October 8th 2025
Monthly Meeting Report
The 302nd AFDRA meeting was called to order at 1900. Attendance was very good, and after the Pledge of Allegiance, Morris Gutierrez gave the opening prayer. We had a moment of silence for Arthur “Art” Cowen and family.
Roll call of Officers and Advisory Board members. The Vice President and Treasurer were absent.
President’s Report;
By Kerry Horton
Reviewed the services for Art Cowen, being held on November 8th in Moriarty at the Victory Faith Fellowship located at 1100 8th Street at 10 am.
Discussed New Mexico Retirees association’s attempt to restore our PERA COLA’s back to 2%, but doing so without a plan to fund the COLA’s. The Investment and Oversight Committee did not add them to the agenda at their next meeting, so they will try for the November meeting.
AFR has opened Fire Station 23, on 98th St south of Gibson, and our Last Alarm truck will be temporarily stored there until it can be relocated to old station 12 in the next few months.
Vice President’s Report;
By Donny Sanchez
No report
Secretary’s Report;
By Eddie Abeita
Eddie read the September minutes and a motion was made and passed to accept the report.
Treasurer’s Report;
By Mike Fox
Prior to Mike’s absence, he sent the September financial report to me, and I shared that with the membership. A motion was made and passed to accept the September financial report. As always, the financial books are open for everybody to review.
Historian’s Report;
Herman shared some fond memories of working with Art Cowen and how he kept everyone around him in a good mood with his wit and humor. Herman also reviewed last month’s Blue Mass ceremony and said that it made him very proud to be a Firefighter and that the AFDRA Honor Guard got a very nice compliment from APD’s Police Chief at the ceremony.
Committee Reports;
Funeral Committee, Salazar Funeral Home gave our Honor Guard a very nice donation to help with the costs of purchasing and maintaining the uniforms. Thank You Salazar Funeral Home.
Christmas Committee, the date for our AFDRA Christmas Dinner will be December 11th, at the Moose Lodge on Edith Blvd. There is a planning meeting at the Moose Lodge on October 16, at noon and all are welcome to attend. We will release final details as they become available.
Museum Committee,
Election Committee,
Matters Good for the Association.
Robby Sanchez and Richard Sanchez gave a report on the IAFF Motorcycle Group Rally in Oregon and continued the trip to Colorado for the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial. The trip was a safe and successful ride, and a good time was had by all.
Greg Gonzales encouraged members to attend the October 16th Kitchen Table meeting, at the union hall at 630 pm, and share stories that can be shared with cadet classes in a way to pass on our knowledge and experiences to future FF’s. Greg is catering dinner at the Kitchen Table meeting on the 16th, so please attend, eat some good food, and help Greg on this worthwhile project. Don’t forget that there’s a Kitchen Table tonight, October 9th at 4004 Carlisle Blvd. NE at 6:30 pm, and on Monday, October 13 at 2721 San Mateo Blvd. NE at 10 am
Eddie Abeita informed the membership that AFD retiree Leo Tafoya is the Isleta Fire Chief and that several of our retirees are manning the trucks in Isleta.
The next Social Security Seminar will be held Tuesday, October 28th, at the union hall at 7pm.
Keep up with events and dates by checking out our website or Facebook page.
Visit our website at afdretirees.com
The meeting was adjourned at 2025.