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Prior to the Call to Order, a number of people
contributed "Happy/Sad
Dollars" to the treasury. The meeting was formally called to
order at 1905 by Commander Dave Baer at the Southwestern Yacht Club [SWYC]. There
were 26 members present, constituting a quorum, and 3 guests.
INVOCATION: The Invocation was offered by P/C
Robert Hubbard.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The pledge of allegiance was led
by AO Katharine Law.
MINUTES: The minutes of the Change of Watch [9
January 2004] and the 12 March 2004 meetings were each approved as published. Copies
of the minutes were available on the tables prior to the meeting and
had been posted on the squadron website.
RECOGNITION:
The Commander recognized the presence of the following
persons:
R/C Ed Mraz
D/C Chester G. White, Jr.
D/Lt/C E. Ronald Weiner
Past District Commanders: Bill Bridge and Irwin Pascoe Past Commanders:
Marie Baer, Bob Hubbard, Shaun McArdle, and Tom Swift [Mission Bay
Squadron].
P/Lt/Cs: Sterling Campbell and Gordo Parham Honorary member: Suzanne
Weiner
Guests: Simon & Sandi Harrison
OFFICERS' REPORTS:
Commander Dave Baer recognized and thanked those who
had supported the San Luis Rey Power Squadron's booth at the Fred Hall
Boat Show. He also thanked
those who volunteered for the "Day at the Docks," all of whom
were owed a debt of gratitude. He particularly thanked Lynda
Juniper for her past efforts in organizing the public events and expressed
regret that she had resigned as Boat Show chair.
He noted that he and P/C Marie Baer were to attend the USPS Spring
Governing Board meeting in Pittsburgh from May 19th through 23rd. Because of
the SDSPS's efforts in teaching celestial navigation, the "N" Club
was to award it a sextant, and he expected to be there to receive it.
The commander noted that the Sail Fleet Race would occur the following
day and encouraged anyone with a sailboat to join the event. He also
reported that SWYC would be hosting the historic Lipton Cup Races on May
8th and 9th. Dave invited anyone wishing to view the races to
join him on his boat, which would be part of the spectator fleet both
days.
The District 28 Summer Council Meeting would be held at SWYC on June
5th at 0930. Dave Baer announced that a Cooperative Charting
event would be held prior to the meeting, and people wanting to participate
should meet at Denny's on Rosecranz Blvd at 0600 that Saturday morning.
As mentioned in his Ship's Mail article, Commander Baer announced that
Silvergate Yacht Club's "Wheelchair Regatta" would be taking place on Sunday,
6 June, and he urged people to volunteer to assist with that event. The
SYC members need people to help get handicapped persons on and off the
boats for a tour of the Bay, as well as workers for other shore-side jobs. He
had some fliers for the event, and suggested members contact Silvergate
directly for more information. D/C Chet White, P/C Marie Baer
and P/C Bob Hubbard also expressed their admiration for Silvergate's
efforts in holding this event for many years and encouraged people
to volunteer.
Commander Baer noted that the annual National Safe Boating Week was
upcoming and SDSPS will participate by hosting a booth at the Mission
Bay Beach and Boating Festival on May 22nd. Vessel safety checks (VSCs)would
be offered, and fliers for the June 9th Boating course will be passed out. A
sign-up sheet was being passed around and Dave asked people to help
if possible.
Finally, the commander noted that May was the month to renew membership
and asked members to return their checks promptly so that follow-up
efforts could be kept to a minimum.
ExO Katie Law thanked all the people who volunteered for the
Fred Hall Boat Show, as well as those who hosted the squadron booth
at the "Day
at the Docks," including the commander who was up at dawn to help
set up the booth. She seconded Dave's request for volunteers
for the Mission Bay outing and noted that fliers for that event were
also on the tables.
Katie also passed out sample letters to be forwarded to Governor Schwarzenegger,
regarding retention of the state Department of Boating and Waterways. The
level of effort by some legislators to consolidate DBW into the Department
of Parks has again been heightened, raising the possibility that the revenue
stream of taxes on marine fuel paid by boaters would be diverted into non-boating
projects. Interested parties should send the sample letter or
one personalized by members to the Governor to try to prevent this
from happening so that DBW could continue to use boaters' money for
the improvement of marinas and other boating facilities and projects.
Fliers for the June 9th public Boating course were distributed, and
Katie and Dave encouraged members to take these and post them in places
where they would attract students.
SEO Mike Fontaine followed up on these remarks, emphasizing
the importance of recruiting a full class for the June public Boating
Course to be given at SWYC. He reported that the three-module Marine Electronics class
was just completed and that all the students seem to have done really well. The
Weather course, to be taught by P/C Bill Bridge, will begin on June
7th.
AO Tom Griffin reported that D/C Chet White would be giving
the Operations Training course the following day from 0930 to 1530
at SWYC. The
next General Members Meeting will occur on Sunday, 11 July 2004, at the
US Coast Guard station. Persons wishing to attend must sign up by
July 8th in order to be on the list to be admitted to this guarded facility. It
will feature a bring-your-own food and beverage cookout, and details
will be announced on the website and in the next newsletter.
Treasurer John Isaksen gave the financial report, noting that
assets on hand were less than at the same time last year, primarily
because of the purchase of a new projector for the educational department.
He received contributions from members dedicated for that purchase
of over $1,000, which will help offset the deficit and thanked the
contributors. John
seconded the reminder that it was time to renew membership and urged
people to send in dues checks promptly.
Secretary Barbara Goddard had nothing of substance
to report.
Information Technology Chair Tom Fota reported that
he had obtained the new projector for $200 less than the cost of the
last projector bought by the squadron.
Boating Activities Chair Marie Baer noted that the
previously scheduled June 5th-6th rendezvous (published in The Ensign)
was cancelled because of a conflict with the D28 meeting. The
District 28 rendezvous will take place on the weekend of August 12th
to 14th at Mariner's Cove, Mission Bay,in San Diego. She urged every
boat owner to try to make this event.
OLD BUSINESS:
R/C Ed Mraz announced that the previously scheduled USPS filming in
San Diego Harbor for the second National Safe Boating Test has been
delayed until late summer. He is still looking for boat owners
who can take part, either as subjects in the filming or to serve as
camera platforms, and anyone able to volunteer should see Ed for further
information.
NEW BUSINESS:
The commander announced that he had received Life Membership plaques
for Steven Bakalis and Michael Grinnell, but since neither were in
attendance, their presentations will be deferred.
AO Tom Griffin introduced the evening's speaker, Jessica Cummins, a
newly appointed captain in the San Diego Harbor Police. After 17 years
in law enforcement including a command position in Oklahoma City during
the federal building bombing attack, Capt. Cummins is now the Homeland
Security Officer at SDHP. She presented an overview of the unique efforts
to protect the San Diego Harbor and regional area, and to develop a
coordinated and integrated strategy for the security of the port, the
airport, and metropolitan border area. She indicated that law
enforcement was attempting to enlist the aid of the boating public
to report any unusual activities, and urged members seeing anything
suspicious to call 911 or the Harbor Police directly (619-686-6272). The meeting
was concluded at 2043.
The next SDSPS general membership meeting will take place on Saturday,
11 July, at the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara A. Goddard, Secretary
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