Spring, 2004 - Correction Captains` Association

A
ION CA
CT
SS
S
AIN
PT
COR
RE
CAPTAINS' QUARTERLY
O C I AT I O
N
SPRING 2004
Official Publication of the Correction Captains’ Association
Fixing
the
Pension
Problem
By:
Peter D. Meringolo
President
T
●
Department of Correction
●
City of New York
he pension issue remains the CCA’s Number One priority. I have been reporting on our progress regarding this
issue to your delegates and at our membership meetings.
This is the first time we have everyone — with the exception
of the Office of Budget — on board to fix this mess once and
for all. While we expected the City budget deficit to be a major
stumbling block, we did not expect the Office of Budget to
show no initiative in fixing the problem they created many years ago.
What is very promising and important to note are the City Leaders who are interested in coming up with a resolution — Commissioner Horn; Commissioner Hanley of the Office of Labor
Relations; Robert North, Chief Actuary for the City of New York; and John Murphy, Head of
NYCERS. This is the first time so many leaders involved in the issue are actually coming together to find a solution.
Norman Seabrook, COBA President, also has been working very hard with us to correct the
problem. We are extremely grateful for Norman’s help and input. We could not fix the pension
problem without him.
We are working on getting a bill written that would go to the City Council for a Home Rule
Message. With the full support of all the parties mentioned, and the Mayor’s Office, this should
not be a problem. I will continue to devote all my energy and attention to the pension, for it needs
to be corrected now.
Obtaining a new contract remains on the back burner for now since the City is expecting
unions to fund their own raises. I do not see the possibility of a Uniformed Coalition as there
was in the last contract. Since we are a small union, it is prudent for us to sit back and see
what some of the bigger uniform unions do. Since it appears there won’t be a Uniformed
Coalition, I will be looking to join with COBA and the ADWs as a Correction Coalition.
The proper approach is to have COBA lead the way, as they are 10,000 strong. I will continue to keep you informed on the progress of the pension and the contract.
We have a lot of new delegates and some changes on the Executive Board. Your Executive
Board works very closely with the delegates you elected to represent you in your workplace.
We continue to have meetings with management to improve working conditions and
morale. The job of a Correction Captain can take its toll on you if you let it. Please continue to inform your delegates and the Executive Board members who oversee your
facility of all issues affecting you. All problems will be addressed. I believe our
Delegates have the experience and knowledge to handle the majority of your
issues. They have my full support.
As always, please know that I am always here to speak with you if you so desire.
President’s
Message
Page 2
A
ION CA
CT
SS
S
AIN
PT
COR
RE
CAPTAINS' QUARTERLY
O C I AT I O
N
An Official Publication of
CORRECTION CAPTAINS’ ASSOCIATION
Department of Correction
City of New York
233 Broadway, Suite 4400
New York, NY 10279
Ph: (212) 227-4090
Fx: (212) 962-4819
Hotline (Emergencies Only):
(888) 707-3213
E-Mail: ccanyc@aol.com
Website: www.nyccca.org
PETER D. MERINGOLO
PRESIDENT
RONALD W. WHITFIELD
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
PATRICK FERRAIUOLO
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
GEORGE A. AUFIERO
TREASURER
CHARLES A. GLOVER
SECRETARY
JOYCE BROWN
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
AL SEDA
LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN
WILLIAM INMAN
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
WINSTON M. CLARKE
CCA CHAPLAIN
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ONLY
BENEFIT FUNDS CONSULTANT
HARRY GREENBERG, ESQ.
SPECIAL COUNSEL
FRANKIE & GENTILE, P.C.
LEGAL COUNSEL
RICHARD S. OBERMAN
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION REP
GOULD, KOBRICK & SCHLAPP, P.C.
ACCOUNTANTS
FLOYD HOLLOWAY
LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR/
CONSULTANT
Captains’ Quarterly is produced
four times a year by the
Correction Captain Association.
Entire contents copyrighted.
NEWSLETTER
DESIGN/PRODUCTION:
MARCI ROSENBLUM
RWD GROUP
(845) 364-0222
President Meringolo Welcomes First Grandchild
CARTER MICHAEL COOKE — Born Dec. 4, 2003, at 12:11 p.m., weighing 8 lbs., 12 oz.
He was 22 1/2” long. First grandson of CAPT. PETER MERINGOLO and wife Susan.
Baby’s parents are Peter’s first child and only daughter, Antoinette, and her husband Michael. Godfather is Peter’s son Peter. “Grandparents were put on this earth
to spoil their grandchildren. What a joy!” says the proud granddaddy.
T
here is a great importance in spending time and giving a little something
back to our parents.
Many of us have suffered the loss of one
parent; some of us have even lost both our
parents.
With the recent passing of my mom, I
would like to share some personal
thoughts with you.
There is never a good time to lose a parent. When it happens, it hits you hard. It’s
inevitable — one day our parents will be
gone, as will we. While we can say that we
are preparing for that day, it is not an easy
thing to do. Most of us try not to think
about losing a parent. We choose not to
talk about when it will happen. Some of us
even refuse to believe our parents will die.
When that day does come, I believe with
all my heart that the biggest strength
you’ll have to see you through that time
will be your memories of your parent.
That’s why it’s important to ensure you
have good memories to recall, to talk
about, to pass along to your children. You
are an important part of making those
memories good.
Our parents brought us into this world
and like many parents, they suffered hardships along the way to raise us properly.
We need to take a little time and recognize
the sacrifices our parents made for us.
We all get angry at times with our parents. That's normal. It’s extremely important, though, to never stay angry. Always
remember that we would not be here or
be the person we are today if not for our
parents.
