Reading your comments about the LEOFF1 Coalition makes me think that over the past couple of years, you and other leaders of the several LEOFF1 related organizations have lost sight of why and how the Coalition came to be.

You folks would have us all think that this was a ploy by a few chosen individuals to line their pockets with our silver and gold.

As I recall it, and feel free to refresh my mind if I err, there was a time when the LEOFF 1 pension fund was running at a surplus.This money appealed to many, some of whom included members of the state legislature, and even a few retirees already drawing from the fund.

While there are numerous groups representing LEOFF 1 retirees, there was no coordination between those groups to put up a single-front battle against those in state government eyeing that surplus.

As I recall it, entered the Coalition.This was either a group with an idea that we could combine efforts and finance what appeared to be an upcoming legal battle to keep our pension from the clutches of government.Or, as you would have me believe, this was a group of con men who saw a chance to scare the members into giving them a gob of money so they could waste it on their own desires.

I attended one of the original meetings at the Lake Forest Park Elk’s Club (I believe that was the location) where the Coalition members got together with the heads of the various LEOFF 1 organizations representing pension plan members.I know that former Senator and Leoff 1 retiree Larry Vognild was in attendance.I know that the WSCFF reps were there.I know that there were several other reps there too, but didn’t really know then who they were.Were you there too?

I had anticipated that this would be a meeting of the minds, ready to form an alliance to fight the foes for ALL pension system members.Wow, was I ever wrong.I was appalled at the posturing that went on with all of those Type A personalities fearing that they might lose some imaginary face if their group wasn’t the lead organization in the battle.As far as I could see, the reps from the Coalition didn’t care who took part in the battle, as long as we were united and prepared.Perhaps you were at that meeting, and can tell me why so many opposed the idea of a coalition?Hey, perhaps everyone thought the meeting was being held to determine how the groups would divide the Coalition’s collected funds.

Knowing that a class-action suit by a big name Seattle attorney could not come about without substantial funding, a large sum of money had been collected by the Coalition.

I recall that the RFFOW had concerns that its members might send money directly to the Coalition instead of through the RFFOW.I don’t know if other organizations also took that pose, but wondered if perhaps that wasn’t more of a “control issue” on the part of the leadership.

Then it all went to hell.The threat to the pension surplus, for whatever reasons, became a moot point.There stood the Coalition--who was not really a coalition in the minds of the Type A leaders of the individual organizations--holding a large sum of donations that it had fully expected to spend, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PENSION SYSTEM MEMBERS, on legal fees.The Coalition had even retained a top-notch attorney, and was waiting for the assault.But it didn’t come.

The one fault that I can find in the operation of the Coalition is that in it’s haste to protect all pension system members, they hadn’t given sufficient consideration on how to divest should the threat go away, because no one expected it to.

There were criticisms of the Coalition about how funds were handled in regard to printing and paid positions, but I also saw that Coalition members were traveling about the state educating pension system members on the pension and medical issues provided by the pension.I attended two meetings myself, and found them helpful.Some of the Coalition board people put in a great deal of their personal time to travel throughout the state.

There is an accusatory note in your writing that the Coalition board members are using all of the funds that were donated to line their pockets.I know several people who set on that board, and they don’t seem to be any better off financially than they were before all the fuss took place.In fact, I know that some of them have paid for their own costs while working for the system members they still feel they represent.

On the other hand, I’ve also found it interesting to see how that surplus affected members of the pension system.Suddenly, some saw there was this surplus to be used to increase pension checks, or to provide more medical services, or to even line their own pockets with a lump sum.I’m sure you’re aware of that premise.

Without a dragon to fight, the Coalition board members could do their selves a great service by disbanding.Those members would still be active within the individual organizations from whence they came.It would save them a great deal of angst and constant criticism, but it still leaves two problems.First, what to do with the money?Second, how would we ever be able to organize all of the individual associations into one group if the need occurred?“United we stand….” Maybe, because of this national economic mess, we’ll never see another surplus to quarrel over. But there is always a thought that what the politicians gave--the politicians can also take away.Who will lead a combined effort should we need one, you and the RSPOA?

Perhaps the remaining money the Coalition has--that seems to be bugging so many--should be packaged and be put under the care of one of the larger individual organizations, with the stipulation that it only be spent to fight for pension issues when approved by three or four other groups representing pension system members.There are smarter people than I am out there and someone can figure out how to handle the “problem.”

The idea that a few individual system members had, of forming a single alliance to fight for all, was a noble cause, and if you want to criticize that effort then you must also tell us your plan for forming a similar organization should we again come under attack.

Let’s get out of the personality business here, find some solutions to release the Coalition members from their burden.The various organizations need to make a plan for reunification against future attacks on the system.If you have time to bad mouth a group who tried to do the right thing, then you and the RSPOA have time to work on a way to protect us all should it become necessary.With your help and influence, it can be done.

Ron Larsen
Member of RFFOW
Everett Fire Department Retired