narpi newsletter 2016-04 finalwebcopybbb · 4/9/2016 · inspection service retirees’...

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2 WWW. NARP I . ORG APRIL 2016

2016 NARPI NATIONAL AND MID-AMERICA REUNION

KANSAS CITY, MO SEPTEMBER 30—OCTOBER 2, 2016

Mid-America Region/National Reunion. and Heart of America Chapter are planning the National Reunion in Kansas City, MO on September 30 – October 2, 2016.

We will be visiting the Truman Presidential Library: Includes documents, photographs, virtual exhibits, audio files, oral histories, digital archives, kids page, educational features and the life and times of Truman.

The World War I Museum: Works to show the relevance and importance of the war on current gen- erations. Lists upcoming events, collections, programs for kids and families, and online educational exhibits.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum: is a historic Kansas City attraction featuring the largest collec- tion of pre-Civil War artifacts ever found aboard a sunken Steamboat in the Missouri River.

Details will be listed soon on the NARPI website narpi,org .

NARPI NEWS

N A R PI N EW S APRIL 2016

Volume 18, Issue 2

NARPI NEWS John Comber - Editor

NARPI NEWS is the official publication of the National

Association of Retired Postal Inspectors (NARPI), and is

published quarterly in January, April, July, and October.

Email newsletter articles to:

[email protected]

Send membership inquiries to:

NARPI National Treasurer

P.O. Box 3223

Peachtree City, GA 30269-7223

(or to: [email protected])

NARPI OFFICERS & STAFF

Steve Schneringer - President

Doug Nunes - Vice President

John Comber - Secretary

Robert Blackburn - Treasurer

Thomas Buggie - National Electronic Communications

Coordinator (NECC)

POSTMASTER

Send address changes to:

NARPI

P.O. Box 3223

Peachtree City, GA 30269-7223

National Website

www.NARPI.org

Comments from NARPI

National President

Steve Schneringer

Our organization is doing very well. Our membership is steady and local chapter luncheons continue to be well supported. Along with fellowship, I believe a great motivation for our fellow Inspection Service retirees’ participation in NARPI is to be kept informed of the retirement of friends and associates. We also appreciate receiving notice of the passing of fellow retirees and spouses. I urge you all to notify our Web Master, Tom Buggie, upon hearing of the death of anyone you may have worked with, members or nonmembers. Tom has the ability to find obituaries published anywhere in the country!

On a lighter note, Hope and I are looking forward to joining all of you at Lo-Cal’s Las Vegas Reunion, May 2 through the 4th. This venue has long been sought after. We remember Nor-Cal’s wonderful Reno reunion in 1995! Thank you, Lo-Cal, for arranging this Western reunion.

Comments from Robert Blackburn, NARPI Treasurer

I am sending best wishes from Peachtree City to you and yours

hoping that 2016 is off to a good start. Sue & I are looking

forward to seeing many of you at the reunions in Las Vegas and

Kansas City.

Thanks to those of you who sent their dues in. To date, I have

over 1,250 responses. You should have received the 2016

Directory, if not, let me know.

I appreciate your vote of confidence in electing me for another

term as the Treasurer of our organization. Serving along with

Steve Schneringer, Doug Nunes and John Comber is my

privilege. We are looking forward to a great year. Thanks, also, to

Tom Buggie for the hours he spends keeping us connected

electronically.

Bob Blackburn

APRIL 2016 NARPI NEW S

Comments from NARPI National Vice President

Doug Nunes

We have an interesting Western Region Reunion planned in Las Vegas, May 2-4, Lo Cal Chapter will be our hosts. We can look forward to the Lake Meade bus trip, the cruise aboard the Desert Princess, then a tour of the power plant at the Hoover Dam. The next day proves to be very interesting with a visit to the Mob Museum, I have received high recommendation about this Museum from folks I trust, don’t miss it.

Atlantic and Mid-America Regions are also in the process of recruiting Chapters interested in presenting Reunions in 2017. The National Reunion will be in the fall of 2017 and hosted by a Chapter from Mid-America and then, the Atlantic Region will present the Chapter willing to host a reunion in Spring/Summer. Both Regions will make a presentation at the 2016 Kansas City Reunion about 2017 Reunions. Thank you goes out to all Chapters for your gracious support for me in this new endeavor.

Comments from NARPI National Secretary

John Comber

I hope everyone is healthy and rested. It is time to get on board the Reunion train and head out to Las Vegas May 2-4, 2016 and then on to the Mid-America Kansas City gathering, Sept 30-Oct 2, 2016. It really looks like fun. Please join this year’s celebrations. The Westgate hotel suggested Bell Shuttle/Limo from airport $14.50 R/T, 800-274-7433.

We have new members joining all the time. I have mailed out over 30 retirement/application packets since January 1, including a copy of a recent NARPI newsletter. I think it sparks interest. You can see the newest members on page 23. Thank you Bob Blackburn for processing all those newbies.

FYI*****Here is some information of interest sent into the Lo-Cal Chapter from Byron Dare: There is a good write up on the “Unabomber” the NARPI people might like (-Subject: Letters from a serial killer) http://news.yahoo.com/letters-from-a-serial-killer--insidethe-unabomber-archive- 234543736.html. Another in the Unabomber series -Subject: For the love of a brother - Yahoo News-http://news.yahoo.com/for-the-love-of-abrother-001635118.html.