How our children see us treating our
parents is how they will one day treat us.
If we respect our parents, visit them
often, call when we can, and take care of
them during difficult times, our children
will know what it means to respect and
care for parents and one day, hopefully,
do the same for us.
My greatest comfort during this difficult
time of my mother’s death was knowing I
treated her with respect. I know in my
heart I was a good son to her and I gave
her many moments of joy. I also know that
I made her as happy as I could. I can honestly say I gave her back a little something
compared to all she gave me.
I remember that she still loved me even
during the times when I wasn’t so perfect.
Over the years, each time I remembered
her love for me, it reminded me of how
lucky I was to have her. But even more
important, it made me want to give back
as much as I could, knowing full well it
could never compare to what she gave me.
My message is simple ...
Be a good son or daughter to your parents. Treat them with love and respect.
When there are times you disagree or want
to be angry with your parents, do not
make it last long. Call them now and tell
them how much you love and appreciate
them before you are not able to tell them
face-to-face. Visit them when you have not
seen them in a while.
If you do these things regularly, when
that unfortunate day comes in your life,
you will have no regrets. Do not wait until
your mother or father are no longer here to
be sorry for something you should have
done or should have said long ago.
Parents can be difficult; so can we. Go to
your parents and make the compromises.
Don't expect your parents to come to you.
My mom has left a tremendous void in
my life. It will be a long time before I can
even think about her without tears coming
to my eyes. Perhaps the tears will never go
away completely. The only comforting
feeling for me is knowing I made her
happy. I know I made her proud.
I have no regrets about the way I treated
my mom. I know she went to God happy
with the way her son treated her.
Hopefully when the time comes, you’ll be
able to say the same.
God Bless all Of You.
Page 3
Giving
Back to
Your
Parents
By:
Peter D. Meringolo
President
Page 4
EMPLOYEES
OF THE
MONTH
BIRTHS
September 2003
YOLANDA RODRIGUEZ
BHPW
October 2003
CURTIS PATTERSON
HQ
ELLEN PATTERSON
ARDC
DANIEL WALSH
BKDC
November 2003
ABDUR MUHAMMAD
HQ
MICHAEL ROSS
OBCC/CPSU
December 2003
T YRONE CRAWFORD
GMDC
FAWN ROBERTSON
HQ
MICHAEL SCHOEN
BKDC
MILTON WEBSTER
OBCC
January 2004
JOSEPH FONTI
BKDC
BENJUAN KEARNEY
EMTC
KIMBERLY PARSON
OBCC
February 2004
KENNETH STUKES
OBCC
March 2004
ADOLFO FLORES
AMKC
DARYL MOORE
BHPW
DAVID DANIEL VELEZ — Son of
CAPT. YOLANDA RECIO (OBCC) and
CAPT. DAVID VELEZ (AMKC). Born
Dec. 11, 2003. 7 lbs. 12 oz. His big
sister Angelica is very proud of the
new arrival.
CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL CATUOSCO —
Son of CAPT. MICHAEL CATUOSCO
(EMTC) and his wife Karen. Born
Feb. 12, 2004. 5 lbs., 13 oz. Big brother Michael Jr. loves holding his new
baby brother.
TREY
CHARLES
BROWN — Third
son
of
CAPT.
GEMYSE
BROWN
(OBCC) and her
husband Terris.
Born Feb. 2, 2004,
weighing 7 lbs. 9 oz., 20 1/2” long.
CODIE ANNE LEWIS — A daughter to
CAPTS. DAVID LEWIS (OBCC) AND
CHRISTINE LEWIS (GMDC). She was
born May 4, 2004 weighing 7 lbs.,
14 oz., 20 inches long.
SPECIAL HONORS
MIA VICTORIA
LAWRIE
—
Daughter
of
CAPT. VICTORIA
M.
DURMO
( R M S C ) ,
RETIRED CAPT.
M I C H A E L
LAWRIE,
and
niece of CAPT.
LISA L. DURMO
(VCBC) graduated valedictorian of PS
195 Rosedale Queens in June 2003. She
received four United Federation of
Teachers Awards for English, Science,
Math and Academic Excel-lence as
well as six additional awards and
honors. Mia also maxed out the
Citywide NYC Dept. of Education test
in math. She is attending PS 231
Magnetech Business Academy in
Springfield, Queens.
JROTC CADET
SGT. MJR. JASMINE EDNEY —
Daughter
of
CAPT. CHINETTA
H OWELL -E DNEY
(WEST FACILITY) was recently selected
her high school’s Sports Player of the
Week. Jasmine has participated in
high school sports for the past four
years (volleyball, basketball, track
and softball) and was Captain of all
teams. She received the MVP status
in all sports. She will be attending the
University of South Carolina in
Aiken, SC on a full four-year academic scholarship and has decided to
major in Exercise and Sports Science.
It was a windy day on February 19, 2004, but the sun was high in the sky shining very bright
— just as bright as Captain Jayne E. Hayes’ (Mama) smile.
When you arrived at Abyssinian Baptist Church, it might have seemed strange to see a red
hearse parked in front. You soon learned it was Jayne's wish that everyone at her funeral wear
something red. So everyone received a red ribbon when they entered the church. Jayne was still
in charge, the same as when she was working and in charge of her life.
Jayne Elizabeth Hayes joined the NYC Department of Correction on February 16, 1981. She
was promoted to Captain on April 27, 1990, and she was assigned to the Anna M. Kross
Center (AMKC).
Jayne and I became very good friends while she was the Intake
Captain at AMKC. I was the Intake Captain assigned to the James A.
