4 Unit News - Central Ohio Retired...

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4 Unit News Central Ohio Retired Firefighters

Chapter Twelve

www.centrohretfirefighters.com [email protected]

April/May 2012

THE MAY 2, 2012

4 UNIT MEETING

WILL BE AT THE COLUMBUS

FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL

67 UNION HALL

379 W. BROAD ST. COLUMBUS, OHIO

MEET & MINGLE 11—12 MEETING BEGINS AT NOON

LUNCH SERVED AFTER THE MEETING

SPECIAL REMINDER Park in the Spaghetti Warehouse lot on the

West side of the building

4 UNIT ANNUAL BANQUET THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2012

The Berwick Party House

3250 Refugee Road

Columbus, Ohio

6:00 PM Social Hour

7:00 PM Banquet Make your plans now to attend this grand event!

4 Unit Officers: President, Gary Siniff; Vice

President, Charles Burkhart; Trustees, John

Sherman, Carl Lawhorn & George Popovich;

Sgt. At Arms, Mike Peery; Secretary, Terry

Hetzer; Treasurer, Jerry Mason; Chaplain, Lar-

ry Baker and 4 Unit News Editor, Cecil

Goodrich

4 UNIT MEETINGS every month, the 1st

Wednesday at 12:00 Noon at the VFW Hall,

1591 Lockbourne Rd., Col’s, OH NEXT

MEETINGS: May 2, (at Local 67 Hall) June 6

and July 11 (this is due to July 4 being a

holiday. See at the next meeting!

INSIDE 4 UNIT NEWS:

Page 2 - Chaplain’s

Corner and President’s

Report

Page 3—Benefits April/

May

Hot Off the Range Feb-

ruary.

Page 6 - Meeting

Minutes for February

Page 8 - Meeting

Minutes for March

0 - Ladies Flori-

da Picnic picture.

Page 11 - Birthdays

for June and July,

Donations

Page 12 - Hot Off the

Range for March

Page 16 - Wine

Tasting to benefit

Museum and Good

and Welfare

Page 19 - Application

for Membership and

dues payment, Men’s

Florida picture.

2

4 Unit News April/May 2012

CHAPLAIN’S

CORNER

8 E. Columbus Street Pickerington, OH 43147

614-866-COOL (2665) 614-866-8411 (FAX)

OH Lic. #30401

Request Michael Huffman when calling for pricing.

A firefighter related company.

Presidents Report April/May 2012

We are wrapping up our 2012 membership

drive with a reminder call. Again we thank all

who have re-upped for their continued support.

At our March meeting we were glad to visit with

old friends we haven’t seen for awhile.

We are getting ready for our annual meeting

at Local 67s Union Hall on May 2nd. Gary

Wells and his committee always make this one

of our premier events. Food and refreshments are

furnished by Local 67.

The 4 Unit Web Site is getting a lot of visits

and we need more members to register for total

access. Please let us know if your email address

changes so when it’s necessary to do a mass

email all members receive the emails. We would

still like to have an old apparatus picture from

each department on top of the pages, so send one

to be posted. Also pictures are welcome for the

image gallery albums. Please give us feedback

about the 4 Unit News posting on the web. A

new updated 4 Unit History has been completed

and will be on the web site. Thanks to Recording

Secretary Terry Hetzer for the history updates

and organizing all of the 4 Unit minutes.

Gary Siniff

"As they entered the tomb,

they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe,

sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are

looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was cruci-

fied. He has been raised; he is not here. Look,

there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his

disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you

to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told

you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb,

for terror and amazement had seized them; and

they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid

" (Mark 16:5-8, NRSV)

Only Mark has this ending to the Resurrection

account. They FLED and told not a soul what

they experienced. No wonder; we do not expect

the dead to rise to live again. No matter how

you view the resurrection of Jesus it means death

does not have the same meaning it did before.

So often I hear at the graveside, “Well, that’s

it; it’s over”. No there is more to come. For be-

lievers are promised a resurrection too. And that

promise means we can live without fear AND

that we can share that hope with others.

In our chosen field we have seen a lot of

death. We’ve even buried too many fellow fire-

fighters. Yet we have hope and live each day

knowing there is more to come. Imagine your-

self peering in to a grave as did those who first

encountered the resurrection. The grave is emp-

ty, there is but a casket there and your loved one

is missing. But then we get to meet and greet all

those who have died and risen in Christ. We will

not flee but instead shout – Hallelujah. May it

be so. Shalom, Chaplain Baker

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HOT OFF THE RANGE By: John Sherman

Continued on page 4.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

It certainly was warm enough

today (low 50’s) to ride our iron

horses, but the streets were still

wet as the rain had finally stopped (wow, what a

rainy past few months!) and anyone riding in

these condition is a glutton for punishment, as a

well detailed cleanup following this would use

up most of your day and really work you over.

Harleys give you that sensory experience and

feeling of heritage and history (100 years old

this month, them, not me,) but when they are

allowed to get this dirty, you just can’t ignore

that noble steed, so you must do your thing and

restore the luster.

Those riders that I spoke to, Jim McVay, and

Richard Luzader both wanted to straddle the sad-

dle, but like me, chose the better option for to-

day, our 4 wheeled vehicles which are much,

much easier to clean!

I’m glad I arrived early (for a change), be-

cause I saw it with my own eyes, Butch bribing

Mikey (Blackburn and Beckman) with a bloody

mary, Mike’s about 2/3 gone (was this the first?,

or second?, or more?) and Butch’s glass was

nearly empty, both were very chatty and having

a grand old time, and I wondered, what are my

chances of getting to be Butch’s sous cook and

him making me one of those things, plus getting

Benefits Article April/May 2012

After a one year off and on again debate, the

OP&F Trustees changed the DROP Interest rate

to a quarterly adjusted rate based on the 10-Year

U.S. Treasury Note Business Day Series with a

5 % Cap effective April 1, 2012. The DROP

Plan has to remain cost neutral and the OP&F

Pension Fund is not getting the return needed to

maintain the 5 % rate. Some members have stat-

ed they are moving DROP money from OP&F to

other areas for a better return, this is an individu-

al choice. Please be certain you understand eve-

rything before making changes.