N A R PI N EW S APRIL 2016 2015

Remember When

In 1982 I was domiciled in Honolulu, HI. I received a phone call from the local ATF Agent in Charge and he asked me if I was notified of the mail bomb that was received in the mail today. I told him I did and that I had the remains of it right in front of me. He said then there are two because he had two agents in Maui recovering the evidence of another mailed bomb parcel as we spoke.

We got together later that day with all the evidence and surmised the two parcels were most likely mailed by the same person. The victim on Oahu was a soldier in the U.S. Army who had been serving abroad for the past seven years. He had only recently been reassigned to Schofield Barracks Ar- my Base on Oahu which allowed him basically to return home where he grew up. The victim from Maui was a school teacher who had been living and teaching there for the past five years but also grew up on Oahu. The bombs were constructed from electronic devices that had to be removed from the mailing packaging and plugged in to an electric outlet to initiate the explosion. Although both bombs were exploded, enough pieces of what were left were gathered to indicate they were made with similar materials and luckily all the mailing wrappings were recovered almost intact.

The soldier's bomb was made from a table lamp that had the base removed and the electric wires cut and attached to a polaroid camera flashbulb (the charge) and black gunpowder and fishing lead weight balls inserted for the explosion and shrapnel. When he plugged the lamp in he held it in his other hand rather than have it sitting on a table as it was likely intended and it exploded blowing the base cover off and the lead balls shot to the floor. He jumped when the explosion flashed and the lead balls bounced off the floor luckily only hitting his army boots.

The teacher's bomb was made from an electronic weather device that you plug in like a wall ther- mostat that gives you the temperature, humidity and a barometer. Luckily for him too, when he plugged it in with one hand he wasn't standing right in front of it. When it exploded the lead balls shot out between his arm and his body only grazing his arm. It was designed the same way with similar material as the soldier's bomb.

Both parcels address labels were typed using a typewriter with a damaged letter key. Both parcels were postmarked the same day in Honolulu and bore non existent return addresses. Link analysis disclosed both victims were born and raised in Honolulu, were the same age (30) and attended the same junior high school. They had nothing else in common, had no dealings with each other after junior high school and neither had any idea who would do this to them.

I sent all the evidence to our crime lab. No fingerprints were identified. The black gunpowder was identified as Hodgkins HP 38. So we ran all the leads down. We went to all the known places where the public could use a typewriter, libraries, schools etc., and typed samples targeting the damaged key. We did find the typewriter that was used to type the address labels at the University of Ha- waii's campus library. We recovered it and sent it to our crime lab who verified that piece.

We couldn't determine where the lamp or weather device came from. We re-interviewed the victims, even subjecting the soldier to a polygraph examination as he had some experience with explo- sives, but he wasn't the offender. After about thirty days things were starting to wind down when another bomb went off. This time it was also on Oahu, sent to a construction worker, also 30 years old who went to the same junior high school as the other two victims. This device was an electric hair clipper and the victim received it about thirty days earlier but didn't need a haircut so he left it in the parcel it came in and kept it in a closet until he needed a haircut. When the device exploded the shrapnel almost killed him, sending him unconscious to the hospital. A thinner, less muscular person probably would have died due to the dense shrapnel impact.

APRIL 2016 NARPI NEW S PAGE 5

He had no idea who would do this either but his parcel, also typed from the same Hawaii University typewriter, had a legitimate return address. A 65 year old man lived there alone. He had no recollection of any of these victims nor any idea why one of the victims would receive a bomb parcel with his return address on it but said he also received a parcel from someone he didn't know about a month ago. When asked what he did with it, he said it was here somewhere and we found it unopened on a couch. This victim was a janitor at the same junior high school during the time the other three victims attended there. We recovered that parcel intact and after x-raying it, had our crime lab personnel actually examine and dissect it in Honolulu the next day. This time when they examined a much greater amount of the black powder back at the headquarters lab they thought it might be Winchester P36 powder which was very similar to Hodgkins HP 38.

With this information we went back to the powder stores and found someone had purchased enough of this gunpowder the day before these parcels were mailed to make these bombs. His name was Alan Imakuri, a 30 year old male who attended the same junior high school as our victims during the same years.

We found an address for him and when we went there it was his mother's house and she said he has been living in the D.C. area for the past two years. The address she gave us turned out to be a mail drop and all mail received for him there was sent to a storage rental space business in Honolu- lu. His storage unit was investigated. Nothing of any value was recovered nor any legitimate location to find him disclosed.

When I re-interviewed his mother she said that's why it always took at least two weeks to get a letter back from him because apparently he would write it in Honolulu and send it to the D.C. mail drop operator requesting that he remove the sealed letter inserted and mail it back to his mother's address in Honolulu with a D.C. postmark on it.

She was worried about her son advising me that he had always been different then her other children. When I asked in what ways, she said he never cried as a baby. She said she hadn't seen him in years. Before he was allegedly living in D.C., he told her he was a C.I.A. agent living in the Aleu- tian Islands off Alaska.

