February 6, 2002
This week’s Bulletin was written by Steve Waterman
THIS WEEK’S MEETING
President Melissa Blackburn called the meeting to order. Mike Sisson led the pledge of allegiance. Martin Blair gave the “no problems before getting out of bed” invocation. Jim Mulvaney started us off singing “When Irish Eyes” in anticipation of his favorite day of the year.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Melissa thanked Lynn Hamilton for hosting the marvelous sushi party and reminded us of several upcoming events:
Ø The next board meeting February 11,
Ø The District Conference cruise in May, and
Ø “Standdown” on July 12.
Ron Erbetta successfully solicited sponsors for the fundraiser including Philip Welp, Bob Hackim, Jim Waters, Steve Bridge and (sorry missed a name).
Carol Jensen thanked members for making hotel reservations for the fundraiser.
Alan Talbot indicated that the fundraiser committee will have a short meeting at 5:30 on February 14.
Christine Thompson should be contacted re auction items.
Amy Edgett, Rotaract President, mentioned that Rotaract is supporting Kids at Heart tutoring as well as a senior center. They will be having their spring La Noche fundraising event on March 28.
SGT- AT- ARMS
Frank De Francesco cited birthdays, Keith French, Zack Romaya, and Cathleen Silliman.
Lynn Hamilton assisted in presenting sushi party awards to Hugh Largey and Joe Ciokon for best impersonations of karate black and white belts. Lynn also took the opportunity to point out that Waters Catering generously “comp’d” the club on one of the Balboa Park morning meetings last year. Alan Talbott also received an award for rescuing Lynn’s dog Chico from the Jacuzzi pool.
The Massachusetts contingent, Lou Scanlon, Ron E. and Bill Poiriet all fined themselves for the New England Patriots Superbowl victory. Philip Welp fined himself for attending the Superbowl in the company of sports celebrities Magic Johnson and Evander Holyfield.
Jennifer Cusick announced her engagement and received a tongue-in-cheek gift Martha Stewart book to help out in the planning. Jennifer’s romance with fiancée Steve began at Pete Tereschuck’s Demotion Party.
THIS WEEK’S SPEAKER
Colette Murray introduced her friend Mike Aguirre, candidate for San Diego County District Attorney in next month’s election. Mr. Aguirre is a San Diego native and attended Boalt Hall UC Berkeley Law School where he was student body president and graduated in 1974. He worked as Assistant U.S. attorney in San Diego and played a key role in the 1975 Grand Jury pension racketeering case. Mike practiced law in Los Angeles from 1977-1980 where he was on the faculty of the USC Law School and returned to San Diego in 1980. His law practice has had an emphasis on securities and investment fraud. His involvement in cases concerning price manipulations by power companies reflect his interest in “people, not special interests.” Colette and husband Dick will be hosting a fundraising reception for Mr. Aguirre later this month.
Mr. Aguirre feels that San Diego deserves a high standard of public service and that this standard is not currently being met. He stressed 5 areas of responsibility for the District Attorney’s office in enforcing the law, personal and public security, economic security (eg Enron type fraud), preservation of environmental resources and public integrity.
Mr. Aguirre feels that the current DA has engaged in a pattern of unethical decision making which resulted in shows of no confidence from the police officers and district attorneys associations. He cited statistics that of 28,000 arrests, 18,000 prosecutions were filed, with only 400 cases going to trial, ostensibly those with virtual “certainty” of conviction. He considers these rates of prosecution too low. Mr. Aguirre also remarked upon a situation that has received attention from the press, the issuance of a search warrant by the U.S. attorney’s office of the DA’s office regarding information concerning a fraudulent operation being conducted on the DA office’s premises by one of the senior staff. Mr. Aguirre also feels that the DA should have prosecuted cases of corruption on the local bench.
Mr. Aguirre ended by stating he favors vigorous enforcement of public integrity laws and quoted Cicero’s ancient appeal to jurors, “We appeal to you and fellow judges to punish criminal acts. If you fail, then we have reached a point when limits to greed and malpractice have broken down.”
A vigorous question and answer session followed.
Home - Calendar of Events - Getting Involved - Member Info
Service Committees - Bulletin - Links
Created by David Tereschuck of:
Copyright © 2000