The Ohio Senate is to have a bill introduced

during March to address the 30 Year Funding

requirement set by the Ohio Legislature. This

will be a bill for OP&F only. This is the plan

submitted last year to the Ohio Retirement Study

Council by OP&F. Everybody is taking credit

for getting this bill started so it’s hard to tell who

initiated the discussion, the retirees organization

(PFRO) was contacted but not invited to the

meeting with the Senate Leadership. The PFRO

does support the current proposed changes and

informed everyone that we will speak for our-

selves in the future. The Ohio House leadership

is saying not so fast we may not be aboard with

this proposal. On March 14 the Ohio Retirement

Study Council received a preliminary report

from the actuaries checking on all 5 pension

Funds. These continuing reports will most likely

influence the Ohio House of Representatives on

their decisions regarding changes to meet the

funding requirement.

Only 576 OP&F Members applied for the

2012 health Care Discount Program, this dis-

count is available to anyone who qualifies in our

pension fund. Information is always in the open

enrollment books. While it’s too late for 2012 we

will remind everyone again in the fall and hope-

fully more eligible members can enter this pro-

gram

Reminder letters were sent out to any Benefit

Recipient identified as having Medicare Part B,

but not receiving the $99.90 reimbursement. 375

letters were sent out yielding only 21 responses.

This is one of the best benefits we have and we

continuously remind everyone of the enrollment

procedures necessary to enroll. The OP&F will

not reimburse retroactively OP&F members who

are late in applying.

4


to sample some of the “fixins” too! But alas, I

suspect Butch has a long list of those wanting to

“ride the range” with him and I’d have to go to

the end of the line. Coffee is not quite the same,

but I guess it’ll have to do!

And while I was there visiting with them, we

were joined by a few others, Keith (chi chi) Bru-

no, Jim Smith and others, overflowing that two

buttocks (butts) kitchen area enjoying light-

hearted banter when Capt. Bill Kuskowski’s

name came up, so I retold the story of my esca-

pade with him during boat rescue training at the

West Whittier St. boat docks and as we were

ending our day, I just? Innocently? inquired of

him as to whether or not the rumor that I had

heard about him had any validity and he loudly

replied, “Well, I dunno, what exactly did you

hear?” So I related that “I was told that” and here

I stopped and looked around for a fast escape

route as I continued, “someone claimed that you

had actually “crammed” for a “wine test,” at

which Bill’s face went ashen as he attempted to

grab me, yelling “why you dirty rotten (actually,

his language was much more colorful than mine)

scoundrel, if I get my hands on you, I’ll kill

you,” as he was chasing me all around the ramps

and docks, and I suppose that the only reason

that I’m here today is that I had earlier changed

into my shoes, while he was still in his boots!

And ever the “topper,” (you know, the first

story teller doesn’t have a chance) Jim Smith

retorted that Kuskowski was actually afraid of

him, because when Jim first entered the depart-

ment, after Drill School, he was sent to Station 2,

and while at roll call each day, Kuskowski would

just stare at Jim, and Jim wondered, “what the

he _ _ is he doing, staring at me like that all the

time” and he later came to find out that John Si-

mons had told “Cuz” that Jim was his nephew

and held a black belt in Karate and you better not

mess with him and so Kuskowski’s stare was

because of fear and trepidation! Hey, looking at

Jim, even today, I wouldn’t find that so difficult

to believe!

No one offered any chanllenges to top that so

I began gathering the details of today’s dining

pleasure.

I inquired of Butch as to what the menu was

for today and he answered, “Cowboy beans,” but

today’s fare, because it also included his own

special “house made” scalloped potatoes was

again, began the day before at Butch’s home,

with sous chef Mike there helping with the peel-

ing and slicing of those spuds and other details

of both of those dishes, culminating in a half pre-

pared dish, which will be brought to completion

here today at the Post.

Butch begins by having Mike browning

ground beef to a partial doneness, while

“multitasking” Butch is sautéing the cut up cel-

ery, onions and green peppers to which he now

adds his “secret” seasonings which results in that

“just right” taste, then adds the two kinds of

beans, chili and great northern, plus diced toma-

toes and barbeque sauce, mixing it all together,

lastly adding the smoked sausage chunks and

cooked on top of the stove so that it can be

properly melded by occasionally stirring until

serving time.

All the while, both are involved in the final

preparation of the scalloped potatoes, layered in

baking pans, then adding milk, flour, salt, pepper

and lots and lots of butter between each layer,

which made them really special, then baked until

done, reflected in a golden brown hue on top.

I normally rate cowboy beans in the 3 to 3 12

axes category, but because of these special pota-

toes, today’s fare garners

four (4) full axes!

Accompanying the

beans and potato dishes were a very good cole

slaw, Auddino’s hard rolls with the genuine

spread, ending with a “touch of sweet,” choco-

late peanut butter brownies.

As we were gathering in the rear office area,

Gary Sniff was one of the last to enter, which

was unusual in itself, but Pastor Baker’s greeting

was even more so, as he stated, “we just had vote

and Gary, you lost,” so Gary asked what the vote

was about and Larry replied that it was about

who gets to sit in the only good office chair

there, and that the majority felt that taking turns


5


in it should be rotated among us, which brought

a hearty laugh from everyone, as Gary plumped

himself down into this customary position, but it

wasn’t over yet, as then the issue of who had the

most “stents” entered the discussion, as both

have some, Larry declaring, “Well, I’ve got

nine,” as Gary replied, “you’ve got me there, but

I still have the chair!” (poetry?)