As with most major criminal cases liaison with other law enforcement agencies is essential. I was looking for a guy who was trying to kill or harm his junior high school classmates and the janitor at that time. A Hawaii State investigator called me and said that the Honolulu police arrested a guy yesterday who could be your guy. This guy was also harassing his junior high school classmates. He was puncturing their tires in their apartment open air parking lot and putting super glue in their apartment door key holes. The police were staking out this apartment complex when they spotted a suspect super glue a key hole on one of the apartments on the eighth floor. When they tried to arrest him he pulled two loaded semi automatic hand guns on them causing them to seek cover but they radioed down to the street level officers that he got in the elevator. They got him to surrender when he came out of the elevator. It was Alan Imakuri.

I immediately responded to the Honolulu PD's jail but it was too late. Alan Imakuri had cyanide poison hidden in his shoe heel (similar to Secret Agent Maxwell Smart in that old T.V. show Get Smart) and he had just killed himself.

Mike Bollie

NARPI NEW S APRIL 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE: {I received this story about the post office that I feel should be shared with our NARPI members and their families}

A letter from the Post Office... this is absolutely the best!! We don't know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter department who understands “LOVE.”..........................

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter

Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could

write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I

thought that we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? Abbey died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her

very much. I 'm happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you

will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you

see her you will know that she is my dog.

I really miss her.

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith, addressed it to God/Heaven. We

put our return address on it. Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope

because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon

she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed

“To Meredith” in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr.

Rogers called, “When a Pet Dies.”

Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the

opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved

being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your

picture in so I'm sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to

remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to

me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings

every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever

there is love.

Love,

God


WESTERN REGION REUNION MAY 2 - 4, 2016

LAS VEGAS, NV

Hotel and Reunion Registration cutoff date: April 1, 2016, Westgate Hotel, 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Phone: 800-635-7711.

Monday May 2, 2016: Registration in the Hospitality Room beginning at 2:00 PM.

Tuesday May 3, 2016: Motor Coach Tour Begins 8:30 AM and includes 90 minute cruise on Lake Mead on the Desert Princess and a tour of the Hoover Dam power-plant and visitor center. There will be time for lunch on your own at the visitor center. We will stop on the return trip at the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and return to the hotel at 5:00 PM

Wednesday May 4, 2016 A shuttle bus will run from the hotel to the Mob Museum. The shuttle will start at 9:30AM and run until 2:30PM. This event will be a self-guided tour with audioheadsets provided. Move at your own pace.

CSI: The Experience: Use your Monorail ticket to get to the MGM Grand Hotel located about 2.5 miles south. It will take you past several casinos with Monorail Stations in or near the facility. The CSI exhibit is adjacent to the MGM Monorail station. Again, move at your own pace.

NARPI Business Meetings 4:00 PM at our hotel.

Reunion Banquet Buffet – 6 PM Cash Bar; Dinner 7 PM-10 PM.


March 24, 2016

“The Inspectors” nominated for Emmy Awards

We're honored to announce the first season of "The Inspectors" has been nominated for 6 Daytime Emmy® Award(s). The news was announced today, following the confirmation by CBS that "The In- spectors" had been officially renewed for a second season, as part of the CBS DreamTeam's Satur- day morning lineup.

The Daytime Emmy® Awards has been honoring excellence in all fields of daytime broadcast pro- duction for thirty-eight years. The Emmy® is awarded in sixty-eight categories, including acknowl- edgements for series, performers and all other technical and creative areas.

We are humbled the show has been received with acclaim since it first aired, and honored to be recognized with an Emmy nomination--far surpassing our expectations when we first started discuss- ing the possibility of a show nearly three years ago.

Our thanks to the stellar cast and crew and our partner Litton Entertainment. And to each of you who have supported and contributed to the success of this ground-breaking program--we are grateful for your commitment and proud of what you have helped us accomplished.

A Lesson on Postal History

The Pittsburgh Press Sunday Feature Section Sunday, September 15, 1935

“Forgotten Men” Protect Your Letters

Ben Franklin, First of Postal “Efficiency Experts”, Started Mail on Straight and Narrow Path and No- ah Webster Helped Keep It There.

By Eleanor Roosevelt

ONE GOVERNMENT official whom the average person knows very little about is the post office inspector. This particular job goes back to early Colonial days when there was a British postal sur- veyor. Our great, great-grandfathers knew him as the postal special agent, and we know him today, when we know him at all, as a post office inspector.

The first post office inspector in this country was Benjamin Franklin, but he worked under the Brit- ish Government, which instructed him in 1737 to visit the post offices and bring the post masters to account. He also established post offices in Quebec, Three Rivers and Montreal, Canada. In his spare time he even made a map of the Gulf Stream which was published as part of the British Postal Map.


Our early post masters general were their own inspectors. One well known inspector was Noah Webster, who had as one of his assignments the apprehension of the rogues who were robbing mails between New York and Hartford, Conn.

In general, we think of these officials as dealing with crimes and criminals. but, as a matter of fact, their first occupation is that of efficiency experts. Through their investigations, economies are effected in operating the post office service which usually amount to several millions of dollars a year. It is through their efforts that the depart-ment recovers money due the government which, in many cases, would otherwise not be obtained, and during the past year these sums amounted to more than one and one-half million dollars.

THEY ARE constantly on the watch for people who are using the mails for fraudulent purposes, and, as this is one of the ways in which the public loses a great deal of money, we should be grateful to them.

