The President`s Message - Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police

Transcripción

9521 Las Tunas Drive, Suite 4, Temple City, CA 91780 • (626) 285-5138 • (323) 283-4441
Email: [email protected] • Toll Free (888) 288-5073 • Fax (626) 285-1461 • Website: www.larfpa.org
The
President’s
Message
William G. Quinn
Good Golly Miss Molly!! We are sneaking up on the
end of another year. Halloween has come and gone
with kids eating more candy than they should. Next
comes Thanksgiving and we usually have a large dinner and give special thanks for what we have. And
thanks that the elections are over!! Next are the December holidays and don’t forget to sign up for our
annual lunch at the Sportsmen’s Lodge.
It has been somewhat of an active year for our Association with our pension committee taking the
majority of the workload protecting your pension
and benefits in another year of government leaders looking for ways to cut expenses in a depressed
economy. Our pension system General Manager
Michael Perez has taken a well-deserved retirement
and William S. Raggio is interim General Manager
and has taken over the helm with a smooth transition
from Assistant General Manager and doing a very
competent job. Members on the pension committee
will give you more information of the activities that
Inside:
Memorable Musings — Scams part III............p 2
Health Subsidy Lawsuit.....................................p 4
Odds and Ends...................................................p 9
Foods That Help Lower Cholesterol...............p 19
Membership Update Form...............................p 20
Winter 2012
LARFPA Meetings and Events
General Membership Meetings
When: December 5, 2012 - 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Grace E. Simons Lodge
Speaker: Councilman Joe Buscaino (LAPD)
When: March 6, 2013 - 10 am – 1 pm
Speaker: To be Announced
Coffee, doughnuts and box lunches will be
available during the December and March
General Membership Meetings.
Special Events
Christmas Luncheon
When: December 9, 2012 - 11 am – 4 pm
Where: Sportsmen’s Lodge, Studio City, CA
For Information check our website
www.larfpa.com or call (888) 288-5073
are in progress at the pension meetings. Q-tip
Life is like a scooter car, not much happens unless
you do some pedaling.
If you like garlic salt and Tabasco sauce you can
make almost anything taste good. D.F. Opinions expressed in any column are those of
the concerned writer and are not to be regarded
necessarily as an expression of the philosophy
or position of The Los Angeles Retired Fire and
Police Association.
2
From Vice President
Paul Enox . . .
Memorable
Musings . . .
This article is Part III in a three part series on scams
targeting seniors. Part I dealt with Medicare scams,
counterfeit drug scams, and funeral and cemetery
scams. Part II dealt with unscrupulous purveyors
of bogus anti-aging drugs, fraudulent telemarketing
scams and Internet fraud. In Part III I will be dealing
with reverse mortgage scams, lottery and sweepstakes
scams, and grandparent scams.
Reverse mortgages are a legitimate way for seniors,
who are at least 62 years of age and have nearly paid
off or have paid off their mortgage, to get the equity
out of their home while still maintaining ownership of
their home and continuing to live there (I wrote
an article in a previous newsletter about reverse mortgages).
Reverse mortgages have gained tremendously in
popularity. Between 1999 and 2008 the frequency
of homeowners entering into reverse mortgages
increased 1300%. That type of popularity does not
escape the notice of scammers. As a result they have
enthusiastically entered the field of reverse mortgages
themselves.
Usually the way a scammer tries to cheat you with
a reverse mortgage scheme is to offer you money or
a home somewhere else in exchange for the title to
your home. A purveyor of legitimate reverse mortgages will NEVER offer you a home somewhere else
in exchange for the title to your home. A legitimate
reverse mortgage transaction title to your home does
not change hands as long as you are still alive.
some cases they will even send you a check, directing
you to feel free to endorse the check and deposit it in
your account immediately. Meanwhile they will require you to send them an administration fee to cover
all the paperwork and legal niceties that need to be
attended to in order for your winnings to be “official.”
The victim doesn’t mind sending the fee because it is
a small amount of money in comparison to the check
that they have already been sent. Of course, much to
the distress of the victim, several days later their winnings check bounces.
The grandparent scam probably will sound like something that wouldn’t work against most of you, but that
being said, you’d be surprised how often it works.
This scam is especially effective for grandparents
who have multiple grandchildren who live in other
states and they don’t have a lot of interaction with
them.
Here is how the scam works. The grandparent answers the phone and hears a greeting that goes something like this, “Hi Grandma! Do you know who this
is”? Since the scam artist sounds enthusiastic and
KNOWS he is speaking to his grandmother the victim
believes this is one of her grandchildren and guesses
the name of the grandchild the scammer sounds the
most like.
The scammer now knows the name of a grandchild
and immediately assumes that role by notifying the
grandparent they guessed correctly. The scammer then
proceeds to supply the grandparent with a hard luck
story that ends with a request for money to be sent and
a plea to “please don’t tell my parents, they would be
so upset with me for asking you to help me.”
So the victim might go a long period of time before
they even realize they have been victimized. Meanwhile, this is a great scam for the scammer because it
requires very little research or effort to pull it off.
Sweepstakes and lottery scams prey on our willingAll of us, no matter what age, are potential scam
ness to forget or ignore the old
victims. There are three things that
admonition that if something
help scammers to be successful.
seems too good to be true, it probOne of them we can’t do anything
ably isn’t. The way these scams
about. The other two we can.
The Newsletter is a publication for
normally work is you’ll receive
members of the Los Angeles Retired
something in the mail notifying
We can’t control the aging process.
Fire & Police Association, Inc. All
that you have already won some
If we live long enough we get old.
rights reserved.
Produced by Kenco Graphics.
specified amount of money. And in
Continued on page 3
3
Memorable Musings . . .
from page 2
And unfortunately scammers have a great deal of
success in scamming senior citizens. However, we
can control the thing scammers covet most, greed. If
you are greedy when it comes to money, scammers
will stand in line to get a shot at you. So try not to
be greedy. And scammers love people who choose
to forget the old admonition of, if it sounds too good
to be true, it probably isn’t. Skepticism is your best
weapon against scammers. If you are skeptical you
will do one of two things. Either you will reject the
scammer out of hand, or you will at least conduct due
diligence to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate
person.
Stay alert and aware. KNOW whom you are dealing
with, especially if money is going to change hands.
Remember, it’s your money, not the scammers.
Numbers to Remember
(All in the 213 Area Code unless noted)
Fire & Police Pension Department......... 978-4545
Toll Free....................................... 800-787-2489
Assistance
Report a death
Lost or missing check
Members Service Section....................... 978-4495
Direct deposit information
Income tax withholding
Beneficiary change (for members only)
Health Insurance
United Fire Fighters, L.A. City............... 895-4006
Fire Relief Association..................... 323-259-5200
UFLAC Dental Insurance....................... 977-9014
Police Personnel Department . ............... 486-4630
Police Relief Association (& Dental Ins.)
674-3701 or Toll Free 888-252-7721
Police Protective League......................... 251-4554
800-535-2775
On the Fire side, remember that Fire Relief will
assist you in making all notifications of death of
member or their spouse.
From Secretary
Will Gartland . . .
Wake Up the
Echoes . . . .
