For those of you who do not know, the Little Rock Police Pension Board does not make decisions about our fund without oversight. The Arkansas Fire and Police Pension Review Board (PRB) is the State Board that enforces State law governing the proper legal level of benefit payments to fund members and approves the decisions of staff, who certify to them proper action to be taken on benefit increase requests for local police and fire pension funds. Thus, the PRB is an important and integral part of the Little Rock Police Pension fund. Mr. Bill Lundy, a retired firefighter, is Chairman of the PRB and Mr. Farris Hensley, the Past Chair of the PRB, and Mr. Rusty Watson, and six other people are board members of the PRB. All PRB meetings are open to the public and Mr. Lee Harrod, a representative on the Little Rock Police Pension Board, usually attends all PRB meetings due to their extreme importance to our membership.
At the most recent meeting of the PRB, Mr. Jody Carreiro, the State actuary for the PRB, spoke at length in an effort to convince the PRB to further restrict pension boards from being able to give their pension members a benefit increase. He recommended that pension funds should have to be 70% funded before any benefit increase could be authorized by the PRB and was joined in that opinion by Ms. Sara Lenehen, Treasurer of the City of Little Rock and the Little Rock Police Pension Board, who voiced her approval of the idea to the PRB members. However, several other persons spoke against this idea claiming that such a high degree of funding for a pension fund that is otherwise secure and is expected to deplete its resources as their members die off would mean that most pension funds would not be able to grant benefit increases to its membership. Others made the argument that they did not see any need to further enhance the PRB control over local boards in this manner.
Given the obvious importance of this issue to the Little Rock Police Pension Board, Mr. Lee Harrod began raising his hand to speak immediately after the presentation of the comments made by Mr. Carreiro and Ms. Lenehen. While it was clear to everyone in the room that Mr. Harrod, who was sitting on the front row of the audience, had something to say about the issue under discussion, Mr. Lundy repeatedly ignored Mr. Harrod’s efforts to speak and called on anyone else instead. Mr. Harrod continued to look around the room in disbelief and continued to raise his hand to no avail as Mr. Lundy continued to ignore him. When it was pitifully obvious to all persons involved that Mr. Lundy was purposely ignoring Mr. Harrod’s attempts to speak and everyone else had already spoken on this issue, it at first appeared Mr. Lundy was finally going to allow Mr. Harrod to speak on the issue under consideration.
Mr. Lundy called out, “Now, before anything else, Mr. Harrod!” After finally hearing his name called to speak, Mr. Harrod rose and stepped to the table to speak but Mr. Lundy wasn’t calling on him to speak, he was calling on him to launch what can only be described as a personal, vicious, and premeditated ambush against a person who Mr. Lundy is supposed to represent. Almost immediately, Mr. Lundy read from his notes and stated, “I have read your email messages, I have read your internet postings, I have sat in your pension board meetings and heard you abuse and disrespect our City Manager, Treasurer, and your own lawyer; sit and malign and slam your fellow board members who tried to do their job and understand the institute of finance pension – finance and pension board.” As Mr. Lundy continued his attack against Mr. Harrod, Mr. Hensley appropriately interjected, “I call a point of order. Point of order! Point of order Mr. Chairman!” But, Mr. Lundy ignored his call for a point of order.
The conversation then turned louder between Mr. Lundy who was loudly continuing his attack on Mr. Harrod and Mr. Hensley who was attempting to be heard and regain control of the meeting due to Mr. Lundy’s failure to recognize the point of order that caused the discussion to spin totally out of control until Mr. Lundy was heard yelling at Mr. Harrod, “[inaudible] . . . I don’t care to listen to you! I don’t know anyone in Little Rock or anywhere else, nobody! who’s opinion means less to me than yours! I know how utterly disrespectful you are so go ahead and [place] yourself!” Mr. Hensley replies to Mr. Lundy, “How utterly disrespectful you are” and Mr. Lundy said, “I’m not the only one.” Mr. Hensley then replied, “You’ve never heard me [inaudible]” and Mr. Lundy stated, “I’m not talking about you, [inaudible].” Mr. Hensley then stated, “What you have done Mr. Chairman is disrespectful and should not be tolerated on a board of this nature. You should know that of all people! Dang, how embarrassing!”
