February 4, 2023                                OUR VSF LEGISLATION RE-INTRODUCED IN ALBANY &
                                                          LATEST NEWS ON THE CITY'S PROPOSED HEALTH PLAN 
From Alan Berkowitz

S5107 (the Variable Supplements Bill) was reintroduced in the 2023 legislative session under a new print number: S4158.

Senate Bill S4158

Extends the benefits of the variable supplements fund to all New York city police officers, firefighters, housing police, transit police, correction officers and registered domestic partners

Sponsor: SEN. SANDERS

Recent Actions:
• Feb 3, 2023 - REFERRED TO CITIES 1      Review S4158 on WWW.NYSenate.gov

As soon as we hear of an Assembly bill introduced, we will post that and urge all retirees to contact their Senators and Assembly representatives to vote in favor of these bills.

LATEST NEWS ON NY CITY'S PLAN TO CHANGE OUR HEALTH PLANS

One good news is the recent judge's ruling that Emblem Health / GHI Senior Care cannot charge for co-pays. This took effect on January 22nd. It is recommended that should your doctor insist on charging for the co-pay, either show him the judge's ruling or pay it and keep a receipt. Emblem Health is contesting this ruling in court and if they fail to win, they will set up some way to reimburse you.
                                                                      

Senior Care members, EmblemHealth has suspended the $15 co-pay for certain services offered through the GHI Senior Care Plan due to on-going litigation and pursuant to court order.

Until further notice, no $15 copay will be required for the services listed below.

• Office visits (PCPs)
• Office visits (Specialists)
• Allergy Testing/Injections
• Chiropractic Services
• Podiatry (non-Routine)
• Cardiac Rehab
• Pulmonary Rehab
• Vision Care (Medicare-covered)
• PT, OT & Speech therapy
• Diagnostic lab/X-ray (including Hi Tech Imaging)
• Radiation therapy
• Partial Hospitalization - Mental Health
• Partial Hospitalization - Substance Abuse

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams
The bill is a last resort in the Adams administration’s longtime effort to enroll the city’s roughly 250,000 retired workers in a cost-cutting Medicare Advantage Plan that critics say would result in inferior health coverage.
Courts have twice blocked the administration from implementing the plan due to a provision that would slap $191 monthly premiums on retirees who want to opt out of it in favor of staying on traditional Medicare. While Advantage would be free, the courts have said the administration’s proposed financial penalty for other coverage runs afoul of a local law known as 12-126 that requires the city to provide its retirees with no-premium coverage for life.

As a result, the mayor has for months pressed the Council to rewrite 12-126 in such a way that the $191 fee would become legally feasible — but Speaker Adrienne Adams said Thursday afternoon that her body has no plan to vote on legislation introduced at his request that would achieve that end.
“There is no scheduled next step,” the speaker said during a news conference at City Hall.

During a contentious Council Labor Committee hearing earlier this month, Adams administration officials said that if the Council does not adopt the 12-126-tweaking bill by Jan. 26, they would move ahead with the drastic option of eliminating all health insurance options for retirees besides Medicare Advantage.

The administration has maintained that option would comply with the court rulings since there’d be no financial penalty at play.
Given that the Council’s final meeting of the month was Thursday, Speaker Adams confirmed the body will not act by the stated deadline. That presumably means the administration will follow through on its pledge to make Advantage the only available plan for municipal retirees.
Related video: Mayor Eric Adams says 'no room in for migrants' in New York City (WION) Play Video Mayor Eric Adams says 'no room in for migrants' in New York City UnmuteView on Watch

Adams spokesman Jonah Allon declined to disclose the administration’s next step. Instead, Allon reiterated that the mayor and the Municipal Labor Committee believe the administration must move ahead with Advantage because it could save the city hundreds of millions of dollar per year at a time of great fiscal uncertainty for the municipal government.

“The city and the Municipal Labor Committee worked together to take advantage of the federal funding for Medicare Advantage plans that would permit us to continue providing high-quality, premium free coverage for retirees while saving approximately $600 million a year — savings that are especially critical as we continue to face a skyrocketing health care crisis and other fiscal challenges,” Allon said.
Before the full Council would ever be able to consider the bill favored by Adams, the Labor Committee would have to approve it — and a source inside the panel said that’s highly unlikely.

“The appetite isn’t there to move this bill,” the source told The News, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Another source close to Council leadership agreed. “It’s dead,” the insider said of the bill, noting that no Council member came out in support of it during this month’s hearing in the committee.

In her press conference, Speaker Adams declined to speculate on whether there’s any support for the bill in the chamber.
She cast doubt over the Jan. 26 deadline floated by the administration, though.
“It’s not even clear that the deadline was ever [active],” she said before lamenting that the administration hasn’t yet provided the Council with a detailed contract for its preferred Advantage plan. “One of the questions at the hearing was, ‘Where’s the contract?’ ... We didn’t even have a contract to deliberate on as a body, so for me, that was a very important piece of information that we would need to go forward in any decision.”

The NYC Organization for Public Service Retirees filed the lawsuit that prompted courts to block the first iteration of Adams’ Advantage push — and has indicated it will seek additional legal intervention if his administration attempts to make it the only health plan available to them.
“If they did that, I’m sure we’ll see them in court pretty quickly,” Marianne Pizzitola, a retired FDNY EMT who leads the retiree group, said at last month’s hearing to cheers from her members.

Ever since former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration first tried to roll out the Advantage plan in the fall of 2021, thousands of retired teachers, EMTs and other municipal workers have argued that such a switch would destroy their coverage. They’ve pointed to federal studiesshowing that Advantage plans — which are administered by private health insurance providers, unlike traditional Medicare — can deny “medically necessary” care for beneficiaries.

Adams’ administration has disputed such concerns and said Advantage would provide retirees with robust coverage, while allocating savings to hedge against a city budget deficit that could grow as large as $6 billion in coming years.

From the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees  NYCorgOfPublicServiceRetirees@gmail.com

Greetings! 

Good Morning everyone! The City Council will NOT be voting on Intro 874 tomorrow. We will now THANK the Council for NOT taking this bill up.. Please call and email the Civil Service and Labor Committee. See below the draft message for the contact Info. We will have more information coming!