The Holiday season is upon us. As I write this article Halloween is just a week away. The deadline
for this edition of the newsletter is November 1, 2012
and many of the national celebrations of November
(Presidential Election, Marine Corp Birthday, Veterans
Day and Thanksgiving) may have passed before you
receive this newsletter. I hope you started the holiday
season by keeping our Association meetings in mind,
have marked them on your calendars and will join us
at our General Membership meeting on December 5
and at the Christmas luncheon on December 9. The
luncheon is the best deal in town but the deadline for
reservations is November 30, 2012. If you cannot
make these events please accept my best wishes for
you and yours.
The election of officers and directors for 2012-2013
was conducted during the September General Membership Meeting. The newly elected board members
are listed in the newsletter and on our web site. I
became a board member in 1999 and for the first time
since then the Board of Directors did not have a Board
meeting in October 2012 because we did not have a
quorum. The board consists of 16 members, 8 from
the fire side and 8 from the police side. Our bylaws
define a quorum as nine members. The reasons for not
having a quorum were many but the main reason is the
age and health of board members. We need a lot of
help getting around. Please consider running for the
board. We are in need of younger members because of
the legal battles we are facing in our attempt to keep
the benefits we were promised and have earned.
In the fall newsletter President Quinn mentioned
shingles in his article and Vice-President Enox mentioned scams targeting seniors. Last June, while I was
79 years young but living in my 80th year, I developed
a rash on the left side of my face and nose. I had no
pain but I sure was uglier than normal. I had shingles.
In September I joined the association of retired LAPD
Continued on page 4
4
From Director
Ken Buzzell . . .
Retiree Health
Subsidy Lawsuit
In my last article I reported that on July 12, 2012,
the Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police Association filed a claim against the City for changes made
to the retiree health insurance benefit. Specifically,
our claim stated that the City adopted two ordinances
“which had the unconstitutional effect of eliminating
the retiree medical premium subsidy, a vested contractual retirement benefit promised to Claimants by the
City under the terms of the retirement plan that existed
prior to the passage of the Ordinances.”
I ended that article by stating that I would keep the
membership apprised of changes in this action. However, before I do that I want to digress and briefly
talk about several comments I received concerning
the filing of this claim. The common theme of these
comments was, “Why should the retirees care or get
involved with changes made for current employees? It
isn’t our problem.”
Unfortunately, the fact is it is our problem. Current
events reveal that the City’s attack on the retiree
health subsidy benefit will affect retirees as much as it
will affect active members. To back up this point, let
Wake Up the Echoes . . . .
from page 3
octogenarians and immediately started receiving
phone calls stating that I had won a big cash prize and
it would be delivered by UPS in a few hours. The
voice on the line then asked “OK”? My response was
NO! The calls persisted for several days and the callers used several different approaches with the scam
being the same. The calls only ended after we would
screen the calls and immediately hang up.
When I proof read the articles for this issue of the
newsletter I may delete anything that may be harmful
to my health and wellbeing. We are looking forward
to meeting and greeting at the December gatherings.
me refer you to a letter dated October 22, 2012 from
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to the City Council and
forwarded to the City Administrative Officer (CAO).
The letter, entitled “THE PATH TOWARDS FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY,” concludes on page 5 with
a list of “POTENTIAL ACTIONS TO ELIMINATE
STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.” The sixth item on this list
is, “Retiree Pensions – Consider changes to automatic
increases in post-employment benefits for existing
retirees.” The CAO has already begun preparing a
report and action plan to push forward on this and
twelve other items included on the Mayor’s list.
For many months the issue over vesting of our retiree health subsidy benefits has been stewing. The
Mayor’s letter now makes it abundantly clear what the
City’s long range game plan is. Step one was to go
after the retiree health subsidy benefit for those who
are currently on active duty by FORCING those members to either pay an extra two percent into the Pension
System or see their benefit permanently frozen at the
July 1, 2011 level. Step two is to mount an attack on
those of us who were retired or in DROP as of July 14,
2011 by denying that we have a vested right to the retiree health subsidy benefit and either reduce or freeze
the health subsidy amount.
Let me add to this the fact that the CAO has publicly
taken the position that it is legal for the City to make
changes in pension benefits unless and until someone
takes the City to court and wins. In other words, to the
CAO the provisions of the City Charter and State Law
are meaningless if the City chooses to ignore them.
So to the question of why should our Association get
involved with this issue and pursue a legal claim, the
answer is clear: Because we have to if we have any
hope of preserving the pension benefits we worked for
and were promised.
Let me point out to the naysayers, there is no Santa
Claus, Easter Bunny or Mighty Mouse who is on his
way to save the day. If we have any hope of keeping
our pension benefits as we know them, then we are going to have to take the City on by ourselves, because
there is no one else out there who will do it for us.
Now that the “Why” question has been answered, let
me bring you up to date with what has happened since
July 12.
Continued on page 5
5
LARFPA Standing
Committees (2012-2013)
FINANCE:
Jim Chastain, Paul Enox, Denis Cremins,
Ken Buzzell
OFFICE:
Mike Dwyer, Lee Kebler, Robin Welborn
PUBLICATIONS:
Will Gartland, Ray Case, Dick Green
SOCIAL:
Dick Green, Bob Olsen, Don Forrest, Will Gartland
BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION:
Fire: Bill Quinn, Arnett Hartsfield, Bob Olsen
Police: Jim Wilke, Robin Welborn, Paul Enox
PENSION:
Lee Kebler, Dick Green, Arnett Hartsfield,
Ken Buzzell
LIAISON COMMITTEES
FIRE RELIEF:
Lee Kebler, Bob Olsen
POLICE RELIEF:
Paul Enox
UFLAC:
Ray Case, Bill Quinn
POLICE PROTECTIVE LEAGUE:
Robin Welborn, Jim Wilke
PENSION COMMISSION:
Lee Kebler, Arnett Hartsfield, Don Vincent,
Ken Buzzell
POLICE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION:
Will Gartland
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
GOVERNMENT:
Ray Case, Will Gartland, Mike Dwyer,
Jim Chastain, Lee Kebler, Ken Buzzell
BYLAWS:
Mike Dwyer, Paul Enox, Jim Chastain,
Don Vincent
WEBSITE:
Ray Case, Will Gartland, Bill Quinn
FIRE MEMORIAL:
Bill Quinn, Lee Kebler, Don Forrest
ELECTIONS:
Fire: Ray Case, Lee Kebler
Police: Robin Welborn, Paul Enox
Retiree Health Subsidy Lawsuit
from page 4
Under the rules for filing claims against the City,
the City Attorney’s Office had forty-five (45) days
to respond. As was to be expected, the City Attorney waited until the last day and denied our claim
on August 27. In the standard form letter, the City
Attorney used the usual denial language saying our
claim was both untimely and without merit. The City
Attorney, in my opinion, is wrong on both accounts,
but then there was never a chance the City would
look at the merits of our claim in the first place.
Once the City denied our claim and our administrative remedy exhausted, a six month window was
opened for us to bring legal action against the City.
On November 1, 2012, our attorney filed suit against
the City in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. The filing is a “petition
for writ of mandate and complaint for promissory estoppel, restitution, violations of the Los Angeles City
Charter, injunctive relief, and declaratory relief.”