Silence briefly fell over the room until Mr. Harrod politely asked, “Can I go ahead” and was told, “sure.” Some may not understand how Mr. Harrod was able to maintain his complete composure after Mr. Lundy finished his scathing attack on him that was totally irrelevant to the matter under discussion. They may believe Mr. Harrod was too humiliated and embarrassed to say anything about the attack; however, those of us who know Lee Harrod know he was able to do this because he is a consummate professional. Whatever you may believe, the facts are indisputable that when Mr. Harrod began to speak, immediately after being attacked by Mr. Lundy, he gave a peaceful, polite, and professional presentation of his views on the matter under discussion without ever mentioning the comments of the board Chairman and, at the end of his presentation, he thanked the Board for allowing him to speak, said, “Bill, you have a great day,” and quietly sat down. In my opinion, that is how a true “professional” handles himself and bears absolutely no resemblance to the way Mr. Lundy treated Mr. Harrod. The issue under discussion was then tabled until the next PRB meeting.
Don’t believe something like that could ever happen? Then listen to the conversation for yourself. Below is an excerpt of the audio portion of the above-mentioned conversation so all of our membership throughout Arkansas can hear how the Chairman of a State Board whose job it is to oversee our pension fund treated LRPD’s elected representative with approximately 17 years of service to our Pension Board. After listening to the audio, ask yourself this question. How much help do you think the State PRB will be to the Little Rock Police Pension fund or other police and fire pension funds with Mr. Bill Lundy as the Chairman of the PRB?
Finally, I wish to state for the record that while I have attended the Little Rock Police Pension Board meetings for over the past six months to provide information to our membership on this website, I have never, ever, heard Mr. Harrod, or anyone else on our Board, speak disrespectfully to or about anyone in a pension board meeting and I have seen Mr. Bill Lundy appear at only one of those meetings. At times, discussions have been heated and tense, but a degree of civility has always existed during pension meetings and afterward, especially by Mr. Harrod. I cannot conceive of any Little Rock Police Pension meeting being more contentious than those I have attended, therefore, it is clear to me that Mr. Lundy is taking the city’s position on matters, which should not really surprise me, but I had hoped for more honesty and impartiality from the Chairman of the State PRB. Whatever you may think of Mr. Harrod, it should be obvious to anyone that no member of the Little Rock Police Pension Board should be treated in the callus and contemptible manner that Mr. Harrod was exposed to by the Chairman of the PRB.
Mr. Harrod’s treatment by the Chairman of the State PRB should be a matter of extreme importance and concern to all our membership. Mr. Harrod has voiced his concerns with the Governor’s Office over the way he was treated by the Chairman of the PRB and has placed this matter on the Agenda for the next Little Rock Police Pension Board meeting held on March 11, 2010. It will be interesting to see what our Board thinks of this matter. Mr. Lundy is up for reappointment by the Governor to the PRB. You too can voice your concerns about this issue by calling 501-682-3570 and asking for James Miller or Michael McGrew of the Governor’s staff. Whether you voice your concerns to the Governor’s Office or not, please leave a comment on this website about this matter as it is obvious from Mr. Lundy’s rant, that he and others read it. We shall see what, if anything, happens now.
