Page 35 - May 2017 Newsletter

A winning team
The third floor of FOP headquarters on West Washing- ton Street bustles with energy on this morning, partly be- cause the new Lodge 7 Board has just had its first meeting and partly because the new team of field representatives is moving into the offices. To fully get what will transpire here, think part nerve center, part situation room and part urgent care center.
The new field reps, new administration or new leader- ship team – any of these titles and more would be appro- priate – brings a swatch of representation that captures practically every nook and cranny of the rank-and-file. In addition to Graham, Murray and Preib, the team includes Third Vice President Jay Ryan, Recording Secretary Greg Bella, Financial Secretary Michael Garza, Treasurer John Capparelli and Field Representative Robert Bartlett.
“I think a lot of our guys are fighters, guys who aren’t afraid to stand up,” Preib submits.
Murray might be the microcosm of the group. He is a fifth-generation Chicago copper who has worked more than a half-dozen assignments, including City Hall and the City Council. Graham notes that Murray’s under- standing of how City Hall works will be a great asset for the team.
Preib provides a skill set the Lodge has never really had and vitally needs. His background working as a journal- ist before coming on the job and his widely renowned blog, Crooked City, showcase the writing skills and media acumen that will lead the new administration to make
“I believe we were elected because we have more in common with the average police of cer.”
First Vice President Pat Murray
good on one of its foremost campaign promises: eradicat- ing the continuous bashing from the mainstream news media.
Ryan and Garza are beat cops who come from the north and south ends of the City, respectively; Bartlett comes off a SWAT team and brings de-escalation and planning expertise to the new administration. Bella is a holdover from previous administrations who has held several of- fices within the FOP and has great respect of the retired members.
And then there’s Capparelli. The many members who know and respect him also know that his propensity to speak his mind without hesitation can be of great value. And Graham says he also greatly admires Capparelli’s devotion to watching and managing every penny of the members’ money.
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