|
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT A
few new issues have developed these past few months and several old
issues are still being worked on. The following will provide all of you
with an update.
1. FWOA is in need of developing a promotional packet/brochure to assist
us in promoting FWOA to new potential members and to potential sponsors
of our programs. We have been very successful in promoting FWOA to a
handful of major sponsors who have assisted us in some of our efforts,
but a colored glossy brochure would be a real asset in these efforts. We
are still looking for someone who is willing to step forward and take
this challenge on. If you are willing to assist, please contact me or
your regional rep.
2. We are still discussing the use of electronic transfer of our
quarterly newsletter. Mike Weaver and Bonnie Bell continue to research
this possibility. If any other members are interested in this issue,
please contact Mike or Bonnie, as I am sure that they would welcome
assistance. I hope to provide an update from them in the next
newsletter.
3. FWOA is continuing our efforts to reintroduce a commemorative
firearm, similar to what was provided a few years back, with Sig Sauer
handguns. Since the previous issue, the Fish and Wildlife Service has
more than 100 new SAs and many may be interested in a Sig Sauer
commemorative handgun; or we could look into a new commemorative rifle
or shotgun. The committee headed up by Dom Domenici is looking into this
possibility. If you have any ideas or concerns, or better yet, a desire
to help Dom give him a call in Casper, WY. We hope to provide an update
on this issue in the next newsletter.
4. SAs Lisa Nichols and Gary Jagodzinski are heading up a committee to
make recommendations for FWOA to create an annual scholarship for a son
or daughter of a FWS Special Agent. If you have
concerns or ideas, give one of them a call or send them an email.
5. No new updates were received from the FWS Office of Law Enforcement
on the issuance of credentials to Retired Special Agents. The Service has the equipment
purchased to create the credentials and at the last update they were
awaiting policy drafting on issuing credentials. It is hoped that the
policy will be completed soon and credentials issued soon thereafter.
The Board will continue to follow-up on this issue.
6. A draft policy on overtime has been written and discussed at the SAC
Conferences. No formal policy has been delivered to the field at this
time. I am aware that some regions are currently paying overtime for
situations that have not been considered for overtime in the past. We
are making headway on these issues, but we will need to address whether
overtime will be paid when an agent is assigned to work on a weekend,
but the hours to work have not been set by the supervisor. I suspect in
these situations, the first words out of the agent's mouth should be
"WHAT HOURS DO YOU WANT ME TO WORK?".
7. The status of field grade GS-13 positions within the Fish and
Wildlife Service is still being discussed and it is an area being
reviewed by the D.C. office. The requirements to obtain one of these
positions are not clear, so the Board is continuing our research in an
effort to determine if FWS SAs qualify for field grade GS-13 positions.
8. It was voted on and approved to create a new class of membership for
Retired Special Agents. FWOA is waiting for someone in the retired ranks
to step forward and accept the position of Regional Representative for
the Retired Agents. Many of the retired SAs with whom I have kept in
contact are now busier than when they were employed by the Service; so I
understand the lack of a volunteer, but we will need someone to be
nominated to fill the position in the near future. It is hoped that
Jerry Smith, who has been very active in maintaining contact with many
of the retired SAs, will encourage someone to assist him.
9. The possibility of having corporate sponsorship for our newsletter is
still being researched. Many wildlife officer associations are currently
publishing magazines that are created by a publisher who obtains all of
the sponsors and pays the association after deducting a percentage for overhead. This program is currently raising
thousands of dollars for some associations. SA Doug Goessman is still
researching this issue and could use some assistance. If you have
knowledge or experience with this type of promotion and/or would be
willing to assist Doug, give him a call.
10. SA Chris Brong continues to explore the possibility of having the
Benchmade Knife Company create a knife for members of FWOA. It would have our badge engraved on
the blade. SA Brong has been in contact with the company and is
currently looking at some options. If you have any ideas or thoughts,
give him a call.
11. A reminder that all of us need to check our address labels on the
newsletter to see if our dues are up to date. If your dues are coming
due in the near future or if the date has passed, please remit your
payment to Bill Anderson at the address appearing on the back of this
newsletter.
As you can see, the Association and its members are working hard for
your YOUR benefit. I encourage all of you to find the time and make the
effort to step forward to assist your Association and your fellow
members. I hope that each of you have a safe and enjoyable Fall.
Mark Webb, President
|
2003 NAWEOA CONFERENCE - ST. JOHNS, NEWFOUNDLAND
The FWOA again sponsored the annual 5K Torch Run/Walk to recognize
fallen wildlife enforcement officers at the North American Wildlife
Enforcement Officers Association Annual Conference held at St. Johns,
Newfoundland, on July 24, 2003.
The event continued to grow in numbers and popularity, to the point
where it is now an integral part of each year's conference. This year's
event was the third time it has been held and numbers continued to
increase from the original 100 to approximately 350 participants.