As Petitioners we pray (legalese) for judgment and
the following specific relief against the City (Respondent) and Does 1 through 50:
1. A writ of mandate compelling Respondents to
continue to provide increases to the health insurance subsidies of all LAFPP members, without
regard to Ordinance Numbers 181814 and 181893
or to stay enforcement of Ordinance Numbers
181814 and 181893;
2. A finding that Respondents are estopped from denying LAFPP members increases to retiree health
insurance premiums subsidies;
3. A finding that the Letters of Agreement executed
on behalf of LAFPP members were invalid for
lack of consideration, and should be rescinded;
4. A finding that the Letters of Agreement executed
on behalf of LAFPP members, and the two percent salary deductions made pursuant to them,
violated the City Charter, and are therefore invalid.
5. An order declaring that Ordinance Numbers
Continued on page 6
6
Retiree Health Subsidy Lawsuit
from page 5
181814 and 181893 unlawfully impair the contractual obligations of Respondents to provide
increases to the health insurance premium subsidies of all LAFPP members;
6. An injunction prohibiting Respondents from enforcing Ordinance Numbers 181814 and 181893;
7. Restitution of the money deducted since October
19, 2011 from the salaries of Petitioner LARFPA’s members who opted-in between August 15,
2011 and September 29, 2011, purportedly in
exchange for an agreement that Freeze Ordinance
1 would not apply to them;
8. An award to Petitioners of reasonable attorney’s
fees, litigation expenses, and costs; and
9. An award of such other and further relief as this
Court deems appropriate.
Let me point out for clarity’s sake that ours is one of
three lawsuits you may hear or read about that has
been filed against the City concerning retiree health
Los Angeles
Retired Fire and Police Association
Board of Directors — 2012-2013
President
Secretary
William G. Quinn
William O. Gartland
Vice President
Treasurer
Paul E. Enox
James R. Chastain
————
Directors
Fire
Police
Ken Buzzell
Denis Cremins
Raymond Case
L. Mike Dwyer
Don Forrest
Richard Green
Arnett Hartsfield
Don Vincent
Lee Kebler
Robin Welborn
Robert Olsen
James Wilke
Director Emeritus J. J. Cremins
————
Chaplain
insurance subsidy benefits. The Assistant City Attorney’s Association has filed a suit somewhat similar to
ours. However, because it involves a different pension system (LACERS, the civilian system), different
ordinances and a different set of facts, that is as much
as I am going to say about their suit at this time.
The third suit was filed by the Los Angeles Police
Protective League (League) against the City. This
suit differs significantly from our suit. The PPL
contends that a letter of agreement was reached
between the League and the City that mandated that
any Police Officer who opted to pay the additional
two percent in pension contributions was guaranteed
an annual increase in the retiree medical subsidy
amount. The League’s suit contends that this annual
increase must be equal to either the assumed medical trend rate (medical inflation rate) or seven (7)
percent, whichever is less. The City is on record as
saying that the agreement does not mandate any such
increase. The City’s position is that the maximum
increase (without specific City Council approval) can
never exceed seven (7) percent, but can be anything
less, including no increase. (There also is a dispute
as to whether the subsidy amount could be reduced.)
The League’s position is that nobody would have
ever agreed to a two percent increase in their pension
contribution rate unless they were first guaranteed an
annual increase as a quid pro quo.
Among the biggest differences between our suit
and the League’s is we claim the City’s action in its
entirety is illegal, whereas the League’s suit does
not challenge the City’s action in passing the above
mentioned Ordinances. Instead, the League’s suit
only challenges the interpretation of what those who
opted to pay the additional two percent are entitled to
in exchange for the added contribution. It does not
deal with those who chose not to pay the additional
two percent.
In closing, let me point out that our lawsuit, like
any other, has to work its way through the courts, so
don’t expect a decision for awhile. However, I will
continue to keep you up to speed as we move forward.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of
you and yours a safe and happy holiday season.
7
From Treasurer
James Chastain . . .
Treasurer’s
Report
Happy holidays. The cool weather has finally arrived.
I hope you have made reservations for our annual
Christmas Party on December 9, 2012. We had a very
good general meeting on September 5, 2012. The
election of officers was conducted, followed by guest
speaker, retired LAPD Deputy Chief, Larry Fetters. He
was in charge of the Transportation Security Administration at LAX. I particularly remember how difficult
it is to provide security at LAX because of its configuration. There are 90 doors which require monitoring.
You must go through security at each terminal. Many
other airport terminals are interconnected so you can
go from one to the others without passing a security
check. This is very important for hubs. LAX airport is
the busiest for passengers beginning and ending flights.
Chicago, New York and Atlanta have more air traffic
than LAX probably because they are hubs for connecting flights. He acknowledged the difference in the
esprit de corps working for the federal government as
compared to the LAPD.
Financial – The Dow JONES was up 5% for the 3rd
quarter while the S&P 500 was up 6.4%. Year-todate the Dow was up 12.2% and the S&P 500 was up
16.5%. Our stock portfolio was up 13% for the Benevolent Corporation and 10.5% for LARFPA’s General
The Newsletter is published four times a year.
Submit articles, announcements, and information to
LARFPA Publications Chairman
9521 Las Tunas Drive, Suite 4
Temple City, CA 91780
Phone (626) 285-5138 — FAX (626) 285-1461
The deadlines for submissions to the Newsletter
are Spring - February 1 — Summer - May 1
Fall - August 1 and Winter - November 1
Corporation this year-to-date.
Trust – LARFPA received a significant sum of money
from the distribution of assets from the Gladys Lucille
Barham 1993 Revocable Trust. She was a member and
widow of a police officer. We invite you to include
the Benevolent Corporation in your trust. Also, please
consider gifts or donations to the Benevolent Corporation because it is a 501C-3 charitable corporation
which is tax-deductible. Donations or gifts to LARFPA
are welcome but are not deductible because it is a
501C-4 mutual benefit corporation.
I want to share some of my personal consumer experiences I have had over the last 3 months.
1. I received a telephone call from Visa fraud alert
on Sunday August 26th informing me there was
suspicious activity on my Visa card. Someone was
making numerous charges of $99.00 for gasoline
in the Inland Empire. The card was immediately
cancelled and I was advised to contact the Firemen’s Credit Union, which I did the following
day. It seems several others have been victimized
without ever letting the card out of sight. Today
the news reported that Barnes Noble had several of
their card readers compromised in several states,
jeopardizing thousands of customers. We are all
vulnerable so watch your accounts closely. You
should probably access your credit reports periodically. Go to “www.annualcreditreport.com” the
only site that offers free federally mandated access to your credit files at the three major credit
bureaus. You may also consider buying one of the
three FICO scores annually from “www.myfico.
com” for $19.95 each. Some people even close
access to getting credit reports to stifle use of your
credit information by others. But remember if you
need a credit report to make a major purchase you
will have to lift the hold.
2. I have been receiving unwanted telephone calls
daily from telemarketers and computer generated
calls because they have no telephone number and
do not leave a message on the answering machine.
