February 6, 2014

Speaker for February 15, 2014 Meeting

Next meeting:  Saturday, February 15, 2014, 1:00 PM
IHOP Restaurant
Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA
 

The program will concern operations of the SLO County District Attorney. David Dow, Deputy D/A will be the speaker. A major in the U. S. Army Reserve, Doe has spent time in Iraq and other locations and has a background in Military Intelligence. Among other educational features he is a graduate of the U. S. Army Language School in Monterey, CA. I will plug attendance when possible, Bill Siler, SAR

Minutes of Meeting of January 18, 2014



                                Central Coast Chapter Minutes, January 18, 2014

Meeting to Order: 1:05 PM
Pledges of Allegiance and SAR
Invocation by Nate Maas
Attendance: 9 Members
New Business: To order off of the full menu at the listed price or to choose from 5 items at $11.95.
Motion (Tissue) to order off the full menu, Seconded (Haynes). Motion carried.
Sunshine Report: Bill Siler was hospitalized days prior our meeting but was in attendance. Gordon Willey may be traveling as no one has been able to contact him.
Secretary’s Report: December Minutes were read. Motion to approve (Haynes),  Seconded (Maas). Motion carried.
Speaker:
John Siler was again drafted on short notice. John’s topic was 3rd Parties in American Politics. Generally, a 3rd party is any which is not the Democrats or the GOP. Sometimes they’re splinter parties who have deserted their own party while others are a single issue party i.e. Prohibitionists. Some 3rd parties are highly ideological as was the Socialist Party circa 1880-1920. The Electoral College protects the two major parties but 3rd parties have influenced elections like in 1992 when Ross Perot garnered 18.6% of the popular vote or in 2000 with Ralph Nader’s Green Party. The last 3rd Party candidate to actually receive electoral votes was George Wallace in 1968. John’s presentation was greatly appreciated.
Guest David Hanush will be working with Registrar Russ Haynes to complete his application.
Treasurers Report: Current account balance is $3098.02.
No new business but Nate Maas spoke eloquently about recently deceased Compatriot Lewis Height.
Benediction
Closing Pledge

Adjournment @ 2:05 PM
Respectfully Submitted,

Chris Scrimiger
Chapter Secretary

January 4, 2014

Minutes of December 21 Meeting



                               Central Coast Chapter Minutes, December 21, 2013

Meeting to Order @ 1:13 PM
Pledges of Allegiance and SAR
Attendance:  4 Members and 2 Guests
Sunshine Report:  Lewis Height passed away on 12/19. Status of Earl Adams is unknown and Gordon Willey was attending to some pressing business.
Secretary’s Report: October Minutes were read and approved.
Acting President Gary Cooper offered to reimburse Russ Haynes for his contributions to Wreaths Around America and the Afghanistan Flag Project but Russ declined.
Treasurer’s Report: Account Balance a/o End of November, $2896.00.
Speaker:
Dana M. Cummings is the San Luis Obispo Co. Veteran Services Officer. Mr. Cummings is a former Marine and veteran of the Gulf War with six years of service. Mr. Cummings hails originally from Livermore Falls, Maine and he possesses a degree in software engineering.
All Counties in CA are required by law to have a VSO Veteran Services Officer since 1938. Chief duties of the VSO are that of assisting veterans in receiving all of the benefits they and their families are entitled to i.e. filing for service connected disabilities, pension benefits, burial benefits, survivor benefits, VA loans, employment and educational benefits.
Another function of the VSO is to represent and mentor veterans who find themselves involved in the criminal justice system. Due to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, many veterans turn to alcohol and drugs with predictable consequences. Much of the PTSD is due to too many tours of duty and there is an acknowledgment by the courts that this is a societal issue with some responsibility. Mr. Cummings was accompanied by Deputy District Attorney Dave Dow of the Veterans Treatment Court which exists to monitor and assist probation-eligible veterans. A system of trained volunteer mentors has been set up guide veterans through the criminal justice system, individualized treatment and rehabilitation.
Mr. Cummings also mentioned in parting that all veterans should obtain a VET-ID card which can be done through his office. Phone # 805-781-5766 or www.slovets.org.  A DD-214 is required.
The VET-ID allows for the vet to receive many local services and benefits including discounts at many local businesses. The presentation of Mr. Cummings and Mr. Dow was warmly received. A cannon and certificate were presented.

Old Business: VP Bill Siler was somewhat agitated by the attendance or lack thereof. It was suggested that we explore ways to enhance monthly attendance.
Benediction
Closing Pledge
Adjournment @ 2:30 PM

Dana Cummings receives a certificate of appreciation and a desk cannon from acting President, Gary Cooper.

December 19, 2013

Speaker for the Meeting, December 21, 2013

Next meeting:  Saturday, December 21, 2013, 1:00 PM
IHOP Restaurant
Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA
 
Dear Compatriots,

Contact with Dana Cummings' Secretary at 4:30 PM today confirms that  
Mr. Cummings will be the program speaker for the meeting noted in  
subject hereof.