Thomas Center (JATC). We spoke on a daily basis. When she had a
problem child or before someone gave her a problem, we made a
transfer. We felt maybe they needed a change of location to understand who was in charge, them or us.
Jayne never forgot where she came from and always remembered she was an officer first. She never let her promotion change
who she was. She cared for her staff and those working her tour.
She never wanted anyone to get hurt. She was always taking
charge when she was working, even telling the Tour Commander,
Deputy Wardens and Wardens that she would call them only if
they were needed.
If you ever met Jayne Hayes, you know she touched your life in
some way. Her smile. The real concern she had if you approached
her with a problem. She always listened, then advised.
I know Jayne loved life, her music and to have a good time. I know she was happy to have
crossed all our paths — smiling and saying, “thank you for coming to my home going.” I am
all right now, don't worry, and don't cry, I will see you again.
On Feb. 22, 2004, the Mount Vernon First Reformed Church honored Rev. Winston Messiah Clarke with Pastor Appreciation Day.
Rev. Clarke retired as a Captain from the NYC Department of
Correction on July 2, 1980. He graduated from New Brunswick
Theological Seminary after he was ordained. Capt. Alfred
Mandanici, a very close friend and President of our union at the
time, appointed Reverend Clarke as the CCA Chaplain.
Rev. Clarke is a native New Yorker, born and raised in the
Village of Harlem. He attended NYC schools, graduating from
Haaren High School. He attended Hunter College upon returning
home after the Korean War. He received his A.A. and B.A. degrees
from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a Master of Divinity
Degree from New Brunswick Seminary.
Rev. Clarke has been the Pastor of the Mount Vernon First Reformed Church for the past 18
years. For more than 20 years, he has worked in the fight against drugs. He set up a program
that patrolled the streets against drugs. He has a Soup Kitchen at his church every Monday
night, an emergency Food Pantry, a seven-week summer Day Camp, and is very involved
with many community organizations.
Rev. Clarke has a lot on his plate. In addition to his community involvement, he is an
important member of our Executive Board. He visits our Captains in the hospitals, where he
always has an encouraging word for them from the Lord.
He has been married for 43 years to his wife Nancy, a NYC schoolteacher. They have a son
Daryl and daughter Debra and two grandchildren, Tiffany and Deja.
Reverend Clarke believes that everyone is their brothers and sisters keeper and that we
should all look out for one another.
We are very proud that Rev. Clarke received this honor. The Board and members he has
comforted know that he truly believes we are each other's keeper.
Page 5
“Home
Going
for
Mama”
By:
Ronald W. Whitfield
1st Vice President
Honoring
Rev.
Winston
M.
Clarke
By:
Ronald W. Whitfield
1st Vice President
Page 6
Awarded $64 G
Female Jail Captain
Harassment Victim
“It’s a victory
for the
Department.
It’s not just
a win for
Captain Martin,
it’s a win for
all females in
the agency.”
— Peter D. Meringolo
President
C
aptain Vanita Martin endured a type of on-the-job abuse no female Correction
Captain should be forced to endure. For her pain and suffering, she was awarded
$64,000. The article detailing this incident and settlement recently appeared in The
Chief Leader (see previous page for a reprint of the article).
This incident is yet another example of the total incompetence of the Department’s
EEO office. The case was clear cut — a female’s rights were violated. Capt. Martin was
being discriminated against because she was a female and in doing so, department managers subjected her to humiliation.
This is just one of many cases that has left the taxpayers of the City of New York footing the bill. Capt. Martin in this case, as in countless other cases — clearly deserved to
be compensated. However, that compensation should come out of the pockets of the
incompetent managers who refused to follow Department rules. Too many managers
continually violate members’ contractual and constitutional rights.
Some managers believe they can do whatever they want to whomever they want. This
philosophy must not be condoned. If managers know they can violate a person’s basic
rights and even violate departmental policy without fear of being sued, then what have
they got to lose?
Because of two managers and an EEO Department that failed to follow their own rules,
City of New York taxpayers had to pay exorbitant lawyer’s fees and settlements costs in
the tens of thousands. The incompetent people who caused the City money should have
been made to pay out of their own pockets. They should not have been given blanket
indemnification. Capt. Martin’s attorney even said that this was “the vilest form of sexual harassment our firm has ever seen.”
All of this brings up another point.
On a continuing basis, our Captains are denied indemnification on allegations of
excessive force by inmates. Investigators who has never worked in jails and would not
know what a use of force was if thry tripped over it, decide your fate by Monday-morning quarterbacking.
The Corporation Counsel lawyers are no better. They have little experience and no
knowledge about our jobs. Yet, they decide not to defend you based on an inmate’s statement and an unqualified investigator. Of course, your Correction Captain’s Union is
always there to take up your defense, which is why we have a Civil Legal Defense Fund.
What is mind-boggling is that City Lawyers defend incompetent managers when they
know they violated the rules, and then they turn and walk away from our defense.
The City could save a lot of money if they would stop indemnifying managers who are
wrong. Since managers do work at the pleasure of the Commissioner, they should be
made to tow the line.
This is yet another reason to completely revamp the way the Corporation Counsel conducts business and to completely overhaul the Department’s EEO Office.
Need I remind everyone that the incompetence of EEO in the Herbert Reed case cost
City taxpayers a lot of money in damages? Once again, it should have come out of the
pockets of the people who condoned the false allegations and attempted to destroy a
man’s career. They all know who they are.
The CCA will continue to stay on top of these types of issues. We will make it one of
our priorities and we will not let up until we start to see some changes. It is quite apparent that the Corporation Counsel and our EEO clearly have set different rules and standards for Captains versus those for the managers.