They must be an unusually efficient group of men, for last year of those charged with law viola- tions and brought to trial 97.98 per cent were convicted.

The mail service is a remarkably safe method of transportation. It is estimated that about 15 out of every million pieces of mail handled may be lost either by wreck or fire or some other type of casualty, and this includes losses occurring after mail has actually left the postal custo- dy.

It is not easy to become a postal inspector. The usual age requirement is 25 to 35 years for en- trance into this service. The applicant must have had at least four years of classified postal service. His record and antecedents are most carefully looked into and he must take a non- competitive civil service examination. For this test he must have mental alertness, knowledge of postal laws and regulations, mathematics, English and spelling, and, likewise, an ability to make simple deductions from a set of given facts and present his conclusions in narrative form. If he attains a grade of 70 per cent, his name is placed on the register for eligible applicants. Proba- bly only 2 percent of these ever attain the coveted goal of permanent appointment. They have one year of probation before they are either accepted or rejected, and, if rejected, they return to their former positions in the postal service.

THE PROBATlONARY year is one of varied experiences in different sections of the country under the tutelage of older Inspectors.

Forty per cent of the inspectors now in the service have had 10 years experience, and 25 per cent have had 20 years or more.

The chief special agent of the State Department and his assistants were former post office inspectors and the chief of the special intelligence unit of the Internal Revenue Bureau was trained in the same school.

The inspectors are vigilant in watching the postal employees, mail contractors and others who lawfully have access to mail matter. They are constantly engaged in the apprehension of male- factors, and have many exciting adventures which would rival our best detective stories.

Like many other branches of the government, they have no time clock by which they work. If a job requires 24 hours or work a day they work 24 hours. They have won for themselves envia- ble reputations and there are many among them who have attained high positions in the government and positions of trust in outside occupations.

Kindly shared for us by Mike Ryan, Boston Chapter.

.


CHAPTER REPORTS

ATLANTIC REGION

Boston Chapter

Capital Chapter

Georgia Chapter

Gold Coast Chapter

New York/New Jersey Chapter

Philadelphia Chapter

Jack Ellis - President

JD Stevens - Vice President

John Cunning - Secretary

John Swanson - Treasurer

BOSTON CHAPTER (covers Boston)

John Fuccillo, President Kathy McDonough, Secretary

No report

CAPITAL CHAPTER (Quarterly luncheons)

Robert E. Terry, President Vanessa Pinto, Vice President John G. Swanson, Secretary/Treasurer

Thanks to Vanessa and Nick Pinto, we’ll be enjoying another buffet luncheon at the Brick Ridge restaurant in Mt. Airy, MD on Wednesday April 6th, 2016. The address is 6212 Ridge Rd 21771,

and the price is $28 for a great buffet at one of the chapter’s favorite venues. As usual, we’ll have a cash bar beginning at 11:30am along with Spinach and Artichoke Dip with breads and crackers; Savory Sausage and Cheddar in Pastry; and a Seasonal Fruit Tray followed by lunch about

12:30pm. In addition to the traditional wine raffle, we’ll also raffle off a future luncheon! See you in Mt. Airy.!!!!!!

GEORGIA CHAPTER (covers Georgia - Quarterly luncheons)

Sharon Williams, President Cornell Cypress, Vice President Fran Cunning, Secretary John Cunning, Treasurer

Our March luncheon was, once again, at the Green Manor Restaurant, hosted by John and Fran Cunning. As alway, the Southern buffet was excellent. Those in attendance were: John and Fran Cunning, Cornell Cypress, KC Jackson, Chic Jennings with guest, Dick Mote, Rick Jones, Oscar & June Keplinger, Joel Mendelsohn, Willie Mitchell, Henry Reeves, Tom & Elise Walton, Oz White with guest Amos Rogers, EJ Williams with his sister-in-law, Claudette Oates.

VP Cornell Cypress, filling in for President, Sharon Williams (who was attending her Mother’s funeral), started the meeting with introductions of guests and the Blessing. After the meal, Fran Cunning relayed news about our older members then John Cunning spoke about the upcoming

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NJ

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DC

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reunions in Las Vegas and Kansas City. KC and Cornell will look into a new location for our next luncheon. The meeting concluded with the raffle drawing.

Standing: Oscar Keplinger, Rick Jones, Hen-

ry Reeves, Cornell Cypress, Chic Jennings,

Dick Mote, Joel Mendelson, June Keplinger,.

Elise & Tom Walton, KC Jackson & EJ Wil-

liams. Seated: Amos Rogers, Oz White &

John Cunning. Not Pictured: Willie Mitchell,

GOLD COAST CHAPTER (covers Florida - Meetings quarterly as scheduled)

Jay Siegel, President Jeff Bush, Vice-President Marquita Ward, Secretary Jim Belz, Treasurer

The Gold Coast Chapter held its First Luncheon of 2016 on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Margate, FL. The following were in attendance:

Jim & Karen Belz, Cliff Harm, Bob Bohde & Dad Ed, Emmy & Gene Payton, Mike Bollie, Jay & Carmela Siegel, Jeff & Irene Bush, Pete Vreeland, Sol & Rachel Farash and Guest Retired Inspectors JJ. Sullivan & Juliana Nedd.