UPDATE:
Since posting this article, I have been informed that a letter to the Governor’s Office will do more good than a telephone call. For that reason, I have prepared a shot letter that you can print, put your name, address, city and state and date at the top and sign on the bottom and mail to: (Get the letter by clicking here)
Boards and Commissions
Attention: Michael McGrew
Aransas State Capitol
Suite #11
Little Rock, AR 72201
Short excerpt of PRB Audio of Mr. Lundy and Mr. Harrod’s conversation:
Apparently Bill Lundy, as Chairman, believes he can verbally attack any individual who appears before the Board. His remarks made in a public meeting should concern each member of P R B. The (audio) of the verbal attack sends a clear message that Bill Lundy cannot preside over a meeting and lacks leadership. The verbal attack was un-professional and his conduct very alarming. Should an outburst in a public meeting be tolerated ? If we allow this behavior to avail, what next, physical violence. It is time for our members to contact the Governor’s office and voice our concerns. Bill Lundy has lost the respect and leadership required to lead the P R B. Bill Lundy, as any member of the P R B, who cannot control themselves or chair a meeting without personal attacks must be removed. Members, we cannot stand by and allow this type of conduct to occur. Bill Lundy must resign or not be recommended for re-appointment, in order for the P R B to be an effective administrator of the pension funds. The Little Rock Pension and Relief fund must comply with the P R B rules and regulations, but issues that require additional burdens on the funds must be discussed in public meetings. To attack a member for exercising his freedom of speech, and publicly disgrace any person, shows a total lack of control. Do we want this type of person chairing a board that has considerable influence and control over police and fire funds and their assets. Bill must resign or be removed and the administrator of the P R B should contact the Governor’s office and request his removal. How can such conduct be justified if the news media were to request an audio copy of the P R B meeting. Mr. Clark, it’s time for a change. Lead by example and when in command, command. Call the Governor’s office and demand that Bill Lundy be removed and a public apology be made to Lee Herrod. This type of conduct must cease.
Chairman of the P R B is to of an important posistion for Bill Lundy to hold. In my opinion to act in that manner in a board meeting that is as important as the P R B he should step down as chairman or be removed. I am sure there is a process to remove a person from the P R B for this type of conduct and I sure it will be looked into. I agree all of us should call the Governoris office and ask for Bill Lundy to be removed. I have been to five of the last board meetings and have saw Bill Lundy at one meeting so I do not how he knows how Lee Harrod conducts hisself. While I have been going to the meetings Lee Harrod has not been disrespectful to no one.
I say again this guy has to be removed from the PRB how can we get a fair shake if this guy feels [with out cause] the way he does about our Board Members. PLEASE CALL
I agree whole heartily that he should be replaced at once.
I will also try to be at the meetin on March 11th.
Anyone who remembers Bill Lundy when he “worked” at the FD in Little Rock can understand his tirade against Mr. Harrod. By listening closely to the excerpt of the meeting you can clearly tell that the speech was scripted and that he was reading it from a cheat sheet. How elementary! I will call the Governor’s office immediately and voice my concern over this most embarassing outburst by the chairman. He’s been a thorn in the side for way too long!!
There is another agenda here between three members of our board the City Director and treasurer. Mr. Lundy is with them and the attacks are going to get worse. We need to gather together and fight this as a team, or our pension will be gone. Mark my word this is the first of many vollys fired at us.
After listening to the audio, I wonder who’s pocket Mr. Lundy is in?’
Mr. Lundy should refrain from such insults. It has been known that he was never a friend of the police. I don’t feel that he could be objective concerning pension matters of any police agency. His credibility is also questionable. Al Miller
This was utterly unbelieable,how disgusting,I think Bill Laundy has proplems aside from the
pension board
Over the years we had to fight to get every dime we got, and you would think after all the years of fighting they would know that we will fight to keep every dime we got……………… I served severals years on the board with Mr. Harrod and I can truly say that Lee has never been disrespectful to any member retired or city, he’s not going to tell you what you want to hear everytime but he will be honest about it and give his opinion on the matter and will keep with the majority of the membership. I can truly say that Lee Harrod will do what he believes to be the Best for our fund and its membership. And not do what the City of Little Rock wants him to do……………..