Page 7
Fixing
the
System
Means
Sticking
to the
Rules
By:
Peter D. Meringolo
President
“This was the
vilest form
of sexual
harassment
our firm has
ever seen.”
— Lawrence Solotoff
Attorney
Page 8
Exercise
is a
Great
Stress
Reliever
By:
Patrick Ferraiuolo
2nd Vice President
Members
Trained to
Shoot
Late in 2003, four
members of service
of the Emergency
Service Unit attended the Federal
Bureau of Investigation Sniper Training Course.
These
members
were:
Capt.
Hasan Muhammad
Officers:
Pablo Ruiz
Vincent Turnbull
John Hernandez
The NYC Correction
Department’s representatives secured
four of the top five
highest scoring overall positions, with
Capt. Muhammad finishing in second
place.
A
fter a long and extremely frigid winter, spring is finally here. Personally, I can't
wait for the warm weather. During the winter, many of us tend to hibernate.
Which usually leads to becoming a little over weight and out of shape. When you
include the stress we face everyday we come to work, there is clearly a need to take care
of ourselves.
What I am leading to is a discussion regarding the stress we face on our jobs everyday.
Working for the Department has always been a very stressful job and being a Captain
certainly increases the stress we face. Holding the rank of Captain with the Department
is one of the toughest jobs in the city. As a Captain, you are directly responsible for the
inmates in your facility, as well as the direct supervision of Correction Officers. Your
supervisors scrutinize you and hold you accountable for everything.
And don't forget the outside agencies that oversee us. What's most alarming about
being watched by an outside agency is that they don't have a clue in reference to our job
and our degree of responsibilities.
By this time you are probably wondering where I am going with this article.
Throughout my career, I have seen this job affect uniform staff in a negative way,
through stress, anxiety, and sometimes as serious as a suicide. I'm not professing to be
an expert in psychology. However, what I can tell you is that you should never allow
this job to affect your health. Remember, it's just a job.
Do it to the very best of your ability and don't ever hesitate to reach out for help if you
feel you need it. Even if what you need is to simply reach out to talk with someone, pick
up the telephone and call a friend, a relative, your delegate, or call the CCA office and
ask for help.
I personally find exercising to be a great stress reliever. Whatever you choose to do as
a form of exercise, it will definitely benefit you. Running, biking, working out in a gym
— they are all good forms of exercise and great stress relievers. It’s a proven fact that
exercise helps.
If you are already getting exercise, that's great. If not, you may want to think about giving it a try. Your goal and Number One priority should be to complete your 20 years
without stress, and to enjoy a long and healthy retirement with your family.
As the weather gets warmer, go outside with your family. Whatever you do, have a
great summer and remember, we will always be there for you.
CCA
Presents
Retirement
Certificate
CCA 2ND VICE PRESIDENT PATRICK FERRAIUOLO AND LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN AL SEDA
present CAPT. KEVIN MCALVIN with a special retirement certificate upon his stepping down from the job. McAlvin has been a Captain for almost 14 years.
Captain Keith Miller Awarded Special
Honors for Military Service Overseas
Capt. Keith Miller of the Legal Division,
Adjudication Unit, has a job outside the
prison system that very few people ever
obtain.
He is a Special Agent with the Air Force
Office of Special Investigations, assigned
to the Counter Intelligence, Anti Terrorism
Speciality Team. Of all those seeking this
title, only 1 percent of those who apply
ever get it.
As an OSI Special Agent, Capt. Miller is
responsible for all the criminal investigations related to the Air Force. He investigates all fraud matters against the
Department of Defense and conducts all
undercover drug operations in matters
related to the Air Force. His is the only
agency authorized to perform counterintelligence operations on behalf of the
U.S. military.
Upon his return from a deployment to
Baghdad, he was bestowed with the
Combined Forces Commendation Medal
with Valor for his Counter Intelligence
and operational mission support to the
newly elected Iraqi Government and
Coalition counsel. Part of his work led to
the thwarting of several assassination
plots, netted thousands of wea-pons
and
explosive
devices and led to
the capture of several high ranking
Saddam loyalists on
the United State’s
most wanted list.
Capt.
Miller’s
Team of 10 that provided the Coalition
Government with Counter-Intelligence
support for force protection resulted in the
seizure of large caches of weapons. His
team was instrumental in locating and
eventually killing Saddam Hussein’s two
sons, Uday and Qusay.
As an OSI agent, he is also responsible
for Protective Services for the President of
the United States and Air Force 1.
For all his bravery and outstanding
accomplishments in the military, Capt.
Miller was recently awarded the U.S. Air
Force Non Commissioned Officer of the
Year Award for 2003. He also recently won
the Bronze Star for his combat actions in
Baghdad, Iraq.
Page 9
CCA
Members
in the
Military
Alvin Alcia
Wayne Allen
Martin Almonte
Ainsley Brimm
Leon Britton, Jr.*
Pascal Cadet
Denise Chavis*
Antonio Cuin
Geraldine Harrison
Horace Hill
Danielle Johnson
Darryl Lewis
Rafael Lugo
Keith Miller
Harold Monroe*
James Mulvaney
Darren Nelson
Herbert Ortiz
Robert Quinones
Kenneth Roberts
Dave Sabatano
James Thomas*
Zetha West*
Franklin Western
Jimmie White
Denise Whyte-Phillips
Herbert Williams
*Members on
Active Duty
KEITH MILLER took this photo (top left) at the request of an Iraqi
boy during a Protective Services Operation in Fallujah, Iraq. In
top right photo, Miller stands before a defaced picture of
Saddam inside the confines of the Presidential Palace. In bottom photo, Miller is in front of the United Nations bombing in
lower Baghdad just prior to beginning the post bomb blast
investigation.
