HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-15 VAC MINUTESVeteran's Advisory Commission
City of Chula Vista
Minutes
February 15, 2011 Chula Vista Veterans Home
6:00 P.M. 700 E. Naples Court
Chula Vista, CA 91910
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL: Present: Gene Pellerin, P John Acosta, P Terry Jensen, _E Keith
Blum,_P_ Virgil Whitehead, P and Alex Galicia._P Stephen Sprenkle
P
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The January minutes were approved by John Acosta,
seconded by Gene Pellerin.
2. ACTION ITEMS:
• Veteran of the Year: No update at this time.
^ Elder Veterans Abuse: Elder veterans abuse was discussed. Gene Pellerin
asked for ideas of how to address awareness of abuse. Possibly have links to
resources, phone numbers and point of contacts on City's website. Gene will
take on this project by collecting all information and presenting it to the board
before putting on the City's website.
^ Veterans Affairs: Survey of Veterans in San Diego County has been completed
and is estimated to be 235,000. The largest number of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans
(30,000) live in San Diego.
A new court called "Veterans Treatment Review Court" began hearing cases in
February 2011. There are approximately 500 cases of which Vets are in jail or
facing charges. The Judge is a Vietnam Veteran.
Chula Vista Veterans Commission, DAV, AMERICORPS and Marine League will
co-host a "Veteran Benefit Seminar" on February 23, 2011 at 1:OOpm at the
Chula Vista Civic Library. Elder Veteran Abuse will be included in Veteran
Benefits Seminar. The next seminar will be held at the Bonita Library in April.
Applications for residency are currently being accepted for the Veterans Home in
West Los Angeles.
Flag amendment introduced in House that if passed will make it a federal offence
for physical desecration of the flag. Flags that need to be disposed of can be
taken to the VFW.
Marine Corps League, Navy League, AmeriCorps and Chula Vista Veterans
Commission made two "Operation Welcome Home Meets" on February 7th and
Stn An estimated 380 troops (combat) returned.
• Preparation is underway to perform a special "Welcome Home" for 3/5 during
the first part of March. (Date not determined yet).
Joe Bruner who is the Vet Parade Chairman is requesting volunteers and
donations.
VA has opened a new office at 80 Otay Lakes Road.
Midway Museum is requesting volunteers. Must make a monthly commitment.
Contact volunteering~midway.orq or fax 69-544-9188.
Chula Vista VFW, American Legion, Fleet Reserve, Marine Corps League, St.
John and 187 other organizations collected 30,000 toys for the annual "Toys for
Tots" program. All total for the program was 160,000.
Vet Village is now in three locations in the County. One is behind the Sports
Arena and can take overnighters.
Vet Village is doing a fundraiser in selling pavers at $500 for 8"x6" and $100 for a
4"x8".
Camp Pendleton is having "Family Support Night" the 1St and 3`d Tuesday of each
month. Open for Vets, Active Duty and spouses.
^ Commission on Aging: John Acosta will attend the Commission on Aging meeting where
elections will be held and will update the VAC on the outcome.
DVBE Update: Alex Galicia met with Congressman Bob Filner who agreed to set up a
meeting with key players at Navy Facilities command because they're not meeting their
procurement goals for service disabled veterans. Alex is to meet with Congressman
Bilbray on February 23, 2011 and Congressman Issa and Congressman Hunter on
dates to be determined. A meeting is to be held with Congressmen Bilbray, Issa and
Hunter sometime in March and the meeting will be open to Veterans organizations.
Keith Blum made a motion to push forward the DVBE procurement as presented in
December, seconded by Gene Pellerin and approved by all members present.
3. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
Comments/ Adjourn:
John Acosta is still on the flagpole project for the Chula Vista Library. John reminded all
that an engineer and architect are still needed.
4. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM. The Veterans Advisory Commission will have the
next regular meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the Chula Vista Veterans' Home, 700 E.
Naples Court.
The City of Chula Vista, in complying with the American With Disabilities Act (ADA),
request individuals who require special accommodation to access, attend and/or participate in
a City meeting, activity or service request such accommodation at least forty-eight hours in
advance for meetings and five days for scheduled services and activities. Please contact
Mariluz Alvarez for specific inforrnation at (619) 691-5146 or Telecommunications Devices for
the Deaf (619) 585-5655. California Relay Service is also available for the hearing impaired
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