As usual, first we chowed down at the great buffet. Jay led the Pledge of Allegiance and Jeff Bush gave the Invocation. Jay introduced our guests, JJ Sullivan and Juliana Nedd, who were in South Florida and joined us for our meeting. JJ and Juliana, both retired Inspectors, gave us a talk on

their careers. Bob Bohde’s dad, Ed Bohde, also said hello to our group.

Jim Belz gave the Treasurer’s Report. We are in a good financial position. We ordered 6 Retired Inspection Service Badges for future Gold Coast retirees who are inducted into our Chapter. Jay read the minutes of the last meeting. We reviewed the Reunions for 2016, the next one taking place in Las Vegas. Several of our members will be attending. Jim and Karen Belz visited the Capital Chapters Holiday Party in December. Pictures were in the January Narpi News.

Jay talked about Narfe’s lobbying efforts, especially to get Congress to eliminate the prefunding of future retiree health benefits, and efforts to eliminate or reduce the GPO/WEP penalties. We discussed attending a Miami Marlins baseball game, as the schedule was recently announced. Our remaining luncheon schedule for 2016 is the second Saturday in June, September and December.

JJ always likes a good crowd. JJ...Looks like they are still awake!!!!!!!

NA R P I N E W S NA R P I N E W S

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY CHAPTER (covers New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands)

Jack Ellis, President Jake Burke, Vice President Pete Galante, Secretary Sharyn Hennessey, Treasurer

On Thursday, January 28th , 2016, NARPI members from the NY/ NJ Chapter were among 50 New York Division Postal Inspectors, Postal Police Officers, administrative support personnel and invited guests who gathered for a full course lunch at Mario’s Restaurant in Massapequa, NY to celebrate the retirement of Postal Inspector Carl Vaccariello after 27 years of Federal Service, including 20 years as a Postal Inspector, all as a member of the New York Division. NARPI members attending included Jack Ellis, Bill Hessle, Bob Hoffman, Peter Ruh, Ralph Franzese, Randy Cox, Rob Cohen, Vinny Cinnamo and retired Inspectors Carl Sclafani, Dane Wesley and John Simone.

Carl began his USPS career in July 1988 as a casual mail handler at the Plainview New York Post Office. Followed by a career appointment as a City Carrier at the Hempstead & Uniondale Post Offices. On January 6, 1996, Carl was appointed Postal Inspector and assigned to the New York Division where he worked External Crimes, Mail Theft and Mail Fraud assignments.

As a member of the Brooklyn External Crimes Team, Carl led the successful investigation and prosecution of an organized gang responsible for seven armed robberies of Mail Carriers, over 50 bundle thefts from the carrier carts, and the subsequent cashing of scores of treasury checks stolen in these attacks. He also arrested and successfully prosecuted two individuals responsible for two separate armed robberies of letter carriers in which their personal property, arrow key, and mail was stolen. As a Mail Fraud Inspector, Carl also worked a number of complex and noteworthy financial & investment fraud cases involving executives from Goldman Sachs and Bank of America for operating insider-trading schemes along with a number of successful insurance fraud and telemarketing frauds, one of which resulted in a $20 million dollar fine that was deposited in the USPIS consumer Fraud Fund.

New York Division AIC Richard Vignogna presented Carl with his congratulatory letter from the Chief Inspector and the Badges he carried as a Postal Inspector. Carl thanked all those who took time out to attend his luncheon, those who arranged it, and his team members and those who gave him the opportunity to serve as a Postal Inspector.

Throughout his career, Carl received commendation letters from the Inspection Service and numerous awards from the US Attorney’s Offices in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and other Federal Law Enforcement agencies. Carl’s professionalism and dedication earned him the respect of his colleagues and members of the law enforcement community. We wish Carl, his wife Mary and his two children Ryan and Nicole a healthy and happy retirement.

Jack Ellis, Mary and Carl Vaccariello Mike DelGuidice, AIC Vignogna & John Simone Randy Cox & Bob Hoffman

NARPI NEW S PAGE 13 APRIL 2016

Bob Hoffman, Carl Sclafani & Bill Hessle, Tom Kiernan &

Dane Wesley Charlie Schriver

Vinny Minecci, Robert Cohen &

Bob Hoffman

AIC Vignogna and Carl Vaccariello

Glenn McKechnie & Bob Hoffman Charlie Schriver & Vin Cinnamo

PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER (meets 3 times a year)

John Rooney, President Kathy Brady, Vice President

Good friends &

good times……..

Philly Retirees Luncheon: Left Bottom– top: John Comber, Jim Britt, Jeff Braun, Jim Devlin, Chuck Sielski, Tom

Carroll, John Rooney Chuck McManus. End of Table : Ray Oros and down right: Stan Liszkiewicz, Bill Scott, Bob

Climaldi (ret Phila PD), James Trovarello, Lou Recchilongo, Tom Murphy, George Haggas and Frank Lynch.


