Dear Members,

The Municipal elections will be held on March 9, 2010. As always, I can’t overemphasize the importance of members casting their vote. Our ability to protect you and our benefits is directly related to whether or not we are successful in electing and defeating political candidates. Therefore, I ask each one of you to go to the polls and vote the PBA way. As equally important, I ask that you request your friends and family do the same. Listed below are the candidates that we endorsed for the municipal elections.

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Mayor Roseann Minnet – Mayor
Scot Sasser – Commissioner, District 1
Christopher Vincent – Commissioner, District 2

Pembroke Pines
Commissioner Carl Schechter – District 1
Commissioner Angelo Castillo – District 4

Please remember to vote on March 9.

On January 29, the Broward County PBA Executive Board and attorneys attended the Broward County Bar Association robing ceremonies for circuit judges Barbara Anne McCarthy (PBA supported), Michael Allen Usan (PBA supported), Carlos Augusto Rodriguez, David Alan Haimes and County Court Judge Edward Harold Merrigan Jr. (PBA supported).

Also on January 29, we assisted in sponsoring the retirement party for Lindsey Dalton for her 20-plus years of dedicated service to the pension board of the Pompano Beach Police & Firefighter’s retirement system. Congratulations, Lindsey; we wish you all the best.

I would like to thank all the members who helped with our rallies and efforts to inform the public of the situation in the City of Pompano Beach. There was a tremendous turnout of residents and business owners, many of whom took the time to come out and speak in support of BSO staying as the law enforcement agency for Pompano Beach. We will continue our efforts and keep you informed until this is finally resolved.

As a commissioner on the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), I was recently appointed to the Penalty Guidelines Task Force. During a workshop last October, the Commission recommended to reconvene the Task Force to address the time frame for which an officer can recant a false statement.  The Task Force reconvened on February 18th, and Task Force accepted the PBA’s proposed revision to the rule which will now go before the entire Commission for approval at the next meeting, scheduled for May 19th. The proposal modifies the point at which a disciplinary investigation is adversely affected and makes that point the conclusion of the internal affairs investigation, i.e., when the investigator signs off on the report and makes a decision on whether a disciplinary charge is sustained or not sustained.

And I would be remiss if did not include this in our March Centurion: Erin Go Bragh and Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!

I thank each and every one of you and your families for your sacrifices, hard work, and the risks you take everyday. We are men and women who have chosen a profession to serve with pride and honor. It is a profession like no other. God bless and be safe.

Let’s start by hoping everyone has adjusted to the New Year; January is already gone. I am writing 2010 almost all the time now.

I would, however, like to refer back to 2009 and take this opportunity to recognize and thank BSO Detective Joe Kessling for his hard work and untiring dedication to the fundraiser he did in November for Michael Brewer, the 15-year-old boy who was set on fire by a few bullies. Those who know Joe know once he gets on something, he doesn’t stop. The event, held at Galluppi’s in Pompano, was a huge success. Great work, Joe.

On Saturday, January 9th, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink stopped by the Broward PBA to discuss current PBA issues and the upcoming legislative session. Ms. Sink is seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor in November’s election.  I would like to thank Ms. Sink for Saturday and for all the times she has made herself available to the Broward PBA to discuss our concerns.

At BSO a letter was written about the PBA claiming victory in getting a 3% raise last year when the cost of living was 7%.  This letter either embellishes the truth or tells outright lies throughout. If I’m not mistaken, and I’m not, all BSO Deputies/Sergeants got 2% First Responder pay in April 2009, a 3% COLA in October 2009, and those with over 20 years got the new 2% longevity pay. I’m not the greatest mathematician, but that seems to add up to every Deputy/Sergeant either getting 5% or 7%. Now that does depend on whether you consider the 2% First Responder pay as a raise, which it is according to the letter in October of 2009 where it was alleged to be forfeited, but according to another letter, it’s not in April of 2009 because the letter does not even mention the Deputies/Sergeants receiving it in 2009, which they did. Three percent was the average wage increase for law enforcement officers in Broward County for 2009. It is evident that the author of the letter believes that 5% or 7% was not a good enough raise and he would not have taken it. As I stated before, the membership voted 1140 to 63 to accept it, and that to me says the membership wanted it. Apparently the author of the letter believes that our membership doesn’t know what’s good for them, only he knows what’s good for them.

I thank each and every one of you and your families for your sacrifices, hard work, and the risks you take every day. We are men and women who have chosen a profession to serve with pride and honor. It is a profession like no other. God bless and be safe.

