Our Next Meeting: 1730 hours August 5, 2004 GPOA Office 241 Summit Ave. All members are encouraged to attend. Message from the President July 2004 Newsletter Newsletter Archive Legistation Benefits Membership Officers/Board Articles Your Rights IUPA NCCOPS GPD Calibre Press Membership Application Home Check Email Web Administrator

..Serving the Officers who Serve the People. The President’s Message: June 2004 So, here is the latest tally of GPOA issues. Pay/Benefits: The City Manager has proposed an increase in manpower. He has also proposed money for a "Career Enhancement" program. The June 1, 2004 edition of the News & Record credited the "record number of homicides" and "complaints from Officer Associations" as the driving force behind the manpower study and proposed manpower increases. With the increased numbers of GPOA members continuously going before City Council and citizens and the public advertisement is what has made the difference. I believe in keeping the pressure on the City Administration and City Council. We are making a difference, so continue the efforts you are making in supporting the GPOA in this goal. PAC: This is where a Political Action Committee comes in as well. PAC's are set up to provide support money to political candidates who support the same issues the PAC does. Many, many years ago, the GPOA tried a PAC and failed. The failure was due to the PAC being unable to raise funds. I think I have this part worked out. I will be sending each of you members an exploratory email. Please take a minute to read it and reply. If not enough members believe it's a worthwhile opportunity, then it will be tabled. Cpl. Joe Massey Memorial: The memorial planned for unveiling on May 31st hit a snag on the memorial placement. We missed the 45-year anniversary but I am working an alternate location and presentation in the near future. 2004 Police Ball: The Ball was held at the Cultural Arts Center and it went very well. The GPOA presented awards to: Officer Justin Blanks for Officer of the Year Det. James Armstrong for Member of the Year Capt. Anita Stalls for Supervisor of the Year Ms. Kristy Tucker for Non-Sworn Employee of the Year. Mr. Walter Patrick for Citizen of the Year Presidential Rumor: Is the rumor true? Have you heard it? The one about me not running for President of the Greensboro Police Officer's Association in the elections in May 2005. Let me clear it up about as good as a mud puddle. I believe in term limits. I believe the Association is OUR Association and not Eddy's. I believe the GPOA will survive with our without me. I believe in it's members and the strength if we ban together. Our Association is large and powerful. In 1995, I became Vice President with the GPOA. In 1999, I was nominated and elected as the President of the Association. For going on 10 years now, I have been associated with our organization. I have benefited far more from the GPOA than it ever has from me. Thank you Mike for nominating me! Address to the City Council: Letters were sent out to each of you encouraging you to come out on May 18th to show support for the GPOA in my address to the City Council. I know it was a short notice, but we felt it was necessary to keep our issues before the Council pending their passing of the 2004-2005 budget. I want to thank Claudia Scott and David Gregory for stepping up and speaking. They both made notes of their own experiences and observations and spoke from their hearts. John Morris, representing the FOP also spoke in support of increased manpower. John made comparisons between his and his Guilford County Deputy wife's salary and benefits. David spoke after me and cited having only 13 call answering cars on the 2000-0700 shift. He stated at 0430, he was one of only two cars available in the whole city. Dave sent the other available car a message, "You take the hundred thousand on the right and I'll take the hundred thousand on the left." Following David's address to the City Council, the Mayor went on the offensive. He reprimanded David on quoting exact numbers of call answering cars. The Mayor said we could come at any time and tell him the horror stories about manpower shortages, but he preferred we not be specific in numbers of call answering cars. He said he didn't want the bad guys knowing how short we were at our worst times. I couldn't allow the Mayor to go unchallenged and before I could get to the podium, Councilwoman Claudette Burroughs-White stated, "Mayor, I believe the bad guys know better than the Council how short the police are." I couldn't have said it better. City Attorney Linda Miles attempted to keep me from addressing the Mayor's statement, but the Mayor did allow me to speak. I told him of officers not having assist cars and responding to long-held calls, only to be fussed and cussed at by the citizens/owners. I also spoke of officers responding alone to calls recommended for 2-officer dispatch. Lastly, I made mention of the 10 minute police response to the cab driver's homicide in Grandover, the morning after I requested Council to halt all future annexations due to sprawl and lack of police manpower. Manpower: As I put the finishing touches on this letter, I have learned the City Manager is recommending 32 new police officer positions and approval of a "Career Enhancement" program for veterans. Not as many officers as we would like, but more than I have ever seen before. Is it going to end now? Previously, I have told City Council no. I plan to start again in December asking for many more officers. Veteran Pay: I have seen two different proposals for "Career Enhancement". When I learn more, I will let you know. Presidential Qualities: Back in 1999, I had a conversation with a friend of mine about me running for the position of President. Know me personally, he had concerns that it would not be in my best interest. He encouraged me not to run. I brushed aside his worries and I can say I am glad I did. I believe being in this position has been good for me. Let me tell you what I think the President ought to be. At all times, the President should be dedicated, level headed, trustworthy, credible, respected and thoughtful. The President represents and speaks for the GPOA members. The President can't shoot from the hip or lip. The President should be a politician and know how to seek a compromise. The President should stand ground and fight for what is right. The President should know when to stand fast and know when to stop beating a dead horse. The President should be able to look at the big picture and the little pictures. The President should expect to listen to all members. I promise you, the members will call you, stop and talk to you and email you. At times, the President should be forceful, loud, cantankerous, but humble, quiet, easygoing and thick-skinned. Have I been all of these? No. Have I tried most? I like to think I have. I believe the President should attend and lead the monthly membership meetings. I believe the President should be present at Association functions. Is it hard work to juggle a personal life and the Association? It's not a cake walk, but it is possible. Office of President Opening: With that said, I encourage those who are interested in the job to be more active. I will show and tell you all about it if you ask. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 1730 hours, at the GPOA office located at 241 Summit Avenue. In accordance to the Association's Constitution and Bylaws, you must attend half of the meetings in the year prior to the nominations, which will occur in May 2005. Conclusion: In 1999, I set some personal goals for the Association. Most have been met. Some haven't. I believe it's time for others to step up, set goals and improve our Association. I know many people in the Association's membership who could lead the GPOA. What it now takes is believing in the Organization, making a commitment and stepping forward. I don't plan on walking away from the Association. I will not dump it and run. I'm still a member of the Association and I will continue to support it, the new President and the Executive Board. I will help lighten the load if asked. I must say that I have added respect for Dave Spagnola for his continued focus in leading the Association for the 12 years prior to me. Until next time, Stay Safe and wait for your assist. Eddy Greensboro Police Officer's Association 241 Summit Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401-3005 Phone: 336-274-9595 | Fax: 336-370-9462 2002-2003 Copyright Reserved