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A letter to the President
President Dean C. Angelo, Sr. Fraternal Order of Police 1412 W. Washington Blvd. Chicago, lllinois 60607
Dear Dean,
I am a retired police officer and I just simply wanted to thank you for all that you do for active, as well as retired police officers each and every day.
I particularly wanted to personally call out some outstanding individuals who I have talked to numerous times regarding the fact that due to our illustrious mayor, some of us will not have medical coverage at the end of this year.
I absolutely adore Greg Bella, and I know how hard he has worked on this deal with Aetna. I am sure you know, Dean, that Greg gives 110 percent and leaves nothing to chance. I worked with Greg in 25th District, and he was one of the most knowledgeable police officers that I have ever met. My husband, Peter, who is retired, also worked with Greg, and we both know he has put his heart and soul into ensuring that FOP helps active and retired officers. I have kept in contact with Greg since he and I both are retired from the department, and when I spoke to Greg a year ago, when all of us knew this day was coming. Greg assured me that you, as well as others, were vetting insurance companies and would do his best not to leave anyone hanging out to dry as our may-
or did and, to this day, still does. This may turn out to be the best thing that has happened to us, his tossing us aside. Heck with all that we all have tried to do in our careers, he might be doing us a favor as you know every time retirees were looking for the COLA 3 percent, he took it for BC/BS premiums every year without fail.
Besides Greg, I also would like to thank Maggie O’Grady and Ray Casiano, Jr. I had the pleasure of meeting Maggie when my husband retired in 2000; he had his exit papers drawn up by her at the Pension Board. As you know she is smart as a whip. Good move, having her join your organization, as well as Greg being back into the organization as Recording Secretary.
I also can’t say enough about Ray Casiano. I also met him years ago when he was an instructor at the gun range – very knowledgeable and helpful. I saw Ray a couple of times the past two years and he also brought me up to speed with the fact that you, Greg and Maggie, as well as others, were working hard to get something that would be conducive for the retirees.
I wanted to also mention that my husband and I did meet with the Aetna people at FOP Lodge on Oct. 30, and Dean, they are fabulous. I met Frank Binetti and Anthony, as well as Fran, and they are very knowledgeable and kind individuals also.
I know that all of this would not have become a reality if not for the FOP, so for that, thank you so much for easing my mind, as well as countless numbers of police officers who were absolutely flabbergasted at how insen- sitive the mayor is. He obviously lacks an empathy chip.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Keep up the good work! Sincerely,
October 31, 2016
Kate and Peter Spina
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2016 59