Nice try Larry, better luck next time, as

R.H.I.P. seems to trump rotation! Pastor Baker

gave us the good news that he’s much improved

and is now in therapy, while our recording sec-

retary, Terry Hetzer reported that his fourth back

surgery apparently went well and he’s hopefully

on his way to permanent recovery. All’s well

that ends well!

As President Siniff has mentioned many

times, the Hilliard 9/11 Memorial and how im-

pressive it is, I’m pleased to report that while I

was in that area for Chief Charlie Lewis’s funer-

al, Gary told me that it’s just around the corner,

as he knew that I had been wanting to visit the

site, so I waked over there thinking that I would

spend a few minutes there,which turned out to

be over a half hour there, as I was so impressed

with what the Hilliard Fire Dept., their Mayor

and the entire community had erected, a truly

lasting most honorable and worthy monument,

and is the finest memorial of that tragic event of

September 11, 2001 that I’ve ever seen. I salute

them all!

I loved it when telling my wife Norma about

it, she too is looking forward to visiting there on

a warm spring evening when the water will be

flowing, and the lights turned on.

President Siniff called the regular meeting to

order and Pastor Baker began by telling us “that

before we get into little devotion it’s ironic that I

had spent the last few days pondering what

scripture to bring to us and to honest, it’s a little

lengthier than usual, and at the executive board

meeting something was said about John (that’s

me) being somewhat verbose,” which brought a

lot of catcalls and laughter, but surely you know

that he must have been referring to the “Hot off

the Range” articles, (as normally I’m usually

reticent,) but I am “aurally” and “visually” at-

tuned so that I can give you a “complete” report

on some of the interesting happenings in my

presence, so with your perceiving that, my

“feelings” weren’t hurt, but rather, bolstered by

that back door compliment!

(Pastor Baker continuing) “and that he had

thought seriously about just scraping what he

had prepared,” but he continued on with 1st Co-

rinthians concerning our relationships with oth-

ers, basically stating that what St. Paul means is,

be considerate of the other person, if it’s going to

cause him to stumble, just don’t do it and that if

you look at the big picture of Jesus’s life, He was

always looking out for the other person.

Followed by prayers and the Pledge.

Siniff then asked if there were any “first tim-

ers,” and both Steve Bendure and John

Cheatham introduced themselves and received a

warm welcome from all.

A very contentious discussion occurred when

the Constitution changes were brought up and it

was made known that voting had to be on the

whole package, rather than individual sections.

The contentions focused on the entire paragraph

removal section, (causing one wag to remark that

it reminded him of some of our old Union meet-

ings that we used to attend) after which the pack-

aged changes were overwhelmingly approved.

I just hope that what we were cautioned about

that could happen, never comes to pass, as then

we will have lost our “collective voice.”

President Siniff, assisted by his strong man

Sgt. At Arms Mike Peery did a very good job of

keeping things moving along pretty smoothly

and under control.

I enjoyed dining with Frank Henderson, Bill

Mason, Bruce Ashcraft, Harley man Bob Keefer

and Bill Lawhead, and as usual, converstion is

always so pleasant when your are dining.

In brief discussion of our “HOST” program,

someone commented that “it’s the very best

thing that we do.”

50/50 winners of $30.00 each were Bernie

Nance who donated his to the Museum’s Heart-

mobile and Bill Mason who gave his to 4 Unit


6


News. Thanks to both of you gentlemen.

Thought for today - - - “Mistakes are the por-

tals of discovery.” James Joyce

Did you know - - - that the beginning of the

Dark Ages occurred when the Roman Empire

fell 410-1100 AD? Your hungry gourmand

Central Ohio Retired Fire Fighters Four Unit, Inc.

Minutes of meeting on February 1, 2012 at 12:00 Noon

Place VFW Post #3426, 1591 Lockbourne Road

Columbus, Ohio

Officers present roll call: Gary Siniff, Terry

Hetzer, John Sherman, Carl Lawhorn, George

Popovich, Mike Peery, & Larry Baker

Absent: Charles Burkhart and Jerry Mason

excused

Members present: 77 Guests 0 Total 77

Invocation by: Larry Baker

Pledge of Allegiance led by: Mike Peery

Welcome: Gary Siniff

New Members: John Cheatham and Steve Ben-

dure

Recording Sec. Report: Motion to waive Janu-

ary minutes, motion passed.

Membership Sec. /Treas. Report: Paid 379

Life 205 Widows 194

Checking $6,975.52 Money Market $3000.99

CDs $8000.00

President’s Report: Gary received a call on one

of the investment ads in the FD News.

We do not endorse any of the investment ads.

April 15 is the scholarship deadline from the

PFRO raffle.

VP Report: None

Committee reports:

FD News: At the printer

Benefits:

4 Unit Benefits Report Feb. 1, 2012

The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund

closed at $11.89 Billion on January 24, 2012

Ø Legislative report:

The ORSC meets this week and the can-

didates for the new ORSC Director have

been narrowed to 4. The appointment

should be soon.

OP&F may have a 30-Year Funding bill

introduced in the Ohio Senate in February

or March. The OP&F Trustees are not

waiting on the actuarial report being

compiled by the ORSC and this will be a

stand-alone bill for OP&F.

Buck Actuarial Consultants presented

new 30 Year Funding numbers to the

OP&F Trustees and they will meet again

in early February to finalize parts of the

proposal. The changes to the DROP in-

terest rate, a decrease in the employer’s

contribution rate to the Health Care Sta-

bilization Fund and the time span to in-

crease the active member’s contribution

rate to 12.25% from the current 10% are

the final parts to resolve.