Is Mr. Lundy still on the city payroll? No one who acts in that manner should be in the position he holds. Be assured I will be calling the Gov. Office
Lee,
I applaud you for maintaining your composure while being attacked by such a disgusting outburst of pure hate and disrespect by Mr. Lundy. ( I find it difficult to even say “Mr.” as he does not deserve the honor to be addressed as such )
Your dignified composure was admirable. To be sure, I will voice my concerns to the Governor’s office regarding the degrading verbal attack against you by this poor specimen of a human being serving on the Board.
Tami (Youmans) Ponomareff
IMPORTANT!!!
I have been told that the best thing to do is to send a short letter to the Governor’s Office to be placed in a file for the Governor to review when looking at reappointment of Mr. Lundy.
I have taken the liberty of preparing a letter that you can print, and put your name, address, city and state, and date at the top then sign on the bottom. You may mail this letter or wright your own to the Governor’s Office and send it too:
Boards and Commissions
Attention: Michael McGrew
Arkansas State Capitol
Suite #11
Little Rock, AR 72201
Get the letter by clicking here.
First of all I want to thank you for the opportunity to post a comment on your site. I am not a LRPD member but am a retired member of the Russellville Police Pension. Your board member Mr Farris Hensley, knows me as I have attended every PRB meeting since 2000. I was present at the PRB meeting on Tuesday March 2nd, when the “AMBUSH” occurred. I was appalled at the way Mr Lundy conducted himself as Chairman of the PRB to Mr Harrod. When he (Lundy) finally recognized Mr Harrod, I watched Lundy pull a piece of paper from his documents and began to read verbatim from the prepared paper. It was a blistering tirade directed to Mr Harrod about something that was not related to the present discussion. Mr Harrod sat at the table and was not able to address the board, due to Mr. Lundys tirade. This should have taken place somewhere else other than where it did. It was obvious that Mr Lundy was using his position to get back at Mr Harrod for something that happened elsewhere. Mr Hensley tried, as Roberts Rule of Parlimentary Procedure, to call a point of order. Mr Lundy was definitley out of order in his remarks to Mr Harrod. I was embarrased for Mr Harrod and Mr Hensley, and myself. That was very unproffessional of Mr Lundy. Mr Lundy is not for the retired Policeman, for whatevewr reason. When I have been before him(Lundy) has been very inconsiderate and unconcerned to my issues as it relates to police pension matters. Right after Mr Harroda comments, two retirees from a NW fire department came before the board for an issue, and Lundy was very cordial to them and bent over backwards to help them overcome their conflicts with the Executive Director. Mr Lundy has never been that considerate to me, never. Mr Hensley when he was the previous Chair never onced showed favortism to and was very neutral in deciding issues brought before the PRB. I thank you for the opportunity to speak. Keep up the good work here, by letting retirees know what is going on. Thank you respectfully submitted Scott Harper
That was so uncalled for. I am sorry you had to go through that awful attack. I thank you for your total control of the situation. You are to be applauded! I will be sending out a letter tomorrow. Again thank you all for what you do. I now see what a hard job you guys all have just handling the meetings.
Mr. Harper thank you for your comments. As far as I am concerned you are welcome on this site anytime you are a brother. It may take all of us to get rid of this Lundy guy.
My letter will go out in the mail tomorrow. I don’t see how this guy can remain on the board after this.
My letter is in the mail. I hand wrote it. I took the time to write it out. My printer is not working, but I took the time to send a letter. Every one needs to take time & send in a letter. Lundy’s speech was not only directed to Lee Harrod, but everyone who is on LRPD pension. We need to stand together.
