HomeMy WebLinkAboutM020101Jefferson County
Service Officers Association
MEETING MINUTES
February 1, 2001
Service Officers present: Don Buchman, VFW 10706; Bob Farr, VFW 7014; Lee Morgan, VFW
3213; and Delmer Sayer, VFW 7498
Overview of the Association: Lee Morgan and Bob Farr explained the history of
the Service Officers' Association to Commissioner Titterness. In the past few years the SOA
and the County Commissioners have agreed to levy less than the minimum amount for the
Veteran's Relief Fund since there is currently an adequate fund balance to cover their needs for
more than a year.
SOA Agreement: They reviewed the SOA agreement which details the
conditions under which a Veteran is eligible to receive this funding. In 2000, the County
Commissioners approved two amendments to the agreement, an increase in the total annual
benefit for a Veteran ($500 to $800) and an increase in the funeral benefit from $300 to $500.
Van to VA Hospital in Seattle: Delmer Sayer reported that Jefferson County's
van was falling apart and was recently replaced with a newer van. It is parked at Indian Island.
There was a discussion about the agreement with Clallam County Veterans' Service Officers for
their van to stop at designated locations in Jefferson County to pick up Veterans. Commissioner
Titterness suggested that if transportation to the VA Hospital is a problem, the Veterans may
want to talk to Jefferson Transit about using their buses.
Vision and Dental Expenses: Don Buchman stated that the Veterans' Relief Fund
needs to assist people who need new glasses, dentures or other dental work, or hearing aids. The
current agreement reads, "only in case of a dental emergency" or "if glasses are broken or lost."
Delmer Sayer added that he feels this could be allowed if the Veteran has exhausted all other
options which would include contacting the VA Hospital. Bob Farr mentioned that several
years ago Sears gave a substantial discount on glasses to Veterans. He volunteered to contact
local eye doctors, dentists, Sears, and Walmart to ask if they are willing to discount these
services for Veterans. Lee Morgan moved to table this issue until more research is done and
another meeting is called by the Chairman. Don Buchman seconded the motion which carried by
a unanimous vote.
Jefferson County Service Officers Association Page: 2
Annual Meeting Minutes - February 1, 2001
New Courthouse Space for SOA: The Civil Deputy has submitted a written
request to the County Administrator to move the SOA's desk and file cabinet out of his office on
the 3`d floor of the Courthouse. Several options have been suggested. The most workable
option is to move the SOA Office to the Courthouse basement in the Small Conference Room
since they only meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the morning. Their file cabinet can be
put in the walk in closet. A table, chairs and a telephone are already in the room. The plan is to
move them out of the Civil Deputy's Office by March.
Election of Officers: Delmer Sayer moved to elect new officers. Lee Morgan
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Lee Morgan nominated Bob Farr to the position of Chairman. Delmer Sayer seconded the motion
which carried by a unanimous vote.
Bob Farr nominated Delmer Sayer to the position of Vice Chairman. Don Buchman seconded the
motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Delmer Sayer nominated Lee Morgan to the position of Secretary/Treasurer. Don Buchman
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Vendors for the Voucher System: Bob Farr explained that when the SOA was
formed several years ago, the Service Officers went to all the stores, utilities, etc. in the County
to ask if they would sign up to use their voucher system. He thinks it is time to do this again and
asked for volunteers to go with him. The County recently received a letter from the QFC stores
advising that they have discontinued their billing service and replaced it with a credit card. The
Service Officers agreed that the logistics of this are impossible and they will have to tell people
that they can only shop at Safeway and the smaller rural stores that are signed up.
Announcements:
DAV Service Officers' School will be held in Sequim on March 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DAV Service Officers' School is scheduled in Port Hadlock in April.
A Veteran has volunteered to develop a webpage for the Port Hadlock VFW Post.
MEETING ADJOURNED