Dear Members,
The 2010 Florida legislative session begins on March 2 and ends on April 30. As usual, our proposed legislation, if passed, will have a positive impact on our members. Furthermore, we have put ourselves in a great position to succeed by securing outstanding sponsors for our bills. I have listed below the bills (along with their sponsors) that will specifically affect our members in Broward County.
• Legislation extending the period of DROP participation for Law Enforcement, Correctional and Correctional Probation Officers an additional 36 months (Representative Snyder 249 and Senator Baker SB 612)

• Legislation changing the Special Risk upgraded credit from two percent to three percent (Representative Hooper HB 49 and Senator Baker SB 198)

• Support for the Officer Malcolm Thompson Act (Senator Baker SB 162)
• Support for an increase to the FRS Health Insurance Subsidy (There is no bill number at this time)
As the session moves forward we will also support legislation favorable to the PBA membership and oppose legislation harmful to the membership. I will keep you updated as the session progresses. As always, your Executive Board
and members of the Board of Directors will be in Tallahassee to actively lobby on your behalf.

In Solidarity

Neil Vaughan

Vice President

As we enter into 2010, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and had time to spend with family and friends. Often when we are entering a new year, we look back over the past twelve months and reflect. I found this past year to be an exciting and trying one. Last January when Dick Brickman decided to resign as president of the PBA, by the constitution and by-laws as senior vice president, I became president. I had served on the Executive Board for twenty-plus years in various office, but discovered that there is more to being president then I knew. But I am fortunate that I have a terrific staff already in place and a very supportive Executive Board and Board of Directors. Without that, I would be lost. Of course, I can remember when you could have fit the entire Board of Directors in a small storage room.

In July I was appointed to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. In August I attended a Commission hearing. In September I had my FDLE orientation and attended a probable cause hearing. In October was my first full probable cause /commission hearing as a sitting commissioner.

In November, I was elected as PBA president for a new three-year term along with the entire Executive Board. I truly appreciate the confidence and trust that the Board of Directors has shown us. My plans are to complete this new term and then retire. However, no one can predict what can happen in three years, but that is my plan.

I am looking forward to the challenging times ahead and to moving the PBA forward with your help. We are not yet out of these tough economic times ; I’m sure we will still have some struggles. I know my name will be and has been brought up—some good, some bad. I cannot make every one happy. As Abraham Lincoln said: “If I were to try and read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, then ten angels swearing I was right, would make no difference.”

On December 2, 2009, I, along with vice president Neil Vaughan, appeared and testified before the Florida Parole Commission regarding Dawn Sobel.Dawn Sobel, along with John Gombos, planned an attempted escape of prisoner Gary Eaton, who was in custody of the Broward Sheriff’s Office. On July 11, 1979, during the escape attempt, Deputy Joseph Conte was brutally shot and killed. Dawn Sobel received 75 years for second degree murder and aiding an escape. The commission affirmed no change in her parole release date.

I thank each and every one of you and your families for the sacrifices you make everyday. We are men and women who have chosen a profession to serve with pride and honor. It is a profession like no other. God bless and be safe.

Dear Members,

The 2009 regular legislative session convenes on March 3, 2009. Due to the economy, it seems that things won’t be any easier this year than it was last year. That being said, we are certainly optimistic about our ability to move our legislative agenda forward. As usual, the PBA will be in Tallahassee fighting until the very end. Listed below is an outline of our 2009 Legislative Agenda.

Equitable pay increases for state correctional, correctional probation, and law enforcement officers represented by Florida PBA, including but not limited to, pay compression and retention issues.
Legislation extending the period of DROP participation for Law Enforcement, Correctional and Correctional Probation Officers an additional 36 months
Legislation clarifying the types of evidence, such as video surveillance, an officer who is the subject of a complaint can view prior to an investigation
Legislation clarifying the 180 days rule in the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights
Legislation changing the Special Risk upgraded credit from two percent to three percent
Legislation adding property disclosures to the list of public record exemptions
Support for changes and clarifications to investment guidelines contained in Chapter 185

As you would expect, in reference to legislation proposed by others, the PBA will support legislation favorable to our membership and oppose legislation harmful to our membership.
We will keep you informed of our progress throughout the session.

In Solidarity,

January first marked the end of a great era in Broward County PBA history. For the first time in twenty-nine years, Dick Brickman is not the President of the Broward County PBA. Dick has decided to resign from the PBA President’s office. It was my distinct pleasure to serve as a PBA Rep/Board of Directors member, Legislative Director, Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President and Senior Vice President during his tenure. To say that Dick has been an ICON at the Broward County PBA would be a gross understatement. To say the least, it was an exciting time at the PBA to work for Dick.

President Brickman has left quite a legacy and will be a hard act to follow. This organization has come a long way under his leadership and the PBA has proven to be a powerful political and professional organization. Under Dick’s leadership, the PBA has gained many major benefits for our members, greatly improved member services and tremendously increased membership.

As your new Broward County PBA President, I feel it is an honor beyond description to be involved with the strongest and most respected union around. I will continue to do my utmost to live up to the standard that has already been established. The PBA has achieved many wonderful things for our members and we will continue to be relentless in ensuring the well-being of our members.

Thank you, Dick, for your guidance and friendship. I must also thank the PBA Executive Board, the Board of Directors and the entire Broward County PBA staff for all their hard work, dedication and support; without them this would not be possible.