FWOA has been providing a meal as part of the run/walk and with the
assistance of the Newfoundland/Labrador Conservation Officers
Association, a delicious meal of barbecued moose and arctic char was
served to all participants this year.
The event raised $3,500 which was donated to the Game Warden Museum
being constructed at the Peace Gardens on the North Dakota/Manitoba
border. This amount brings the total to $10,000 that the event has
raised to assist with the construction of the museum.
This year's overall winner was Randy Nelson with a time of 17:48. The
top male runners were Steve Tomac, Richard Labossiere, and Greg
Drogowski. The top female runners were Hayley Crosby, Andrea Albert, and Catherine Mehl.
The top youth runners were Morgan Wrishko, Jarod Northup, and Adam Grosheh.
The top walkers were Dave Hohman, Sandy Nichols, and Michel Morin.
The FWOA would like to thank all of the participants who helped make
this event a huge success and we look forward to sponsoring it again
next year when it will be held at the Peace Gardens, in an effort to
show support for the first stage of construction for the game warden
museum. It will be cosponsored by the Manitoba Conservation Officers
Association and the meal will be hosted by the North Dakota Game Wardens
Association.
I would like to encourage any Fish and Wildlife Special Agent who would
like to participate in the organization of next year's event to contact
SA Mark Webb. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
A special thank you goes out to SA Frank Kuncir and his wife; SA Ellen
Kiley; SA Bob Snow and his wife; and to my wife, Kathy Webb; for their
support and assistance in this year's event. Additional support was
provided by Conservation Officers and their families from Iowa,
Nebraska, and Manitoba. Another extra special thank you goes to
Newfoundland CO Roger Ward and his wife for cooking the meat and
assistance serving the meal.
Many new supporters of FWOA were generated at this year's event and it
is anticipated that support will continue to grow as the event grows. If
there are any SAs that have been thinking about attending a NAWEOA
conference and have just not made it to one, you are missing out on a
great opportunity to make new friends within the wildlife law
enforcement community and to have a great time!
The 2004 conference will be held in Manitoba and the 2005 conference is
scheduled for British Columbia. Drop me an email or give me a call if
you are interested in providing a helping hand in the organization of
either of these events.
FYI - Listed below is an updated list of
FWOA Officers and Regional Reps:
Mark
Webb - President
Doug
Goessman - Vice President
Bill
Anderson - Secretary/Treasurer
Chris Brong -
R-1 Representative
Gary Young -
R-2 Representative
Paul
Beiriger - R-3 Representative
Andrew Aloise
- R-4 Representative
Andy Cortez -
R-5 Representative
Kenny
Kessler - R-6 Representative
Steve
Stoinski - R-7 Representative
Rick
Giovengo - R-9 Representative
Jerry Smith
- R-10 Acting Representative
Don't Forget, Association items make great Christmas gifts!
Smaller items such as:
Coffee and Travel Mugs
Patches
Hats
Badge Tie Tacks
Pens
Money Clips
T-shirts
are available directly from the store by contacting Mike Weaver.
Larger items such as:
Jackets
Golf Shirts
Camo Shirts
are available online from Mountain Top Marketing via the
Store link.
REGION 1
CHRIS BRONG, REGIONAL REP
The End of a FWS-OLE California Legacy
Scott Pearson, Sacramento, CA, Resident Agent-in-Charge (RAC)
(responsible for the northern
two-thirds of California), and Larry Farrington, Los Angeles, CA, (RAC)
(responsible for the southern third o California), both retired from the
FWS Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) at the end of September 2003.
Scott in 1978, and Larry in 1989, were the federal wildlife law in
California and ushered in many new OLE challenges in a state where rapid
population expansion and vast wildlife habitat alteration was occurring.
Dozens of endangered and threatened species were listed in California
during this period requiring new enforcement efforts. Many new agents
arrived in Sacramento and Los Angeles to begin their FWS law enforcement
careers under Scott and Larry's tutelage.
Scott and Larry, we appreciate your service and expertise, it's been a
pleasure! Good luck and best wishes for retirement!
Benchmade Knife Company Special Edition FWS Special Agent Knife
Your Region 1 Rep has been in negotiations with the Benchmade Knife
Company, Oregon City, OR, for a limited edition FWS Special Agent Knife,
Rescue Hood (Model 5BLK), and nylon belt holster combination (#9812087).
The planned knife is the
Model 5000SBT Auto Axis, with a laser etched
FWS Special Agent badge with, or without, the agent's badge number. In
addition, a small amount will be made having the badge and knife
sequentially numbered. These limited edition knives and prices will only
be available through the FWOA for a limited period. Current and retired
agents will be able to order through the FWOA. The FWOA will be able to
use the limited edition for fundraisers You can view these models on
www.benchmade.com. Expect to see ordering information in the next FWOA
newsletter.
Regional News Needed
In order to place news items in our column, I need news clips from
Region 1 Special Agents. Please email any news items to me at my
personal email address: so I can provide them to the
FWOA Editor. News , TOP ,
Next,
Home,
|