Page 10
2
1
Photo #1: 2nd Vice
President Patrick
Ferraiuolo and
Executive Assistant
to the Chief of
Department, Mark
Cranston.
ST.
PATRICK’S
DAY
PARADE
2004
Photo #2: Richard
Fallon, NIC (left),
Michael Lyons AMKC.
3
Photo #3: (from left)
William Kwasnicki,
COBA Legislative
Chairman, Norman
Seabrook,COBA
President, Sidney
Schwartzbaum,
A/D/W & D/W President, & George
Aufiero, CCA Treasurer.
Photo #4: A/D/W
Thomas Hayes
(Retired) leading the
marchers.
4
Page 11
5
6
7
Photo #5: Capt.
Deborah O’Connor,
ADJUD, & Secretary
Charles A. Glover.
Photo #6: Warden
Brian Riordan.
Photo #7: Capt.
Anthony Burke
(Retired) on left with
an Officer.
Photo #8: (2nd from
left) ADW Roger Slattery, Capt. Timothy
Kozak, HQ, & DW
Edmund Duffy, President of Emerald Society, with Officers.
8
Page 14
SOME OF CCA’s NEWEST CAPTAINS
Members
of the
Class of
Jan. 23, 2004
ALAN BAGBY
CRAIG BERTHEN
DEMETRICE BEST
FRANCIS BROOME
MARVA CAMPBELL
DENISE COLLIER
IRVIN DESOUSA
CHARLES DOOMES
BALDWIN DUNNER
CHRISTINE FIELDS
ROBIN FRANKLIN
REGINALD GREAVES
WALTER HOLIDAY
BRADFORD KNIGHT
SANIH KURTAJ
STANFORD LATTIBEAUDIERE
HECTOR MARTE
SANDRA MARTIN-BUTLER
HAROLD MONROE
LATARSHA PHILLIPS
SHARON RAY
KIMBERLY REGESTER
LORENZO SAFONT
TRACEY SANDERS
MILTON SAUL
BLONDINE SCOTT
WAYNE SHERMAN
THOMAS SUMMERS
SHIRLEY VALLE-BORGES
CYNTHIA WALKER
GERMAINE WALKER
CHRISTOPHER WELSH
IRSHAAD WESTON
MARK WYNTER
School is almost over and summer is around the corner.
Here is a list of phone numbers and website addresses
for some attractions that are great
summertime get-aways.
Dorney Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 610-395-3724 . . . . . . . www.dorneypark.com
Hershey Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-HERSHEY . . . www.hersheypark.com
Land of Make Believe. . . . . . . . . . . . . 908-459-9000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.lomb.com
Rye Playland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 914-813-7010 . . . . . . . www.ryeplayland.org
Six Flags Great Adventure. . . . . . . . . 732-928-1821 . . . . . . . . . . . www.sixflags.com
Sesame Place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-752-7070. . . . . . . www.sesameplace.com
Mystic Aquarium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860-572-5955 . . . www.mysticaquarium.org
Amusement Parks, Theme Parks, Waterparks & Zoos
(each website is for a particular state)
http://themeparkcity.com/USA_NY.htm
http://themeparkcity.com/USA_NJ.htm
http://themeparkcity.com/USA_CT.htm
http://themeparkcity.com/USA_PA.htm
MORE OF CCA’s NEWEST CAPTAINS
Page 15
Members
of the
Class of
Feb. 27, 2004
6th ANNUAL
SCHOLARSHIP GOLF OUTING
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Lido Golf Course, Lido Beach, NY
Registration — 11:00 a.m. BBQ Lunch — 11:30 a.m.
Shotgun Tee Off — 1:00 p.m.
Deluxe Smorgasboard & Open Bar — 7:00 p.m.
Contact CCA Office for More Info
Proceeds benefit the
Correction Captains’ Association Inc. Scholarship Fund
STEPHANIE BROOKS
LONNIE BROWN
EDWIN CABAN
WILLIAM CAMACHO
JOSEPH CAMPBELL
LUIS CRUZ
LAWRENCE EADY
AARON EVANS
CARMEN FERNANDEZ
KEVIN FLYNN
MARCIA HARRISON
ALLISON JAMES-CASANOVA
ERVEN JONES
ANTHONY MAFARO
KENNETH ROBERTS
WILLIAM SMITH
VINCENT SPAIN
MARION SWAN
ELRICK THOMPSON
JOHN TUCKER
SONIA UPCHURCH-GREEN
Page 16
Robert A. Belfiore
Captain 574, Retired
DROP
US A
LINE
If you have a letter
of thanks or
appreciation you
want to share with
your Union and
members, please
submit it to:
Captains’ Quarterly
Correction Captains
Association
233 Broadway
Suite 4400
New York, NY 10279
You can also e-mail
your letter to:
ccanyc@aol.com
Department of Correction —
Intradepartmental Memorandum
Date:
To:
November 25, 2003
Pete Meringolo, President
Correction Captains’ Association
From: Benjuan Kearney, Captain #1244
High Impact Incarceration Program
Subject: Appreciation
It was very comforting to know that the
Union is there for its members.
During my twenty-year career in the
Department of Corrections, I have had some
memorable time both good and bad. I
reached a high with the apprehension of two
escaped felons in 1999 and a low with the
recent death of an inmate. I would like to
commend my Union and especially my
Delegate, at E.M.T.C. Captain Augustus for the
invaluable assistance she has provided not
just in this tragic circumstance, but throughout the years. It’s good to know that there are
delegates ready and willing to assist in a
moment’s notice. I would like to close this
letter by saying thanks for having the right
people in the right job.
