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VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE MAY 7, 2007 MEETING
Commission meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
President Wilson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commission Meeting Agenda & Minutes of April 2nd meeting were approved.
Thank you Commissioner Veronika Cauley for doing the April minutes.
Commissioners present: Regalado Baldonado, John Caldera, Veronika Cauley, George Gibbs, Chris Gruwell, Wallace Levin, Michael Thompson, Robert Varni, Bud Wilson & Raymond Wong. Commissioners Jill Buck, Renie Champagne, Cheryl Cook, James Guglielmoni & Edwin Wilkerson were not present. Comm. Guglielmoni informed us that he could not attend the meeting & he was excused. Comm. Thompson reported that Comm. Cook's brother was ill & that is why she was not at the meeting. 10 present, 5 not present (2 Excused & 3 Absent). Deputy City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass was also present.
PRESIDENTS REPORT-Comm. Wilson reported that before we forward anything to the Mayor or the Board of Supervisors we should carefully evaluate the material. He wants all of the commissioners email addresses, so that he can keep everyone informed on matters brought to his attention.
VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT-Comm. Levin reviewed some items pertaining to the Department of Veterans Affairs that have appeared in the media. He reported that they were sending back those killed in Iraq in commercial aircraft without the honors they deserved. This slight is reported to have been corrected. Comm. Gibbs felt that these were national issues & that we should stick to local veterans issues.
COMMISSION GOALS & PLANS
Veterans City Education Loans/Grants Plan
Comm. Gruwell reported that the City Treasurers Office is working with the Financial Aid Office at City College on perfecting a form for veterans to use when they apply for a grant.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS-Comm. Gibbs reported that he is already working on the 2008 Stand Down. He also reported that he is going to retire from the VA at the end of this year. He also still needs clean men's clothing. His office's Director Bobby Rosenthal is leaving & they will get a new director.
HEALTH, WELFARE & EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE-Comm. Thompson reported that the 17th San Francisco Job Fair would be held, on May 23, 2007. They have 20 employers attending and they should have 1,300 clients.
JROTC SUPPORT-Comm. Varni reported that he has not been informed of any support meeting being held during the past month. We still need 4 votes out of the 7 to change the present School Board vote to do away with JROTC in 2009. We do not have the winning vote at this time.
MEMORIAL DAY-Comm. Levin reported that the Memorial Day Ceremony would take place at the Presidio, on Monday, May 28th. Parade will start at 10:30 a.m.
The Presidio Trust, because of staff changes the Trust has not been able to give us the support that they have given us during the past 4 years. The same is true for the 91st Division. They have been cut back from 1,500 troops to 100 troops. They thus cannot give us the level of support that they have in the past. The City must step up to fill these voids in support. The two San Franciscans killed in Iraq will be honored, with their parents present to honor their sons.
NATIONAL VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS-Comm. Wong reported that May was Honor Veterans & Military month. Comm. Levin reported that he went on an ocean cruse & his wife was happy to get him away from veteran's activities. After they got on the ship the Dawn Princess, they found out that 200+ national leaders of the VFW were on board. Comm. Wong reported that the State is trying to merge District 15 with another district. He hopes to beat back this attempt, at the VFW State Convention. This Commission has passed a resolution in support of Dis. 15. NEW BUSINESS-Comm. Levin reported on the Board of Trustees of the War Memorial of San Francisco's resolution authorizing the sale of War Memorial Transferable Development Rights to finance and implement the Veterans Building
Seismic/life safety upgrade as provided in the City's recently approved 10-year capital plan. He requested that our City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass review this plan to evaluate if it will in anyway affect veterans rights, as they are spelled out in the Trust Agreement with the Trustees, per the use of space in the Veterans Building.
Comm. Caldera raised the issue of the chained parking spaces behind the Veterans Building & who gets them. Comm. Levin reported that the 17 spaces are controlled by those in command & control of the American Legion War Memorial Commission. The Trust Agreement gives the posts of the American Legion the full authority of how all controlled veterans space in the building is given out to veterans groups & veterans. The Trustees control the use of the theatre & the Green Room.
Comm. Caldera reported that a peace rally was held in front of the Veterans Building to commemorate the 4th Anniversary of President Bush's Mission Accomplished landing on the Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln.
Comm. Gibbs reported a large increase in Iraq veterans in our San Francisco jail.
ADJOURNMENT-in memory of the 3,500+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan, World War II veteran James Jay, & Korean War Veteran Mon Jew.
Minutes submitted by Wallace Levin, 982-3417.
