PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Another election season is completed and the newly elected Board Members have been sworn in. I have been honored by the membership to be elected as President of the Houston Police Retired Officers Association for the 2005-2006 term of office.
I want to thank Ken DeFoor for his dedication and service as President during the last two years. His efforts, as well as preceding Presidents and Board Members, have made our Association the success it has become.
This election was an historic one for your Association. It is the first election using the new mail-in ballot process. Mail-in ballots provides all members the opportunity to participate in the election of their officers. This change resulted in the largest vote total since the creation of the HPROA ten years ago. This is an incredible example of our Association’s commitment to openness in the election process. It is a tremendous leap forward, an opportunity to truly hear the will of all the membership, regardless of where they may make their homes.
Such a positive response will serve as encouragement to all Board Members as we face the many challenges that are being placed in HPROA’s path. Those challenges are being promoted by forces that seek to reduce or redefine the hard won benefits presently enjoyed by members and their survivors.
We are challenged to find ways to overcome the negative attitudes of some locally elective and appointed officials who consider retirees and our benefits as ripe plums to pick to pay for current employee cost or for political paybacks. We are challenged to continue working with our state officials to protect the integrity of the Houston Police Pension System from those who would use our money to fund political goals or business interest. We are challenged to find an effective voice to express our specific needs and interest at the National level of government. Federal policies and legislation have been used to irrationally reduce benefits by unfair and misguided directives and laws. The most egregious being the reduction by up to one-half of Social Security benefits to all retires who retired after 1986.
As we face the New Year, we will need greater participation by the whole membership to advise, guide and to serve with your Board and Committees as they represent you. We are ready for the challenge and truly ask for your continued help.
My election to this honorable office is the greatest honor I have received in my 37 year police career. Nothing surpasses it and I am energized by the challenges and encouraged by your support as we move forward for the benefit of all our members.