Respectfully submitted,
Benjuan Kearney,
Captain #1244
This is a letter to let everyone from the CCA
and especially my advocate, Dennis Ahern
and my delegates from G.R.V.C., Rodney
Albury and Edward Madruga, for sticking by
me and giving outstanding advice and support through the extremely hard times of my
fight for my disability.
When I was assaulted on January 2, 2000, I
really didn’t know how to go about filing for
disability or who to turn to. I called Ed
Madruga and Rod Albury and Pete, who
helped me through all the red tape and got
things going.
As my back and legs got worse and had to
have major back surgery and go through a
lengthy rehabilitation period, I was given
support by the entire CCA staff and especially Dennis Ahern, who fought for almost three
years and endless red tape and aggravation
to get the truth of the incident and achieve
my disability.
I cannot say enough about the CCA, its delegates and Mr. Ahern for not only their professionalism but their genuine caring in my
case.
I feel that I belong to the best law enforcement union out there.
All my prayers and love for all the union
membership, who are the hardest working
rank in the department.
Fraternally With Love,
Capt. Robert A. Belfiore
HOW DO YOU LIKE OUR NEW NEWSLETTER?
We’ve redesigned the Captains’ Quarterly and made it easier for you to read.
Articles are organized by category. Standing features like Around the Perimeter
and Health and Welfare will be located in the same part of the newsletter
each issue. It’s more colorful with an updated look.
Now we want to hear from you. Let us know what you’d like to see included.
Send us information and photos on your family.
The Captains’ Quarterly is about you and for you.
Page 17
I
was talking with someone recently about racism, and
how this particular religious group used the Bible to
justify racism. I was asked the reason for my statement,
and I told the individual about my experience in the military. In the early 1980's
I was given a commission as a chaplain, I took my basic training at Fort Dix,
New Jersey. My roommate (Army Chaplain) was a Mormon (The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). We discussed that the Mormon Church had
recently allowed Afro-Americans to be elevated at higher levels in the Mormon
Church; previously they had been denied this privilege. I question this chaplain
regarding the aforementioned and who arrived at this conclusion, when I never
read in the Bible that God made that statement. The chaplain stated that this is
their belief, and that their leader receives these revelations from God and they
abide by his information. He also stated to me that the aforementioned is justified by the story of Noah. The fact that Noah got drunk with wine and was
naked and was seen by his son Ham, he cursed Ham by stating to him “Cursed
be Canaan; A servant of servants he shall be to his brethren.” (Genesis 9:24). In
actuality Noah cursed his grandson, because one of Ham's sons was Canaan
(“And the son of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan”) Genesis
10:6. The chaplain also stated that the Egyptians exercised political dominance
over the Canaanites and that Ham's son Mizraim (which means Eygpt, which is
in North Africa) identifies with the Black race. I asked the chaplain how would
he believe such things when God did not say that; he replied that this was his
belief. He also stated that he enjoyed discussing the bible with me, and at some
date he would like for my family and me to visit him in Salt Lake City, Utah. I
stated to my colleague that I would not think of visiting him. He asked me why
I wouldn't visit him, and I stated that I would not feel safe in his home; that I
would be afraid that his leader would call him and tell him to kill all Blacks, and
my family and I would be dead based on his beliefs. The chaplain was sort of
shocked that I would say something like that, and stated that I would be safe in
his home. However, that was my belief. I asked my colleague how did he
become an Army Chaplain? He stated that his denomination fulfilled the
requirements of him becoming a military chaplain.
In order to become a military chaplain the candidate has to have Master of
Divinity of Degree (M/Div). Or an equivalent and an ecclesiastical endorsement
from his or her higher judicatory, and approval by the Chief of Chaplains Office
in the Pentagon. The aforementioned did not have an M/Div. But an equivalent
from his domination, that was approved by the Pentagon.
My question is how can any religious group twist the Word of God to justify
racism? When in fact, "God Did Not Say That."
“God
Did Not
Say
That”
By:
Rev.
Winston M. Clarke
Page 18
Three
Captains
Retire
From
Duty
By:
Patrick Ferraiuolo
2nd Vice President
Congratulations to three Captains
on their retirement.
DONATO VELEZ, JOSE VELEZ and
KEVIN MCALVIN all retired as outstanding Captains, as well as fine gentlemen. The Correction Captains
Association will deeply miss them.
Having personally known all three
Captains and working with Donato
and Kevin, I can undeniably say that
these three Captains were an asset to
the department and their experience
and leadership will be missed. I only
hope that Officers who worked under
any one of them will follow in their
footsteps in the event they are promoted to Captains.
As you may know, Donato and Jose
are brothers. During Donato's retirement party, I was fortunate to meet
their family, which explained how
they became such good people.
As for Kevin, all I can say is “to
know him is to love him.” All the best
of health and happiness to all these
retirees and their families.
CAPTS. DONATO and JOSE VELEZ receive special plaques marking their
retirement (left photo). CAPTS. STEVE
PAPPAS, DEBORAH RIDDICK and
CHRISTOPHER HUDSON (ARDC) all
make a presentation (right photo).
Congrats
to:
Retired Capt. MAY
O'SULLIVAN on celebrating her 90th
birthday.
Warden MARK FARSI on
his retirement effective January 22,
2004.
Retired Correction Captain VINCENT J.
PETRAGLIA recently celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends, including alsoRetired Correction Captain PAUL PONTRELLI.
Petraglia was appointed in 1944 and after
29 years of service, he retired from active
duty in 1973, shortly before Pontrelli was
appointed. The two never knew each other
until Petraglia’s nephew BILL PETRAGLIA, a
retired NYPD Detective, introduced them.