Script for Members

Good Morning/ Good Afternoon
My name is ________________________and I am a retiree. The purpose of my call is to “Thank” the City Council Member for not supporting the passage of Intro bill 0874 from the Civil Service and Labor Committee. By having this bill laid aside, you have restored some of our faith in the system. We appreciate that your member heard our message to not listen to the Mayor and that retirees should not bare the burden of the city's budgetary issues. The Medicare Advantage Plan will not provide us with proper healthcare coverage and we should not have to pay more to receive less care. We discovered there are several funding programs totaling over 300 million dollars that can be used to help balance the budget. There will be a bill introduced soon that will protect the status of our future healthcare, and we hope that your member will continue to stand with us and support it.
Thank you for hearing my statement, and being the voice for retirees. Thank you for listening.

Respectfully,
(Your name), retiree, # years, Department
****************************

List of City Council Members on the Civil Service and Labor to be called: (CALL BOTH NUMBERS)

28 Speaker Adrienne E. Adams Legislative Office: 212-788-6850
District Office: 718-206-2068

10 Hon. Carmen De La Rosa Legislative Office: 212-788-7053
District Office: 917-521-2616

3 Hon. Erik Bottcher District Office: 212-564-7757

5 Hon. Julie Menin Legislative Office: 212-788-6865

11 Hon. Eric Dinowitz Legislative Office: (212) 788-7080 District Office: (718) 549-7300

15 Hon. Oswald Feliz Legislative Office:212-788-6966 District Office: 718-842-8100

21 Hon. Francisco P. Moya 212-788-6862 District Office: 718-651-1917

22 Hon. Tiffany Caban 718-274-4500

37 Hon. Sandy Nurse Legislative Office: 212-788-7284 District Office: 718-642-8664

40 Hon. Rita Joseph Legislative Office: 212-788-7352 District Office:718-287-8762

49 Hon. Kamillah Hanks Legislative Office: 212-788-6972 District Office: 718-556-7370

EMAIL THE CIVIL SERVICE & LABOR COMMITTEE:
Copy/Paste these email addresses into your email:
aeadams@council.nyc.gov
CDeLaRosa@council.nyc.gov
ebottcher@council.nyc.gov
tcaban@council.nyc.gov
JMenin@council.nyc.gov
edinowitz@council.nyc.gov
ofeliz@council.nyc.gov
fmoya@council.nyc.gov
SNurse@council.nyc.gov
RJoseph@council.nyc.gov
KHanks@council.nyc.gov

The File for the List of CM is here if you want to save it: https://mcusercontent.com/.../b8e.../Civil_Service_labor.pdf

If you are on Twitter and Instagram, please comment and share our messages.
We also created an OPEN FaceBook Page https://www.facebook.com/NYCRetirees

And Please send your donations in to continue this fight!  We have THREE lawsuits running concurrently, and if the Mayor eliminates all health plans, we WILL have a 4th!!

There will be NO Vote on Intro 874!  You do NOT need to come to City Council!

The 2023 membership cards and decals went out to all PAID members this past Wednesday, January 11th.

NON-PAID members were sent the letter and the dues envelope, and we ask those members to please send in your dues upon receiving the mail.

In the past few years, we have encountered mail problems with some envelopes being ripped open and membership cards being lost.
We ask any member who receives an envelope that has been opened and cards missing, to please contact us.

To any member who also belongs to the FOP Lodge 317, be advised that the National and State cards were sent out Tuesday to those members who sent in their dues in the first batch early in 2022 after receiving the renewal application in September.

January 8, 2023                               RALLY AGAINST NYC MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN and
                                                         DENY PAROLE FOR KILLER OF DET. GEORGE CACCAVALE

The NYC Council will be conducting a hearing on the proposed change of the Administrative Code Sect 12-126 on Monday, January 9th at 9:30AM. Active and Retired Cuty employees are urged to attend and voice your oppostion to the proposal.

Please read this from the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees in this PDF

Click on this link to the PBA https://www.nycpba.org/community/keep-cop-killers-in-jail/cop-killers-form/?id=25865

From Alan Berkowitz  berky4@aol.com

Dear DEA Member:

Effective February 1, 2023, the DEA is launching a new prescription drug program. This new program will replace our Benecard prescription drug plan. The new prescription drug program will be administered by Express Scripts. Our members should experience significantly enhanced prescription drug benefits with no disruptions to your current prescription drug needs.

By mid-January of 2023, you will receive a letter from Express Scripts introducing you to our new program. You will also be receiving a “welcome package” and a new prescription drug card.

For the past several years, the DEA Board of Officers has been committed to making improvements to the union’s health benefits for both active and retired members. In 2021 and 2022, we introduced our new Cigna dental plan for active and retired members, increased life insurance benefits for active members, and instituted our new Northwell Health body screening program. And in 2023, we expect to make improvements to our mental health and wellness programs. We will continue to examine other benefits to enhance the lives of our members and their families.

Beginning February 1, 2023, we look forward to you — the “Greatest Detectives in the World” — experiencing our new pharmacy benefit through Express Scripts.

In the interim, have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season and a joyous New Year!

Fraternally,
Paul DiGiacomo
President

The meeting was called to order by President Mike Lanning with the Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag and asked for a moment of silence for the 7 departed members since our last meeting in September, any deceased family members, and all fellow retirees on the Sick List.
Mike then introduced our Editor, Frank Crisa, and thanked him and Treasurer Tony Lomanto, for their work in putting together our great newsletter, "Beyond the Line."

The finances of the association are doing well. We have received donations from many of the members, especially from many Lifetime Members who no longer have to send in dues..

Mike welcomed Robin Becker, the President of the Transit Police Memorial FOP Lodge 317, and her board.

Our next meeting, the annual Christmas and Holiday Party,  will be held on December 7th at Verdis. Any paid member who attended the Black Patch luncheon in October will not have to pay the $25 door charge.

The NY Reunion will be held at Antun's on Tuesday, November 15th at 4:00 pm The cost is $65.00 in advance and $70 CASH at the door.

