Meeting Information

City & County of San Francisco

Veterans Affairs Commission

minutes of October 5^th, 2009 meeting

(415) 554-6036

President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:07PM, a quorum being present.  President Levin asked Nicolas King to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

ATTENDANCE – ROLL CALL

Eleven (11) commissioners present, three (3) commissioners excused, eight (8) commissioners required for quorum.  Margaret Champagne, Paul Cox, Nicolas King, Stephen Noetzel, Wayne Snodgrass, Peter Strumpn, were present.

Acceptance for approval of October 5, 2009 agenda.  Motion by Commissioner Cauley, 2^nd by Commissioner Baldonado/Guglielmoni/Thompson.  Motion passed.

Acceptance for approval of September 14, 2009 minutes.  Motion by Commissioner Cauley, 2^nd by Commissioner Wilkerson.  Motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

President Levin asked Nicholas King (legislative aide to District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty) to speak, who reported that Supervisor Bevan Dufty wants to honor Veterans Day, the Veterans Affairs Commission, and veterans.  He plans on doing this at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.  They will give us complete information when it is finalized.

Peter Strumpn (Gulf War-era veteran, left military in 2002) has been in San Francisco for 25 years.

President Levin introduced Paul Cox (AL, ALWMC, Swords-to-Plowshares, Veterans for Peace), introduced himself, informed the commission, Swords-to-Plowshares 501c(3) non-membership group, is occupying the 3^rd floor, front part, for their employment program, is being charged for month-to-month rent from the SFWMPAC Board of Trustees.

President Levin asked Stephen Noetzel (AL, Veterans for Peace, contractor) to speak to the commission.  He has been active and interested in veterans affairs, activities, and veterans benefits.

The following committee reports were submitted:

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

A free exhibit from National Japanese-American Historical Society and the Presidio Trust will be available to view from November 11, 2009 through January 31, 2010

Prejudice and Patriotism

Presidio Officers’ Club

Presidio of San Francisco

President Levin circulated San Francisco National Cemetery “overlook” brochures, portions will be incorporated into the 2010 Presidio Memorial Day program.

NATIONAL VETERANS GROUPS

Commissioner Caldera reported that his AL Post #315 has been put on probation by the AL District #8 leadership two times this year and that they have filed charges against the AL District #8.  They recently had a meeting with the AL Department Commander, and they have had another meeting in September that was cancelled with no notice.  He reported that the San Francisco AL leadership says one thing about unity, but in fact does the complete opposite in their relationship with the AL members and AL posts.  President Levin reminded everyone that the Veterans Affairs Commission has no authority over the AL, and that Commissioner Caldera’s report was for information only.

Commissioner Wong(s) briefly summarized the convention highlights, speakers from the the VFW 110^th national convention, and the Ladies Auxiliary VFW 96^th national convention, held in Phoenix, Arizona

Commissioners Thompson and Wong(s) supported the SFVAMC/VAPAHCS “Welcome Home” event held at the Presidio Trust on Saturday, September 26, 2009.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SFVAMC http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=152, is the official designation, part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21) providing services to veterans, celebrating the SFVAMC facility 75^th anniversary on September 9, 2009.  SFVAMC consists of five outpatient clinics located at Eureka, San Bruno, Santa Rosa, Ukiah, and a specialized homeless veterans clinic in downtown San Francisco.  SFVAMC  history can be viewed http://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/docs/sfvamc_history_2009.pdf

VAPAHCS http://www.palo-alto.med.va.gov/ is the official designation, part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21), providing services to veterans.  VAPAHCS consists of three inpatient facilities located at Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Livermore, plus six outpatient clinics in San Jose, Capitola, Monterey, Stockton, Modesto, Sonora.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commissioner Guglielmoni briefly summarized the DAV 89^th national convention, held in Denver, Colorado,He also reported the local DAV members held September 19, 2009 BBQ to benefit the 144 patients at the SFVAMC nursing care unit, also planning a fishing derby for a future event.

LEGISLATION EVALUATION

Commissioner R. Wong circulated eight (8) pages electronically to the commission, highlights which were pointed out:

• SB 264 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day (Paul Cook, Co-Chair, Committee on Veterans Affairs), signed by Governor Schwarzenegger signed September 2009 during a signing ceremony at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, to designate every March 30^th hereafter

Commissioner R. Wong asked the commission to support by e-mail/fax/letter the nine (9) Assembly bills sponsored by Mary Salas (Chula Vista; Chair, Committee on Veterans Affairs), and for permission to send a letter of gratitude to Mary Salas and Paul Cook for their pro-active support on veterans affairs issues.

Commissioner R. Wong reported on the U.S. Navy “blue water” veterans’ status, also Paul Cox, Commissioner Cauley had additional comments.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT

Commissioner Thompson reported a partial deposit made to reserve the Fort Mason facility for the 20^th annual Veterans Employment Committee/Employment Development Department job fair to be held Wednesday, May 12, 2010, continues to have monthly meetings at the

SFVAMC Downtown Clinic

401-3^rd Street

San Francisco, CA 94107-1214

HOMELESS VETERANS

Commissioner Cauley reported on the November 10^th, 2009 Veterans Connect event (pre-registration required), at the

SFVAMC Downtown Clinic

401-3^rd Street

San Francisco, CA 94107-1214

Commissioner Gibbs reported the Eastbay Stand-down donated $ 500.00 for this event, and he is still collecting clothing for homeless veterans, especially interview clothes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioners Champagne/Guglielmoni/Wong(s) will be actively supporting the 141^st annual Italian Heritage parade, October 11, 2009.  Commissioners Guglielmoni/Wong(s) will be actively supporting Fleet Week San Francisco.

Commissioner Guglielmoni thanked Commissioner Wong(s) for circulating the Marines Memorial Association and KQED-HDTV sponsored October 19, 2009 event featuring the President’s own U.S. Marine Corps concert.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Champagne reported that the Veterans Day Parade will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2009 starting at 11:00AM, from 2^nd Street and Market Street, going up Market Street to the City Hall reviewing stand.  The parade forms have been distributed.

Paul Cox announced a Swords-to-Plowshares $ 150.00 fundraising 13^th annual Veterans Day dinner/silent auction to transitional housing, the Grand Hyatt located at Stockton/Sutter Streets

HONORS REPORT and ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned in memory of the 5,130+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan, the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco, and the veterans that died because of suicide during September.

The meeting adjourned at 7:23PM