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September 2006
Sep 13, 2006

Feederline

September 2006

 

E-Mail Updates:

 

Add:        Brian Colwell        Brian_Colwell@sbcglobal.net

Add:        Karl Hofmeister    HoffyMFD@aol.com

Add:        Dan Talaniec        DTalaniec@sbcglobal.net

Delete:    Mike McDaniel

Change:   Scott MacAulay   STMacaulay15@msn.com

 

This newsletter is sent out electronically to all members and retirees that have provided an e-mail address. A printed copy is sent to retirees via regular mail. If you wish to obtain the color copy and any other Flashover's immediately, please provide an e-mail address. It can remain confidential if you wish. You may contact me at MFD1610@aol.com or at Station 1 C Shift. Thanks.

 

Sick Call:

 

Sean O'Brien on light duty recovering from a leg injury

Dave Rizzo on light duty.

Shawn Murray off duty foot injury

Rich Dzialo on light duty ankle injury

Paul Geer back to work from knee surgery

Joe Widman back to work from knee surgery

Mike Ryan back to work from knee surgery

Bo Hyatt back to work

 

Coming and Going:

 

Best of luck and health to Evan Winters who has finally decided on a retirement date of Sept. 8.

 

Welcome aboard to Eric Mohr and Dan Talaniec who recently finished one and two on the new Firefighter list. Both are presently in Recruit School at the Fire Academy and should be graduating by the end of September.

 

As stated above, the Firefighter Eligibility list has FINALLY been established. After much talk and complaining and heated discussions the Fire Commissioners created the list at their June meeting and it will be in effect for two years. It was good to see some legacies make the list (a la Animal House). Eric Mohr, Brian Connelly and Matt LaVecchia who can only hope to be as good as their Fathers.

 

Good luck to Mike Gardella who has resigned Milford to take a position as a Firefighter with FDNY. Mike is presently in Probationary Firefighter class at "The Rock" and expects to graduate in early Fall. Do well "G" and make us proud. Mike joins Lt. Ed Burwell (who he is not allowed to even look at) as former Milford Firefighters who have gone on to FDNY. Be safe guys.

 

Congratulations to Dave and Sue Dixon on the birth of Kasey Lynn Dixon on July 7 at 6:30 PM arriving at 6 pounds, 11 ounces. All are doing well and Dave is even back to work!

 

Congrats to Mike and Berget Wydra on expecting TWINS! Mike has already started selling some of his toys.

 

Promotions:

 

After exhaustive multiple rounds of testing, Dave Eisenhandler has finished first on the Assistant Superintendent of Apparatus exam. Mike Dunn was the only other passing candidate. Dave was promoted on August 14 and has already learned to say "Make out a card." Thanks to Jim Connelly who served for a year as the Acting Assistant on his happy return to Engine 3.  

 

Congratulations to Donna Cooke as the only passing candidate for the newly created position of Supervising Dispatcher in the 911 center.

 

Burn Camp:

 

Again this year Ron Wetmore, Jason Hall and Jason Dombrowski worked at the Connecticut Burn Care Summer Burn Camp for Children. This is a very rewarding time for both the counselors and the campers. Thanks to Chief Lou and Local 944 for providing the time off for these members to work at the camp. Atta Boy to everyone.

 

This and that:

 

The six month run numbers are out thanks to Dan Worroll and the Boys from Big Blue rule again:

 

Engine 1    985                                Rescue 1    1560

Engine 7    947                                Rescue 2      295

Engine 4    597

Engine 5    526

Engine 6    520                                Canteen Truck    1

Engine 3    518

Tower 1     479

 

It seems Engine 5 has increased substantially since "Ryders" moved and Engine 7 has dropped. I wonder..........

 

Lou Tibor in the Dispatch Center is asking that any members or Retirees that may have old pictures of Milford apparatus contact him. He is working on a project but will not give it away at this time. He would like to scan/copy your photo and will return it to you immediately. You can contact him at lou5069@aol.com or in the Dispatch Center on the 3-11 shift.