Nominations and election of Executive Board Members for 2023 was conducted by Vinnie Servedio.  The results are as follows:

President - Bob Valentino
First Vice President - Deo Fasolino
Second Vice President - Vinnie DiMaio
Executive Secretary - Tom Greer
Financial Secretary - Gregory Stripp
Treasurer - Tony Lomanto
Recording Secretary - Bob Forrester
Sergeant At Arms - Mike Lanning

Tom Greer reported there were 192 people at the Mets-Yankees game this year at $163.00 per ticket. To change to a location closer to home plate would cost about $200.00 per ticket. 
It was decided to stay in the same section for the 2023 games.  A total of 100 tickets will be ordered.

Several members in Queens requested a meeting location closer to them and a location in Howard Beach was suggested.  A meeting starting at 12:00 noon and ending at 2:30 pm before the rush hour traffic was proposed.

Legislative Director Tony Piazza spoke at length about the problems facing the new medical coverage plan. The City, faced with the possibility of the City Council not amending the city charter section 12-126, is now using the threat of only having one health plan for all employees, both active and retired. It would be, of course, the Medicare Advantage Plan currently being negotiated with Aetna Health Insurance.

We have 50 new members as can be seen in the latest issue of "Beyond the Line."  Deo spoke about the need to get new, younger members to join and said that at the Black Patch Meeting and the FOP State Convention, he distributed 200 applications.

1st VP Bob Valentino requested that prayers be offered for the 2 police officers shot in Newark, NJ. Thankfully, the culprit was apprehended.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Robert Forrester, Recording Secretary

Regarding the issue of the City Council amendment change, the Organization of Public Service Retirees has put together a chart that shows the possible changes the City and the Municipal Labor Council as compared to what we now have.
It can be seen in the PDF HERE

Thanks to Alan Berkowitz and Lou Hollander for forwarding this information as received from RETIRED LIEUTENANTS' ASSOCIATION NYPD

Dear Members,

Below are some excerpts from info we have gotten related to the new law affecting the renewal of your NYS/NYC Concealed Carry Permits.
It is unclear how the State/City will verify how long you have maintained your HR218. I would recommend checking with the County that issued your permit regarding their policies. You may want to consider saving your old HR218 cards in case they are needed to prove your years of certification. Some Counties had permits with 5 year expirations, NYC had 3 year expiration, and some did not expire.  Per the new NY State law, all permits now expire every 3 years. Some of the HR218 schools are already offering the new course for those needing it.

Fraternally,
Michelle Schaefer
President 

From the NYC Pistol License Section:

The new law for carry licenses has changed.  Per the new law, you need 16 hours of classroom instruction and 2 hrs. range time. 
MOS retired over 5 years who do not have an HR218 are required to complete this training class.  If you are retired over 5 years and have an HR218, send a written statement that you have an HR218 and kept it active for how many years. Include a copy of the HR218 front and back.  An HR218 dated before 9/1/2022 which is in effect at this time will be enough to satisfy the requirement. If no HR218, then the required training has to be completed to renew the license.

From the DEA: Update on Firearms License Renewal for Retirees

As of September 1, 2022, all licensees, including retired members of law enforcement, must have sixteen (16) hours of training and two (2) hours of shooting practice. The State of New York plans eventually to check back three (3) years of the applicant’s social media accounts, but, as of this writing, personnel is not yet in place at the Licensing Division to conduct social media checks. H.R. 218 certification will be accepted only if it was acquired prior to September 1, 2022. The caveat is that the Licensing Division will assume the retired member of the service had H.R. 218 certification for consecutive years and didn’t just newly acquire it. We hope more information will be forthcoming, but as of this writing, this is what is known at this time.

For Nassau County residents,

I called the Pistol Permit Section and was told that Nassau County Supervisor Blakeman has a bill on his desk that will allow renewals on a 3 year basis rather than the current 5 and training will not be required for those with HR 218 certification. I am assuming Suffolk County will have a similar exemption. More on this when this matter is finalized.

From Recording Secty Bob Forrester (and his wife, Fran)

President Mike Lanning opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag followed by a moment of silence to remember 21 departed fellow retirees since our last meeting, their family members, fellow police officers, those on the Sick List, and our Armed Forces serving in harm’s way.

Mike informed the membership that the next issue of “Beyond The Line” is coming out by the end of September or early October, and thanked Frank Crisa and Tony Lomanto for doing a great job with the magazine.

Mike also thanked Tom Greer for doing a great job on the Subway Series held on July 27th.  Tom is currently working on the one for next year.

Bob Valentino asked the members present to ask any fellow retirees who are not members, to join the association. He also spoke about the Black Patch Meeting to be held on Saturday, October 1st, 12 Noon at Verdis.  Your $60.00 fee for the Black Patch Meeting includes free admission to the Retirees Christmas Party.  There were five new members inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame and will be honored at the Black Patch dinner

Bob also mentioned the NY Reunion at Antun's on Tuesday, Nov. 15th starting at 4:00pm, with thanks to Paul Murphy and Marilyn Scahill.

The Bowling League meets on Tuesday mornings, and anyone is welcome.

Tony Lomanto spoke about the new PBA Dental Plan which is a good one. It is important that you go the PBA website and click on the link to register with CIGNA. This plan is only for PBA members.

The negotiations between Emblem and Blue Cross came apart.  The City is now negotiating with Aetna.  There will be a speaker at the Sept. 29th meeting at 12:00 Noon at the LI Shields meeting at the Coral House in Baldwin addressing this issue. (See the important update below)

Sun. Sept. 11th was to be the last day to be registered in the 911 Victims Fund for any illnesses suffered as a result of 911. Today, (9/10) the Governor signed (S9294A/A10416) which extended the deadline to file a Notice of Participation under WTC Disability Law. The new deadline is September 11, 2026.

Tony spoke about the new Gun Law Bill.  It might be a good thing to obtain an HR218 Permit - you could carry your gun from state to state.  For those living in the NY Metropolitan area, you can call Instructor Roland M. Grant of SAFETY QUEST at phone number 516-446-0127. Various law enforcement organizations are seeking to have amendments added as this bill, like previous gun laws, was rushed through without much thought and input. This law does not pertain to active or retired LEOs regarding "sensitive areas" as mentioned in the bill which can be read in the State FOP posting below. It is important that you have a current Transit Police or NYPD Police Identification card to get the HR 218 certificate.

Mike introduced the new President of FOP Lodge 317, Robin Becker, who said a few words to the membership.

The next Retirees meeting will be held Wednesday, November 2nd, 1:00 pm at Spuntino's Restaurant in Williston Park. We still do not have the OK to resume meetings at the State FOP building because of renovation issues.

