Business Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2010
Call To Order:
President Steve Rayne called the meeting to order at 9:45.m.
Prayer: Dale Bashaw Pledge of Allegiance: Dale Bashaw
Recognition of Guests and Approval of Attendance: Steve Rayne
· Two first time attendees
Secretary's Report and Treasurer's Report:
· Motion by Izzy Flores, 2nd by Bobby Barnard to approve the minutes as printed. Voice Vote. Motion carried.
· Motion by Bill Elkin, 2nd by Fred Walschburger to suspend the regular meeting agenda to allow our guests to speak. Voice Vote. Motion Carried.
Dan Huberty - Candidate for State Representative District 127:
· Next Legislature must deal with a budget deficit, redistricting, illegal immigration and voter identification to name a few.
· He wants to promote fiscal responsibility, controlling the border, lowering property taxes, improving public education, growing the economy and demanding accountability from state and local government.
· Presently serving as Vice President of Clean Energy and President of the Humble Independent School Board. He worked his way through college and up through the ranks to Vice-President for one of the largest national parking companies.
· Lifelong conservative Republican, member of Humble and Kingwood Chambers of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, Rotary, Mothers and Students Against Drunk Driving and other community activities.
· Concerned about Public Safety and will seek advice from the law enforcement community.
· Requested support of our members
Don Smyth - Candidate for Judge of the 13th Harris County Criminal Court:
· Served 32 years as a Harris County Assistant District Attorney.
· Successfully investigated and tried 15 death penalty capital murder cases including the killing and HPD Sgt. Kent Kincaid and is involved in the recent shooting of Officer Pierce.
· County Criminal Courts are responsible for the disposition of misdemeanor cases such as DWI, less serious drug possession, theft and assault cases for which the maximum penalty is generally one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. His goal is to make sure defendants are held accountable for their actions.
· Conservative Republican requesting our support.
Lee Arellano - Candidate for Judge of 270th Harris County Civil District Court:
· 29 Years in practice, Board Certified Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
· President, Harris County Democratic Lawyers' Association.
· Trustee, Houston Lawyer Referral Service Board.
Speaker Committee - John Clinton:
· Introduced guest speaker Atty. Christine Butts.
· Provide information on Estate Planning and Probate.
Christine Butts - Candidate for Judge of the 4th Harris County Probate Court:
· Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
· Attorney for 12 years. Mission is to serve the survivors.
· Three types of people need a good will: families with young children, blended families, and families with special needs children.
· Shortest legal Last Will and Statement was, "All to Momma". The best Will is a well thought out legal document.
v Motion by Bill Elkin, 2nd by Nelson Foehner to return to the regular order of business. Voice Vote. Motion Carried.
President - Steve Rayne:
· Member Jack Harris has been appointed by the Board to serve as the Parliamentarian.
· Due to a death in Phil Tippen's family, the HPROA Financial Audit will be available at the March Meeting.
· We need Volunteers willing to prepare our meeting room each month at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Some of the duties include setting up the table and chairs, making coffee and handling the sign-in sheet.
Executive Director - Bill Elkin:
· Pension @ $2.92 Billion.
· 34 have retired to date; 19 in January, 15 in February, and 7 are scheduled to retire in March.
· This year 43 HPOPS members passed 20 years threshold.
· 568 HPOPS members will have passed the 20 year threshold 2011.
· TMPA Legal Defense Fund has net assets of $921,000. No one has utilized this service to date. Almost 200 HPROA retirees are members.
· TMPA endorsed State Representative District 129 John Davis, State Representative District 27 Dora Olivo, and Candidate for the Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown.
· Thank you notes were received from the families of Hardy Massey, Drayton "Doc" Fults, Bennie Jordy, Jean Watt, and Gayle Lynn.
· Thank you letters were received from District 148 State Representative Jessica Farrar, District 15 State Senator John Whitmire, and District 13 State Senator Rodney Ellis.
Retired Badge - Nelson Zoch:
· Early voting begins Tuesday, February 16 thru February 26. Election Day is March 2, 2010.
· Worked many homicide scenes with District Attorney Don Smyth and found him to be thorough and fair.
· The Board voted to again host the Police Week Reception in conjunction with the HPOU. The reception gives families and friends attending the Memorial Service a place to gather before and after the ceremonies.
· Articles may be e-mailed directly to Zoch at lt2212d599@hotmail.com.
· Any member with an address change should contact HPROA Secretary Cathy Buckles at (713) 802-2967, or at cathy@hpdretired.com
Membership Chairman - Floyd Nettles:
· We have 15 new members this month and 10 reinstated members.
· We currently have 1,447 members; the most ever.
Website Committee - Jim Ashby:
· 110,000 Website visitors last year. 10,000 hits in January.
· The Last Roll Call contains 320 names of our deceased friends. Please send pictures we can match to the names. The pictures will be returned.
· A CPR movie is on the Website.
· There is a place on the website for members to make changes to their address, phone number, or e-mail.
· Contact Ashby at (281) 498-3834, or at info@hproa.com, if you are having computer or e-mail problems, or have not been receiving the E-blast.
Entertainment Chairman - D. A. Miller:
· The Houston Reunion will again be held at the HPD Academy on Saturday, March 13, 2010. The date change was necessary due to the police gym being remodeled.
· The Surviving Spouses' Luncheon has been moved to the April Sound Country Club, 1000 April Sound Boulevard (off Highway 105 west) due to remodeling at the Walden Yacht Club. The Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The noon meal is complimentary for surviving spouses and a guest. All others are $16.50.
· The annual HPOPS Seminar will be held later in 2010.
Family Assistance Committee - Forrest Turbeville:
· Due to health issues, the current FAC members are in need of help picking up, storing and delivering donated medical supplies.
· There are medical supplies, such as Ensure and Depends, as well as wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc. in the storage unit. Please contact us if you or someone you know can use these items.
· The sick and shut-in report is on the back table. Please pick one up. The oral report will cover only those added after the list was printed. Family Assistance Reports are updated on the HPROA website.
· We do not know all the sick and shut in members. Please contact a member of the Family Assistance Committee with information regarding any officer we need to contact.
o Nelson Foehner (281) 351-4669
o Delvin Kendrick (281) 482-6418
o Forrest Turbeville (713) 319-5466
Political Action Committee - Steve Rayne:
· Political contributions were made to District 13 Senator Rodney Ellis, District 15 Senator John Whitmire, and State Representatives:
o District 130 Allen Fletcher
o District 133 Jim Murphy
o District 144 Ken Legler
o District 145 Carol Alvarado
o District 146 Al Edwards
o District 148 Jessica Farrar
o District 150 Debbie Riddle.
· Total PAC Fund Assets are $65,616.39.
· PAC meeting immediately following membership meeting.
New Business:
· Discussed the feasibility of providing volunteers to house sit at a members' home during the funeral service. Show of hands was approximately 50/50.
Door Prize Winners:
$50 - Jim Norwood
$50 - Robert Crane
$50 - Leonard Ignas
$50 - Ed Salinas
90 Members in attendance.
Meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
Sue Gaines
Board Secretary