 

Received the following from Kathy Huber:

 

Hey Captain

 

Would you kindly send out this flyer to all members of the local and retirees as well.  This is the annual FOS/FOF event.  As you know I have been very involved in this event for several years now and it is very dear to my heart.  This year the proceeds of the FOF (Folks on Foot) event will benefit the Mentor Program at Bridges.  I hope all of you will mark your calendar for Sunday, September 17, 2006.  Come and enjoy the breathtaking views of Milford as you walk along our beautiful shoreline.  The walk is well marked and a fun way for the family (bring along the wife and kids) to get some great exercise.  We would also love to have more participants, possibly a team of firefighters, for the FOS (Folks on Spokes) which is a bike tour through Milford, West Haven and Orange before returning to Milford's Fowler Field.  There are several rides you could take from 5, 10, 20 and 40 mile (a challenging ride even for the most experienced rider).  Each year Carlos Smith and I do the 20 mile ride and it would be great to have a whole team from MFD. 

 

Thanks to all of you and I hope to see you on September 17, 2006.

 

 

From President Coubrough:

 

   I would like to thank all those who came down to help with the hot dog give away last Friday night.  It was again a very successful event.  We started off with 300 hot dogs and end the night with around 30. 

      Those who came to help were,  Bob Healey, Karl Hofmiester, Rich Mohr and his wife, Frank Geer and his wife,  Eric Ouellette, Ed Hubbell, Mike Dunn, Scott Tummins, Mike Gardella and both new recruits Eric and Dan. 

Again thanks for the help.   Couby 

Received the following email from Jon Luysterboroughs and President Coubrough thought it would be very informative for our members and Retirees. Good Luck Jon.

Bill H.

 

Hi Bill-

I hope that all is going well for you and the guys there during this heat wave and the added load and risk that it puts on all of you. I'm just writing today with a short update on the pension issues that I've been trying to resolve regarding benefits for my spouse. As of August 1st 2006 my lawyer, Jonathan Klein, has filed civil action against

 the Pension and Retirement Board and the City of Milford for me to receive:

1. an order of mandamus requiring the City to accept my enrollment of my wife, Yiling Qi (Crystal) as my dependent wife under the City of Milford retirees health insurance plan, retroactive to (when I filed the enrollment form) May 25, 2006.

2. a declaratory judgment declaring my right to enroll my wife, Yiling Qi, as my dependent wife under the City of Milford retirees health insurance plan, retroactive to May 25, 2006.

3. money damages

4. the costs of this action

5. such other and further relief to which I may be entitled at law or equity.

As much as I know that what I am asking for is only what our retirees deserve under the terms of our contract, it really feels bad to be suing the City. We all joke about the City; but I think that as firefighters we all really do love the city that we are committed to serving more deeply than we often realize; so I'm really kind of sad about this whole thing. I didn't expect to feel that way. I'm confident that we will win this case in court and I'm committed to seeing it through to that conclusion, regardless of the cost; but I really hope that the suit is settled quickly and we can finally put this issue behind us.

Be Safe!

Jonathan Luysterborghs (Lusty)

 

 

A photographer recently stopped by Headquarters and wanted some shots of the truck and the guys. The above is his "best" shot. Its amazing that everybody was "uniform" all wearing the same T shirt, shorts and black socks. Everyone following the uniform policy to the letter! By the way, nice truck, the new Engine 7.

 

Social events:

 

The Annual Thimble Island Booze Cruise was again a success for those that attended. The turnout was slightly less this year but still everyone had a good time. No one got seasick or were made to walk the plank. Nice job Jason Dombrowski and Brad Ross.

 

The Rumrunners/Hudd post Oyster Festival party was again the high point of the Summer season. Even though it rained most of the evening it still had no effect on the festivities. This year Carlos Rios was the star of the party. Thanks to everyone who contributed and especially to Mike and Jess Hudd and the Rumrunners for sponsoring the annual soiree.

 

The Rumrunners next engagement will be September 30 at the Stonebridge Restaurant. See you there.

 

Union news:

 

Dave Heenan Jr. is again serving as the Chairman of Local 944 "Fill the Boot" drive that will be at various intersection throughout the city. The funds raised will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the Jerry Lewis Telethon over the Labor Day Weekend. All members are requested to support this Union cause in every way possible.

 

The all powerful Dunk Tank Committee raised a whopping $4,808.55 at the Oyster Festival. All of the proceeds go to the Connecticut Burn Care Foundation. Thanks to Bernie Begley and his crew for another successful year. The competition from the bikini clad females across the street at the SBC Restaurant proved so futile that they turned over the few dollars they raised to our mighty machine. Everyone got a bit nervous when Ed Burwell challenged Governor Rell but she was a good sport and moved along with a politically correct "no comment". Thanks Ed, you insult Governor Patacki that way?