Respectfully submitted,
Robert Forrester
Recording Secretary

The NYS Fraternal Order of Police has put out a "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) about the latest Gun Control laws recently passed by New York State. Please keep in mind that as a retired Police Officer, many of these laws do not apply.

That report can be read HERE   Note Questions #17 & 25 as it relates to retired Police Officers.

From Lou Hollander and Alan Berkowitz

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for September 2022 through August 2023 benefit payments is 3%.

As a result, an eligible retired member with a maximum retirement benefit of $18,000 or more will receive a maximum increase of $45 per month beginning with the September 30, 2022 payment. (Eligible members receiving a maximum retirement benefit under $18,000 will receive a lesser monthly increase.)

This latest COLA brings the cumulative maximum monthly increase since COLA legislation was enacted in 2000 to $444 (see chart be- low).

New York's permanent, automatic COLA is designed to help offset inflation's adverse effects on the fixed retirement benefits of the state's public retirees. By law, the COLA can be no less than 1% and no more than 3% annually and is applied only to the first $18,000 of the retirement benefit. The COLA percentage is calculated by taking 50% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase from one March to the next and rounding up to the nearest tenth. The CPI increased 8.54% from March 2021 to March 2022.

To be eligible for a COLA, you must either be:
• · At least age 62 and retired at least five years; or,
• · At least age 55 and retired at least 10 years; or,
• · A retiree receiving a disability benefit for at least five years (regardless of age); or,
• · A surviving spouse of an eligible retiree receiving a lifetime benefit. (By law, the spouse receives an increase equal to one-half the COLA the retiree would have received.)

Retirees who become eligible for the COLA after September will receive their adjustment when first eligible.

That should be good for at least a tank of gas in your car.

President Mike Lanning and I, along with Dan McGowan and his wife Emily, and Associate member Eric Wollman, were among the few Transit Police Retirees Association members along with other City agency departments retirees who attended the special meeting sponsored by the NY 10-13 Club with special guest speaker Marianne Pizzitola from the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees.

It was somewhat disappointing that there was such a small turnout of retirees there.

Jay Finn, a 10-13 Club Officer, introduced Marianne and her colleague, Michelle Robbins, to a warm applause from the audience.

Marianne mentioned that their organization was getting negative comments from many labor unions that what the Organization was saying was wrong, When the unions were asked exactly what information was wrong, there was no response from them.

Marianne started with the history of the Health Insurance Stabilization Fund (HISF) that was formed many years ago to maintain the cost of health insurance plans for City workers.

In 2011, The Mayor, City Council members and labor leaders actively discussed ways to prevent the layoffs and cuts proposed to balance the budget in fiscal year 2012.

One option under consideration was to divert money from the HISF.  Ultimately, around 2014 or so, monies were "borrowed" from the Fund to settle a contract with the Teachers Union as they had been without a contract for several years.

From then on, and with no oversight in place, monies were taken from the HISF by the City and yet, there was no paying it back. This has led to the City now looking to offer a different medical plan to employees and retirees and to implement the current MAPP plan for Medicare eligible retirees in order to reduce costs. With the proposed MAPP, the City was to have saved approximately $600 million by passing the cost of coverage onto the Federal government. That money was “supposed” to be used for contracts and health plans and be added to the HISF.

With Supreme Court Justice Frank's decision in March of this year that the City cannot charge a monthly premium for Medicare eligible retirees who do not want the MAPP, the City had no choice but to set aside starting the plan. Immediately after the decision, the City filed an appeal that is scheduled to be heard some time in October. Along with this delay, Anthem Blue Cross tried to push the City to start the new health plan in January 2023, but they received negative response from NYC and as a result, pulled out of the plan.

The City is now in the process of finding another health insurance company to handle the benefits for the employees and retirees. It remains to be seen what that outcome will result in.

With this new snag in the City's plan, the website for Office of Labor Relations (OLR) has updated their website and has now removed the Opt-Out form. As to the co-pays and deductibles, it was said that these were put in place for the benefit of the insurance companies.

I asked the question about the PBA's court action against the Municipal Labor Council (MLC) where the PBA stated they are not part of the MLC and are not bound by their approval of the proposed MAPP. Marianne explained that when a union utilizes a benefit obtained by the MLC, they are part of it. It's not a matter of selective choices.

In the end, Marianne went on to say that the fight is still on and asks that we send out the call for donations to keep it going. In that respect, we do ask that our members, especially those on Medicare, to make a donation of any amount.

Please make out the check to NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees and mail it to
The Organization at PO Box 941, Venice FL 34284.

Other methods of donations can be found on their website www.nycretirees.org  

We hope this information has been helpful to our members and please spread the word to fellow retirees who may not have computer access.

Thank you and stay safe.

Fraternally,

Mike Lanning, President, and your Executive Board.

This report will be sent out to our members in an email.

On Wednesday, July 6th, a special ceremony took place at the Pinelawn National Cemetery in Farmingdale Long Island for the internment of the ashes of (Ret. PO) Brendan “Joe” McGarry, his wife, Christine, and their son, James. Members of the State FOP, FOP Lodge 317, family and friends, and a contingent of the Patriot Guard Riders on their motorcycles were in attendance.

Flag bearers and all others stood at attention when the cemetery vehicle carrying the ashes pulled up at the ceremony site. They were placed on a stand with the American flag in front of the case with the U.S. Marine Corps plaque holding Joe’s ashes. Ret. TP Det. Eugene Hennigan, a deacon of the church where Joe and Christine attended, presided over the religious aspect. At the end, Taps were played, the urns were removed for internment and the ceremony was over.

Joe, Christine, and James were now together. May they Rest in Peace.

Photos taken at Pinelawn may be seen in this Power Point folder HERE

Our 1st VP, Bob Valentino, along with Ret. D/Sgt. Fred Ametrano attended a ceremony honoring the late Transit Det. George Caccavale who was killed during a robbery. DEA President Paul DiGiacomo Jr., honored George's daughter, Carla Caccavale with plaques and to Bobby and Fred also. Freddie was at the scene at the time of the killing of George Caccavale.

The YouTube video can be seen here:      https://youtu.be/gqCrs29BWGI

Thanks to our 2nd VP Vincent DiMaio for this report.

