PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By Greg Palmer

 

My time is quickly coming to an end here at the APA.  I have been your president for the past eight years and can’t believe how fast time has gone.   It seems like only yesterday that past President Bruce Bottolfson was imploring me to run for the open treasurer’s spot on the ballot.  And the rest they say is history.  I have always sought to do my best for you, the membership, sometimes in spite of some very personal disappointments.  Although I will miss the job and the responsibility I am ready for a change and to let someone else give it their shot. 

I don’t think I am more proud of this association than I ever have been.  It is one of the premier associations across the state.  We are very involved in some of the major organizations in California too.  CCLEA, SCALE, O. C. Cops, PORAC and the California Police Officer’s Memorial Foundation, just to name a few.

It was the highlight of my presidency when we inked the contract that gave us a 27 ½% raise a couple of years ago. We have also weathered several trying times together also.  Do you remember the PERS problem that surfaced where we were on the hook for who knows how much several years ago?  And what of our current contract extension with no major givebacks during the worst economic period in our history since the great depression?  It says a lot about the people who make up this association. 

As I make the transition back to patrol and then into retirement.  I need to let you know who I will be endorsing for the various offices that need to be filled by the membership.  Now is not the time for inexperienced leadership.  Pension issues, retired medical plans, the assault on unions by the far right and maintaining a good relationship with the city and the city council all shows that we don’t need someone who will need to learn on the job.  We need someone who can hit the ground running because there are so many important issues coming to a head. 

I am confident in the ability of Kerry Condon to be our next president.  Kerry has been extremely involved since he has been on the executive board of the APA I really can’t think of a single person who I would trust more with the stewardship of the APA than Kerry.  He will continue to lead this great association and will take it to the next level of professionalism and greatness that the membership deserves. 

I also believe that Rich LaRochelle will be a fantastic vice President.  He too has the passion for the position that will make him an invaluable member of Kerry’s team that will produce results for the association on the whole.  Ed Thaete has been doing his part in the association since Jesus Christ was a corporal and his experience and knowledge of the history of this association is truly invaluable.   Steve Anderson guards your dues money like no one I have ever seen.  He is often the voice of reason and for that I ask that he be re-elected.  John Hasso is making his first run at being part of the executive board but he has shown me he truly wants the best for the organization too, from his time spent on the board of directors as a team rep.  Please join me in voting for the entire slate and lets do so in Unisom to show the city how together we are as an association and how we can affect change not only within the APA but within the city as well.  You probably already received your ballot and it is up to you to vote.  Please do so.  We need to hear your voice.

E.T. and I recently attended a California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations legislative reception in Sacramento on January 12th.  There may even be some pictures of the event in this edition of the Hot Sheet too.  It was very well attended by many legislators from throughout the state.  We had a chance to get to know them better and for them to get to know us as people.  We tried to impress upon them the importance of the 3% at 50 retirement benefit while trying not to take for granted the future costs of this benefit.  This is kind of hard to do as the state is on the verge of insolvency and the legislators themselves do not receive any sort of pension, defined benefit or contribution.  All in all, along with the meeting of CCLEA and the roundtable discussion where we learn what other associations are experiencing across the state I think it is very beneficial to remain active within CCLEA.

We have been meeting with various council members and the mayor trying to get a fix on our city budget problems and what its impact will be on the police department.  No one wants to see any layoffs.  If we can get by over the next year and a half I think we will have weathered the worst of it.  This association will continue to be a strong advocate for the rank and file for the foreseeable future.  Take care and I’ll see you around the hallways of APD.