News and Information for Active and Retired Environmental Conservation Officers

The 2008 Convention was held in August at Oneida Lake in Region 7. The family picnic was held on the lakeshore and was very well attended. The following morning, the Association's annual business meeting was conducted and elections were held for the positions of President and Secretary.

Retired Lieutenant Dave Wayman, who served as President for the last two years, opted not to run for reelection and passed the torch to Major Scott Florence who was elected as the new President. Scott has been a longtime supporter of the Association and has served on its Executive Board in the past. He has also been an organizer of several very successful NYCOA Conventions in Lake George in past years. We wish Scott the best of luck and look forward to more progress for the Association under his leadership.

Among the highlights of this year's gathering was the presence of the recruits at the banquet. The entire class of the 18th Basic Training Academy was able to spend the evening with us on the night of the banquet and annual auction. It was a great opportunity for some of the old-timers and retired officers to meet the new officers and get to know them. They will graduate on September 26th and will reporting to their new assignments. We all remember what an exciting time that is, and we wish them all the best for the future.

(The old guy with the gray hair in the picture above right is not a recruit, but the famous Lt. Paul Adam of our Training Academy who accompanied the recruits to the Convention)

The banquet was a tremendous success. It was prepared by retired ECO Ed Kustyn who now runs his own restaurant in Auburn. The meal was certainly delicious but was made even more appetizing by the fact that Director Pete Fanelli personally carved and served the meat for each dinner guest. There is something very satisfying about having the boss wait on you.

It is also very gratifying to know that our association receives such strong support from management. Pete has been an active member since NYCOA was started in 1986. It was Pete, in fact, who organized the very first annual convention which was held in Binghamton in 1987. Since that time, Pete and his wife, Diane, have attended every NYCOA convention except one. I believe that may be the record for attendance.

After the banquet, Colonel Steve Gerould conducted the annual auction assisted by Major Scott Florence. Both of these gentlemen have also been long supporters of our Association, and it is great to see that their interest has not waned as they moved up the chain of command.

The auction is held each year to raise funds which allow NYCOA to sponsor the scholarships, youth activities and other charitable events that it supports. Auction items are all donated by local businesses and individual supporters of the Association.

It is interesting to note that many of the auction items are also donated by the active and retired officers who attend the conventions. And then they spend their money bidding on other auction items. That is dedication to a cause.

Retired ECO Paul Hatch has become famous for his aggressive bidding and is also noted as one of the biggest spenders during the auction. Paul likes to make sure that all auction items bring their appropriate value and jumps in to bid when things begin to slow down. The competition usually promotes higher bids. When it doesn't Paul ends up the proud owner of an auction item he probably didn't need. It never bothers him though. He has purchased quite a number of auction items over the years and you never know whether it was because he wanted something or because he was trying to encourage other bidders. He is, without doubt, one of our most dedicated association members and has proven that over the many years that he has served as our Vice President. He has held that position for so long, that I believe there was only one other person that ever held that title.

As always, the auction was entertaining and a financial success. Recently retired ECO Larry Johnson, our Association Treasurer, did his usual fine job of keeping track of the bidding and the successful bidders and accounting for the funds at the conclusion of the auction. Who would have thought that Larry had such a head for finance when he had spent his career chasing outlaws in the Adirondack Mountains around Caroga Lake with his K-9 partners. We can only hope that his replacement will patrol the area with such dedication and drive.

As we progress through our careers as Environmental Conservation Officers and Investigators, we have opportunities to work with a lot of our peers. We start with the group of officers that we share our trials and tribulations with during our time in the Basic Training Academy. Half a year together under those circumstances can bring people together and those friendships last. Then we move on to patrol a sector and develop close relationships with our bordering officers. Promotions or transfers often present opportunities to get to know officers we had never met or worked with before.

While the purpose of the annual convention is to raise money and conduct necessary Association business, the best aspect of this gathering is the chance to visit with old friends and colleagues. We get to reminisce with people that we have worked with over the years and shared dangers, adventures and laughs or tears. It is always a great time. If you have not attended a NYCOA convention, you should make plans to come and visit with all your old friends and make some new ones at the next gathering in Letchworth State Park.