Message from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer - 01/28/2022
NYSTPBA Newsletter Message from NYSTPBA President Tom Mungeer In Memoriam On January 22, 2022, Special Agent Anthony C. Salas of the Texas Department of Public Safety succumbed to injuries he received in an automobile accident the day before. He was survived by his wife and three children. The Long Gray Line Stands with our Brothers and Sisters in Blue The senseless murders of New York Police Department Officers Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera last week have sent shockwaves across the state and nation. Responding to a domestic dispute that quickly turned into an ambush, the two officers never had a chance as a career criminal with a stolen gun opened fire on them. Thankfully, a third officer was able to quickly end the rampage before the shooter was able to escape the apartment and inflict harm upon others. I was with Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell at an event in New York City when the news of the shooting was delivered. While we all held out hope for the victims, it was soon apparent that there was not going to be a happy ending to the story. Our collective thoughts and prayers go out to the Mora and Rivera families as well as their friends and co-workers. I know that we will have an impressive showing today at Officer Rivera’s funeral and next Wednesday the scene will be repeated for Officer Mora. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 Legal Defense Fund I am happy to report that after tallying the ballots yesterday, the Legal Defense Fund initiative passed by a 5-to-1 margin. Our profession has never been in the crosshairs as much as it is now. Every action we take and statement we make is analyzed, scrutinized and all too many times demonized by a litany of so-called “experts” who do not know the first thing about what it means to be a member of law enforcement, whether in the middle of a violent confrontation or trying to referee a domestic dispute for that matter. For nearly 80 years the NYSTPBA has tried its best to protect the rank-and-file Troopers and provide the best possible legal and labor representation. Our efforts are often successful. However, with a well-organized and financed movement against us, we now must rise to the occasion and provide an equal response. A bi-weekly increase in dues in the amount equal to 0.00095 of an upstate 10-year Trooper salary level (that’s 95 cents per $1,000 of the salary per year) will be implemented. Currently, that amounts to $4.29 a paycheck per member, regardless of rank. I do find it odd that out of the 245 “No” votes, more than half were cast by the Supervisors Unit. C’mon guys, we’re all in this together. As Benjamin Franklin famously once said, "We must, indeed, allhang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." Nero Still Fiddles Away New York City Mayor Eric Adams has lent his voice to the growing uproar concerning the so-called criminal justice reforms in 2019 by calling on legislators to amend bail laws to give judges more discretion when dealing with potentially dangerous defendants, reverse reforms made to the state’s discovery laws as well as the “raise the age” legislation, which upped the age of criminal responsibility to 18. At Tuesday’s New York state legislative Public Safety hearings, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks stated that the state’s judges are in favor of amending the bail reform law. “Many judges, if not most of our judges who sit on criminal cases, would like more discretion when making determinations about bail,” he said. However, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie threw cold water on the idea by stating they were both opposed to Adams’ recommendations. “I mean, it’s unfortunate that people have found that this is a very easy way to sort of demonize one side and, and not do much work,” the Majority Leader stated, referring to those who attack the bail reform measures. D.A. Bragg to Get his Pee Pee Slapped Gov. Kathy Hochul is reportedly going to meet with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg today to reel back the wayward prosecutor. However, she stopped just short of calling for his removal from office. “I know full well the powers that the governor has — I’ll be having a conversation very shortly to convey, to let him tell me what his plans are and make sure that we’re all in alignment,” she stated on Wednesday. “I have options, but I will be monitoring the situation very closely.” Poor little guy. Probably kept up with you for a mile or so. Quote of the Week I The Working Families Party has gone off the deep end. They are competing with the Democratic Socialists of America, as to who can come up with the craziest and most radical agenda. - Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D-Brooklyn). NYSP to the Rescue…Again As a governor, I control the borders. OK? I’ve got a larger responsibility to stop the flow of guns into the state. - Governor Hochul on stopping the flow of illegal guns into New York. It sounds like our duties are being increased again. Thankfully, unlike her predecessor, she is planning ahead and has already promised two consecutive, large Academy classes this year. The Rest of the Story Former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver died earlier this week at the age of 77. While most people will remember him as someone who went from being the most powerful man in the state to one serving a 6 ½-year prison sentence, I will add one footnote. After Gov. David Paterson abruptly and unceremoniously vetoed the Tier 2 retirement extender in 2009, members of his staff underhandedly tried to ram a new tier through the Assembly, one that would have taken away the 20-year retirement and instead replaced it with a 25-year one, without having a conversation with the affected unions. A small group of police union legislative representatives, made up mostly of members of the NYSTPBA, worked through the night speaking to nearly all of the members of the Assembly, rallying them to our side of the issue. Shelly Silver, seeing the effort being put forward by us, told the Second Floor that their bill was not going to be voted upon by the Assembly, thus