Our guest speaker, Burial Fund and get change forms the President and half the Board of at the reunion this year, was one of from us if they are needed. Directors of your HPROA. our new Associate Members, Clyde Black. Clyde is a Justice of the Peace Your HPROA is a family of volunteers The second important activity is a for Houston County. He welcomed who work to keep our retired police free lunch for all our members in everyone to Houston County family informed and together. We will attendance at the meeting. The (Crockett) and talked of his time on continue to look out for our retirement eating of the meal, provided by HPD. I want to thank E.J. Smith and his benefits, get needed information out HPROA member Harvey Trigg, is much wife Delores, Clyde Black, and Phyllis to you as quickly as possible and try to more enjoyable than the counting of Wunsche who came up a day early have some fun while we do it. Come the ballots, but not as important. to help my wife Vickie and I set up the join us and get involved. convention center.