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VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF JAN. 7, 2008 MEETING
Commission meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
President Levin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioners present: Regalado Baldonado, Jill Buck, John Caldera, Cheryl Cook, George Gibbs, Chris Gruwell, James Guglielmoni, Wallace Levin, Michael Thompson, Robert Varni, Edwin Wilkerson, Bud Wilson & Raymond Wong. Commissioners Veronika Cauley & Renie Champagne were not present. 13 present & 2 not present. Comm. Champagne was excused. Dara Wong was also present.
Commission agenda for Jan. & the minutes of the Dec. 2007 meeting were approved.
HOMELESS VETERANS REVIEW – Comm. Caldera presented the following
data on homeless veterans; U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Overview of Homelessness, Aug. 29, 2007, "About one-third of the adult homeless population
have served their country in the Armed Services". American Veterans Coalition,
1996 Homeless Statistics release date 1999, "33% of the homeless population are
veterans". National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, "23% of homeless population
are veterans". American Legion Veteran's Day 2007, "23% of America's homeless
population are veterans".
PRESIDENT REPORT – Comm. Levin thanked Comm. Wilson for being the commission President during the past two years & especially thanked him for his work on our web site.
JROTC SUPPORT – Comm. Varni reported that the School Board approved a resolution to continue the JROTC for another year & a community committee is being developed to continue supporting the JROTC program. After a discussion
a vote was taken with the majority of the commission supporting our continued efforts to support the San Francisco High School JROTC program.
VETERANS CITY EDUCATION LOANS/GRANTS PLAN – Comm. Gruwell
reported that there have been some changes at the Mayor's Office & that he will continue his efforts to start this program.
TRUSTEES VETERANS BUILDING SEISMIC UPGRADE PLAN – Deputy City
Attorney Snodgrass presented copies of his evaluation of of the Seismic Upgrade Plan, Transferable Development Rights and the Veterans Building.
COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE – Comm. Cook reported on & presented the latest Women & Minority Veterans Quarterly Newsletter from the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS – Comm. Gibbs reported that he has retired after 31 years of service from the Department of Veterans Affairs. He now plans to work as a volunteer.
HEALTH, WELFARE & EMPLOYMENT – Comm. Thompson reported that the Veterans Employment Committee (VEC) is sending out 2000 invitations to business firms inviting them to attend the May 21st Job Fair at Fort Mason. Commission members Cook, Wilkerson & Thompson are all members of the VEC.
LEGISLATION EVALUATION Comm. Wong moved & Comm. Thompson seconded a motion to support H.R. 0067, 0156, 0243, 0315, 0327, 0333, 0402, 0579, 0650, 0760, 1110, 1115 & 1435. That this support be conveyed to the Mayor & the Board of Supervisor. Motion passed. Comm. Baldonado conveyed his concern about
the passage of H.R. 0760, which would give Philippine Commonwealth soldiers, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, the same benefits as U.S. soldiers.
LOCAL VETERANS MEMORIALS - Comm. Caldera presented a request that the commission support the combined effort of the American Legion Bob Basker Post 315 & the Veterans For Peace, Chapter 69's endeavor to hang 4,000 computer disks from the trees across from City Hall, when 4,000 Americans are killed in Iraq.
After a discussion a vote was taken & the motion was defeated by a vote of 7 to 5.
NATIONAL VETERANS GROUP –Comm. Gruwell requested that we send a letter of thanks to a local firm called Working Assets, that presented 90-minute calling cards to veterans that were in our local hospitals.
OLD BUSINESS – Comm. Caldera presented his written monthly report of his participation in veteran's activities during December and he challenged his fellow
Commissioners to do the same each month.
NEW BUSINESS – Comm. Caldera requested a written report & a financial report on the Veterans Day Parade & the Memorial Day Ceremony. His request was so that he can have transparency on these two events.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Comm. Cook presented a moving review of her service on the commission & her thoughts about veterans. She wished the commission success in the future. The members of the commission conveyed their appreciation to her.
Comm. Levin requested that all commissioners work up a short bio on their veteran's background.
HONORS REPORT & ADJOURNMENT Comm. Levin reported that 4,300+ Americans have been killed in Iraq & Afghanistan. We should adjourn in their honor & also in memory of all of the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco during the month of December.
Minutes submitted by Wallace Levin.
