News from Retired Employees of Los Angeles County
Volume 9 Number Five	July, 2008

RELAC Endorsed Candidates Elected to LACERA Boards Incumbent retiree representatives have been re-elected to their respective positions on the Retirement and Investments Boards of the Los Angeles County Employee Retirement Association. No one completed the filing requirements to oppose the three candidates who had been endorsed by RELAC. Therefore, it will not be necessary to have a vote of the retired members. RELAC is proud to have endorsed candidates who drew no opposition. And is also proud that they all serve in leadership positions in RELAC. They are Bill de la Garza, who was re-elected to the position of retiree representative on the Board of Retirement, Diane Sandoval, re-elected retiree representative on the Board of Investments, and Ed Morris, reelected alternate retiree representative on the Board of Retirement. That the three were unopposed clearly demonstrates that their leadership and service were widely recognized by LACERA’s retired members. Ed is now serving his third term as RELAC’s president. Bill and Diane are both past president’s. Diane is currently RELAC’s treasurer, and both she and Bill chair key committees. Bill is President of the statewide organization, the California Retired County Employees Association, which is constituted of voluntary retiree organizations in the twenty counties governed by the 1937 County Employees Retirement Act. The RELAC Board of Directors also endorsed the candidacy of Simon Russin, an affiliate member of RELAC, for reelection as representative of general active employees on the Board of Investments. Simon has consistently been a strong supporter of the interests of retired members. He is also unopposed and is therefore re-elected. Congratulations to Bill, Diane and Ed! Retiree interests will be well represented in the challenging three years of their new terms on the LACERA Boards. And congratulations to Simon as well. * * * * * * Court Ruling Jeopardizes Retiree Representation on LACERA Board By Martin Golds, Editor Elected retiree representatives barred from participating in Retirement Board votes on matters of great importance to their constituents? Unable to even participate in discussion of issues affecting all retirees? Hard as it is to believe, that is where things stand as you read this. Recently, on advice of LACERA’s legal counsel, the retiree representative on the Retirement Board, Bill de la Garza, was advised to leave the Board meeting when the subject was approval of a contract for retiree health insurance. Bill objected strenuously but complied when informed that his presence could result in invalidation of the Board’s action. Ed Morris, the alternate retiree representative, also left in compliance with counsel’s advice. Throughout the state retirement board members have similarly been unable to discuss and vote on contracts that involve important issues. All of this stems from a ruling of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District (San Diego) that retirement board trustees who are members of the retirement system can be criminally liable for taking part in contracting decisions from which they, as system members, may benefit. The decision, in the case of Lexin v. Superior Court, which originated in the City of San Diego, is understood to have eliminated an exemption from a law that prohibits a public official from participating in a contract decision if the official has a financial interest in the matter. Until the Lexin case this exemption had permitted our retiree representatives to fully participate in decisions on contracts. The appellate court decision has been appealed to the California Supreme Court which has agreed to hear the appeal. It is anticipated that the Supreme Court will take at least until the spring of 2009 to decide the case. If the Court’s opinion does not overturn the appeals court decision then, in order to preserve meaningful retiree representation, the matter can be taken to the legislature. RELAC will fight to obtain legislation which will restore the right of all members of retirement systems to have meaningful representation by persons elected from their ranks. We will keep you informed in the Newsletter and on the RELAC Website. * * * * * * RELAC MEMBERS INVITED TO RUN FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS Members of RELAC are invited to run for membership on the organization’s Board of Directors. The terms of five of the fifteen Board members are ending December 31, 2008. An election will be held to fill the positions for the terms beginning in January 2009. To be placed on the election ballot a potential candidate must file a petition which contains the signatures of twenty-five RELAC members. Such a petition must be received in the RELAC office by the 4:00 pm close of business on July 31, 2008. Filers may also submit a statement of qualifications of no more than 150 words. If a statement exceeds 150 words excess words will be stricken from end of statement. The statement must also be received by 4:00 pm on July 31, 2008. Qualified statements will be mailed to RELAC members along with the ballots on August 14, 2008. Ballots must be received by the designated CPA firm by September 17, 2008.. The firm will conduct an independent tabulation of the ballots. The results will be announced in the November/December issue of the RELAC Newsletter. The Newsletter will be received by members on or about November 1. Petition forms may be obtained from the RELAC office.The address is: RELAC 1000 S. Fremont Ave. Unit 15 Alhambra, CA 91803-8802 Petitions may be requested by phone or e-mail. RELAC’s phone numbers are (800)537-3522 and (626)308-0532). The e-mail address is admin@relac.org * * * * * * Retirement Board By Bill de la Garza, your elected Retirement Board Trustee Dear Friends, The passing of a leader and friend to all County Retirees I am dedicating this article to the memory of H. William “Bill” Kirkwood who passed away on May 14, 2008 of a rare and fastmoving neurological disease known as Creutzfeidt-Jakob. His passing was a shock to the leaders, administrators and volunteers of County Retirement Associations throughout California. For the past 5 ½ years Bill served as president of the California Retired County Employees Association (CRCEA). He was recognized locally and throughout the state as a skillful leader and administrator who was dedicated and committed to enriching the lives of county retirees. His accomplishments can be measured by the many legislative bills designed to benefit county retirees that were passed during his long tenure as an officer and president of CRCEA. He represented all County retirees when he made a presentation before Governor Schwarzenegger’s Public Employee Post-Employment Benefits Commission. I have had the privilege of serving as Bill’s Vice President of CRCEA since he became president in 2002. We became very good friends and shared an outstanding working relationship. Bill was a 30 year career employee with the County of Orange. His wife Carol was the County Librarian of Los Angeles County and is a current member of RELAC. Bill was an excellent leader with a unique ability of bringing out the best qualities in the many volunteers that he worked with. When it comes to Retiree Advocates, Bill Kirkwood set the standard. Bill Kirkwood will be missed, but not forgotten. * * * * * * RELAC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE CONTINUES As you know, it has never been more crucial that all County retirees and employees be effecively represented. Our defined benefit retirement system is under attack! We are asking that you contact fellow County retirees and active employees who have put off joining RELAC and remind them of the key role that RELAC plays in representing their interests before LACERA, the Board of Supervisors and the California State Legislature. It is almost certain that we will have to battle the Governor's renewed attempt to undermine our retirement system. In addition, tell your firends how RELAC keeps members informed of matters of importance to all of us - the status of our pensions and health care benefits. And about the numerous social and Recreational activities which RELAC sponsors throughtout the year. Support RELAC and our membership drive! For recruitment brochures and enrollment forms contact the RELAC office at (800) 537-3522 or (626) 308-0532 or e-mail info@relac.org.