Our current magazine editor, J. Barnes & Associates, has declined to renew our current contract for lack of a profit.  We are currently in search of a new publisher.  If anyone has any suggestions, please contact me.  Also, Sergeant Mike Lynch of the Academy Staff has volunteered to be the new magazine editor, taking the place of Captain Joe Parsons.  Thanks for the time you have committed to keeping the magazine going so far.  We hope to have regular magazine volumes published again soon.  If you have any ideas or suggestions for magazine articles, or would like to become a "published" author, contact Sgt. Lynch at the Academy. 

 

The Board is actively trying to strengthen the grievance system that we have in place.  We are aware that there are many deficiencies in the system which are being exploited.  We have had a lot of troops come forward with complaints regarding the grievance system.  On that note, the Board has voted to accept Marvin Masters' offer to give legal advice to ASSOCIATION MEMBERS on administrative matters.  The Association will be providing all of our members with contact information, as well as the process to request legal assistance through the Association.  For those members who have decided to quit the Association, I would encourage you to come back and be represented by us.  FREE legal advice should be worth the price of dues just standing alone, not to mention the scholarship benefits, representation at the legislature every year, union support, etc.  Please re-consider your decision and come back to the "fold". 

 

During the last Board meeting, Marvin Masters made a short presentation offering his suggestions to the grievance process.  He suggested following the model of other states of having a Police Bill of Rights in place.  The US Congress is also debating this topic.  HB 3440 is the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights and is sponsored by US Representative Linda Sanchez (D-CA).  The Association is calling on our 3 House congressional representatives to support this bill by signing onto it as a co-sponsor.  You can check out the particulars at www.thomas.loc.gov.  Right now, this bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. 

 

UNION NEWS:

Often, I hear Association members (or former members) complain that they don't know what the union is doing for us.  John Burpo is affiliated with a National office in our union and Elaine Harris is a strong State union representative.  They both regularly attend our Board meetings and provide input and suggestions to the Board.  Elaine works hard locally for our retirement benefits and pay issues.  John has provided us information regarding the above mentioned "Bill of Rights" and "Meet and Confer" legislation on the national level.  Meet and Confer is another name for Collective Bargaining and is a much better system than "Meet and Beg" to get our government leaders' attention to our struggle to keep up with quality pay for our members.  HB 980 in the Congress relates to national collective bargaining for state and local governments.  That bill can also be checked out using the search engine of the Library of Congress. 

 

The Association recently received a $1,000 check to be given to the Gonzales Family from the Corrections, Juvenile Services, and Regional Jails union Local 2055.  This check is HUGE coming from the new, fledgling local.  In addition to the $1,000 from Local 2055, the Association made a financial contribution of $1,500 to the Gonzales Family.  Rome was not built overnight and progress takes time.  My recommendation is to stay affiliated with the CWA and National Coalition of Public Safety Officers unions.

 

PURDUE SETTLEMENT MONEY:

I am attempting to obtain funding from this settlement to update equipment and vehicles in the Lab.  It has been brought to my attention that we need additional drug testing equipment, vehicles for court travel, and trucks to pull the crime scene trailers in several troops.  I am also requesting that cruisers in the field be equipped with AR-15 rifles.  In all, I am asking for almost $2 Million to be dedicated to Troop 0. 

 

Most troop reps have asked for more money for communications equipment updates, but with the dedicated funding from the 911 tax, I believe that communications updates should be funded by the tax, NOT the Purdue Settlement.  Keep the suggestions coming in...

 

President Smith has met with Governor Manchin and has briefed the Board on his discussion with the Governor.  We are addressing the problems that we see (e.g. dwindling ranks from members leaving the department, Plan B retirement, pay issues, and declining applicant pools for testing to name a few).  We will look forward to future updates from President Smith as we head into the legislative season. 

 

I am here to represent YOU.  I am only one person, but with continued input, we can have a strong, collective voice.  We are the backbone of this organization.  We need to remain united.  My only goal is to DO THE RIGHT THING, but I need your help to let me know HOW you want to be represented.  Stay safe and I hope meet with you all.