The October Consumers Reports article, Scamation, advises to call 888-382-1222 or go to “donotcall.gov” to register your telephone number. Do
not expect miracles but you can report offending
Continued on page 8
8
Treasurer’s Report . . .
from page 7
telephone numbers after 31 days. David Lazarus
calls it the “Do not call list or feel free to call list”
in the Los Angeles Times, September 28, 2012. I
have registered my telephone but it has not helped,
even when I can report the offending telephone
number. Now, I received three telephone calls from
an 800 number telling me in English and Spanish
that my bill was due on the 30th. They directed me
to a web site and said to just pay the usual amount
on the same account and I could pay with my Visa
or debit card. What a scam. It reminds me that
recently an 82 year old waitress at Taix Restaurant
was scammed by saying she had won a lottery or
prize, but she needed to forward money to claim it.
She lost her life savings. Please be patient if you
call me because I do not pick up the phone unless
I recognize the number. I wait for it to go to the
answering machine before I pick up.
3. The Los Angeles Times has published several articles in October with accounts of major drug stores
filling prescriptions without approval of customers
and billing insurance companies and Medicare in
advance of approval and pick up by the customer.
They have not always rescinded the charges when
the customer failed to pick up the prescription. The
Los Angeles Times reported on October 16, 2012
that CVS agreed to pay 5.25 million to settle allegations that it reported false information on prescription drug prices to the Medicare program. The Los
Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association medical plan
uses Scripts Express, formerly Medco, to provide
drug coverage. Long-term medications must utilize
mail order delivery, typically 90 days with 3 or 4
refills. I have had no problem with delivery. The
provider offers automatic refill called “worry free
refills” every time you reorder. Be careful to listen
to the prompts and respond or if using the mail send
in the correct reorder form because one is for automatic refills. I have personally used the automatic
refill but I prefer to reorder myself. I can remember
to order but don’t always remember to cancel an order. I still use the shift calendar to mark down my
appointments and reorder dates. David Lazarus has
written several articles about CVS pharmacy. The
latest was published on October 26, 2012 relating
the story of a CVS pharmacist who traveled to two
other states and had to have a prescription filled in
each one. Those two CVS pharmacies enrolled him
in automatic refill program without his permission.
The chain pharmacies are coercing their employees
to enroll everyone in the automatic refill program if
possible. Automatic refills are not for your wellbeing but the wellbeing of the corporate’s bottom line.
Be careful and read everything including your mail
because even magazine renewal subscriptions may
require you to opt out of automatic renewal not just
pharmacies.
I hope to write to you in the winter about the October
2012 AARP Bulletin with some tips. May God bless
you all.
Mission Statement:
As a police community, the mission of the Los
Angeles Police Cancer Support Group (LAPCSG) is to provide all Law Enforcement, sworn
and civilian, active and retired, and their families
with a place to start when diagnosed with cancer. The LAPCSG offers hope, understanding,
strength and educational information as we move
forward together in treatment and recovery.
Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of
every month
(except November and December).
1130 Hours
Police Academy, Nancy Dyer Room
Contact: Mike Apodaca, (213) 216-7009
www.lapcsg.org
Officers can now contribute to the LAPD
Cancer Support Group via payroll deduction.
Contact Police Relief for details at
(213) 674-3701 or (888) 252-7721.
We are grateful for your support!
9
From Director
Lee Kebler . . .
Odds and Ends
There’s good news and bad news. The good news is
that we have regained control of our mailboxes and
telephones. No more political junk mail and recorded messages. The bad news is there are still many
attacks on our pension systems lurking out there in
the political arena. Most of these so called reforms
are directed at new hires and may not affect current
active employees and retirees. But, sometimes the
fallout affects everybody. Let’s see what the future
looks like.
First and foremost is an initiative by our former
Mayor Riordan and some of his friends to place all
new hires, both civilians and sworn employees, on
Defined Contribution (401k) Pension Plans; increase
the members’ contribution rate; freeze automatic
pension increases if the pension investments aren’t
doing well. COLA increases will be tied to investment returns, not to salary increases. Mayor Riordan
believes that these changes will save the City a lot of
money and he is correct, it will save the City money
in the initial phases. In the long term, as members
of the old system retire and contributions to the old
pension fund decrease, the City’s contribution rate
increases until they are paying the entire pension
costs for the retirees of the old pension plan. The
ex-Mayor is circulating petitions for the initiative
and needs 254,000 signatures but his goal is to have
380,000 signatures by December 7, 2012.
Next, we have Mayor Villararigoso’s report to the
City Council and Department Managers that the
financial status of the City is doing well but there
is still a deficit of $200,000 to $250,000. The City
is going to start the New Year by eliminating 209
positions of the City workforce and the City Administrative Officer (CAO) has 13 recommendations
to develop reductions in the deficit. Some of the
Mayor’s recommendations are: evaluate reductions
in employees’ COLA; consider requiring a minimum
10% contribution in health care premiums for both
civilian and sworn personnel, increase co-pay and
reduce benefits in the health plans; consider changes
in retirees’ COLA; reduce 5% return for DROP members; expedite review of Fire Department deployment
(staffing and civilianization); identify contract opportunities, including ambulance transport. This is just
a start; we don’t know how many other reformers out
there are waiting to jump on the bandwagon.
On May 3, 2012 when General Manager Michael
Perez of the Fire and Police Pension System had
a retirement ceremony at the Pension Board meeting, our Association had a communications lapse
and failed to present our award to Michael for his
outstanding service to the retired Firefighters and
Police Officers of the City. Arrangements have been
made for presentation of the award but we wanted
our members to know how much Michael did for our
members, the City and the Pension System. Text of
the proclamation:
Michael Perez
It is the privilege of the Los Angeles Retired Fire and
Police Association to present this outstanding service
award to Michael Perez for service to the City and
the retired Firefighters and Police Officers of Los
Angeles.
Michael started his career with the City in 1980 as a
budget analyst in the CAO’s Department. In 1990,
he received a promotion and transfer to the Fire and
Police Pension System where he served for the next
22 years with the last seven years as General Manager of the Fire and Police Pension System.
Michael’s career as General Manager was one of the
most contentious in the history of the Fire and Police
Pension System. It began with the implementation
of the hundreds of recommendations from the IMF’s
audit of the Pension System; the start of the Great
Recession with a huge loss of pension funds; SEC
investigation; a new payroll system for retirees; an
interpretation of the vested right of health subsidy;
three Charter amendments and a new Pension Tier.
Michael served with the spirit of Proposition 162 integrity, honesty, fairness, understanding and compassion for the members of the System and the City.
His vision, innovation and leadership helped make
Continued on page 10
10
Old Blue Running Team
By Member Mike McKean
The Old Blue Running Team has had its first practice
run for the 2013 Baker to Vegas Relay. The team met
in Griffith Park on Sunday, October 28, 2012, at 8
a.m. As predicted the weather was absolutely perfect.
The team is again being led by Co-Captains Bart and
Jackie Landsman. They are in their third year at the
helm of the team. This Sunday, Jackie was solo as
Bart was home recuperating from recent surgery. The
runners for this first get together were Jim Stepan, Pete
Sanchez, Ray Serna, Steve Keyser, Oscar Carballo,
Mel Sandvig, Jackie Landsman, Rick Bustamente,
Mike Arroyo, and Jay Hernando. Support personnel
were Mike Melancon, Mike McKean, John Walker
and Lou Page.