7:15 PM First Vice Pres. Bob Valentino called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pres. Mike Lanning and his wife Doris are not present because they’re out sick with Covid 19, as was Recording Secretary Bob Forrester and his wife Frances not present due to Bob having a recent knee replacement surgery and is currently in rehab.

Treasurer Tony Lomanto read a list of those members who have passed away since the last meeting and had a moment of silence for them, any family members passing, fellow Police Officers in the country killed in the line of duty and all serving servicemen & women.           

Bob Valentino urged members to donate to the Public Employee Organization that is fighting to keep our current medical plans. He also mentioned the following functions at Verdi’s:  Bowling Dinner, Friday, June 10, “The Happenings” who sang “See You in September” will be there. Saturday, October 1, Black Patch Sports Award Luncheon 12:30 to 4:00 PM, and our Christmas/Holiday Party is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, 12:00 to 4:00 PM.

Bob also said that we should all sign up for emails from Louie Hollander, as they are very informative, and mentioned the Police Memorial at the NYS FOP HQ that took place on May 7, which was cold and rainy. State FOP President Mike Essig paid homage to Joe McGarry who was remembered for all his service to the FOP. At this meeting, we all raised a toast to Joe.
Lou can be contacted at keystonecop1@verizon.net

At this meeting, Bobby Valentino mentioned that one of our members present, Ret. Capt. Bob Kent, recently underwent heart surgery. Bob explained that he always felt he was in good health until it hit him. Thankfully, he came through and is recovering and we wished him well.           

Tony Lomanto spoke about Medicare Advantage Plan. Everything is on hold at this time. Judge Frank ruled that NYC cannot impose a premium on the GHI/Senior Care plan if you wish to keep what you have as it is contrary to the NYC Administrative Code of free health care for life. At this time, approximately 60,000 NYC Medicare eligible retirees so far have opted out of the MAP, representing a major loss to the City who anticipated $600,000,000 (million) reimbursement from Medicare. You can still Opt-Out and forms were available at the meeting or you can complete the form electronically at this Link https://nyc-ma-plus.empireblue.com/optout

The City appealed the decision of the court, and the case comes up in September. As for deductibles and co-pays, they were not mentioned in the court decision and will remain in effect until further notice.

Executive Secretary Deo Fasolino reminded members to check if your dentist is a member of the new PBA CIGNA Dental Plan which starts July 1st before switching plans.

Legislative Chairman Tony Piazza, spoke on the Variable Supplement Fund update.  He wrote a letter to Mayor Adams about Home Rule and requesting support for the bills, So far, we have not received a reply. which is needed to move forward with the VSF effort. Tony said that Home Rule should not be necessary as we worked for a State agency and not the City of New York. At present, they are still in committee and the feeling is that any bills relating to police are not looked upon favorably. That and the fact that many legislators are not in their offices but rather handling legislation by Zoom or other digital "work from home" methods. The current legislation ends in June so if our bills don't even get to the floor or the issue of "Home Rule" isn't resolved, they are dead.

Sgt-at-Arms Tommy Greer spoke about Mets/Yankees Game. Tickets which are still available for $160.00 each. The seats are in the same location as last year - City Field, Section 129, July 27, 2022, 7:00 to 10:00 PM.           

Member Vinny Monfredo and his guest, Ret. NYS Trooper Steve Colano spoke about Dr. Vick Pamoukian, MD, who is a Vascular Surgeon and is providing free testing on May 21, 2022, at 400 So. Oyster Bay Road, Suite 205, Hicksville, NY, 10:00 to 4:00 PM. See the flyer on the Meetings & Events page. The doctor was at our March meeting and explained what will be done at the screening for carotid and leg circulation. Bring your ID, insurance card and comfortable clothes. A reminder will be sent out via e-mails to the members and check it out on the Meetings & Events page.

Tony Lomanto then introduced Robin Becker, the new President of FOP Lodge 317. She mentioned the next lodge meeting Thursday, May 12 at K of C Floral Park, NY at 7:00 PM.

The next meeting will be at Verdi’s, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 12:00 to 4:00 PM.

The 50/50 drawing was held with member Bill Wiese donating his winnings back to the association.

9:00 PM the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Vincent R. Di Maio
Second Vice President

Photos from the funeral of Lifetime Member Ret. P.O. Brendan 'Joe' McGarry can be viewed HERE 
and the video I took can be seen on You Tube by clicking on this link:  https://youtu.be/OgaLkfpmmv8y

Talk about a "small world."  We received a recent email from member Kevin Costigan who told us that his son, Father Christopher Costigan, who is the Pastor of the church where the funeral mass was held for Joe McGarry, St. Martin of Tours, in Bethpage, Long Island, was to perform the mass yesterday and he gave a very warm eulogy for Joe..

Photos from the Staten Island Lunch Bunch can be viewed HERE

The letter of support form the NYPD DEA can be viewed HERE

Thanks to Alan Berkowitz berky4@aol.com for forwardng this information.

The full newsletter from the North Carolina NYPD 10-13 Club can be viewed here: 
http://www.charlotte10-13.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4-April-2022-10-13-Newsletter.pdf

There is some very good information regarding catastrophic medical costs included in their newsletter.

Report of the March membership meeting from Recording Sect'y Bob Forrester, with assistance from his able wife, Fran:

The meeting was held at Verdis Caterers in Westbury, Long Island, and we had approximately 60 members attending.

The meeting was called to order by President Lanning with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence. Treasurer Tony Lomanto read off the names of 35 fellow retirees who were reported passed away since our last meeting in December.

Member Vincent Monfredo brought a guest speaker, Dr. Vic Pamoukian, a vascular surgeon with offices in Manhattan, Queens, and Hicksville, and is offering vascular screening to all our members and their family members. He will be setting up a meeting in May at a location to be announced at the membership meeting on May 11th at Spuntino’s Restaurant in Williston Park.

Though absent for a court appearance (he's still an active NCPD officer), Sgt-at-Arms Tom Greer has purchased 200 tickets for the Mets-Yankees baseball game scheduled for July 27th at 7:10PM. The seats will again be in the same location as in 2021 - Section 129 by the 3rd base line. If interested, you must call Tom at 631-902-8911 or email at hpb2270@optonline.net  The cost per ticket this year will be $160, which, like everything else, has gone up in cost.