Members
Sorry for not getting back with you on the P.R.B. Disturbance. I only have one computor and it has been in the shop for repairs. I have heard the audio on the day it occurred. I have received phone calls from the L.R.F.D. Union Pres. who told me not to cross this line by contacting the Governor’s Office about Mr Lundy. He told me I was getting into Fire business. I explained to him this was not about Police against Fire, it is about one of the most powerful positions in Arkansas Goverment over Senior Fire & Police. Mr Lundy has some very serious problems of which I will not go into. Mr. Lundy was appointed by Governor Huckabee. I PRAY Governor Mike Beebe will select the best of the 3 Firefighters off the list he has by State Law, which will be over all Senior Fire & Police.
Hey you guy, I could answer this with a few not so nice words, but we all need to put on our best face with these thing. I have met this Lundy, an old timer like me. We should never let someone like this make us feel embarrassed, Lee did good. We are very proud of Lee, knew him when he was a “little boy” and all his fine family. You know there has always been a little friction between the FD and PD, goes way back, they do their work and we do ours and one is not above the other. I am waiting for the election, the city will not do anything for us, we know that, so lets set our plan into action, and go with it. We are intiled to everything by law and I will always say that.
As a Little Rock Firefighter I would like to comment.
I will stick to the facts to keep this short.
Mr Bill Lundy has worked against every benefit we got over the last 20 years.
I personally recall Mr Lundy trying to stop the following benefits, the 1.25% increase for each year of service over 25 years, the increase to our widows, the 5 year drop and the 10 year drop.
Every firefighter I have talk with since the PRB meeting March 8th agrees Mr Lundy needs to be removed from the Board ASAP .
I know numerous retired and active firefighters that would like see Mr Lundy off the board.
Could someone add a letter to the web site that firefighters could sign and send to the Govenor,
Even Mr Lundy will probably agree, he had a history of being rude and belligerent during his entire career with the LRFD, I can not close without saying I wouldn’t want this comment to hurt his family in any way I still respect and care form them as we have been friends for years.
Thanks, Charles Roark A shift station 20
***FIREFIGHTERS***
Mr. Roark,
As per your request, I have posted a link to a letter for firefighters to sign and send to the Governor’s Office about Mr. Lundy at the bottom of this post. Thank you for your comment and please let your fellow firefighters know that this is NOT a dispute between the police and firefighters, it is a dispute with only one man who happens to have been a firefighter. As we stated, NO individual who treats a constitute in this manner deserves such an important post.
Thanks again,
Steve Young
NOTE: I have heard that some police and firefighters believe that Mr. Lundy was disrespected or not allowed to speak at the Little Rock Police Pension meeting held on January 14, 2010, and that this somehow justified Mr. Lundy’s attack against Mr. Harrod at the subsequent PRB meeting. For this reason, I have excerpted the complete exchange between Mr. Lundy and Mr. Harrod, who was acting chair of our meeting at that time, so that anyone can hear for themselves that this allegation is not true.
It is important to note that at the time of Mr. Lundy’s comment, the Police Pension Board was addressing the “Membership Comments” section of our Agenda which is a section reserved for retired members of our fund who wish to address questions or comments to our Pension Board. Mr. Harrod had asked the retired members of the fund if they had any more questions or comments for their Pension Board when Mr. Lundy attempted and did speak at that time.
Listen to the audio of this event by clicking here.
Firefighters just print your name, address, city and state, and date at the top of the letter and sign on the bottom. Send the letter to:
Boards and Commissions
Attention: Michael McGrew
Arkansas State Capitol
Suite #11
Little Rock, AR 72201
Firefighters can get the letter by clicking here.
Mr. Roark,
Thank you very much for your courageous comments.
Farris Hensley
Steve,
Thanks for clipping and posting the short portion of audio from our local Police Pension Meeting involving Mr. Lundy. I guess that lies to rest the false allegations that some how he (Mr. Lundy) was disrespected because Lee did not let him speak, when in-fact he was repeatedly encouraged to do so, and actually did speak. Mr. Lundy,s repeated threatening remark that “he will remember him” is also clearly heard.
Thanks again,
Farris