 

Brian Colwell has been appointed by President Coubrough to take Mike Gardella's place on the joint City/Union Safety Committee. Good luck Brian, that's a very difficult and frustrating job. Thanks Mike Gardella for all you have done to make our job safer.

 

On June 25 the Fairfield Half Marathon road race was held and Milford Fire was represented by Steve Mantie, Jason Dombrowski and Chris Zak. The members won first place as a team in the Fire and Police category and Steve Mantie won first place as an individual in the Fire and Police division. Excellent job!

 

The next time you are on the Union Web Site, go to the photo section, check out some of the shots under the heading "Back in the day"This month's contest is if you can name everyone in each picture. The winner will receive a lifetime supply of ice from our "new" ice machine at Headquarters. Lots of Luck and no "team" entries.

 

Still Tom Piskura has the cement mixer if you need it.Just let us know who is the temporary caretaker so when the next one needs it, we can point him in the right direction.

 

The Milford Fire Softball team was again beaten into submission by the Milford Yankees by a score of 9-6. The score this year was much closer but never in doubt. The Fire team seemed to do much better after Chief Lou was called away. A great time was had by all. The fan base was one of the largest this year for both teams, thanks for your support. A big tip of the helmet to the Dinosaurs who as usual provided a great supper of hot dogs, chips and drinks. The unreported donor of cake for desert made it extra good. The "Kids" thank you very much for the special night.

 

The Milford Yankees.

 

The Fire Dept. Losers

 

The Mighty Dinosaurs!

 

Upcoming events:

 

The Union Softball team will be traveling to Maryland for the annual IAFF Muscular Dystrophy Tournament the weekend of Sept. 8-10. Good luck guys. Try to make ALL of the games ok? It is reported that this year there will be a curtailment of alcohol consumption in effect and enforced by the Park Police. The Union has limited bail bond money available, so choose carefully who stays behind in jail. Good luck and have fun. No pictures please.

 

The 35th Annual Engine 260 Fire Muster will be held on September 9 at Eisenhower Park. All funds raised by this event benefit the special needs children of Milford's Camp Happiness. Come support this cause that helps the children of Milford.

 

The Fire Dept has also been invited to participate in a round robin softball tournament to raise funds for MDA over Labor Day weekend prior to the New Haven Cutters games. More information and notices will be posted in the stations and sent out as email when its available.  

 

The Annual Holiday-Retirement Party is scheduled for FRIDAY December 1 again at the Grassy Hill Lodge. Mark your calendars. More information as it becomes available.

 

Retirees Corner:

 

The Summer has been quiet, so some pictures from the collections of Chuck Osgood and Steve Racz are in order. Enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

The next Union Meeting will be September 19 at 5:30 at Station 2. This will be the first meeting after the Summer hiatus. Please note the meeting time will remain 5:30 until further notice.

 

The next Retirees Association meeting will be September 27 at 2:00 PM at Station 2.

 

The next Dinosaur meeting will be September 26 at 6:30 at Station 2.

 

Sports:

 

The Connecticut Sun of the WNBA folded up like a lawn chair last Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals. I believe there will be a totally revamped team next year in Uncasville.

 

Of course the Mets are running away with the East Division of the National League 15.5 games ahead of their nearest rival. They are almost tied with the Tigers for the best record in Major League Baseball. The Sports talk shows are already hinting about a replay of the 2000 World Series. That will be the best revenge!

 

The Red Sox were victims of a Boston Massacre recently when the Yankees came to town. Its interesting to see that K-Rod has contributed nothing for his overblown salary. When you have to be thankful having Bernie Williams carrying your team your in BIG trouble. The Yanks are out in the first round. As I predicted early in the year, Mets vs. Tigers. The 2 best teams belong in the series.

 

Football season is getting under way and none of the "local" teams are going anywhere.

 

See you in early November when College Basketball starts. Cleveland Rocks for the WBB Final Four.

 

Myrtle Beach Golf Extravaganza sign ups shortly. Start saving your bottles and cans.

 

 

Until next time. BE SAFE!

 

Bill


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MILFORD FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 944
55 Wheelers Farm Rd
Milford, CT 06461
 

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