A very short summary of recent laws that might affect you.

BILL SUMMARY - 80^TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION

/S.B. 338 (amended onto H.B. 2118) - "Senator Frank MadIa Jr. Bill" (Pickett/Van de Putte)

This bill was named after the late Senator Frank MadIa, at the request of his widow, Helen MadIa. In November of 2006 a tragic fire took the lives of Senator MadIa, his mother-in-law, Mary Cruz and his beloved granddaughter, Aleena. The bill requires the installation of fire alarms in newly constructed homes or homes where there is a transfer of ownership after January I, 2008. The bill also creates a new class of license for a residential fire alarm technician, with training focused on the requirements to properly install and service residential fire alarm systems. My personal thanks to the MadIa family and our San Antonio Professional Firefighters who worked tirelessly to see this legislation signed by the Governor.

***Free Smoke Detectors for Seniors***

If you are age 60 or older and live within Bexar County, you can get a new smoke

detector installed for FREE in your home. To apply for installation, call United

Way's 2-1-1 or the City's Senior Services Division office at (210) 207-7172.

H.B. 1344 Refund Anticipation Loans (Villarreal/Van de Putte)

H.B. 1344 requires facilitators to possess an Internal Revenue Service e-file authorization and to register with the Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner. This bill also requires refund anticipation loan facilitators to disclose certain information to customers, so that Texans can make responsible choices about high-cost fees associated with these loans.

H.B. 2524 - Haven for Hope Detox Center (McClendon/Van de Putte)

In Bexar County, a large number of people with mental illness or substance abuse problems are being "treated" through incarceration rather than through less-expensive options. H.B. 2524 authorizes the development of a pilot project in Bexar County, through which the Department of State Health Services will assist Bexar County in providing medical and mental health care through acute intervention and detoxification units. It enables the non-profit Haven for Hope Partnership to establish and operate a public safety triage and detoxification center. The center will provide a mechanism for more appropriate and cost-effective treatment for homeless individuals with mental health and substance abuse problems. This legislation will have a tremendous impact on the State of Texas by saving lives and taxpayer dollars. The idea for the Haven for Hope was sparked by former Councilwoman Patti Radle and the leadership of San Antonio business legend, Bill Greehey. It is a partnership of the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, University Health System and the Center for Health Care Services.

Retiree Armando Ynostrosa shows you how to erase data on your obsolete cell phone.

Subject: Erasing Cell-phone Data

Having some old cell phones that are obsolete? I came across this website that helps you erase all the numbers on your old cell phone all at one time. I guess if you have the patience you can do it one at a time. Some people donate them to different charities but forget all about the numbers in there memory phone book.

I had a Motorola and found the model number behind the battery.

http://www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/default.asp

Retiree & Health Care Rep warns of IRS scam.

Henry Trevino writes:

Couldn't take the chance not passing it on. Comes from a good source.
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 10:20 AM

Subject: IRS scam

Today I received an e-mail from the IRS that I have a tax refund if I

fill out a form requiring my SS number and a credit card number so

they can credit the refund to that card. It sure is official looking

but don't fall for it. I called the TV station and they confirmed it is a scam.

PS: A follow-up note from CoffeeCops - This problem was reported on television a few days ago and an IRS representative informed the public that they DO NOT contact any tax payer by email to inform them of a refund. Do not give away your personal information to anyone you do not know or trust.

Michael Trainer reports on status of 13th Check & PreFunded Health Care.

Warning! Warning! Use Caution!
The month of October is an important month for all Fire and Police Retirees. The Fire and Police Pension Board of Directors will be voting on the 13^th and possibly the 14^th checks at their regular Board Meeting on the 30^th of October. The fiscal year ended the last day of September. Please remember as of today there is no guarantee this payment will be made until the Board votes. In other words don’t go to the bank just yet. Many people, including myself, have told some retirees that it is in the bag. Yes it does look extremely good for both the 13^th and the 14^th checks. Caution, it’s not in the bag until the BOARD VOTES. No other communication should count until the Board Votes!