Oscar Carballo still drives from Atascadero, in all
kinds of weather, to join us for each and every run. He
also brings his special watch that can tell if we shorten
or lengthen the course. We really appreciate this.
Our next run is scheduled for Sunday, November 25,
2012 at the Griffith Park course. We always meet in
the Crystal Springs area, behind the Park Ranger’s
Headquarters building at the far, far end of the parking lot, and I mean the far end. We arrive around 7:30
a.m., warm up and start the run. We finish around 9
a.m. and cool down, and adjourn to our local favorite
eatery, The Los Feliz Cafe, for brunch. We are not,
at this time, having a run in December. The runs are
scheduled to resume in January. The runs are on Sunday, January 27, 2013, Sunday, February 24, 2013 and
Sunday March 24, 2013. The March run is on the 4th
Sunday as the last Sunday of March is Easter.
The Baker to Vegas run for 2013 is scheduled for
Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, 2013. The finish line is once again in the Las Vegas Hotel (formerly
The Hilton) Convention Center.
We are always on the lookout for new team members,
both runners and support. To run for Old Blue you
must be retired from the LAPD or be in the DROP
program. There are a couple of exceptions so contact
us and we’ll check it out. Each year we have members
from other teams and other agencies contact us about
joining Old Blue but unfortunately they were not from
LAPD. They all said they like our team spirit and
organization.
Remember those dates and drop by and check us out,
or better yet come have breakfast with us, we all like
to share our stories. Old timers remember that the
starting line for our run is near the Merry Go Round,
where years ago many a Sunday was spent cleaning up
the park!
Thanks, Mike McKean
Odds and Ends . . .
from page 9
the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension System a
model for all pension plans.
Thanks Michael for all of your contributions and now
is the time for you and Blanca to enjoy the fruits of
your labor.

_____________________
William Quinn, President
LARFPA
What President said, “I’m not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.”
Retired Deputy Chief Harold W. Sullivan, who was a
drawing winner at our June BBQ, turned 100 years
old in October! Congratulations!!
11
LET’S FIRE IT UP
By Pat Connelly, L.A.P.R.A.A.C. Director
Over 80 years ago, the L.A.P.D. Shooting Team was
the genies that would become the Los Angeles Police
Revolver and Athletic Club. One only needs to see the
results of the “2012 Top Gun” scores to indicate that
the L.A.P.R.A.A.C. shooting teams are still bringing
home the gold medals.
Did you know that another L.A.P.D. Team is celebrating 100 years of participation? March of 2012,
marked the 100 year anniversary of the L.A.P.D. baseball team. In the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s our baseball team
played against the Hollywood Stars, L.A. Angels,
U.S.C. and U.C.L.A. and won more than their share
of games. Before WWII and after, many outstanding
minor league players joined the Department, recruited
by Department players to play baseball for L.A.P.D.
A trip back up to the Academy, the high fence in right
field kept the homerun ball out of the pool. The steps
behind home plate are still there, but not for long. The
renovation plans include upgrading that area off the
track for additional membership activities.
The L.A.P.R.A.A.C. Board of Directors met and
elected officers for 2012/2013 period. All past officers were elected for a second term: Ruben Holquin,
President; John Incontro, Vice-President; Kathy Meek,
Treasurer and Brenda Crump, Secretary.
A new member was elected to replace retiring Pat
Gannon. Tim Colomey was elected by the membership. Tim is a Sgt. II assigned to Metro Division. A
runner, Tim was a force behind the Department Elite
Baker to Vegas 2012 Championship Relay Team
and now is the new leader representative for the
L.A.P.R.A.A.C. distance running program.
Speaking of the Baker to Vegas Relay, hats off to Lou
Reyes, Ivan Ramos and Tim Colomey for putting
together an outstanding team of elite Department men
and women that won the 2012 Baker to Vegas Relay
Championship. Their leadership brought home the
“Gold Buckle” that has been absent for eleven years
Job Opportunities for Retired
Fire and Police
Check our web site, www.larfpa.com
for the L.A.P.D. The team for the first time was open
to the elite men and women. Amanda Kruze, #40641,
Mission Area, ran leg #6. Her time, 40:07 for 6.1
miles, was only 24 seconds slower than a male runner on the LACS Elite Team. Her time was 6th fastest time for her leg. Amanda was the first female to
be awarded a “Gold Belt Buckle,” signifying the best
team in the race.
Other members of the team were: Leg #1 – Elias
Aguayo, #39380, Hollywood Area; #2 – John Pultz,
#34942, Metro Division; #3 – Ibrahim Khamis,
#37966, Mission Area; #4 – Tim Colomey, #32059,
Metro Division; #5 – John Pedroza, Rampart Area;
#7 – Roger Forest, #32939, Training Division; #8
– Brian Damesworth, #35966, Metro Division; #9 –
Jeff Bert, #33112, Pacific Area; #10 – Kevin Moore,
#35866, Topanga Area; #11 – John Hendrix, #36498,
Rampart Area; #12 – Roberto Ruiz, #38154, Northeast
Area; #13 – Ismael Contreras, #36808, Olympic Area;
#14 – Scott Langford, #40641, Southeast Area; #15
– John Walker, #38023, Southeast Area; #16 – Tim
Smith, #39732, West L.A. Area; #17 – Nick Abbinanti,
Topanga Area; #18 – Michael Seguin, #25835, CTB
Major Crimes; #19 – Tom Chinappi, #27571, Metro
Division; and #20 - #39837, North Hollywood Area.
Retired members can now qualify for their CCW at
the Academy. For info: Lt. Burns, Training Division
[email protected]
12
From Director
Jim Wilke . . .
No Code 7 . . .
Will we always remember? I ask myself that question many times. I’ve talked to many students and
asked the question, “What happened on December
7th?” Normally they ask back, “what year?” I was
just a boy when December 7th, 1941 happened, and
I know I will never forget and I know that a lot of
our members also will not forget, as it changed their
lives. We are losing our WWII Veterans really fast,
and then who will remember? The same thing was
said about 911 and I attended the 911 Memorial at
the L.A. City Fire Academy again this year and it
was a good Memorial. Yet, only about half as many
people were there this year from last year, and half
the speakers. Each speaker touched on what it meant
to be there and how they will keep on remembering.
I know that students are taught about history and the
important events, but now the important thing is just
to pass the state tests. We as a country are accepting
complacency in too many areas of our lives. We are
complacent in voting (my vote won’t make a difference). We accept politicians who look out for them-
selves not serving the people or the country. It’s time
that we return to the God fearing nation we used to
be. Two quotes from past presidents stand out in my
mind as to what we need to get back on track. Harry
S. Truman made a statement and lived by it, “The
buck stops here.” President Truman took responsibility for his actions. John F. Kennedy stated, “Ask
not what my country can do for me, but what can
I do for my country.” I know each member of this
Association gave a huge part of their life to the City
of Los Angeles, some also gave a part serving in one
of our Military Services, but what else can we do? I
have gone on longer than I should and some will not
agree, and that’s OK, that is why this country of ours
is so great, we can agree to disagree and continue to
get along.