Disability Committee report:

1. The committee heard 21 Cases and

approved 18. Two death fund benefits

were approved and eight appeals were

presented to the committee.

2. The committee acted on a complaint of

possible fraud by a member on disability.

The DEP physician recommends the

member be re-examined and the commit-

tee is ordering a re-exam of the member.

The committee discussed the disability

termination workflow chart and request-

ed that when a disabled member is being

notified that their file is being reviewed,

that they also be notified they will be

subject to re-examination.

3. The Code of Conduct for all involved

in the disability process was discussed.

Ø Health Care Committee report:

1.UHC presented updated figures about

the open enrollment seminars:

a. 675 attended the 7 seminars, 63

participated in the teleconference and 118

had the health screenings.

b. 25,248 kits were mailed to mem-


7



bers, 3,710 members had changes, and

25,312 confirmation letters were mailed.

c. 120 dependents were terminated be-

cause required forms were not returned to

UHC.

d. UHC received 7,680 phone calls to

the OP&F team in Westerville Ohio.

2. UHC is investigating possible incen-

tives to improve participation in the Dia-

betes Health Plan. 47% of enrolled mem-

bers did not comply with requirements of

the plan and the remaining 53% did some

compliance. 376 new enrollees in the plan

brought total participation to 1,911. This

is the only year everyone is grandfathered

in the plan.

3. Members are receiving Wellness

emails from UHC. Members can opt out

if desired.

4. Members may receive calls from a

UHC Nurse as a follow up to certain

treatments and procedures. Members re-

ceived a post card in August about the

program.

5. The full board voted unanimously to

send out an RFI for OP&F health care

coverage after 2013.

6. UHC will present an update and time-

line in March to OP&F about the transi-

tion to an in-house UHC Rx plan.

7. Certain preventive procedures without

co-pay can become diagnostic procedures

and have co-pay.

Ø Benefits Committee report:

1. The committee tabled the discussion

on the DROP interest rate on Tuesday till

after Buck’s Report on Wednesday.

2. The Benefits Committee received an

update on DROP numbers;

a. Currently 3,563 members are enrolled

in DROP.

b. 908 members terminated in 2011.

c. 662 enrolled in DROP in 2011.

d. The average time in DROP is 6.39

years.

Ø Administration Committee

1. The OP&F Trustee election materials

were approved and will be made availa-

ble in February.

Ø Commentary

Bill Deighton again represented retirees

when severe cuts to the contributions go-

ing into the Health Care Stabilization

fund were proposed and this time the oth-

er board members supported him and are

looking at other cuts to maintain the fund

at 15 years.

Introducing a 30-year funding bill in the

senate doesn’t mean the house will ap-

prove it, but it’s a start from the do noth-

ing attitude of the legislature for the last 7

years.

The board and staff responded to

questions from us about keeping a sup-

plemental Medicare B plan versus an Ad-

vantage Plan. They said this is a more

cost effective plan for our members.

Host: Assisted the Jeff Aldridge, Char-

lie Lewis, and Jim Siemer families.

Museum: Dick Yoerger reported that

the Museum received a donation from the

Columbus Foundation. Working on the

door panels and operating table of the

Heart Mobile.

Bill Hall is retiring March 15.

Banquet: None

Picnic: None

Old Business: Motion by Albert Allen,

second by Larry Baker to vote on the

Constitution changes presented at the

8



December and January meetings.

There was discussion on the motion.

Motion passed 53 – 6

New Business: Albert Allen would like

for everyone to log off when you are

done on the 4 Unit website.

Good and Welfare: Washington Town-

ship Firefighters and the Sutphen Corpo-

ration will be hosting the 7th annual Fire-

fighters Ball for MDA on March 10,

2012 from 7 pm to 12 am., at the Colum-

bus Marriott Northwest.

4 Unit picnic in Florida is February 24,

2012.

Sick list: Ralph Boso, Terry Hetzer,

Marv Olney, Bob Smith, Dan Vincent,

Phil Crist, and Jerry Weber. Please notify

Chaplain Larry Baker by phone or email

of any needs.

PT to #5 Unit: Jim Siemer and Jane Parr

wife of Tom Parr.

Cooks: Butch Blackburn and Mike Beck-

man 50/50 drawing winners: Bill Ma-

son – donated to the FD News - Bernie

Nance – donated to the Heart Mobile

Amount: $30.00 each.

Meeting adjourned by President Siniff

Central Ohio Retired Fire Fighters Four Unit,

Inc.

Minutes of meeting on March 7, 2012 at 12:00

Noon

Place VFW Post #3426, 1591 Lockbourne Road

Columbus, Ohio

Officers present roll call: Siniff, Burkhart, Hetzer,

Peery, Sherman, Popovich, Lawhorn, & Baker

Absent: Mason excused

Members present: 73 Guests 0 Total 73

Invocation by: Larry Baker

Pledge of Allegiance led by: Mike Peery

Welcome: Gary Siniff

New Members Joe DiAmico & Deidre Pierce

Recording Sec. Report: Motion to waive reading of

February Minutes. Motion passed.

Membership Sec. /Treas. Report: Paid 438

Life 205 Widows 195

Checking $7,009.15 Money Market Checking

$3002.25 CDs $8000.00

President’s Report: Gary Siniff and Terry Hetzer

updated the 4 Unit histories and will post it on the

web site soon. The call list for our membership drive

is out – members not paid up will be receiving a

phone call. There is a 4 Unit clothing order sheet

out.

VP Report: Working on pension issues.