The three all live in Florida.
According to records, Petraglia is the senior
CCA retiree. Happy Birthday Vincent. May
you celebrate many more!
2003 Retirees
MYRTLE ADAMS
NICKALOS FARLEY
MANUEL ALVAREZ
MICHAEL FICCO
LUIGI ANNUNZIATA
GEORGE FORBES
FRED BACCHI
ROBERT GALLO
DANIEL BARKAS
CLIFTON GARRETT
JUDITH BARTLETT
JOSEPH GEIGER
ROBERT BELFIORE
JOHN GIBSON
RODNEY BENTHAM
JULY GREEN
VINCENT BOOKER
JOHN GUAGLIARDO
PHYLLIS BOYD
MANUEL HOEPELMAN
ADRIENNE BRADLEY
JUNE HOLDER
CHARLES BRAVO
HAROLD HOLSTEN
TONI BROCK
KENMORE HOPE
JOSEPH CALAMIA
DENISE HOPGOOD
JAMES CALIGIURI
CAROL JOHNSON
MATTEO CARAVELLO
CYNTHIA JONES
JAMES CARR
ANTHONY LANNI
JACQUELINE CHAPMAN JACQUELINE LEDBETTER
JOHN COLLINS
STEVEN LEVY
JOSEPH CRONIN
WAYNE LOWERY
KAREN DANIELS
THOMAS LYMAN
PANCHO ELLIS
SYLVIA MALVASIO
JAMES ENG
EDUARDO MARQUEZ
CATHERINE MARTINEZ
RICHARD MARTO
BERNARD MATHIS
KAREN MCCARTHY
PATRICK MCGOLDRICK
JOHN MCHUGH
JO-ANN MCKELLER
MICHAEL MEHRMANN
JOHN MONACO
MUHAMMAD MUBARAK
THOMAS MULZAC
JACQUELINE MURDOCK
WANDA OLIVER
PAT PALAZZO
AMADO PLA
ALBERT RABASA
SUZONNE RANDALL
MICHAEL RANIERI
ROBERT RICCARDI
STEPHEN RIGGI
JEFFREY RINALDI
JOHN RISPOLI
SALVATORE RIZZO
Page 19
CARMEN RODRIGUEZ
MANUEL RODRIGUEZ
ENLETTA RODULFO
ALDO ROVITO
RENATO SACCHI
HERMAN SANDERS
MICHAEL SASSANO
WALTER SCOTT
BRIAN SHARKEY
FRANCIS SICONOLFI
NATHANIEL SINGLETON
MARTHA SLADE
DESMOND SMITH
KARYN SMITH
ANTHONY SPENCE
DOUGLAS STRETTON
GEORGE TEACHEY
GAIL THREADGILL
RAFAEL VELEZ
DORIS VILLEGAS
WILLIE WALKER
ANTHONY WHITE
RICHARD WOERNER
JERRY YOUNG
2004 Lifetime Members
(having completed 10 years Retiree dues payments)
JOHN ABER
CHARLES GLOVER
PHILIP LASSALVY
HELEN BENNS
HAROLD GREEN
WADE LOWE
EARL BRYAN
EDWARD GREGG
WILLIAM MASON
JOSEPH CALABRESE
ROBERT GRIER
THOMAS MCCOY
OSCAR CALLIER
HARVEY HABER
ANN MCDANIELS
VICTOR CAROSONE
KENNETH HALL
JOHN MCHUGH
ANTHONY CERETTI SYLVIA HARRIS-SANDERSON MILTON MCWILLIAMS
RON CRISMALI
WILBERT HICKMAN
WILLIE MIDDLETON
ELEANOR DONNLEY BARBARA HOWARD
JORGE MOGRO
MELVIN DUDLEY
MANFRED HUNDERTMARK
STEPHEN MORIARTY
ANDREW DUMAWAL
ROBERT IMHOFF
JOSEPH MORSE
JOHN DURSO
ALVIN JOHNSON
ANDREW MRAZ
CARLO ESPOSITO
WILLIE JOHNSON
JAMES MULCAHY
JEROME FANT
CYNTHIA JONES
GARTH MULLINGS
HENRY FERRAIOLI
JOHN KALLAS
DOMINICK NOCERA
JORGE GARCIA
EDWARD KANTERMAN
JOSEPH ORR
JAMES GARDNER
NORRIS KING
PAUL PONTRELLI
THOMAS GIARDINA PETER KOUTSOUKOS
MARTIN REID
BEATRICE REYNOLDS
DOUGLAS RIDDICK
CARLOS RIVERA
VICTORIA RODRIGUEZ
DIMAS SALABERRIOS
FRANK SERAFINO
THOMAS SPOTTISWOOD
TOM TEDESCHI
ROBERT TIMOZEK
LOUIS VACCARO
VINCENT VALENTIN
RUDOLPH VALENTINE
RAYMOND VAN PELT
HENRY VELEZ
THOMAS VITOLA
ROBERT WALLA
FRANKLIN WESTERN
EDWARD ZAPOTOCKI
BIRTH?
WEDDING?
GRADUATION?
ANNIVERSARY?
SPECIAL NEWS
TO REPORT ...