forcing them into negotiations. The resulting Tier 5 legislation was fraught with problems, most glaringly pension contributions, but the 20-year retirement was saved for future generations of Troopers and police officers. Shelly Silver may have been a lot of different things to different people, but he was in our corner when we needed him that night and nearly 2,300 NYSTPBA members currently have the option of a 20-year retirement because of that. As Paul Harvey used to say, “Now you know…the rest of the story.” The Iron Horse On Tuesday, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli passed former Gov. Nelson Rockefeller on the list of the longest-tenured officials holding the top executive branch posts of governor, attorney general or comptroller in New York’s history. He now stands at number 5 and will soon move up to fourth on that list, as he’s due to pass former Attorney General Robert Abrams on Feb. 8, upon his 15th anniversary in that position. DiNapoli’s tenure has now overlapped with that of four governors, four attorneys general, eight leaders of the state Senate, and two Assembly speakers (and 6 NYSP Superintendents and 2 Acting Superintendents). It has been - and will continue to be - a pleasure working with you, Mr. Comptroller. Quote of the Week II When the governor resigned from office that reinforced something to me because I’ve always been of the belief that if I’m accused of something that I did not do, I am never going to take a plea or plead guilty to a lesser charge or resign. I’m going to stay and fight. Because if I’m right, I’m going to fight. And I think that to me it was concerning because why would you ever step away if you were innocent? - Bob Duffy - former Lieutenant Governor and current President of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, regarding Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation and allegations of sexual harassment. Team Cuomo The former governor’s PR team, fueled by a war chest of over $16 million, has continued to send out missives questioning the Attorney General’s integrity. Although I usually hit the delete button relegating Team Cuomo to the trash bin, this week a portion caught my eye, which I must say I agree with - With every passing day there is more and more evidence that prosecutorial misconduct was committed, and that James’ office was corrupted to further her own political ambitions. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. Road Soda, Anyone? Amid the renewed talk of reviving the “alcohol-to-go” policy, an advisory appeared on the State Liquor Authority’s website stating, “Licensees please note, providing liquor and wine drinks to go is not currently permissible under the law.” Violations could result in financial penalties or even suspension or cancellation of a liquor license, according to the SLA. Currently, only beer, cider and mead may be sold with takeout or delivery food orders, not wine, spirits or cocktails. Mead? What year is this? 1322? ARTHUR: I am your king! WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you. ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings. WOMAN: Well, 'ow did you become king then? ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king! DENNIS: Listen -- strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. ARTHUR: Be quiet! DENNIS: Well you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you! ARTHUR: Shut up! DENNIS: I mean, if I went around sayin' I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me they'd put me away! ARTHUR: Shut up! Will you shut up! DENNIS: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system. ARTHUR: Shut up! DENNIS: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! HELP! HELP! I'm being repressed! Mask Limbo Although a Nassau State Supreme Court judge ruled late Monday that Governor Hochul’s mask mandate violated the state Constitution and is therefore not enforceable, an appeals court issued a stay the following day. Stay tuned (with your mask on). Signal 30 Payroll Deduction Mix-Up You may have recently received a thank you letter from the Signal 30 Benefit Fund for your 2021 donation that you made through payroll deduction. As a result of a mistake made by the mail house that processed the letters, numerous members received the wrong deduction letter. All members will be sent an updated and corrected letter to have for your taxes. It is planned to be mailed on January 31. If you need your letter prior to that, please contact Managing Director Susan Streb at sstreb@nystpba.org and she will take care of it for you. Skis, Boards and Badges Fundraiser - February 4 at Catamount Mountain Resort This family event is open to all law enforcement personnel, civilian employees and their immediate families. Come out for a fun day and the post party raffle to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. All monies raised will help us win the battle against MS. Tickets are available now: Adults/Kids Lifts $35 Non-Skiers Dinner Only $25 Lift Ticket & Dinner $55 Tickets will be available on the day of the event for an additional $20 per ticket. To purchase tickets, go to www.skisboardsandbadges.net; follow instructions for online registration no later than the end of the day on February 2. If you have any questions, or know of persons or companies interested in making contributions to the raffle, contact Jim at Troop “K” QM, (845) 677-7368 or e-mail sbbquestions@gmail.com. Disability Insurance Open Enrollment There is currently an open enrollment for active members for long-term disability insurance, as well as short-term disability, specified disease and accident coverage policies. The new benefit summaries are posted on the NYSTPBA website for your review. If you have any questions, please contact EPIC Risk Solutions at 845-360-5885 or epicrisksolutions5@outlook.com and speak to Emma Kruger or Dawn Stewart. They can walk you through the new benefits and the enrollment process. This email is an automated notification, which is unable to receive replies. To send a comment to the NYSTPBA, please contact us at nystpba@nystpba.org
The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers 120 State St. Albany, New York 12207 (518) 462-7448 http://www.nystpba.org