Committee reports:

4 Unit News: March 15th is the deadline.

Benefits: The Fund closed at $12.33 Billion on

February 28, 2012. OP&F Legislative Agent Darryl Dever addressed the

Board regarding possible pension fund legislation

during March. He anticipates that a bill will be intro-

duced shortly that will contain the items outlined in

OP&F’s 30-year funding proposal as presented in

February 2011 and approved by the Board of Trus-

tees. Only OP&F would be addressed in this bill ver-

sus HB69/SB3, which addressed all five pension

funds. It is also anticipated that the bill would contain

language that would grant the Board more flexibility

to make some benefit changes on their own without

continual legislative approval.

The Fund’s actuary, Buck Consultants, was sched-

uled to address the Board regarding an updated 30-

year funding proposal. However, following the report

of the possible impending legislation, the Board

chose not to pursue any changes to the 30-year fund-

ing items as presented last year.

DISABILITY COMMITTEE

There were 29 Initial Determination Hearings

(IDH) this month. 25 were recommended for approv-

al, 1 was disapproved, 1 was postponed, and 1 was

recommended for a re-examination.

There was 1 reconsideration hearing this month.

An increased award was recommended. There were 6

appeal hearings.

There were 3 Death Benefit Fund Hearings and all

were recommended for approval.

BENEFITS COMMITTEE

Staff reviewed the following two Administrative

Rules and recommended changes. The Board subse-

quently approved the recommended changes.

742-7-09 Medicare Part “A” and “B” eligibil-

ity: payment of Medicare Part “B” premium; treat-

ment of Medicare Part “B” payment.

9


Bobby Layman Cadillac

GMC

Tom Spires

3733 Claypool Street Carroll, OH 43112 614-837-0999

There was a recommendation to remove historical

language that no longer applies; and to update cross

reference to ORC Section 742.45.

742-4-09 Calculation of Interest

The Board discussed the interest rate paid on

DROP funds and accounts of re-employed retirees.

The Board subsequently voted to implement item #4

on the 2011 OP&F 30-year Funding Plan. Effective

the 2nd quarter of 2012 (April 2nd), the interest rate

will be based on the “10-year US Treasury Note

Business Day Series” as published by the Board of

Governors of the Federal Reserve with a 5% cap.

HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE Staff presented a memorandum regarding the 2011

year-end report for the Health Care Stabilization

Fund. A review showed that most line items were

close to the budgeted amounts. Major differences

were higher than anticipated “rebates and recover-

ies” ($19.9 million versus the budgeted amount of

$6.7 million), and less than anticipated “investment

return allocation” ($16.4 million versus the budgeted

amount of $61.9 million). The 2011 year-end balance

was $770.5 million, an increase from the 2010 year-

end balance of $717.7 million. The com-

mittee heard updated statistics regarding the “Annual

Change Period.” Highlights of that report showed:

· 10,533 UHC Medical Plan participants

· 24,270 Prescription Plan participants


10


· 15.574 AARP Medicare/Supplement

Plan participants

· 13,903 Dental Plan participants

· 11,585 Vision Plan participants

576 Members in the 2012 Discount Program

Reminder letters were sent out to any Benefit

Recipient identified as having Medicare Part B, but

not receiving the reimbursement. 375 letters were

sent out yielding 21 responses.

Commentary:

There was much discussion by the Board re-

garding the DROP/Re-employed Retiree interest

rate amendment. The Board ultimately decided to

strictly follow the proposal as outlined in the Feb-

ruary 2011 “30-year funding proposal.”

OP&F continues to reach out to those members

who are eligible for the Medicare Part B reimburse-

ment. There are still 300+ members that are eligi-

ble but not receiving this benefit. Once eligibility is

established and the correct form is received by the

Fund, the reimbursement can begin anytime during

the year; however, reimbursement payments are not

retroactive to the time that you first became eligi-

ble. If you should have contact with other retirees,

ask them whether they are receiving this benefit.

Host: None

Museum: Dick Yoerger reported the body on the

Heart Mobile is almost done, working on the up-

holstery. He has calendars for sale. Waiting on

donation from OSU.

Banquet: None

Picnic: None

Old Business: None

New Business: The May 2, 2012 meeting will be

held at Local 67. The Credit Union will be at the

meeting and will be given 10 minutes.

Good and Welfare: First Responders Day at OSU

Baseball game will be April 14. Texas”Hold’Em”

this Sunday at Local 67 $50.00 OSU Spring

game is April 21st you can arrange group dea.l

Sick list: Paul Goss, Marv Olney, Ernie VanHoose,

Denny Lyman, Bob Smith, & Jerry Weber.

PT to #5 Unit: Mary Elliot and Shirley Lyttle

Cooks: Butch Blackburn and Mike Beckman

50/50 drawing winners: Gary Eubanks and Carl

Lawhorn donated to FD News.

Amount: $31.00 each.

Meeting adjourned by President Siniff at 1236

Group picture of the ladies attending the Florida picnic in February. Photo by John Rees

11


4 UNIT BIRTHDDAYS

JUNE 1 Ray Moore 2 Thomas Christ Cecil Goodrich John Kern 3 Harold Barnes Richard Jones 4 Robert Hathaway Richard Morrison Joann Welch Bruce Wolf 5 James Brown John Carter Gail Hayes Naomi Roberts 6 Barbara Cahill 7 Richard Langwasser 8 Nola Green-Hough Lowell Proper 9 Jim Gregerson Tom Guth Russ Solomon 10 Julia Alwood 11 Dave Carter 12 Clara Porter James Strawser 14 Johanna Kirwin Charles Campbell James Duffey Lois Flynn June Underwood 15 William Smith Paul Goss 16 Chester Ambrose Pat Bonaventura Thomas Green Thomas Head Richard Nieman 17 Daniel Harvey William Kirwin Larry Holland 18 Earl Gross Jim Hastings Russell Rebtoy 19 Shirley Payne 20 David Bowers Michael Rutkowski 21 Alan Hittepole Charles Schultz Paul White, Jr. 22 James Blackburn Scott Smith Jerry Yeater