Treasurer Tony Lomanto spoke at length of the latest news regarding the proposed Alliance Medicare Advantage Plan the City of NY intends to have in place for retirees on Medicare. As reported, Judge Frank ruled the City cannot impose a cost to the retirees to remain in their current plan and the City, in response, stopped the plan's start date of April 1st and also filed an appeal in court.

We will be informing our members with whatever decision is made in court. So, as of now, you will remain in your current plan, not pay a premium, but you will be paying the deductible and co-pays. The organization of service retirees who filed the court action still advises retirees to OPT-OUT of joining the MAP. The current telephone number of the Alliance program at this time has a recording that it is not necessary to OPT-OUT since the plan will not go into effect April 1st.

Despite that, and from past history in dealing with NYC, it is recommended you file an OPT-OUT form if you have not done so before. The form is available if you click on the "OPT OUT" link below in the posting of March 8th. Follow the instructions to complete the form (one for yourself and one for each dependent) and send it by certified mail or electronically at the website shown.

Tony also mentioned that the latest edition of our great newsletter, "Beyond the Line," will be going to the mailer on Monday, March 21st and should be in your hands within the next 2-3 weeks. It will be a big 48-page issue full of photos and letters.

We would also like to point out the great number of donors who contributed to the Association and we thank them very much for their generosity. Remember, the newsletter only goes out to PAID members, so if you still haven't sent in the dues for 2022, please do so now. We don’t want you to miss a copy of this great paper.

Congratulations and best wishes were given to Rita and Ron DiMao celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary. Way to go, guys!!!

Larry Lombardo spoke of the Breakfast Communion Mass being celebrated on April 24th honoring, among others, Police Officer Irma Lozada. Full details can be found on the Meetings and Events page. Executive Sec'ty Deo Fasolino made a motion which was seconded to have the Association pay for 4 members to attend the event. They will be Ron DiMaio, John Asti, and Carmella and Al Pelliccia.

Deo also spoke of how the laws have changed regarding safe deposit boxes and gun permits when you have a spouse. Deo went through this after his wife, Barbara, passed away last year.

Legislative Chairman Tony Piazza spoke of the current status of the VSF. He reported that we still have bills in Albany and that at present, there are only about 300 TPD retirees eligible for the VSF.

The 50/50 raffle was held and there being no new business, the meeting was adjourned.

From Alan Berkowitz berky4@aol.com as received from the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees <NYCorgOfPublicServiceRetirees@gmail.com>

As we reported, Justice Frank’s ruling allowed the Medicare Plus Plan to go forward but required the City to provide GHI Senior Care without any cost to retirees. As we predicted, the City has filed an appeal of Justice Frank’s ruling and decided not to commence the Medicare Plus Plan on April 1, 2022.
 
The City has removed all information regarding the Medicare Advantage Plus Plan, including the OPT_OUT form, from the OLR website. The City has updated the OLR website to state the following:
 
"The NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan is not being implemented on April 1, 2022. Retirees do not need to opt out of the Medicare Advantage Program in order to remain in Senior Care or their current plan on April 1. All retirees will remain in their current plans until further notice. We will post updates for retirees as we have more information. For additional information, you can call the special Alliance call center at 1-833-325-1190, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m."
 
We are sure that this had to do with the abundance of OPT_OUT forms they were receiving after Justice Frank’s ruling. For the Medicare Advantage Plus plan to be implemented and profitable, the Alliance will need the majority of the 250,000 Medicare retirees to be enrolled in this plan.
 
We are informed that the attorneys for the City, MLC, and Alliance are considering their next steps to be taken. Remember, we also reported that Justice Frank stated that “none of this is to say that the respondent must give retirees an option of plans”. So, the City can possibly not offer GHI Senior Care as an optional Medicare plan, leaving the Medicare Advantage Plus plan as the ONLY plan available for those currently on the GHI Senior Care plan as well as for those who will become Medicare eligible. The City can also try to make amendments to the NYC Administrative Code Section 12-126, remember this is what Justice Frank based his ruling on. If all else fails, the City can try to manipulate the H.I.P.-H.M.O. rate, which is used for determining how much the City will pay for "health insurance coverage".
 
We cannot allow the City to take away the GHI Senior Care as a Medicare plan option! I want our members to know that we are monitoring this very closely. We will continue to keep our members informed with any updates and what you can do to help prevent this from possibly happening.

OPT-OUT Instructions
** Updated 03/05/2022

The City is claiming that Opting Out is not necessary because the MAPP will not be implemented 4/1/22. We advise that you still submit an Opt-Out if you do not wish to be put into the MAPP.

03/03/2022
PER THE JUDGE’S DECISION DATED 3/3/22, the City is permanently enjoined from passing along any costs of the New York City retirees’ current plan to the retiree or to any of their dependents, except where such plan rises above the H.I.P.-H.M.O. threshold, as provided by New York City Administrative Code Section 12-126.

The following are your options to Opt-Out of the MAPP.
Please remember to:

- Obtain a ‘Reference Number’ a ‘Receipt’ or any other proof that you
   Opted-Out.

- Keep Copies of your documents and notes in a safe place in case you
   need them later!

Method 1:  

*** PLEASE NOTE AS OF THIS TIME (03/07/2022, 1:00 PM ) THE ALLIANCE 833 HOTLINE IS NOT TAKING OPT-OUT REQUESTS. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW IF AND OR WHEN THIS CHANGES ****

Method 2:  ** CURRENTLY PREFFERED METHOD **

*** PLEASE NOTE AS OF THIS TIME (03/07/2022, 1:00 PM ) ON-LINE OPT OUT IS STILL WORKING. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW IF AND OR WHEN THIS CHANGES ***

Complete the form electronically at this Link https://nyc-ma-plus.empireblue.com/optout
*** Take a picture of the screen before submitting ***

Method 3:
THIS METHOD SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A BACK UP TO ONE OF THE OTHER METHODS. DO NOT JUST USE THIS OPTION AS THE FORM MAY NOT BE RECEIVED IN TIME

Download, Print and Complete this: Opt-Out Form  https://tinyurl.com/zhr93u67

- If you are unable to download this form, email: NYCOrgOfPublicServiceRetirees@gmail.com

