Bill Anderson

Hope everybody is well as we embark on a new waterfowl season. Several changes have occurred since our last newsletter.

First off, in anticipation of the new FWOA magazine (title to be determined), the Secretary/Treasurer position has been split since the Treasurer duties will be more complex. The board appointed Ellen Kiley as the new Secretary in September. Ellen stepped up and accepted the appointment, thanks Ellen!. This means as of this newsletter all membership renewals should be sent to Ellen at P.O. Box 55060, Waltham, MA 02455-0060. I will be in charge of the financial end of things now as Ellen takes on the Secretary duties. Please bear with us during this transition period.

Secondly, the Sig Sauer gun orders have been placed and will now have the badge number of the SA engraved on the slide as well as the badge and inscription that was on the flyer.

Recently, Charter Member Carmine Sabia had a fire at his condo in New Jersey. Carmine and his wife Marissa were not home at the time, the damage was extensive. Carmine is doing as well as can be expected and the Association has stepped up to help him.

Most importantly, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the following new Charter Members from the most recent class: James Hampton (R-4), Ryan Noel (R-4), Phil Alegranti (R-5), Lizz Darling (R-4), Rich Gamba (R-5, and Bo Stone (R-1).

Take care and be safe out there!

Tully and Associates Welcome Former Judge

By Mark Webb, President/Charter Member

Tully and Associates has announced that the Honorable Robert L. Estes has joined the firm as counsel in its criminal and family law litigation division. In his new role with the firm, he will be involved in complex criminal and family court litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Judge Estes served for 20 years as the elected County Court Judge, Family Court Judge, and Surrogate for Delaware County. While serving as a judge, he oversaw more than 30,000 cases, including numerous felony criminal trials.

In 2003, the Delaware County Bar Association conferred upon Judge Estes the Liberty Bell Award in recognition of his years of outstanding service to the people of Delaware County. The Liberty Bell Award is awarded only to those individuals who have promoted better understanding of the rule of law; encouraged a greater respect for law and the courts; stimulated a sense of civic responsibility; and contributed to good government in the community.

With offices in Greene and Albany counties, Tully and Associates actively practices in the following areas of law: real estate, real property tax certiorari and condemnation, environmental law, corporate/securities, general litigation, labor relations/employment law, mortgage foreclosure, bankruptcy and debtor/creditor rights, trusts and estates, elder law, municipal law/government relations, family and criminal law. The firm maintains a website with additional information about its attorneys, its achievements, and news stories involving the firm's litigation. The website is: www/tullylegal.com.

Fair Labor Standards Act Litigation Nears Settlement

By Mark A. Webb, President/Charter Member

Linda Lipsett of the law firm of Bernstein and Lipsett, reported in an e-mail that a settlement agreement was approved August 31, 2004, between her law firm and the Department of Justice on a Class Action law suit involving the U.S. Government and many of the Special Agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The litigation involved overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Many SAs joined in the litigation approximately ten years ago by sending $25.00 to retain the firm of Bernstein and Lipsett to represent them in the suit.

The Government settled with the Special Agents/Pilots in 1998 and are just now making settlement with the other Special Agents.

Lipsett reported that the settlement agreement should have been signed sometime during the week of August 30, 2004. She stated the Government will make the necessary monetary calculations and that hopefully payment will be made to the participating Special Agents by the end of the year. Payment to the SAs/Pilots amounted from approximately two thousand dollars up to sixteen thousand dollars.

If any members have questions, they can contact Linda Lipsett directly or SA Walt Kocal, who has been monitoring the status of the litigation.

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