23 John Anders Robert Jordan Betty Penwell Harley Perkins Phillip Sheridan Donald Werner, Jr. S. Allan Wooten 24 John Blackburn 25 Carroll Miller Marie Schwartz Marilyn Williams 26 Richard (Sam) Huff 27 Michael Cummins Richard Jones Dolores Trucco 28 Paul Ritzenthaler William Schwab John Sherman, Jr. Donald Taylor Ronald Temple, Sr. 29 Steve Mangini 30 John Sullivan June Zito JULY 1 Walter Matheny 2 Larry Barton Terry Schneider Don Wilson 3 Patricia Hausberger Mike Houchard Neil Studebaker 4 John Cheatham 5 Bill Hennosy Constance Rowe Paul Stanley 6 Ross Husted Albert Straub William Voglemeir 7 Jim Getreu Marvin Olney 8 James Seagle Robert Slupe 9 Bob Hinebaugh James Johnson Michael Johnson 10 Michael Fiasconi 11 Gerald Fink 12 Ruth Hewitt Kathleen Pfeifer Mitch Ross John Selvey 13 John Simkins Gary Siniff 14 Carol Lee 15 Donald Tinnerman

16 Ralph Dowler, Sr Charles Henderson Cherie Weiler 17 Timothy Cordle 18 Michael Beckman Steve Clemons Charles Kramer 20 Anne Doucette 21 Marilou Beshara Marian Daines 22 Wayne Fisher 23 Murray Orlov Russell Welch 24 William Huiss William Littleton 25 Terry Dillon John Eger

25 Mark Humphrey Jerry Mason Russell Young 26 Samygene Bauchmire Kelly Green Darrell Hunter George Popvich Carl Stone, Jr. Harry Throckmorton 27 Paul Pettit 28 John Chapin Ruth Paini Robert Schwab 30 Charles Clarke 31 Joyce Lynn Cassidy Clifford Weate

DONATIONS:

John Ansel

Martha Anthony

Michael Bates

Craig Bauman

Nelson Bice

James Brown

Joyce Cassady

John Cheatham

John Cline

Robert Cloud

Charles Coey

Robert Cosner

Barbara Cronin

Robert Dadum

Kenneth Davis

Frank DeCarlo

Tim Delong

James Duffey

Kathleen Ebersbach

Michael Fiasconi

Leonard Figlioli

Gerald Fink

Ted Fischer

Janet Fowler

Michael Fowler

Michael Fultz

Garnet George

Richard Glasspoole

Donald Goldhart

Louis Goodrich

Linda Borby

Paul Goss

Daniel Green

Thomas Guth

John Hall, Jr.

Robert Harper,Jr.

Stephen Heughebart

Randy Higgins

Lois Horton

William Hykes

Dale Ingram

Richard Jahn

Donald Johnson

Michael Johnson

Gary Knapp

William Knox

Carol Lee

Mary Jo Leonhardt

Joseph Lieb, Jr.

Gary Littleton

Lanny Long

Steven Mangini

Glenn Marquard

Ruth Mason

Walter Matheny

Larry McCord

Margaret McCord

Floyd McCoy

Don L. Miller

William Miller

Stephen Mills

Francis Moore

Robert Moore, Jr.

David Morbitzer

Linda Nance

James O’Hara

Daniel Paxton

Edward Price

Charles Ramsey

Russell Rebtoy

Frank Reeves


12


March 7, 2012

March usually comes in like a

roaring lion, but for this March, we iron pony rid-

ers were very pleased with two pretty fair

“sunny” days, yesterday’s temp was 56 degrees

and today’s is 64 degrees! What a nice bit of

weather for us to enjoy as winter (?) winds its

way into Spring. For me, “the feeling of defying

time - and most everything else while on your

Harley, as the Rule Book is for Referees (!)” is

pervasive!

During the executive meeting Pres. Sniff was

discussing “wrapping up” the current membership

drive and while dividing up the “telephone call

lists” that we use to remind some of our “slower

responding” members that they are now a little

overdue on their 2012 annual dues of $5.00 for 4

Unit and $20.00 for Police and Fire Retirees of

Ohio (PFRO), totaling $25.00, Pres. Siniff stated

that he had selected me to call all the “older mem-

bers (no, I really wasn’t in the Dept. when they

ran with steam engines and horses!) as he felt that

my age placed me in “special” position of con-

versing with persons of my own “age” group,

(now I ask, is this age discrimination or what?) as

he further elaborated that I may be more likely to

know more of them and have a better rapport than

some of our younger committee members (now

HOT OFF THE RANGE By: John Sherman

isn’t he the sly one? Why, I almost feel

“honored”!) and I suppose that I should be

“flattered” at being assigned to such a “lofty”

position,” but I’m not really sure! I need time to

think this through.

Vice Pres. Charley Burkhart pleasantly (I

think!) surprised all of us by showing up at to-

day’s meeting, as we thought that he was still in

Florida and someone asked if “Peery” (Mike)

had checked out his “Ohio” highway driving

habits yet (apparently Charley drives much slow-

er on our freeways than he does on Florida’s)

and Mike replied that he wouldn’t want to go

through that ordeal again! (of following Charley

and the very long line of traffic behind him on

Rt. 315 last year.

Recording secretary Terry Hetzer has been

diligently working on bringing some order to all

of 4 Unit’s old meeting records since our organi-

zation’s inception back in 1978 and also updat-

ing our history as he and Pres. Siniff have been

spending many hours on the telephone collabo-

rating in this endeavor with Siniff also spending

even more time with his “speedy typing” skills

on his computer board, assisting as needed.