MID-AMERICA REGION

Choo Choo Chapter

Heart of America Chapter

Memphis Chapter

Northcoast Chapter

Northern Lights Chapter

Procrastination Chapter

St. Louis Gateway Chapter

Sam Houston Chapter

Soiky Chapter

Texas Chapter

Windy City Chapter

Wurst Chapter

Rick Price - President

Bruce Connor - Vice President

Mel Vander Meer—Secretary/Treasurer

CHOO CHOO CHAPTER (Meets quarterly)

Mitch Mercante, President Shirley Kirksey, Secretary

No report

HEART OF AMERICA CHAPTER (covers Western MO and KS)

(Meets bi-monthly on the 3rd Friday)

T. J. Smith, President Rich Britain, Vice President Judy Smith, Secretary Charlotte Bousman, Treasuer

No report

MEMPHIS CHAPTER (covers Northern MS, Eastern AR, Western TN)

(Meetings every other month)

Dick Klenz, President Bob Moore, Vice President Robin Dalgleish, Secretary/Treasurer

The Memphis Chapter held their spring luncheon on March 4, 2016 at Coletta's Italian Restaurant on Appling Road in Memphis. Twenty members attended including Steve Orr, Robin Dalgleish, Shirley Moses, Carole Hanna, Sue Crawley, John Stinchfield, Martha and Bill Stroman, Jan and Al Rochelle, Jeannie and Bob Moore, Janet and Nick Cook, Bonnie and Wayne Richie, Jan and Scott Morrell, and Mickey and Dick Klenz.

President Dick Klenz conducted a brief business meeting mentioning the Reunion being held in Las Vegas on May 2-4, 2016. John Stinchfield announced he will be planning a Memphis Chapter Golf Outing at Galloway Golf Course in Memphis in late April, 2016. Wayne Richie then said grace before a very tasty Italian lunch was served.


We were especially glad that Martha and Bill Stroman were able to attend the luncheon as we had not seen them for awhile. Other noteworthy news included Sue Crawley will be moving to a home she is having built near the North Carolina Coast. Also, Robin and Bruce Dalgleish have sold their home in Germantown, TN and have moved to a lake home in Dandridge, TN.

Bill Goden, Nick & Janet Cook Jan & Al Rochelle Jeanie& Bob Moore, Robin Dalleish & Steve Orr

Carole Hanna, Scott & Jan Morell, Mickey & Dick Klenz & Bonnie &

Wayne Richie

Marhta & Bill Stroman & Sue Crawley

& Shirley Moses

NORTHCOAST CHAPTER (Meets three times yearly—Spring, Summer, Fall )

Bill Bengele, President John Campisi, Secretary

No report

NORTHERN LIGHTS CHAPTER (covers MN, ND and SD)

(Meets quarterly)

Charles G. “Chuck” Calhoun, President

No report

PROCRASTINATION CHAPTER (covers Michigan and Fort Wayne, IN)

(Meets when it can’t be put off any longer)

Mike O’Hara, President Roger Ware, Vice President Sandy Witt, Secretary/Treasurer

No report


ST LOUIS GATEWAY CHAPTER (covers Eastern MO, Central and Southern Illinois)

(Meetings are scheduled bi-monthly when its not snowing)

Corne Huelsebusch, President Ray Bonney, Secretary Joe Sinibaldi, Treasurer

Again, I have to submit our February submission since our secretary and his wife were wasting away again in Margaritaville, following the sun in Florida.

The February luncheon/meeting was held on the 20th at Houlihan's Restaurant, Creve Coeur, MO. The past few years the faithful of the Gateway Chapter has had to utilize 4-wheel drive vehicles, dog sleds and snowmobiles in order to attend the February luncheons. This year was the excep- tion. It was a sunny day in the mid-50s, a spring like day. Creve Coeur means "broken heart" and there were no broken hearts for having to cancel at the last minute because of weather conditions. After devouring culinary delights, those in attendance saddled up in their Range Rovers and safa- ried to the infamous Lyons' Den, the pride of Creve Coeur, the residence of our hosts, Marcia and Harry Lyons. The Lyons' guests included Arleen Gassner, Al Haker, Rose and Corne Huelsebusch, Cherie Coletta and Dana Kimbrough, Deb Platt, Ken Rickard, Joe Sinibaldi, Pam and Wayne Turner, Linda and Bill Wood and Nel and Karl Zickler. Desserts and libations of exquisite quality were con- sumed by the happy campers. Dispensations for New Year's resolutions had been decreed for this day. Some members ventured outside because of the weather and tales of legendary proportions were exchanged. Our next gathering will be in April hosted by Nancy and Ken Rickard.

Our dear friend and colleague, Bob Burbridge, a chapter member who passed away in October, was remembered for his tenacious internal theft investigations and true professionalism. Bob was domiciled in both the New York and St. Louis Divisions. Condolences to Phoebe, his wife of 60 years.

SAM HOUSTON CHAPTER (Meets quarterly)

Dick Carlson, President Rich LaBoda, Vice President Bruce Beckham, Secretary Harry Breda, Treasurer

No report

SOIKY CHAPTER (Southern Ohio—Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton, IN and KY)

(Meets quarterly)

Larry Lockwood, President

No Report

TEXAS CHAPTER (Meets 2nd Wed. of each quarter)

Rick Price, President Bill Vivoni, Vice President Gary Grant, Secretary/Reporter Linda Thompson, Treasurer

No report


WINDY CITY CHAPTER (Chicago, Northern Illinois

and Northern Indiana) (Meets several times a year)

Jeff Sack, President John Ruberti, Vice President Mike Schwartz, Secretary Howard Matthews, Treasurer

No report

WURST CHAPTER (Covers the Milwaukee & SE Wisconsin areas)

(Meets quarterly)

Robert Baumann, President Lori Groen, Vice President Steve Werlein, Secretary/Treasurer

Five Wurst Chapter members enjoyed lunch at the new Water Street Brewery in Oak Creek, WI on

February 15. Bob Baumann hosted the meeting. We shared stories about each others' post-

retirement work, cabins, travels and families. After a brief business meeting we filled the growlers

with good ale and headed back into winter.

