Good weather early in the new year brought about the first group mountain bike trail ride.  Pictured here at the trailhead are TFD members (L-R)   Josh Spinhirne, Matt Ottaberry, Terry Hawkins, Dave McClung, Kelly Shirley, Lance Crowson, Ross Hamilton, Joey Hooton, Casey Cabaniss, Aaron Smith.

Rides are ongoing, so get in touch with one of these members to find out when the next scheduled ride is and join in!

 The Pink Heals South Texas chapter toured the Tyler area today, ending up at the Turn Tyler Pink 2011 event on the downtown square.  
Along the way we visited several local businesses, including Tyler Ford, where David Irwin presented Tyler C.A.R.E. with a $1000 donation.  Thank you David Irwin and Tyler Ford!!

Following is some info concerning our retirement benefits that should at least concern, if not alarm you!  

This issue is a good example of why it is important to not only be a member in the Local Association, but also take an interest in the meetings of the association and the pension board. For those who are not familiar with the terminology, A DB { Defined Benefit Plan} is what we have. This tells you exactly what you will receive when you retire and is based on your contributions and the good experience over the years of investments by that fund. A DC { Defined Contribution Plan } tells you how much you will put in but does not guarantee what you will draw at retirement. A lot of the names on the board taking up this cause will be recognized by those of us who have been involved with the activities of the State Association. I have spoken with Jim and he agrees that we should encourage all our department members to read this attachment and become aware that not only is it being addressed by the different state pension associations but the State Firefighters Association also. 

The Greater Houston Partnership has voted to start a campaign to eliminate DB plans for public employees. They have created a 501C4 and a PAC to raise monies to push for a Constitutional Amendment to prohibit DB plans for all public employees in the State of Texas. This effort is being pushed by Bill King (former Mayor of Kemah), Patrick Oxford, Chairman of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP and Charles Swanson, Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LL along with several others. As a result of this movement John Lawson, Executive Director of Houston Police Officers Pension System hosted a meeting of the large pension systems and several others. As a result of that meeting a working group was assembled to form an organization (501C 4) to counter this effort for the sole purpose of protecting DB plans for public employees. Below are the minutes from that meeting. In the minutes there were suggested names of persons to serve as officers and Directors of this new organization called “Texans for Secure Retirement”. It was also decided that a PAC needed to be created to raise the necessary funds, but the details of the PAC would be determined at a later date. The next meeting of this group would occur following the TEXPERS Summer Forum conference sessions on Monday August 8 to approve the list of Officers and Directors. It was further felt that this group be representative of pension funds, unions, employee groups, retirees and teachers.

Minutes (Notes) of the Texans for Secure Retirement meeting held on Monday, July 25, 2011 at HillCo Partners at 10:00am.

Discussion was led by Robert Miller regarding setting the Articles of Incorporation.  HillCo will assume the responsibility of setting up the mailing address and post office box for the organization.  LockeLord will be responsibable for the Articles of Incorporation and filing the paper work with the Secretary of State. 

The organization will form as a 501(c) 4 non-profit.  The designation will have to be filed with the State Ethics Commission.

There was further discussion regarding a campaign treasurer and seating the board of directors.  Note:  Some names of interest to front the organization are Nolan Ryan (Texas Rangers), Mark White (former Governor), John Sharp (former Comptroller) and Ed Witacer (AT&T & GM).

Mike Higgins, Chief of Staff TSAFF volunteered to administer the PAC and file reports.

The Board of Directors was appointed as follows:

Max Patterson, President

Paul Brown, Secretary

George Tomasovic, Dallas

Pete Morin, Austin

Eyna Canales-Zarate, TEXPERS

Shawn Ury, San Antonio

John Lawson, Houston

John Jenkins, Dallas

Members discussed formulating a Mission Statement/Purpose; also, to get the number of public employees in Texas.  Paul Brown discussed with Mike Higgins on getting the information from the Texas AFL-CIO data base.

Discussion on how to fund the PAC included $100,000 in seed money with a goal of $2 million dollars.

Discussion on communication strategies included DB vs. DC literature for education purposes.  There was discussion on message, strategy, market target audience, PR firm, internal and external communications which led to setting a budget and hiring a consultant.

The Tyler Professional Fire Fighters Association "CARE" is sponsoring teams for the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" and the American Cancer Society  "Relay for Life"

A.C.S.  "RELAY FOR LIFE":  This is a 12 hr event that is going to take place on the night of April 8-9. 7pm-7am. It will take place at the Robert E. Lee practice track. This event is not competitive and there is no keeping time or score.  We have been told that this is a laid back event that will have a lot going on.

KOMEN "RACE FOR THE CURE":  For this event you have a choice to either participate in a timed 5K run, or a 1-mile fun run/walk.  This event will take place Saturday May 7, 2011 at Bergfield Park. Several members have run this event in the past and had a great time.

PURPOSE:  These events are set up to raise awareness in the public for those who struggle with cancer.  The funds raised will go toward cancer research and the local community support is based on the discretion of the host organization.  The Tyler Professional Fire Fighters Association is just beginning to start a working relationship with these organizations in order to better support our members who currently battle cancer or may be diagnosed with cancer either with themselves or their families in the future.  A good turnout is one way that we can show the public and these organizations our commitment to take care of those who need help.
 

The annual B.F. Herron Memorial Firefighter Fishing Tournament is scheduled for April 18-19, 2011, fish fry will be at 17:30 on Tuesday.
For more info contact Casey Cabaniss.