Being “busy” on our behalf is “normal” for

Gary, and Terry is following his example very

well by transforming all of the material into a

typed booklet form, so I want to especially com-

mend Terry on doing such a fine job!

After the executive board meeting, I sought

out Butch Blackburn to get the particulars on

today’s vittles that he’s calling “Meatball Stroga-

noff” and I ran into his sous chef Mike Beckman

in one of the “ante” rooms where he was busily

portioning and cutting the dessert of the day and

I inquired as to where Butch was and he an-

swered that he had “thrown him out and I’m tak-

ing over today,” so I asked him to give me the

details for today’s food and his tone instantly

changed, as he replied, “Oh!” “Well you better

ask Butch, you’ll find him in the other room.”

Wow, what a change in attitude, as apparently

“responsibility” weighs heavily upon a sous

chef!

So I found Butch as he was returning to the

Arline Ries

Mitch Ross

Wanda Ross

Jack Rowley

Stephen Russell

John Schirtzinger

Terry Schneider

Robert Schwab

Raymond Scott

Kenneth Searls

Richard Sellers

Marvin Sells

John Selvey

Don Sherrod

Carolyn Smith

Daniel Smith

Phil Snyder

Raymond Snyder

Carl Stone, Jr.

James Strawser

Michael Such

George Thomas

Robert Throckmorton

Donald Tinnermann

William Vogelmeier

Thomas Zinser

Total Donations for

this period -

$1,656.00


DONATIONS CONTINUED

13


RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL

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“range” area and he began providing the details

of his “Meatballs Stroganoff,” which he begins

with a beef consume to which is added sautéed

mushrooms and onions and then stirring in the

roux which results in a nice thick beef mushroom

gravy, now adding the desired spices just prior to

the meatballs which are all now gently cooked

until done while simultaneously (as you know,

they both are multitaskers) cooking the wide

noodles until al dente, then layering them into

roasting pans in preparation for the ladling of the

gravy and meatballs, gently turning and melding

before baking in the oven until ready to serve, at

which time the sour cream is added for the final

stirring, which immediately precedes the race of

hungries to form the long slow (are some of us

eating while in the line!) queue of devotees of the

“Blackburn Magic “Chef” range” that he rides in

the VFW kitchen! Ride on Butch. Ride on!

A rainbow effect medley of vegetables, broc-

coli, cauliflower, summer squash, zucchini, green

beans and carrots was the secondary dish, also an

Italian salad, Auddino’s hard rolls with real but-

ter and a sweet course of white sheet cake with

white icing.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that they both were im-

bibing bottled beer today (they must have grown

tired of the routine of bloody marys!) and seemed

to be at a different level of “rapture,” than usual.

The regular meeting was called to order by

Pres. Siniff who called upon Chaplain Baker who

reminded us that “Lent is a time of repentance,

meaning to turn around and return to God, and

that no matter how many times we return to him,

God is always welcoming us when we do,” fol-

lowed by prayer, during which time someone’s

cell phone rang and the good Pastor just contin-

ued his prayer, “giving thanks even for the mar-

velous technology that ring at all the wrong

times,” which brought forth a few giggles and

lots of smiles.

Then the pledge, followed by the introduction

of first timers Joe D’Amico and Didi Pierce, then

roll call, etc. Gary mentioned that Capt. Albert

Allen gets an “all right” on the progress of ad-

vancing everything concerning the Web site.


14


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Keep up the good work, Al!

We had a good crowd again, some “longtime

no see” members like Carl Harris, John Herold,

Capt. Bob Painter, Bn. Ch. Joe Richards and

Henry Baldwin. You guys have been away too

long, come back soon!

The “Power” tables were well manned today

by the usual (dare I say riff raff?) who associate

with the leaders, table #1 “Don” Barry Tresner

of the “west” and Mike Peery of the “east,”

while the ringleaders of table #2 (the noisy one,)

Gary Eubank and Danny Brobst held “sway” in

their “clamorous” way.

Speaking of Tresner, who injured his “bow”

thumb (you do remember his version of the

“heroic” rescue of the kid at Nelsonville area

orphanage “story” versus the “what actually hap-

pened account” of bows and arrows), and it is

pretty well healed now, so I expect that some

arrows will soon leave the quiver as he’s been

too well behaved for way too long.

Those two, Tresner and Peery, while Pres.

Siniff was relating the details of our meeting at

Fire Station 67 at which he and Gary Wells had

firmed up the “final” details, the “Dons” both

jumped up wanting to know more specific infor-

mation on just how adequate the “beer” supply

was going to be? All this while I and at least

some of the rest of us were eagerly anticipating

the “menu”!

I especially enjoyed this day, not only because

of the great food, but also because it was my

annual selling day of the K of C Charity Raffle

tickets for 25 cash prizes being nearly

$50,000.00, the second prize nearly $19,000.00,

etc. awarding a total of $108,000.00!

I’m sorry if you missed your opportunity, but

I enjoyed even the banter, i.e. one gentleman (?)

asked me if I’d take $4.00 for the $5.00 ticket,

another, Asst. Chief Terry Trojack) told me that

he’d buy one if I could make change for his

$100.00 bill, I did and he did, and a total of 29

tickets were purchased, and I told them all that,

although I’ve been selling these tickets (no not

the same ones!) for many years, I must confess

that I’ve never sold a winning ticket yet, which

means - - - “Man, I’m due!” I think that idea “set

the hook!”

Another “gent” asked if the $5.00 could be de-

ducted from his state and federal income taxes

(can you believe it!) and I referred him to his

bookkeeper!