The Prefund Health Care Fund is in the process of re-writing the Master Document. The Master Document is the document we count on to provide the rules for our health care. There are several different rumors already floating around that are not true. Again I’m saying Caution! It’s not true until you see it in writing. The status as of today is that the legislative changes to your Prefund Health Care deductibles and out of pocket expense will not change until January 2008 NOT on the 1^st of October 2007.

The “Ad Hoc” Committee has completed its assignment. The Committee has made recommendations to the full Prefund Health Care Board. The recommendations have been accepted by vote of the Board. CAUTION again! Don’t listen to rumors. The recommendations have NOT been written into the “Master Document” as yet. NO DRAFT of this document has been produced as yet let alone voted on by the Prefund Health Care Board. This should happen within the next two months. Please remember what the word “DRAFT” means. I’m sure there will be more than one draft of this document before it is voted on by the Prefund Health Care Trustees.

I can tell you with certainty that when the “Master Document” has been approved by Board vote ALL members will receive a copy of the Document in the mail. I can also tell you that the Prefund Health Care staff will be holding several meetings to explain all the changes in the new “Master Document”.

Last words on both subjects don’t believe it until you can see it writing straight from the horse’s (The Boards that represent us) mouth or desk!

I have been told that some people have had a hard time getting in touch with me by phone since I have returned from vacation. Bettie and I are in the process of moving. Our answering machines are not working right at either home right now. We don’t check the machines as often as we should, sorry. E-mail is the best way to keep in touch with me for the month or so. After that period of time I expect we will be in one place not two or three.

New address info:

1249 Hillside Oaks Dr
La Vernia, TX 78121-4734

830-779-5949

E-mail has stayed the same michael@trainerfamily.com or miketra@lavernia.net

God Bless each and every one of you and your families!

Michael Trainer

Special Request from Teddy Stewart - RE: Mario Moreno's family

If you have time or can contribute , help ....

From Teddy – Please inform all of the members about the Telethon on TV tonight. Organized by the 100 Club on WOAI – 5, 6 & 10pm. To benefit Mario Moreno’s family. Any members that can help at the station would be appreciated.

See below.

From Teddy

please get this out to the board and any and all officers we have email for and ask that all that can please come by the tv station to help out. I will be there from about 4 till after 6 before I go to the funeral home.

Inspector Manuel Martinez passes away

Obituary: Martinez, a man of principle, earned respect

Web Posted: 09/25/2007 12:53 AM CDT

Michelle De La Rosa
Express-News Staff Writer

Manuel Martinez climbed the ranks of the San Antonio Police Department to become the city's first Hispanic inspector — today's equivalent of deputy chief.

Along the way, he earned deep respect from the men he supervised and the family for which he provided.

"He was the epitome of what every man aspires to be," said Larry Findley, who worked under Martinez when Martinez was a shift captain in the 1960s. "He was just a great man."

Martinez died Sunday at 94.

Friends and family remembered him as a principled man who knew how to dish out discipline without making others feel bad about themselves.

Manuel G. Martinez Born: May 30, 1913 Died: Sept. 23, 2007 Survived by: His wife, Beatrice; daughters Gloria De Volld, Sylvia Gonzalez and her husband, Joe, and Rose Falkenbach and her husband, Jim; a sister, Irene Vera; grandchildren Elizabeth Gonzalez, Anthony and Angela Alvarado and Bea, Lawrence and William De Volld; and three great-grandchildren. Services: Rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church at 700 Dewhurst Road; Mass at 11:30 a.m. Friday, also at St. Gregory, with interment following at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

"He never raised his voice," said Sylvia Gonzalez, one of Martinez's three daughters. "He never fussed at us. He talked to us about things. He told me, 'Don't ever do anything you'll be ashamed of, and that way you can hold your head high.'"

He lived by those sage words, friends and family members said.

Martinez, a native of Texas City, quit school when he was 11 and worked as a railroad clerk to help support his mother and three sisters after his father died, Gonzalez said.

His family moved to the South Side in 1928, and after doing hard labor, he eventually earned his General Educational Development diploma so he could attend the police academy.

Martinez graduated from the city's first formal police academy in 1939 — he was in the inaugural class — and went on to become the first Hispanic in the SAPD to earn the rank of inspector.