Keep a copy of your Completed form and Mail to:
NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan
PO Box 1620 New York, NY 10008-1620
*** Certified Mail Optional*** 
Home Opt-Out Announcements FAQ Donate-Subscribe Stories Active Employees Press Contact Us About Us
Address
PO Box 941
Venice, FL, 34284, US

About Our Mission
Retirees should not have to worry about their benefits in retirement. We earned these during the decades we gave back, took a 0% in collective bargaining, or paid it back with a give back. We should be able to enjoy our retirement because we earned it. For our former unions and the City of NY to strip benefits away from us, automatically enroll us in a private for profit Medicare plan, violate the contracts that were in place when we left, is a disgrace. Fight back. Together, let our voices be heard!
Please Join Our Fight 
© 2022 NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees Sitemap

From Lou Hollander keystonecop1@verizon.net

A few of our snowbird friends were down to spend a couple of months in the Sunshine State so we decided to put together a R.O.M.E.O.  We had about 21 guys in attendance, and we had a great time being with old friends.  As you have seen on too many occasions in my emails, I put out obituaries of someone you have worked with and haven’t seen them in decades. 

Many years of your life was spent working with them and life is passing us by fast. Try to make it a point in getting together with guys/gals you used to work with and reminisce the good old days on the job.

Keep the Spirit of the Transit Police Alive.  You can view the photos from the Tampa by clicking on the .PDF attachment HERE

December 1, 2021                                                         PHOTOS FROM THE NY REUNION

We want to thank Lou Hollander for putting all the photos he and I took at the NY Reunion into a format that anyone can view. It saves a lot of time not having to save each photo then having to upload them to the server. Lou did it in PowerPoint then saved it as a PDF file. They can be viewed HERE 

Thanks, Lou!

October 9, 2021                                                           OCTOBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thanks to our Recording Secretary Bob Forrester and his lovely wife, Fran, for this report

Meeting was called to order at 1:15 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Treasurer Tony Lomanto updated information on the fellow retirees who passed away since the last meeting. A moment of silence was held for them and for family members who passed and for those on the Sick List, icluding our Sgt-at-Arms, Tom Greer who is home recuperating from recent surgery, along with our Armed Forces and fellow Police Officers serving in harm's way.

President Mike Lanning said the NY Reunion will be held at Antun's on November 16th. from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.  Price is $65.00 in advance by check to Paul Murphy, or $75.00 at the door. Details can be found on the Meetings and Events page.

Treasurer Tony Lomanto advised the members that the Money Market Account will be closed and the funds transferred to the checking account. This was done as our annnual income has dropped as more members become Lifetime Members and regular annual dues stop. With ever increasing printing, mailing, and meeting costs, the asociation can only exist with the dues or donations.
The cost for each edition of the newsletter alone is about $5,000.00. Next high cost is the membership cards and mailings. Donations are always welcome and appreciated, but please indicate if you want a coin sent as our thanks.

The Retiree Association Christmas and Holiday Party will be at Antun's on Dec. 16th at 1:00 pm.  The March Meeting will be at Antuns and the May meeting is planned for Verdis. Other meeting locations and dates will be determined and the members will be notified far in advance. At this time, there will be no more meetings at the FOP Building as it is being closed for renovations. The Board has decided to hold luncheon meetings as more members are finding it difficlut to drive at night.

The next issue of "Beyond the Line" is now at the printer's and will be at the mailer on Tuesday the 12th, to be mailed out. Please keep in mind with the current postal slowdown on deliveries, and since the issues are not first-class, that makes it for even longer delivery times.
 
Executive Secretary Deo Fasolino mentioned that he sees many retired Transit Police Officers writing on Facebook and ending with "Transit Police Forever" and suggested they be contacted and asked to join the Society.

Tony Lomanto discussed the new City Health Plan and answered many questions from the members. Her mentioned the PBA, at a recent LI Shields meeting with Pat Lynch and a member of the Members Benefits department, felt the City plan was favorable over keeping the current Senior Care plan. The City plan offers the same coverage while the Senior Care will have both a monthly premium and will start to have co-pays with no maximum amount.  It looks like the City Plan is favored but we caution members to make their own decison based on needs.

The drug plan was also discussed and it is advised you do not take out the drug rider unless necessary, as a drug plan is available through the line organizations. 

We then gave a round of applause to our Financial Secretary, Greg Stripp, who does a grand job at the door.

After a delicious lunch, the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 pm.

Fraternally,
Bob Forrester

President Mike Lanning called the meeting to order at 1:05 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Treasurer Tony Lomanto thanked everyone for attending the meeting.  He advised since our last meeting that sadly we lost 146 members, both to COVID and other health reasons.  The members observed
a moment of silence.

Guest speaker, Kim Parker, from the NYC Office of Labor Relations, spoke about the new health program called the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan starting on January 1, 2022.  It is a customized plan from the City of New York and also a National Plan that members can take with them.  It has the same Medicare guidelines. 

Ms. Parker gave a very detailed overview of the plan and answered many questions from the members. 

We should soon be receiving a booklet with enrollment guide and a detailed summary of the Plan.   Ms. Parker also suggested that we could call 1-833-325-1190 for additional information.

Members enjoyed a delicious lunch after the meeting.

Meeting ended at 3;05 pm,

Respectfully submitted,
Robert Forrester

   
      Mark Lipra, Ron Kearney, Bob Betz 

  
                                    DeMarino Family                                 Bob Ganley (c) next to Mrs. DeMarino

From Alan Berkowitz berky4@aol.com

Got The Below From Verrazano 10-13 Member Retired Chief Ray Diaz And Forwarding For Your Information.
 
The CEA has received several inquiries regarding NYPD issued pistol permits for retirees. 
 
The concern of retirees with NYPD issued pistol permits is having licenses expiring.  The mayor implemented an executive order in May of this year (2020), that all pistol licenses will remain active even if they have expired.  That order is still in effect as well as the state law, as long as the licensee submitted renewal application before it has expired.  The license will remain active until the renewal investigation is completed by the assigned investigator.  In addition, the licensees will receive an email automatically in this regard. 
 
Please check the website for more detailed information and check for updates: https://licensing.nypdonline.org/app-instruction/
 
Stay safe & healthy.
 