Guys, thanks for support and ladies, if your

“man” shows up with some extra cash after May

25th, blame me.

I enjoyed my meal in the company of Don Ri-

ley, Jim Shannon, Bn. Ch. Dick Yoerger and

Charles Schultz and in seeking input for “Axes”

from them, two thought it deserved a five, (they

15


16


WINE TASTING FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012

RAMADA PLAZA 4900 Sinclair Rd.,

Columbus, OH 7:30 to 10:00 PM

$17.00 Per Person Wine Tasting and Silent Auction - Door Prizes Refreshments. Come and Support this activity which benefits The Central Ohio Fire Museum and Learning Center. For information Call Cheri Weiler (614)231-9779

2012 FIRE DEPARTMENT POCKET

CALENDARS $5.00 each

To Order: Call CHERI WEILER (614) 231-9779 “Learning from the past to save

lives in the future.”

were very, very hungry!)

and so I filtered the

conversation down to a strong four axes.

50/50 drawing today was worth $31.00 each

to Gary Eubanks and Asst. Ch. Carl Lawhorn

and both gentlemen donated it all to our 4 Unit

News. (Not only is Eubanks clamorous, but he

does nice things too!) Thank you both for your

gift and your great attitude!

Thought for today - - - “Don’t cry because

it’s over, smile because it happened.” Theodor

Seuss Geisel (aka, Dr. Seuss)

Did you know that King Henry VIII estab-

lished the Church of England in 1534AD?

The hungry gourmand

P.S. On March 15,while attending Columbus

Firefighter Bill Hall’s retirement party at Fire

Sta. 67, in discussing the museum’s founding

with Bill as the co-founder along with Robert

Throckmorton (Throcky was the first to “start

collecting and tagging” items for it), they both

credit each other for it’s ultimate beginnings

which has materialized into our Central Ohio

Fire Museum and Learning Center of which we

are all so proud, and the guidance of its Execu-

tive Director Bill Hall, who has led it to become

recognized as one of the top five Fire Museums

in America! Congratulations Bill! And Throcky.

While there, I had the priviledge of spending a

few minutes with Pastor Richard Ellsworth, who

succeeded Pastor Sutorious when he retired as

Columbus Fire Dept.Chaplain and he held that

position for decades, but what really surprised

me about him was that he also has been a

“Harley” rider for a very long time (Yeh, way to

go, Reverend!) and still rides even at the age of

87! He recently purchased a Honda Gold Wing

“trike” which he said he feels much more com-

fortable on at his age. I was also able to visit

with Retired Mifflin Fire Chief Jack Selvey, who

put the “bug” in my ear about Reverend Ells-

worth.

GOOD AND WELFARE Sick List: Tom Green, Ralph Boso, Harmon

Dutko, Phil Christ, Harry Throckmorton, Vince

Bruzzese, Frank Grim, Tim Mitchell, Bill Hen-

nosy, Rich Jones, Jack Anders, Don Lee,

Randy Molter, Jim Duffey, Marv Olney, Bob

Smith, Jerry Weber and Ernie Vanhoose.

Those in Assisted Living:

Bill McCoy, Highbanks Care Center, 111

Lazelle Rd., Cols, OH 43235

Dick Thrall, Pickerington Nursing Center,

1300 Hill Rd., Pickerington, OH 43147

Robert Slupe, Laurels of Worthington, 1030

N. High St., Worthington, OH 43085

Art Rankin, The Woodlands of Eastland, 2469

Kimberly Parkway East, Columbus, OH 43232

Captain Harry Throckmorton, 5351 Gandon

Dr., Hilliard,OH 43126

Phil Christ, Wesley Glen, 5515 N. High St.,

Columbus, OH 43214

PT’D to 5 Unit,

Jim L. Siemer, Retired Batt. Chief, Colum-

bus, 1-12-12

Dan Vincent, Retired Asst. Ch. Columbus,

2-6-12

Spouses,

Patricia Ann Melfi, wife of Mike 2-4-12

Jane Parr, wife of Tom, 4-26-12

Sarah Throckmorton, wife of Harry 2-29-12

Widows,

Mary Katherine Elliott, widow of Orlando

3-3-12

17


18


19


2012 CENTRAL OHIO RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS - 4-UNIT 2012 F/F or Widow

Name___________________________________________________________________ DOB Address City St Zip

Tele (____)__________________Date Retired___________ Department Name

Spouse of Retiree ______________________________________________DOB

Make Check payable to 4-Unit C.O.R.F. for

4-Unit dues - C.O. R. F. 5.00 ( __ ) dues in the amount of $25.00, plus any other

State dues - P. F. R O. 20.00 ( _______ ) options selected and

Donation to 4-Unit News_______(________ ) Mail to: Jerry Mason, 5896 Bretton Pl.,

Decals 4-Unit 1.00 ( ) Westerville, OH 43082

Decals State P.F.R.O. 1.00 ( ) By using this application you do not have to pay

TOTAL any other dues.

PLEASE ENCLOSE A SELF ADDRESSED ENVELOPE with your application or your

MEMBERSHIP CARD WILL NOT BE MAILED BACK TO YOU.

**Our dues are due each year by January 1st. Be sure to fill in all the infor-

mation requested, as it is all important. Be sure to include a self addressed

envelope. Mail them back to me at the address listed above and I will process

it for you. The first year for DROP members and new retirees is free.**

Group picture of the men attending the Retirees Picnic in Florida. . Photo by John Rees

20

4 Unit News 5935 N. High St., #109 Worthington, OH 43085-3974

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage

PAID Columbus, OH

Permit No. 5964


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Financial Planning needs of

Firefighters and Police Officers

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Investment Representative

(513) 589-2400

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Call or email for a complimentary meeting

Over the phone or in person.

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