HomeMy WebLinkAboutM082802Jefferson County
Service Officers Association
MEETING MINUTES
August 28, 2002
Service Officers present: Bob Farr, VFW 7014; Lee Morgan, VFW 3213; Delmer Sayer, VFW
7498; Pat Bowen, VFW 7498
Service Officers not present: Don Buchman, VFW 10706; Peter Jewell, AL26
Chairman Bob Farr called the meeting to order at the appointed time.
Approval of Minutes: Secretary/Treasurer Lee Morgan moved to approve the
minutes of July 26, 2001 and October 25, 2001 as submitted. Delmer Sayer seconded the
motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Discussion of New State Law Regarding Definition of "Veteran ": Bob Farr
explained that in March the State Legislators amended the RCW regarding Veteran's assistance.
In the past, only indigent Veterans who served during wartime could receive Veterans' Relief
Fund benefits, but the definition of "Veteran" has been changed to include all honorably
discharged indigent Veterans.
Pat Bowen moved to revise the definition of "Veteran" in the Service Officers' agreement with
Jefferson County to reflect the amended State RCW. Delmer Sayer seconded the motion which
carried by a unanimous vote.
Discussion of Millage Rate for 2003 Budget: The Service Officers agreed to
request the minimum amount that can be levied for the Veterans' Relief Fund according to the
State statute. This amount is .01125 or approximately $30,000 per year. In the past few years,
because the fund has carried a high fund balance, they have only received $2,400. In 2001, the
minimum annual amount per Veteran and the funeral benefit for a Veteran or a Veteran's Widow
was increased. In the first 6 months of 2002, the fund had expenditures of over $10,000, the
majority of which were for funeral benefits. The Service Officers are concerned about the
change in the State law and expect to see an influx of applications once their agreement is
revised. Lee Morgan moved to send a letter to Assessor Jack Westerman asking that the
Veterans' Relief Fund receive the minimum amount to be levied according to State law for the
2003 budget. Delmer Sayer seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Jefferson County DAV Van: Last year the Service Officers Association approved
the purchase of a new DAV van for Jefferson County because the old van was constantly in the
shop for repairs. The van arrived this Spring and makes 4 round trips a week to the VA Hospital
Jefferson County Service Officers Association
Meeting Minutes - August 28, 2002
Page: 2
in Seattle. Adam Gaikowski, the van's coordinator, asked if a Jefferson County decal could be
put on the van with the DAV decal. Bob Farr explained that he has been working with the Sign
Company at Port Hadlock and they have made a decal and will put it on the van. Bob Farr paid
$30.00 for the decal. The Service Officers agreed that he should be reimbursed from the fund.
Press Release on Funeral Benefits: Lee Morgan explained that it is important for
the Service Officers' Association to be accessible to any Veteran that needs help and qualifies
for assistance. It was agreed that a press release will be sent to the local newspaper regarding
the $500 funeral benefit that is available from the Veterans' Relief Fund. The release needs to
direct any Veteran, Veteran's widow, or dependent to a Service Officer at the local VFWs or
American Legion or to Julie in the Commissioner's Office.
Pat Bowen moved to direct Julie to put together a press release for The Leader. Delmer Sayer
seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.
Service Officers' Association Officers for 2002-2003: Lee Morgan moved to
keep the same slate of Executive Board Officers that served in 2001-2002. Delmer Sayer
seconded the motion which carried by unanimous vote. Bob Farr will remain in the position of
President, Delmer Sayer will continue as Vice President, and Lee Morgan will remain in the
position of Secretary/Treasurer.
Resignation as Commander; VFW 10706: Bob Farr reported that, due to his
health, Don Buchman has resigned his position as Commander of the VFW Post in Brinnon. He
plans to continue as Service Officer for the Post.
Requirements for Accepting Applications: Bob Farr pointed out that recently
some of the Service Officers have accepted applications without the necessary paperwork from
the Veteran. He asked that in the future the Service Officers require copies of all the paperwork
before an application is written.
MEETING ADJOURNED