It’s hard writing this article in October, to get it in
our Newsletter for December, but I do want to wish
everyone a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy
New Year. May 2013 be a great year for all of us.
I leave you with this thought that comes from Proverbs: Chapter 27 verse 1 and 2. “Do not boast about
tomorrow. For you do not know what a day may
bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your
own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.”
May God Bless you and may God Bless America.
13
Sunday, December 9, 2012
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Annual Christmas Party
The Sportsmen’s Lodge
12833 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604
Deadline for Reservations:
November 30, 2012
The Christmas party is
hosted by the Los Angeles Retired
Fire & Police Association.
Members and their families only.
Self-Parking and Valet Parking
located off of Coldwater Canyon.
All reservations must be received
by mail on or before the
deadline date.
There will be no phone
reservations accepted.
Sorry, no refunds will be given.
Please pick up tickets
at the door.
Please contact the Association if you have any questions:
Toll Free: (888) 288-5073 or Email us at [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________________
Please return this section with your payment of $10.00 per person to:
LARFPA, 9521 Las Tunas Drive, Ste. #4, Temple City, CA 91780
Name:_________________________________________________ Phone:_________________________
Number of Adults:________ Children:________ Amount Enclosed:________ Check Number:_________
Please Check if you are Fire:_______ Police:_______
Please select your entrée options below (1 per person):
Steak with Mushroom sauce:_____ Lemon Herb Chicken:_____ Vegetarian:_____ Children’s Plate:_____
There will be no refunds given. Please send your reservation in by November 30, 2012
14
Coming
Attractions
RICK ORTIZ’S FIREFIGHTERS’
LUNCHEON
When:
Where:
April 2, 2013
10:30 am to Noon
Home Town Buffet
9635 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA
Los Angeles Retired Fire
And Police Association
BREAKFAST GET TOGETHER
When: March 6, 2013 — 10 am - 1 pm
Speaker: To Be Announced
Firefighters For Christ
General Membership Meeting
When: December 5, 2012 — 10 am - 1 pm
Speaker: L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino
Coffee, doughnuts and box lunches will be
available during the December and March
General Membership Meetings.
Central Coast Fuzz That Wuz
When:
Social:
Where:
Contact:
December 20, 2012
11:00 am/Lunch 12:00 pm
Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo
Jim Jones (805) 434-0245
email: [email protected]
When: March 21, 2013
Social: 11:00 am/Lunch 12:00 pm
Where: Ventana Grill, Pismo Beach
The Associates (Retired Police)
When:
Where:
Contact:
December 21, 2012 *Holiday Schedule
11:30 am
February 22, 2013
April 26, 2013
Taix Restaurant
Jim Mateer (909) 599-0062
[email protected]
or Bill Dumbauld (562) 598-8936
[email protected]
When:
Where:
Third Thursday of every month
7:30 am
Firehouse Cafe
1244 Sycamore Ave., Simi Valley, CA
For more info call (805) 498-7990
When: The FFC Los Angeles Chapter meets three times a month at 0800 hours to accommodate all three shifts (A,B,C). All are invited. Just show up!
Where: Downtown Denny’s
530 Ramirez Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(Across from Piper Tech)
Contact: Check FFC website for scheduled
meetings http://www.ffclosangeles.
com/FFC_Los_Angeles_Chapter/
Home.html
Inland Blue Line
Monthly Breakfast
When: First Tuesday of every month
9:00 am
Where: Richie’s Diner
40615 Murrieta Hot Springs Road
Murrieta, CA
Contact: Stan Kensic (951) 696-1971
or Bill Fromling (951) 308-4570
15
Italian-American Police
Officers Association
When:
Where: Contact:
2nd Wednesday of every month
5:00 pm
Palermo’s Restaurant
1858 N. Vermont
www.iapoaosc.org
LAPD CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
When:
Where: Contact:
4th Thursday of every month
Except November and December
11:30 am
Elysian Park Police Academy
Nancy Dwyer Room
Sgt. Mike Apodaca (213) 216-7009
www.lapcsg.com
LAPD Lake Havasu
When: Last Wednesday of every month
12:00 noon
Where: Elks Lodge
Contact: Tom Bradford (928) 453-4683
Old Blue Running Team
When:
Where:
Last Sunday of month
October through February
8:00 am
Griffith Park Ranger Station
Sacramento Area Blue Line
Association (SABLA)
When: 2nd Thursday of every month
except December - 11:30 am
Where: Annie’s Breakfast And Steaks
8800 Greenback Lane
Orangeville, CA (916) 988-1682
Contact: Joe Sandoval (916) 961-3679
Santa Clarita Silver Foxes
Breakfast Meeting
When: Last Thursday of every month
10:00 am
Where: Route 66 Classic Grill
18730 Soledad Canyon Rd.
Canyon Country, CA 91351
www.lapdsilverfoxes.com
South Orange CountyNorth County San Diego
LAFD Breakfast Club
When: Third Wedesday of every month
9:00 am
Where: Grandma’s Hilltop Hideaway
539 Vista Bella
Oceanside, CA 92054
Contact: Ed Diaz (714) 256-5769
Tehachapi Blue Line
When: First Wednesday of every month
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Where: Village Grill (upper room)
410 E. Tehachapi Blvd.
Contact: Dave Hiner
[email protected]
Valley Retired Blues
When:
Where:
Contact:
Third Wednesday of every month
10:30 am
Lamplighter Restaurant
DeSoto at Nordoff St., Northridge, CA
Emmett Drennen (818) 340-7561
WEST-END INLAND EMPIRE
BLUES (WEIE-BLUES)
When: Last Thursday of every month – Jan. 2012 to Oct. 2012
9:00 am *See holiday meeting schedule below
Where: CoCo’s Restaurant
60 West Foothill Blvd.
Upland CA 91786
909-985-9604 (S/W corner Euclid Street and Foothill Blvd.)