A few of us are headed to warmer climates for baseball spring training and promise to bring back

warmer sunshine for our next meeting.

L to R: Bob Baumann, Boyd & Lori Groen, Steve

Werlein and Jim Murphy.


Cactus Chapter

Colorado Chapter

Lo-Cal Chapter

Nor-Cal Chapter

Nor’West Chapter

WESTERN REGION

Doug Nunes - President

Ron Miller - Vice President

Steve Schneringer- Secretary

Ray Tangney - Treasurer

CACTUS CHAPTER (covers Arizona, Luncheon meetings 3rd Fridays in even months)

Mike Casadei, President John Zemblidge, Secretary/Treasurer

On Friday January 29, 2016, after a nine month hiatus, 18 of us gathered at Phoenix City Grille for our annual January meeting. We all welcomed Jim and Nimreh Tendick back to Arizona after 12 years in the East. Also joining us were Joe Byers, Betty and Burel Carney, Rosemary and Mike Casadei, Jill and Michael Crivelli, Karla and Rich Dent, Jeff DuPilka, Joyce and Pete Graves, Chris Macho and her friend Colette from Switzerland and John and Susan Zemblidge.

16 “Narpisians” met again at the Grille on Thursday, March 31, 2016. After an excellent luncheon, President Mike Casadei and Burel Carney encouraged us all to think about attending the Western Region Reunion in Las Vegas in early May. Pete Graves took several photos and promised to send them to me when he downloads them from his camera

Dear Cactus Chapter Members and Friends; Since our last meeting in late January, we lost three of our beloved members; first Dave Wood, Jeanne Joyce and then Bill McCarthy. We mourn their passing and hope to carry on their beautiful zest for life in our daily way of living.

Chris suggested that at our next meeting we each share a story about a place we have recently visited or a unique experience. Speaking of which, our next meeting will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at our favorite joint, the Phoenix City Grille. We would love to have all of you join us. Peace and all good.

COLORADO CHAPTER (Meets on first Tuesdays of even numbered months)

Bob Vincent, President Joan Leathery, Secretary/Treasurer

Our December 2015 luncheon at the Briarwood Inn in Golden was hosted by Rich and Deborah Winsor. Joining them for the festive holiday season get together was Ed and Brenda Cornell, Pat and Terry Corcoran, Ken Hommas and daughter Susan Rodriquez and Phil and Joan Leathery. Dur- ing the always short business segment of the luncheon, volunteer hosts quickly filled all 2016 luncheon dates.

Our February 2, 2016 luncheon will be hosted by the Cornells’ at Cinzzettis Italian Buffet, which just happens to include a great ice cream section as well as other desserts. This restaurant is a long time favorite of our group. Remember, by attending this luncheon your 100% attendance record for 2016 luncheons will remain intact!


Colorado Chapter’s

wonderful Christ-

mastime photo

LO-CAL CHAPTER (Meets first Tuesday of the even numbered months)

Ron Miller, President Sarah Jones, Vice President Tom Buggie, Secretary/Treasurer

A February lunch meeting was held at the Cedar Creek Inn in Brea. For many years our February meeting was held at “The Gathering” in Laughlin NV. The Cactus Chapter did not make the ar- rangements this year. Maybe next year. The Cedar Creek Inn was a new venue for us. In spite of its name, it is not in a hotel. The location worked well as it has easy access for both the northerners (Pasadena area) and the southerners (the rest of us). Attending were Tom and Sandy Buggie, Bill Da- vis, Corey Dudley, Ron and Jan Miller, Ray and Alice Tangney

We held a short meeting while waiting for the food and caught up with each others activities. The food was pricey but good. Sandy raffled off some wind spinners at the close of the meeting.

REUNION PLANNING- A “LAST CALL” announcement will be sent at the end of March for hotel reservations to be completed by April 1. Our actual registrations now total over 100 and we have $10,700 in the bank.

NARFE NEWS-NARFE is supporting HR 711, a bill that would change the formula for the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). It does not repeal WEP but reduces the maximum WEP penalty. The funding is supposed to come from increased enforcement of WEP (primarily state and city retirees). The bill was introduced a year ago by the recently appointed Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. This is the only committee that HR 711 is assigned to. Will he bring it to a vote in HIS committee?

L-R: Ron Miller, Janice Miller, Alice Tangney, Sandy Buggie,

Ray Tangney, Bill Davis & Corey Dudley


NOR-CAL CHAPTER (Meets every other Month)

Paul Wilhelmus, President Al Dockus. Vice President Bill Kienzle, Secretary Bob Dower, Treasurer

Thursday, February 4, was a beautiful day for a drive to West Sacramento. The air was clear and you could see snow on the mountains. A big thank you goes to Linda Russo for hosting such a nice lunch at Vince's Ristorante. If you like good food and large portions at a reasonable price, this place is tough to beat. As an added bonus, if you over indulge you can walk next door and stay at Vince's Motel.