Bio information has not been furnished but he is Chief of veterans  
Administration Office in San Luis Obispo County. Ne served in the U.S.  
marines and saw action in the recent Gulf War. I expect an interesting  
discussion of Veterans Affairs will be developed by Dana, SAR members  
will find this program and subject of continuing interest,

Sincerely, William W. Siler,
                  SAR Program Chairman

December 3, 2013

Meeting Minutes of 16 November 2013



Sons of the American Revolution


                                             Central Coast Chapter Minutes, November 16, 2013

Meeting to Order @ 1:03 PM
Invocation by VP Bill Siler ( Presiding)
Pledges of Allegiance & SAR
Attendance:  8 members
Sunshine Report:  Gordon Willey will soon be back and acting President Gary Cooper is ill following his LAX adventure and European vacation.
Guest presentation was given by our own John Siler who provided a fresh look at the 1960 presidential election. John reminded the group that the election actually involved Kennedy, Nixon and VA Senator Harry Byrd (segregationist). The Electoral College tally was 303 for Kennedy, 219 for Nixon and 15 for Byrd. John stated that Nixon may have well won the popular vote in what was the closest popular vote up until Gore versus Bush.
John theorized that the inclusion of Lyndon Johnson on the democratic ticket was rendered unnecessary because Kennedy would have won without carrying Texas. Hawaii was originally called for Nixon but was won Kennedy when all votes were tallied. John mentioned that one of the most popular half truths surrounding the 1960 election is that the 9000 disputed Cook County , Illinois votes also turned the election but again the Illinois electoral votes would not have handed the election to Nixon. Nixon in fact would have had to win 3 or 4 of the hotly contested states to garner sufficient electoral votes.
John’s presentation was appreciated well received.
Secretary’s Report: Motion (Haynes) Waive reading of the October minutes. Seconded (Stevens). Motion carried.
Treasurers Report: Waived. Treasurer indisposed.
Old Business: Central Coast SAR Brochure – Russ Haynes will obtain bids.
Eagle Scout Medal for Tim Maas discussed and there will be follow up with Gary Cooper and Nate Maas.
Russ Haynes sent a donation to Wreaths Around America.

The December meeting will be @ IHOP as usual.
Motion (Klebs) to limit the SAR brochure production to $100.00 or revisit later. Seconded (Stevens). Carried.
Delinquent dues: 5 @ present
Closing Pledge
Adjournment @ 2:15 pm


November 15, 2013

Meeting, Saturday, November 16, 2013

Next meeting:  Saturday, November 16, 2013, 1:00 PM
IHOP Restaurant
Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo, CA


Program "Veterans Affaira" cancelled ; rescheduled for 21 December


Replaced with "Election of 1960 - Half-truths, Lies, and Myths"
Program presented by John W Siler


( bring soft tomatoes, rotten cantalope, spoiled citrus, etc_


William W Siler,
Program Chairman 

Reminder:  2014 Dues are due.  Please bring a check to the meeting or mail a check to 

Gary Cooper 
897 Oak Park Blvd. PMB#175
Pismo Beach, CA 93449-3293

October 22, 2013

Meeting Minutes for October 19, 2013



Central Coast Chapter Minutes, October 19, 2013

Meeting to Order @ 1:10 P.M.
Pledges of Allegiance /SAR led by VP Bill Siler. VP Siler presiding in the absence of Gary Cooper.
Invocation by Nate Maas
Attendance: 6 member and 1 guest speaker
Sunshine Report: Acting President Gary Cooper is attempting another cruise.
Secretary’s Report: Secretary Scrimiger read the minutes for the September 21, 2013 meeting. Minutes accepted.

Treasurer’s Report: Continued to next month. Dues are due by December 1.
New Business: Registrar Russ Haynes presented Secretary Scrimiger a supplemental certificate for his patriot ancestor James Prather of Maryland.
Nate Maas advised that Eagle Scout contest applications must be submitted by the November meeting.

Wreaths Across America and Flags for troops in Afghanistan tabled until the November meeting.
Candidates for the Rumbaugh Oration competition solicited.
Guest Speaker Gill Blonsley Introduction and Presentation:
Mr. Blonsley has an extensive resume to include Administrative Chief of the Clark Co. Nevada Health Dept., Ethics and Disciplinary Board of the Nevada State Bar Assn., Director Las Vegas Valley Water District and Human Relations Commission for the city of San Luis Obispo. A private sector career included providing new and expanded health services for Sutter Health of Sacramento, contract negotiations on behalf of physicians and clinics.

Mr. Blonsley’s presentation focused on the Affordable Care Act and its implementation. The biggest impact of the ACA will be providing coverage for the 50 million uninsured and requiring that everyone obtain coverage much the same as with auto insurance. Mr. Blonsley stated that Medicare took 3 years to obtain an adequate number of enrollees and he expected the same with the ACA.
Physicians were resistant to Medicare in 1964 but it now works well.

The ACA Tier 1 mandates the purchase of coverage or you must pay a penalty that increases each year.  According to Mr. Blonsley, the glitches with the national website are a result of a recent Supreme Court decision allowing states to opt out and that 29 states did opt out leaving them with no interface with the national website. Many States are now reconsidering due to Medicaid reimbursements.

Benefits of the ACA are universal coverage, portability of coverage, pre-existing conditions are covered, there is no denial of coverage and no maximum. Those within 400% of the poverty line will receive a subsidy for their premiums in the form of a tax credit.

Mr. Blonsley pointed out that the ACA was first conceived by the conservative Heritage Foundation and that it was implemented by Mitt Romney while Governor of MA. The MA system still enjoys a 92.5% approval rating.

In San Luis Obispo County, Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross are the underwriters. The California website is www.coveredca.com.
Q & A followed. Mr. Blonsley was most informative and warmly received. Mr. Blonsley was presented a certificate and cannon.
Closing Pledge
Benediction by Nate Maas
Adjournment @ 3:05 P. M.

Respectfully Submitted,
Chris Scrimiger
Chapter Secretary