Ada L. Resnick
Office Manager
Captains Endowment Association
40 Peck Slip, New York, NY 10038
Tel # 212-791-8292
Fax # 866-226-8330

From Chip Hayes chip1440@lawyer.com

This is for retirees who still reside in NY City only.

We have recieved several emals and calls from retirees who still reside in NY City regarding the NY City Pistol licence confidentiality request form (called the Foil exemption form, a copy is attached).  The NYPD computerized the Pistol Licence system in 2017.  Everything is scanned and then submitted on line. When you renew online you should submit the attached FOIL exemption form that, as a retired Police Officer, keeps your information from being released on a freedom of information request.  Apparently some members were not asked to submit the form when they renewed and are being contscted to now submit the form.
 
One member called the Pistol Licence section and provides the following information:

Any retiree with a NYC pistol license is now required to resubmit the "confidentiality request form" which keeps your information from going public.  I did not receive the email some received advising we need to resubmit this form but I learned of it from another MOS.
Therefore I am sending this along in case others have not received it either. I called pistol license and the courteous civilian walked me through it.

Just go to the link https://licensing.nypdonline.org/ and click "sign in", then boxes will appear. One says "CONFIDENTIALLY REQUEST FORM" (its spelled that way) click on that box then a screen with your info will come up and just check off the first option "retired nypd" , then type RETIRED MOS in the white box and print name on bottom. Hit submit.
 
It was obvious from the confusion last year that there were going to be continued problems with this online email process when they started.
Now we see the problems continue.  What happens if you do not receive the emailed request from them and do not submit the form again?  Who knows? I have no other information as to why the request again.  Any problems I would suggest calling pistol license,  646 610 5560 or 646 610 5154
Remember this is for NYC pistol licenses only.

Good Luck,
Retired Lieutenant's Association NYPD
       516-354-1843
RLAnypd@gmail.com

Click HERE for the FOIL EXEMPTION FORM.

From Lou Hollander keystonecop1@verizon.net

Bobby Ganley and Neil Delargy went to the Transit Police Academy together in 1982 and worked together in TPF, District 4.  Bobby tells me Neil was a great guy and left for Nassau PD in ’86 or ’87.  This photo was taken at Neil’s “walkout”.  He left as Chief of Detectives. “Congratulations and lots of luck, Neil”

Way to go for both of these guys! All the best in your retirement, Neil.

Our many thanks to PO Bazile (who has since retired) for sending us this information on renewing your Transit ID card that is expired or nearing expiration.

For the retirees that live out of state, they can email a copy of their drivers license and id card and in the body of the email they can put their name, address and a phone number where they can be reached. We run a background check to make sure no one is wanted (you'd be surprised).

Also they need to attach a digital photo of themselves from the waist up in front of a neutral colored wall (please no hats or sunglasses).

We need a digital photo, not a photo of a photo, to put on a new id card that we mail certified.

Please tell your members they can call the Personnel Unit at 1-718-610-4660 and we will be more than happy to walk them thru the process.

UPDATE  At this time, renewals will also be accepted from members living in NY. Please follow the guidelines above.
 
Be well and keep collecting those retirement checks.

POs Frank Pena and Willie Miranda or  TBHQPersonnel@nypd.org

New York City Police Department
Transit Bureau Personnel Unit
130 Livingston Street, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn NY 11201
718-610-4660
718-610-4555 Fax

Henry Melchiona contacted us to inform all our members and fellow officers that a professional video was made of the 50th Anniversary Memorial Mass for Hank's brother, Ptl. Michael Melchiona, celebrated this past February 28th.

The video is of excellent quality. Lou Hollander converted it to a YouTube Video which can be viewed on your Smart TV if you have the YouTube app. If you view it on your PC or tablet you can view it in full screen.  I hope you enjoyed watching the video as much as I did.

Click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIaGFK3T78s  or paste link into your web browser. It is a very moving and heartwarming video. - Tony

Here are some photos from the Mass:

                                                        
                 John Moakley & Henry Melchiona                                                           Tony Lomanto, Henry Melchiona & Mike Lanning

               
         ?, Henry Melchiona, NYPD Comm. Shea, Henry's son                                      Melchiona family & friends gather at end of Mass

                                                                           
              Tony Lomanto doing a Reading during the Mass                                      Comm. Shea speaking to the congregation

       Hank and fellow officers & retirees at the luncheon with a photo of the K9 dog named "Mel" after Mike

For all those fellow Transit officers who live in NJ and were in the military, a new law went into effect in 2020.

Under a new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy, the Veteran Income Tax Exemption is doubling to $6,000 for Tax Year 2019. This exemption is in addition to the $1,000 personal exemption to which each taxpayer is entitled, and any additional exemption for which the veteran is eligible. For Tax Years 2017 and 2018, the exemption amount was $3,000.

Their website is www.st.nj.us/treasury/taxation/military/vetexemption.shtml 

From Lou Hollander, Sal Napolitano & Tony Lomanto

The Memorial Ceremony for Ptl. Mike Melchiona was a well attended event with Ret. P.O. Henry Melchiona and his family, NYPD Chief of the Department Terence Monahan, Admin. Chief Bob Ganley, TA President Andy Byford, District 1 CO Capt. O'Sullivan, former Transit Bureau Chief Joe Fox, PBA President Pat Lynch, a contingent of Officers from Suffolk County PD, and other NYPD uniformed ranks and the NYPD COlor Guard and Band contingents.

From Sal Napolitano::
Today was the long overdue recognition for Mike Melchiona who was killed in the line of duty on the 50th St & Broadway IRT subway station on February 28, 1970.  A brass plaque will be mounted on that station in Mike's memory.

I was speaking with Mike’s brother, Henry, this evening who told me that he and his family were overwhelmed by this tribute and the number of retirees, active police officers, Chiefs, former Transit Bureau Chief Joe Fox, and other ranking officers, PBA Pat Lynch, Deputy Commissioner Bob Ganley, and the MTA President were in attendance. Also, in attendance were Pipes & Drums. K-9 Units and police officers from various police departments from the NY & NJ area. There were many Suffolk County Police officers including Henry’s son and nephew who are both detectives with the SCPD.  After the dedication the PBA provided a luncheon in District 1 for all the attendees and guests. This was a very proud moment for the entire Melchiona family.

The Melchiona Family