We Want
to Know
Send your
information,
including name and
work location, along
with any pertinent
photos, to:
Captains’ Quarterly
Correction Captains
Association
233 Broadway
Suite 4400
New York, NY 10279
Page 20
MEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RETIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DECEASED
ANGELO MOLINELLI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-02-77
PATRICK NEILAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-02-00
WALTER RATZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-08-73
MARIE TARTARO-MURPHY . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11-84
REGINALD LEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-01-82
JOSEPH IPPOLITO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-04-90
CONSTANTINO ARENA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-07-81
JAYNE HAYES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-02-02
PARIS DAVIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-22-78
JOHN ELLIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-01-81
GERARD SHANNON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16-84
STANLEY DYBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30-74
EDWARD LOVELESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10-95
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21-03
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13-03
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-16-03
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-21-03
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-04-03
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-04-04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-01-04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11-04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11-04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18-04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25-04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10-04
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14-04
A & M Professional Security Consulting Inc.
N.Y.S. Security Training School
John Monaco/President ● Armindo Cubano/Vice President
Charles Bravo/Director of Investigations
●
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8 Hour Pre Assignment
47 Hour Firearms
11 John Street, Suite 707
●
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8 Hour Annual
16 Hour Course
New York, N.Y. 10038
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Cell Phone # 516-456-7507
Page 21
If you are presently covered by Healthplex and need information about your
coverage, you can visit the Healthplex Website at www.Healthplex.com. In
order to log in, you will need to find the “For Subscribers” tab located at the top
of the home page. Then you will have to enter your Social Security number and
your PIN number.
Please do not enter spaces or dashes. Your initial PIN number was set to the
month and day of your birthday (ex: MMDD = 0831). Once logged in, you will
have access to your eligibility information, fee schedules, and you will also be
able to issue duplicate ID cards.
Discount Mortgages
All
scholarship
applications for
students who
will
graduate this
spring MUST be
received at the
CCA office by
the close of
business on
Tuesday,
June 1, 2004.
If you
have any
questions,
please call the
office at
For Union Members and the Families of the
(212) 227 4090.
Comprehensive Professional Systems, Inc. has added a new benefit — a direct
link to their website and important optical benefit information. Simply go to
www.cpsoptical.com. CPS already offers visitors the ability to search for their
nearest provider by zip code. Members get a secure sign-in that will provide a
clear description of your optical benefits, specific plan information and other
valuable information.
First West
offers a wide variety
of
mortgage loans to
suit your specific needs.
CORRECTION CAPTAINS’ ASSOCIATION
No Application Fee
● No Processing Fee
● Reduced Attorney Fee
● Reduced Title Charges
●
URGENT
MESSAGE
No
● No
● No
● No
●
Commitment Fee
Document Prep Fee
Courier Fees
Underwriting Fee
We have all the following programs available:
FHA/VA, SONYMA, FannieMae, FreddieMac-Direct Lender, Refinances
Second Mortgages and Equity Lines, Second Home
Investment Properties and Relocation Mortgages
No Income Verification and No Income/No Asset Verification
Zero point loans available on most programs, Officer Next Door Program
Page 22
Important
Information
Regarding
Your
Prescription
Drug
Coverage
Y
ou receive prescription drug benefits through three separate programs. In order to
make sure you are receiving the most out of your coverage, it is important for you
to understand the type of drugs covered under each program, and which ID card
to use when obtaining those drugs.
The three ID cards you have received apply to the three different programs, and must
be used as follows:
● GHI-Express Scripts (ESI) ID Card. Issued by ESI, this card should be used for the
majority of your ESI Retail Pharmacy and Mail Service prescription drug benefits. This
card cannot be used, however, to obtain the prescription drugs noted below.
● Your Medical Insurance ID Card. Issued by your medical insurance carrier, this
card is used primarily for your medical and hospital benefits. Relating to drug benefits,
this card applies only to prescriptions for Diabetes Drugs and for Chemotherapy Agents
that are infused (injected) by a physician or other health care provider, and which you
obtain at an ESI Retail Pharmacy or through the ESI Mail Service program. For example,
CCA members who are GHI-CBP subscribers would use their GHI CBP Program medical ID card to obtain these two types of prescription drugs. This card cannot be used for
any other drugs.
● City of New York PICA Program ID Card. This card, issued by NPA, must be used
only for prescriptions for Psychotropic Drugs, Self Administered Injectables (noninsulin), Self Administered Chemotherapy Agents, and Asthma Drugs obtained at an
NPA Retail Pharmacy or through NPA's Mail Service program. This card cannot be used
for any other drugs.
Note the Identification Numbers on Each of Your Prescription Drug ID Cards.
You should be aware that while the GHI-CBP and City of New York PICA ID cards
use your Social Security Number as your identification number, your main prescription
drug benefit card — the GHI-Express Scripts card — contains an identification number
that is one letter (see card next page) different from your Social Security Number, or an
alternate number that is not your social security number. If you call ESI customer service with questions about your coverage, you will need to give them both identification
numbers.
Please Note: It is very important that you show the correct ID card to the pharmacist when receiving your prescription drugs. When in doubt, show all three of them.
If you have questions about your prescription drug benefits or how to obtain them,
please call Express Scripts at 1-877-534-3682, or visit their Web site at www.expressscripts.com
You will receive a letter shortly from GHI detailing this information.
If you have questions about your prescription drug benefits
or how to obtain them, please call
Express Scripts at 1-877-534-3682
or visit their Web site at www.express-scripts.com
Sample Insurance Cards
Page 23
Page 20
Meeting
with the
State’s
Top
Leaders
CCA President PETER MERINGOLO (center) had the opportunity to meet with both
NYS Governor George Pataki (right) and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (left).
Meringolo said it’s important for the Correction Captains’ Association to keep
itself as visible as possible, especially during the difficult financial times that
both the City and State are facing. “We’re a small union in size, but a large union
in voice,” he said.
CORRECTION CAPTAINS’ ASSOCIATION
Department of Correction
City of New York
233 Broadway, Suite 4400
New York, NY 10279
First Class
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 3923
New York, NY