The great food was accompanied by a lot of friendly conversation. The chapter president reported nothing of great importance. A show of hands by the attendees would indicate the Nor-Cal Chapter will be well represented at the Las Vegas Reunion in May. Get your reservations in soon if you plan on attending. The April luncheon will be hosted by Kathy and Terry Paramore. Hope you can attend as it's a great way to stay in touch with old friends and experience a new restaurant in Half Moon Bay.

Luncheon Attendees: Ed Baumgarten, Jim Hanney, Linda Joe, Lana Hanney, Bea Moore, Linda Russo, Lora Nunes, Eric Ringseth, Doug Nunes, Oscar and Rocio Villanueva, Robert and Charlene Intriago, and our photog- rapher Paul Wilhelmus.

It’s back — the trivia challenge question. In honor of Presidents Day here is the trivia question. How many U.S. Vice Presidents became the U.S. President and which person became Vice President and President and was not elected to either office?

Happy Days are here!!!!!!


NOR’WEST CHAPTER (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska Lunch meets monthly on 3rd Wednesday except for January/July)

Steve Schneringer, President Jim Foster, Vice President

Nor’west celebrated their February 17th luncheon at Edmond’s Arnies, hosted by Ellen Beidle. Clarke and Mike Coulter utilized a Washington State ferry from Gig Harbor to attend.. We all lifted our glasses in remembrance of the recently departed Pat Collins and Richard Beidle.

L to R: Phyllis and Ken Weber, Ted Wagner, Martha and Wayne Osborne, Jim Beidle, Linda Bakken, Ellen Beidle, Judy Groome, Jim Collins, Bob Morgan, Steve and Hope Schneringer, Fred Riffey’s granddaughter, Katie, Earl Ingebright, Mike and Clarke Coulter and Katie’s Mother Erin Del Mundo

Wayne and Martha Osborne El Presidente’ and First Lady with valet Earl!!!

Ellen Beidle, Hope, Earl Ingebright, Steve S. and

Fred Riffey’s daughters Erin and Linda


IN MEMORIAM It is with much regret and our deepest sympathy to their spouses and families

that we announce the passing of the following NARPI members and non-members.

NAME

HEAVENS Sr., James A.

SPOUSE

Molly [d.]

DATE OF DEATH

January 8, 2016

DIVISIONS

BOS PHL

RUSSELL, Margaret F. Raymond October 18, 2015 NYC BOS NEC

DESPARS, Suzanne Ronald C. December 30, 2015 DEN LAX

BEIDLE, Richard E. Ellen January 21, 2016 SFO LAX

MORELL, Ted R. Virginia January 19, 2016 KCM FTW

MCINTOSH, Emile J. Pierce December 18, 2015 SFO BCI PDX SEA

TILSON, Mark A. Anne February 1, 2016 FTW NWK

WOOD, David J. February 2, 2016 NYC NWK DEN LAX PHX

HAMMOND, Hiram W. Marjorie February 7, 2016 CHI DET

BRANNON, Clyde A. "Al" June February 2, 2016 STP MEM WRC

DRAEGER, Suzanne M. Clinton February 18, 2016 CHI MICHANA

CLIFTON, Herbert D. Opal February 5, 2015 CHI REG

JOYCE, Jeanne John D. February 28, 2016 PHL CHI PHX

HINDIN, Arnold L. "Arnie" April March 6, 2016 MIA SEA

GOODWIN, Peggy “Jo” James March 13, 2016 BIR CHA ATL WAS

RUPERT, Richard Wanda Krueger January 30, 2016 KCM NYC STP SEA

FORMER MEMBERS & NON-MEMBERS

IVEY, Alvin Anthony "Tony"

PENLAND, Norris D.

Patricia

Ethel [d.]

December 29, 2015

July 31, 2015

WAS CHR

WAS ATL MIA

SCOBBA, Jeffry L.

WHITE, Diane

Cliff

February 4, 2016

February 24, 2016

LAX SEA

STP DET

McCARTHY, William C. “Mac” Patricia[d] March 19, 2016 CHI PHX

HALLBERG, Maureen D John D.[d] March 19, 2016 STP CHI


The list of new members, and address changes is removed from the web version of NARPI News. See NARPI.org

NEW MEMBERS & ADDRESS CHANGE (keep this page with Members Directory)

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

RETIRED POSTAL INSPECTORS

P.O. BOX 3223

PEACHTREE CITY, GA 30269-7223

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PRSRT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID SOUTHEASTERN,PA

PERMIT NO. 8050

PERMIT NO 222

IN THIS ISSUE

Mid-America/Kansas City Reunion page 1 Officer Comments page 2-3

Remember When page 4-5 Letter from the Post Office page 6 Western Region/Las Vegas page 7

Newsbreak & Eleanor Letter page 8-9 Chapter Reports page 10-21

In Memoriam page 22 New Members/COA page 23

narpi newsletter 2016-04 finalwebcopybbb · 4/9/2016 · inspection service retirees’...

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