*Holiday Meeting Schedule:
December 6, 2012
Contact: Rick Alatorre: [email protected] or
Art Placencia: [email protected]
16
In Memoriam
Name
George D. Doerfler
Raymond P. Martin
Karl L. Smith
Franklyn N. Leavitt
Alfred Unzueta
Alvin R. Ruddick
Charles F. Nielsen
Name
Stephen Ryan Ivens
Ernest Celaya
Serial: 7053
Roy W. Longan
John S. Mitchell
Wm. L. Pottorff
Roger D. Probst
Edward J. Podroza
John W. Hamilton
Vernon L. Keyes
David M. Collier
John M. Rygh
Serial: 12691
Taylor L. Searcy
Gene T. Solis
Everett L. Schaper
Nancy Rudoff
Wm. A. Fedderson
Thomas W. Thornhill
Danny Frink
Name
Valerie D. Chapman
Lyvian E. Vernand
Mildred A. Kent
Anna D. Malcom
Died
8/16/12
8/21/12
8/25/12
8/30/12
9/5/12
9/8/12
9/11/12
Died
5/11/12
5/24/12
6/29/12
7/1/12
7/6/12
7/27/12
7/30/12
8/3/12
8/3/12
8/5/12
8/7/12
8/7/12
8/9/12
8/16/12
8/16/12
8/16/12
8/25/12
8/26/12
Name
Fire Side
Died
Franklyn “Frank” D. Cutter
9/17/12
Robert S. Melgoza
9/18/12
Richard A. Purdy
9/26/12
Leon R. Rauh
9/27/12
David L Megorden
9/29/12
Paul A. Orduna
10/5/12
Name
Police Side
Edward T. Zweifel
Mary Martin
Adam Safian
George L. Hampton
Serial: 10734
Michael F. Stingle
Dewayne A Wolfer
Paul Degrazia
Edward D. Willis
Jeanne M. Harris
Serial: 31479
Robert F. Howard
Richard Ortiz
Carl C. Smith
Charles L. Blogin
Jerry C. Swain
Serial: 7424
Johnny S. Wilson
Serial: 13970
Donald H. Shepherd
Died
8/26/12
8/30/12
8/31/12
9/1/12
9/3/12
9/4/12
9/10/12
9/11/12
9/13/12
9/18/12
9/18/12
9/18/12
9/19/12
9/23/12
9/26/12
9/29/12
Name
Died
Name
Died
Robert J. Board
10/7/12
Kenneth G. Skersick 10/7/12
Richard H. Downey 10/15/12
Rodney G. Cobb
10/24/12
Remo J. Tersolo
11/1/12
Glen E. Foster, Jr.
10/1/12
Serial: 6339
Earl N. Wells
10/2/12
Robert J. Tipton
10/4/12
William L. Smith
10/5/12
Sylvester E. Fanning, Jr.
10/9/12
Melvin H. Lunsford 10/11/12
Wilbur L. Clingan
10/13/12
Elton E. Sawyer
10/14/12
Serial: 4536
Howard D. Baxter
10/16/12
Warner M. Chinnis 10/17/12
James E. Salagi
10/18/12
David P. Sellers
10/18/12
Robert A. Luxford
10/21/12
William F. Goodwin 10/24/12
Larry L. Monett
10/29/12
Gilbert W. Hetrick
10/30/12
Harold G. Reilly
11/1/12
Fire Widows & Widowers
Died
8/1/12
8/4/12
8/8/12
8/10/12
Name
Evelyn C. Cromell
Ruth Waller
Jeanette E. Williams
Patricia M. Ragan
Died
8/29/12
9/5/12
9/14/12
9/16/12
Name
Died
Betty Jo Waibel
9/27/12
Lorilene J. Van Dell 9/30/12
Betty L. Marineau
10/10/12
17
In Memoriam
Name
Mary S. Fowler
Madeline L. Duttles
Betty M. Howlett
Esther M. Pearcy
Maria Elena Plew
Dorothy P. Arnold
Helen K. Woolley
Jannet Alvarez
Joan G. Peterson
Police Widows & Widowers
Died
7/29/12
7/30/12
8/4/12
8/10/12
8/10/12
8/18/12
9/8/12
9/9/12
9/13/12
Name
Died
Ruth L. Turner
9/14/12
Grace A. Barnes
9/16/12
Edna Lenocker
9/16/12
Bessie M. Bensen
9/21/12
Betty A. Williams
9/21/12
Georgiana A. Ferguson 9/25/12
Jeanne M. Walthuis
9/28/12
Nona Y. Barker
9/30/12
Esme M. Tarbox
10/1/12
Name
Dorothy F. Pond
Mildred Trukke
Violet A. Hartgrove
Irene D. Peters
Jessie E. Malone
Suzette A. Nichols
Shirley T. Nolan
Died
10/9/12
10/9/12
10/13/12
10/16/12
10/20/12
Unk
Unk
Police Death Notification List
AFLAC
Customer Service
1933 Wynnton Road
Columbus, GA 31119
(800) 992-3522
(800) 448-8922 Fax
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance
Customer Service
P.O. Box 100195
Columbia, SC 29202-3195
(800) 325-4368
(800) 880-9325 Fax
Los Angeles Fire & Police Pension
360 E. Second Street, Suite 400
Los Angeles Police Department
Employee Assistance Unit
100 W. First Street, Room 1061
Los Angeles Police Department
Personnel Division
Retirement Counselor (Sworn)
100 West First Street, Room 228
Active Member’s Death
Retired Member’s Death
Main Office
(213) 978-4500
(213) 978-4495
(213) 978-4455
Death & Funeral
(213) 486-7600
Notice
Commanding Officer Francois Gardere
or Officer Oscar Moreno
(213) 486-4650
Los Angeles Police Protective League
1308 West 8th Street, Suite 200
Sandy Avila or
Insurance Department
(213) 251-4554
Fax (213) 251-4566
Los Angeles Police Relief Association
600 N. Grand Avenue
Blanca or
Death Benefit Representative
(213) 674-3701
Fax (213) 674-3715
Police Memorial Foundation
1880 N. Academy Drive
(213) 847-4239
(323) 276-5970
18
Tips for Resisting
Unhealthy
Cravings
From: AARP
Most of us, at some point, have an irresistible urge
to eat a particularly fattening or unhealthy food. My
weakness is a craving for sugar late in the afternoon
when my energy and spirits sag.
According to a study published in May 2010 in
the Scientific American, women are more susceptible
to these urges than are men. But whatever your sex,
at some point you’ll be tested and it helps to have a
strategy for coping. Here are three FIT tips that I find
helpful in controlling my unhealthy food cravings:
F: Focus on what triggered the craving and forgo
responding immediately. Let me explain. Recently, I
got off an airplane and walked into the middle of an
airport food court. As soon as I smelled warm chocolate chip cookies, I desperately wanted one — even
several. But I reminded myself that when I came off
the plane I wasn’t hungry. So I shut out the enticing
aroma and the sight of all the people around me eating and kept walking. As soon as I left the food court,
the craving disappeared.
I: Inventory your prior food intake. When deciding
whether to indulge a craving, review what you have
already eaten that day, particularly at the last meal.
Researchers report that such a review triggers the “I’m
satisfied” experience. When I had my airport cookie
craving, I reviewed what I had eaten that day and realized I’d had enough. This research is consistent with
the conclusion of Dr. Edward Abramson, author of
Body Intelligence, that “only a small part of our eating
is actually triggered by physical hunger.”
T: Take time to plan and prepare your meals.
When you are looking forward to creating and eating a meal, you are less inclined to snack. If you plan
wisely — with fresh ingredients and healthy recipes — you will eat better and, probably, save money
because good planning means less waste. In general,
home-prepared meals tend to be more nutritious and
generally lower in fat than restaurant food.
When you sit down to eat, don’t eat until you are
stuffed. Try to pause when you are about 75 percent
full. Try not to take another bite for 10 minutes or
so, at which point you should feel satisfied. Mindful
eating will help you eat less while enjoying the food
more.
Temptations to indulge never go away, and they will
challenge you in your efforts to maintain the weight
and fitness you desire. But by recognizing them for
what they are — i.e., impulses, not genuine hunger
— and responding with self-control, you can gain the
upper hand over the munchies.
