GFFA  endorsed incumbent Mayor Ron Jones won by an overwhelming majority in the May 9th election.   We were able to avoid the possibility of a runoff with the victory being as one-sided as it was. Thanks to Brian Ward and the PAC committee for showing a strong presence in the campaign. We were a vital part of this victory and we will use this as a stepping stone for future elction cycles. Mayor Jones is extremely happy with the turnout and wants to express his appreciation to all the firefighters for their support.

The first GFFA/ Taco Casa scholarship was awarded this week. We had around 10 applicants. Greg Fowler of Taco Casa and Todd Peele along with the scholarship committee went through the applications and selected this year's winner. VP Eric Brown presented the scholarship last week at the students award presentation at his school. Thanks to Eric for filling in and covering since the presentation was on C shift. Thanks to Taco Casa for donating the money that was used to fund the scholarship.

Thanks to all that showed up for the Habitat work day. We had a good turn out, and from the sounds of things, there were more than enough people. We will try to organize this type event again this year, so if you could not make it this time you will have other opportunities. Thanks again for volunteering your time to better the community we serve. The FOP is working with the Garland City Press to get an article about the event in the paper, so pick one up and read what they have to say. 

Thank you!!

Thanks to all that showed up, donated money, donated time at the golf tournament and especially Jerry Click for once again showing what Christmas and the Holiday Season is all about. We had a good turnout of family and membership to assist our shoppers and fun was had by all. Council members Larry Jeffus, Perky Cox, Preston Edwards and Mayor Jones showed up and assisted shoppers as well. We assisted about 75 kids this year and this really makes a difference in our community. We will be looking for other avenues to assist the community we serve throughout 2009, so thanks for your support in these great causes.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!!

May brings further congratulations to 3 other members of the GFFA for their retirements. Robert Pinson, Rick Ellison and Mark Gass have retired and we wish them well in their retirements.Thank you all for supporting the GFFA throughout your careers.

January we had three of our long standing members retire. We would like to say thanks and wish Dean Waddle, Mo Swor and Rex Erwin good luck in their retirement. Feb. 23 Raymond Sparks and Randy Carter retired. Thank you guys for keeping the association moving forward through the years. We hate to see you leave gentlemen, but we wish you well in your retirement. Goodluck and Godspeed. We hope to see you soon. 

IAFF Wins Passage of HELPS Retirees Bill

August 4, 2006 – The IAFF has won an unprecedented congressional victory in the successful passage of its HELPs retiree health care proposal and the elimination of early withdraw penalties from Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) accounts. Both proposals have been top IAFF legislative priorities this year.

“The joint passage of HELPs and the DROP language represent the most significant financial benefits ever provided by Congress exclusively to the nation’s fire fighters and other public safety employees,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “It is an enormous achievement.”

The bill, H.R 4, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, was passed overwhelmingly late August 3 in the U.S. Senate. The House had passed the identical bill last week. The legislation now heads to The White House for the president’s signature. All indications suggest that President George Bush will sign the measure.

Beginning in 2007, all current and future public safety retirees will receive a $3,000 tax credit towards the cost of health insurance or long-term care insurance premiums. Depending on the retiree’s tax bracket, this equals tax savings of between $540 and $870 per year. “The average retiree will see a lifetime in pocket tax savings in the tens of thousands of dollars,” says President Schaitberger. “The passage of HELPs is a real and measurable benefit to every IAFF member.”

The total cost of HELPs is in excess of $3.4 billion over the next 10 years.

Also included in H.R 4 is language eliminating the 10 percent penalty for withdrawals from DROP accounts prior to age 59 1/2. Beginning January 1, 2007, retirees can access DROP money at age 50.

“The passage of this bill is the result of 18 months of hard work and effective lobbying of leadership in both parties about the necessity of passing a pension bill that included our HELPs and DROP language.”

The IAFF’s proposal was supported by several congressional allies, including Representative Chris Chocola (R-IN), the bill’s principal sponsor who shepherded the legislation throughout the entire process.

“This victory is the result of our bipartisan approach to politics and lobbying,” Schaitberger says. “Once again, our union has delivered real results for our membership and highlighted the value and importance of political action.”

Do these name mean anything to you?  Should they?  You bet they should.  I do not know what the environment was like at the city or the fire department in 1958.  Some of you think I do, but I was only 4 years old at the time.  I know it took courage to put your name on this document. This is where it all started.

Lester Pelton, Cecil Nelson, Jack Abernathy, Thomas Cook, E.L. (Whistle) Hayes, Rudolf Garcia, Herbert (Fuzzy) Owens, Vernon Poor, Herbert Twyford, George Miller, J.W. Nelson, Bob Burkhart, Wilson Wright, George Melaun, Roy Schrick, John Rushing, Terry Harris, Owen (Bud) Bickel, Ted Cornelius, Calvin Herrin, D. R. (Shorty) Williams, E. J. (Buddy) Boren...

These are the names on the "Certificate of Affiliation" that chartered the Garland Fire Fighters Association, Local 1293 on January 18, 1958.  13 of these 24 members were here when I joined the GFFA.

Thanks to David Gott, Vice President and former President, who took our charter and had it very nicely matted and framed.  David presented it at the last association meeting.  I offered to reimburse him the cost, but David said he wanted it to be a gift to the GFFA from him to show his appreciation for what this organization has done for past, present, and future fire fighters in Garland.

Thanks David. 

Stop by and view this document for your self.  It is indeed a big part of our history.