"My father had a fifth-grade education, and he worked and studied, and he went all the way up the Police Department. Every step," said Rose Falkenbach, Martinez's youngest daughter. "We were so proud of him."

His ascent in the department came after he returned from World War II, where he served as a Marine on the battleship USS West Virginia.

He retired from SAPD in 1977 as a deputy chief after 38 years of service. And he didn't slow down.

Martinez continued traveling with his wife, Beatrice, to whom he was married 65 years. He walked daily and continued hunting until he was in his 90s, even camping out on some occasions.

"My father would rough it," Gonzalez said.

Pre-Funded Health Insurance to Cost More!!!

SAPOA Board of Directors Meeting

09 - 11 - 07

These are minutes from the BOD Meeting
affecting Pre-Funded Health.

Pre-Funded Health - There was a recent trustee election with Bobby Martinez
and Sam Esparza running for the position. Martinez won. Only 25% of the active SAPO members voted in this election. We need the active members make sure their addresses are updated on the computer. We ( SAPOA ) get the members addresses from the City, so if your address is not updated on the computer, chances are you are not getting your ballots, etc.. So please make sure your address is correct in the City computer ( PAPN ) system.

Also, there will be an increase in our Pre - Funded Health premiums.

1. The City's contribution will be $219.13 per member per pay period.

2. With the first pay check after October 01, 2007, premiums for Active
members will be $46.63 per pay period ( $93.26 a month ).

3. ** Retiree's with less than 30 years will be paying $101.02 a month. There premiums are monthly because their retirement checks are monthly, and the premiums are taken out of there retirement check.

** Talked to David Ramos, SAPOA Vice - Pres, after making a few phone calls
he verified minutes, but explained that the Law would not take effect until October 01, 2007.

It will only affect Officers that retire after this date (10-01-07). Officers already Retired will not be affected by this increase.

Why are Retiree's after 10-01-07 paying more than Active members? - A study taken based on usage by Retiree's shows a greater amount paid out for services.

If you have any questions who can you call for more info. - Call James Bound,
Pre Funded Health Director @ 210 - 220 - 1385.

Deputy Chief Manuel Martinez passes away

This message was sent to CoffeeCops by Retiree Amadeo Ortiz:

Manuel Martinez passed away yesterday, Sunday September 23, 2007 at the age of 95. When I was a young police patrolman on the SAPD, Manuel was already a Police Inspector (equivalent to a Deputy Chief today), keep in mind that he was totally ahead of the times, he had to be the first Hispanic in the police department to have attained such high rank. I am talking about 40 years ago.

I really don't know who would write a story about this remarkable man, police officer and family man. He was held in the highest esteem in the San Antonio Police Department and the community. I do not have his background but retired Sergeant David Myers (Bexar County Sheriff's Office) is his nephew and he could direct someone to a family spokeperson that would have all the details. His telephone number is 210 422-1271. Thanks.

Retiree Jerry Clancy comments on EN Column

Mr. Castillo,

Thanks for your article on sheriff Tafolla. not only is he a humble person, he is also

the most qualified, professional and the only intelligent selection to lead the Bexar county

sheriff's department at this critical time.

I can only guess why Larson and Adkisson voted the way they did but commissioner Adkisson

wasted my vote on a critical appointment. all i can say to commissioners Larson and Adkisson

is wake up your duty is to the public not your own political agendas.

Thank you

Jerry Clanc

---

See the article Jerry is referencing at: Castillo

Mario Moreno's Obituary as posted on EN 9/23/07

Moreno, Mario

View/Sign Guest BookDetective Mario Moreno passed away on Friday, September 22, 2007, in San Antonio. He is survived by his wife, Alena Moreno; 2 children, Nicholas and Elizabeth; his parents, Juan and Silvia Moreno; a sister, Marisela Moreno; a brother, Miguel Moreno; a half-sister, Elizabeth Rodriguez; 2 half-brothers, Lionel and Luis Rodriguez; and the family of Ales Vyzralek. VIGIL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007 7:00 P.M. PORTER LORING MORTUARY 1101 McCULLOUGH Fr. Jimmy Drennan officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Memorial Fund in Mario's name, to Acct. #745320, at the City Employees Federal Credit Union. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North.