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VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2008 MEETING
415-554-6036
President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. & led the Pledge.
Commissioners present: Regalado Baldonado, John Caldera, Veronika Cauley, Renie Champagne, George Gibbs, Jim Guglielmoni, Wallace Levin, Michael Thompson, Robert Varni, Edwin Wilkerson, Bud Wilson, Dara Wong & Raymond Wong. 13 present & 2 not present. Excused Comm. Jill Buck & Cris Gruwell. Margaret Champagne was present.
Comm. Guglielmoni moved approval of Agenda, 2nd by Comm. Cauley. Motion passed.
VICTORY CELEBRATION – Comm. Levin thanked those on the Commission that
supported his yearlong effort to retain his seat 3 on the Commission. That this support
helped him turn a June Board of Supervisors 6 to 4 defeat, into an Oct. 7 to 3 victory.
That it was a tough year, but a good learning experience. Comm. Levin, Wilson, Raymond
& Dara Wong provided the cake, coffee, soft drinks & other supplies.
SUNSHINE ORDINANCE TASK FORCE COMPLAINT HEARING – Comm. Levin
reported on the Comm. John Caldera vs Veterans Affairs Commission Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Task Force Hearing held on Oct. 14, 2008. Comm. Caldera, Levin & Varni spoke at the hearing. Comm. Raymond Wong & Dara Wong were also present. After hearing both sides of the issue the Task Force members moved to take no action & to not move this matter to the full main Task Force. Complete information on this meeting can be reviewed on the San Francisco City Website, under Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.
HEALTH & WELFARE – Comm. Cauley reported that former Commissioner Ralph
Gipson is still at Fort Miley VA Hospital & that she had sent him a get well card from the Commission. Comm. Wilkerson visits Gipson every week & he is doing better.
OFFICER NOMINATION COMMITTEE – An Officer Nomination Committee, made up of four past Commission Presidents was appointed by the Commission. The members are
Comm. Wilson, Gibbs, Thompson & Wilkerson.
VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT – Comm. Varni reported that as an Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Northern California, he made another trip to Washington D.C. in Oct., to meet with the Secretary of the Army. He has visited VA Hospitals and he was impressed with the great morale of the wounded soldiers. He wants to develop a Commission program to help returning veterans & he plans on working with other members of the Commission to develop this plan.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT – Comm. Thompson reported that he had retired from the California Employment Development Department after 42 years of service. During that time he has helped thousands of veterans find employment & thus lead a better life.
Comm. Wilkerson reported that one thing the government can do to help veterans, is to
start up the Veterans Rehabilitation Program, that Comm. Thompson help start.
HOMELESS VETERANS – Comm. Gibbs reported that he is continuing his efforts to gathering clothing for Homeless Veterans & at present he has plenty of items on hand.
LEGISLATIONS EVALUATION - Comm. Dara Wong reported that she attended the
VFW Western Conference in San Diego. Chairman Bob Filner attended the event & he is a great supporter of veterans
NATIONAL VETERANS GROUPS – Comm. Raymond Wong reported that on Oct. 26th, the VFW District 14 held a picnic for the veterans at the Livermore VA Hospital. Comm.
Dara Wong & Comm. Buck also attended the event.
Comm. Caldera reported that on Oct. 30, American Legion Post 315 & Veterans For Peace held an Event in honor of a group of visiting Vietnam civilians, who had been impacted by Agent Orange, during the Vietnam War.
Comm. Guglielmoni reported that the DAV was holding an event called Harleys Heroes
in Eureka. The program holds events at Harley Dealerships, where veterans receive help.
NEW BUSINESS – Comm. Wilkerson reported that the VA is starting program for the
wives of PSTD veterans. This will be a very important program that will help veterans & their families.
OLD BUSINESS – Comm. Champagne reported that there will be 115 units in the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 9, including almost all of the JROTC units.
HONORS REPORT & ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned in memory of the 4,700+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan, the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco and those veterans that died of suicide during the month of October.