Winter Auto
Safety
To ensure winter time driving safety — if you live
in a cold climate — have your vehicle serviced and
winterized so it’s ready for winter driving and winter
road conditions. Some specific items to be checked
are the:
Tires: check the tire air pressure and make sure your
tires have sufficient tread.
Radiator: have the anti-freeze levels checked.
Belts: inspect the belts and hoses for cracks or leaks.
Oil: ask you mechanic about switching to a thinner
grade of engine oil for better performance in colder
temperatures.
Wipers: inspect the windshield wipers and wiper
fluid to ensure better visibility.
Battery: make sure the battery is fully charged.
our New Area Code, FAX NUMBER
AND Website.
Phones (626) 285-5138 • (323) 283-4441
Fax (626) 285-1461 • Toll Free (888) 288-5073
Website: www.larfpa.com
19
PUT YOUR CAR KEYS Eight Foods That
BESIDE YOUR BED
Help Lower
AT NIGHT – NOT A
Cholesterol…..
1. Avocados - contain a significant amount of oleic acid,
JOKE!
a healthy monounsaturated fat that helps boost HDL
Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you
hear a noise outside your home or someone trying
to get in your house, just press the panic button for
your car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will
continue to sound until either you turn it off or the
car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you
start to put your keys away, think of this:
It’s a security alarm system that you probably already
have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go
off from most everywhere inside your house and will
keep honking until your battery runs down or until
you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It
works if you park in your driveway or garage. If
your car alarm goes off when someone is trying
to break into your house, odds are the burglar rapist won’t stick around... After a few seconds all the
neighbors will be looking out their windows to see
who is out there and sure enough the criminal won’t
want that. And remember to carry your keys while
walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can
work the same way there. This is something that
should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it
could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
Special Notice to
our Members
Any Email correspondence that is addressed
to our Association office should state the
“Subject matter” under the subject space.
This is necessary due to the volume of emails
sent to the office.
Thank you all for your support.
Board of Directors
(good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol).
Avocados are also rich in fiber and a plant chemical
called beta-sitosterol, both of which help keep cholesterol in check.
2. Lentils - contain soluble fiber that form a sticky substance that traps cholesterol and helps move it out of the
body. Lentils and their kissing cousins, black-eyed peas
and kidney, lima and navy beans, come by their reputation as heart protectors with good reason.
3. Edamame - these young green soybeans with a buttery sweet taste are a protein powerhouse, rich in soluble
fiber and high in isoflavones, a plant compound that
brings down total blood levels of cholesterol.
4. Nuts - about 80 percent of calories in nuts come from
fat, but it’s healthy unsaturated fat, not the artery-clogging kind. Nuts are also high in plant sterols, substances
that block the absorption of cholesterol.
5. Olive Oil - it doesn’t just make food taste better.
The unsaturated fats found in olive oil (and canola and
walnut oil) have the added benefit of helping to cut LDL
cholesterol levels without affecting HDL. Aim for about
2 tablespoons a day in place of other fats.
6. Pears - contain natural fiber, much of it in the form of
pectin, which helps to knock down LDL levels. Suprisingly, fresh pears contain even more pectin than apples
do. Pectin binds with cholesterol and ferries it out of the
body before it can be absorbed.
7. Tea - both green tea and black tea can help lower
cholesterol levels. Green tea is prepared from unfermented leaves and black tea from fully fermented leaves
of the same plant. Researchers believe that catechins, a
type of antioxidant found in tea, are responsible for its
cholesterol-lowering effect.
8. Tomatoes - a significant source of a plant compound
called lycopene, which reduces levels of LDL cholesterol. Research shows that the body absorbs more lycopene
if the tomatoes are processed or cooked, so drink tomato
juice and add tomatoes to your minestrone soup as well.
20
Revised 7/2011
21
From Director
Richard Green . . .
Potential Concern
for Our Vision
Our eye sight is a body function upon which we depend in our daily living and yet we give little thought
until we note a problem with our vision. Two of the
most common eye diseases which we may contract
are cataracts and glaucoma.
Let’s first discuss glaucoma which affects 2.5 million
Americans. It is a chronic neurodegenerative disease
that causes damage to the optic nerve which transmits what we see to the brain. The disease is known
as the Shrinking Attentional Window. We first note
gradual loss of peripheral vision which progresses
to tunnel like vision and finally to blindness in the
infected eye. If undetected or not treated blindness
will be inevitable. For most, it starts with those in
their 60’s and one is not likely to notice any symptoms of the disease until we lose a segment of our
vision; however, an eye doctor can identify glaucoma
before significant damage has occurred.
Glaucoma causes a loss of peripheral vision, which
is the ability to see objects and movement on either
side of our direct line of sight when looking straight
ahead. This segment of our vision is especially
important when driving. While driving and concentrating on what is happening in front of us, our
peripheral vision can detect and alert us as to activity
occurring on either side of our direct line of sight as
we move down the road enabling us to avoid a potential accident. Glaucoma is caused by the increase of
pressure in the eye due to the increase of fluid which
will damage the optic nerve. The fluid known as
aqueous humor is a watery fluid located in the front
of the eye’s lens along with vitreous humor, a gel
like substance that fills the eye ball behind the lens.
Together, they form the pressure in the eye ball maintaining the shape and providing a lubricant in the eye.
As the body continues to generate the fluid, pressure
builds. To relieve the pressure, the eye and body
have ducts and canals to drain the fluid and relieve
the excess pressure in the eye. The disease occurs
when the ducts and or canals constrict or close reduc-
New Members
FIRE:
Carl A. Cook
Joe V. Espinoza
Robert N. Hartshorne
Gerald E. Jeffery, Jr.
Joseph M. O’Gorman
Kevin L. Rex
Wes Shundo
Paul D. Steinbacher
Vito Violante
James C. Walter
POLICE:
Julian J. Almaraz
Sylvia Bell Paul Bishop
Mason C. Burroughs
Paul W. Coulter
Patrick M. Gannon
Timothy C. Harris
Robert C. Lequin
Liavaa S. Moevao
Meliton Orozco
Vincent J. Pileggi
Linda N. Seybert
Cacharel Sarai Smaith
Larry R. Taylor
Mark Thompson
ing the flow, thus causing the pressure to build in the
eye damaging the optic nerve leading to irreversible vision loss and the possibility of blindness. The
damage is irreversible therefore early detection is a
critical factor. Peripheral vision loss can be noted
by the individual or eye doctor. When detected there
are several options for treatment. Eye surgery and
laser treatment are used to open the ducts and canals
or eye drops medication which enables the excess
fluid to drain from the eye and maintain the desired
pressure. There are no obvious symptoms; therefore,
regular eye examinations are essential in protecting
one’s vision into the future. One method you may
use to check your peripheral vision is to stand or sit,
look straight ahead and raise your arms to your sides
to eye level. Make fists with the thumbs extended up
and wiggle your thumbs with your arms 180* from
the line of sight. If you have to move your arms
forward to see your thumbs you have some loss of
peripheral vision. Loss of peripheral vision may be a
sign of glaucoma and is an indication that you should
see and eye specialist at your earliest convenience.

The President`s Message - Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police

Transcripción

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