July 30, 2003
This week's Bulletin was written by Susan Bleicher
This Week’s Meeting
Gary Green, Past President, opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m. Frank was absent due to Gall Bladder surgery. We all wish him a speedy recovery. Gary was glowing because he could show off his eight-month old grandson and announce he is the youngest Paul Harris fellow. Gary fined himself $15 for bragging about his daughter, son-in-law, and precious grandson.
David Buro (Red Badger) led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mary Dawe gave the invocation. Jim Mulvaney & Linda Jalving led us in singing “Grand Old Flag.” Pete McGuire introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians (two from the Mission Valley Club, two from the Shelter Island Club, four from Club 33, and one from the La Jolla Golden Triangle). Gary Green fined each Club 33 member $5 because our meetings and parking are less expensive.
Announcements
Ø Upcoming District Event, Thunderboat Regatta on Mission Bay in late September. Please contact Frank with ideas.
Ø Rotaract Meeting, August 5th, 6:30 p.m., Kansas City Barbeque
Ø Board Meeting, August 11th, 5:30 p.m., Frank’s office, 3655 Nobel Drive
Ø District Council Meeting, August 12th, Escondido Performing Arts Center (more information available at www.rotary5340.org)
Ø District Foundation Seminar, September 6th, Salk Institute, 7:00 a.m. Breakfast, 8:00 – 12:00 Foundation Seminar. Wonderful opportunity to learn more about Rotary International. Highly recommended for anyone who has never attended. Bring potential new Rotarians.
Ø Foundation Dinner, November 2nd, Town & County Hotel
Ø Patsy Cowett announced the Petco Ballpark Tour scheduled for 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5th is full. If you signed up and can’t make it, please let her know so someone else can go in your place.
Ø The President of the Mission Valley Club announced that Board Members are needed for the San Diego Friends of Park & Recreation organization.
Ø Pat Warren of the Shelter Island Club announced a Chili Cook Off & Beer Garden in the Portuguese Hall on October 25 from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ø Ron Erbetta announced that Bill Poirier won $2,500 at the Del Mar Racetrack on a Trifecta. It was Bill’s first time to the track and he asked Mike Gilligan how to play it. Way to go Bill!
Ø Gary Green stated we are all disappointed that Lou Scanlon wasn’t selected for the Chief of Police. He is an outstanding citizen and a valuable contributor to the community.
Ø Bill Poirier announced who had birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Sig Weitzman celebrated 43 years of marriage and Tim Montague 15 years of marriage. Several birthdays were mentioned. Mr. Ken Juen was teased and fined $5 for not understanding Spanish. Mike Lewis was fined for all the publicity he has received as a result of the Regional Transportation Center opening. Bill Poirier fined himself for an 80s Rock Concert (Leather & Lace) he recently attended.
Ø Gary Green is the premier promoter of Rotary International and constantly encourages everyone to get involved. When describing the June District Council meeting and all the accomplishments of the past year, he said “wheelchairs for Maui instead of Malawi.” Is this worth a fine?
This Week’s Speaker
Jim Mulvaney introduced Bonnie Dumanis, SD District Attorney, who works out at the same gym as Jim in the morning and is respected by everyone. Bonnie asked Jim one morning if she could read the paper he was reading because there was something bad about someone other than her in it.
Bonnie thanked Patsy Cowett for inviting her to speak at our Club and said she is not a morning person. She has been in office since January 6, 2003 after her landslide victory of 3,500 votes out of 570,000. Her first task was to cut the $91M budget by $14M because of the county’s retirement system woes.
In 1978, Bonnie was the Deputy District Attorney for 12 years. In the past 35 years there has been no change in the structure of the D.A. Office. Jesse Rodriguez, Assistant D.A., handles all the day-to-day activities. Eighty-six attorneys applied for fifteen positions. A very good group is now in place who complement each other.
Currently, there are 128 vacancies, 35 lawyers down. Deputy D.A. I position opening Monday. They are below critical levels. When they lose another $2M, major divisions will be cut.
A Sexual Assault Unit has been started since January 6, 2003. New software was purchased to help track DNA. There are 1,500 unsolved murders in San Diego County. White-collar crimes (Port Commissioner, Economic Crimes, Identity Theft, Elder Abuse) are being prosecuted. Everyone in the department has pulled together in spite of all the budget cuts. Bonnie misses the gavel and wishes she didn’t have to deal with the budget.
She opened it to questions at 8:08 a.m. Several issues were addressed: DNA Testing, the great labs at SDPD & Sheriff’s Department, frivolous lawsuits, Rent a D.A. program, private law firms loan attorneys for a 30-day period for experience in misdemeanor trials, the D.A. office has 80 volunteers.
When asked what is the #1 thing wrong with the system, Bonnie responded “adequate treatment facilities for drug and alcohol abuse.” Numerous inmates are back in jail within 48 hours of being released. There are few mental health facilities left in the county because of all the cuts in the Human & Health Services Department. Sheriff Kolender feels the jails have become a mental health facility.
Bonnie stated perjury is very difficult to prove. Executives are going to jail. She explained what vertical prosecution is. Vertical prosecution is having the same attorney handle the case all the way on sensitive cases.
She took 1.5 years off without pay to campaign for office. Gary presented her with a coffee mug & T-Shirt from the Margaritaville fundraiser. The wait staff presented her with a piece of mud pie. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 a.m.
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