San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association President: Vice Presidents: Treasurer: Secretary: Directors: David Hendren Steve Walter & Patrick Espinoza Cari Phillips James Koerber Robert Hickey, Robert Lafer, Sophia Roach, Chantal DeMauregne, Evan Kirvin, David F. Williams III, & James Simmons October 2007 Edition: http://www.sdddaa.org PRESIDENT S MESSAGE By David Hendren 1. 2007 DDAA Awards Banquet Saturday, September 29, 2007: The Deputy District Attorneys Association held the 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the La Jolla Aventine - it was a very enjoyable evening. We wish to thank Chantal DeMauregne, Janay Kruger (our political consultant/social coordinator), Janice Sumrow, and Julie Harn for their hard work on planning this great event. We had a great turnout with nearly 175 people. We gave away door prizes again this year - the winners of gift baskets were Nida Rice, Susan Gust, and Ted Minahan. Paul Reizen won the Grand Prize - two round trip tickets anywhere in the United States. See the list of all 2007 DDAA Awards later in the newsletter. Congratulations to all! 2. 2007 DDAA Directors Election: We thank all those who ran for DDAA Board of Directors during the September 2007 Election. And we congratulate the newly-elected Directors: James Simmons (DDA I/II Representative); Chantal De Mauregne and Sophia Roach (DDA III Representatives); Robert Hickey (DDA IV/V Representative); Robert Lafer (Child Support Representative); Evan Kirvin and David F. Williams III (At Large Representatives.) 1
3. DDA Badges: Recently, the Attorney General authored an opinion at the request of the Riverside County District Attorney about badges in the hands of non-law enforcement personnel. The Administration and DDAA have begun a dialog on the issue. A revision of the current policy is likely. Please be mindful that the DDA badges may never be used for any purpose unrelated to a deputy's official capacity and may not be used to gain any personal or financial advantage or benefit not generally available to the public. All deputies are asked to read and follow the current policy. (A copy of Legal Policy Guide Special Directive 06 is included later in the newsletter.) 4. Save the Date! We urge you to save the date and attend the following event: Friday, November 30, 2007: DDAA / DAI Holiday Party DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES OF 10/2/07 Officers and Patrick Espinoza Cari Phillips Directors Steve Walter Evan Kirvin Present: James Koerber James Simmons Sophia Roach David F. Williams III Members Present: Doug Rose Michael Groch Laurie Gunn 1. Call to Order: Vice President Espinoza called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. 2. Welcome to Newly-Elected Board Members: Vice President Espinoza welcomed the newly-elected directors to the Board. The 2007 DDAA Election results were as follows: James Simmons Chantal De Mauregne Sophia Roach Robert Hickey Robert Lafer Evan Kirvin David Williams III DDA I/II Representative DDA III Representative DDA III Representative DDA IV/V Representative Child Support Representative At Large Representative At Large Representative 2
In addition, the Bylaw Amendments regarding vacancies (Article IV, Section 3) and quorum (Article IV, Section 6) were approved. 3. Request for DDAA Endorsement for Judicial Application Jim Miller: Attorney Jim Miller sought a letter of endorsement from DDAA to the Governor in support of a judicial appointment. Resume provided to Board. Matter discussed in Executive Session. Endorsement declined. 4. Orange County Lawsuit to Stop Retroactive Pension Increase: DDA Doug Rose updated the Board on the lawsuit filed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to rescind retroactive pension benefits granted to law enforcement in Orange County. Mr. Rose said law enforcement groups from throughout the State are contributing financially to assist in fighting the lawsuit. A contribution from the DDAA will likely be requested at some point, since this tactic, if successful in Orange County, may be tried in San Diego County. Mr. Rose also updated the Board on the status of a likely 2008 statewide ballot initiative, which would create a new, second tier retirement plan for new public employees. The plan would grant a benefit of 1% for every year worked, based on a retirement age of 65. Both the pension lawsuit and the pension initiative would have significant negative effects on hiring/retention for public agencies statewide. San Diegans Against Crime Vice President Groch said the PAC had voted to contribute $2500 to fight the Orange County lawsuit, subject to DDAA approval. The Board voted for the contribution. (Motion: Walter; Second: Koerber. Vote: Unanimous.) 5. Bailiffs in the Courtroom a Proposal to Use Non-Sworn Officers: State and local court commissions are discussing use of non-sworn officers in court. The law currently allows such use in civil courtrooms, but not in criminal courtrooms. The Board will continue to monitor this issue. 6. DDA Badges and the Attorney General s Opinion: Vice President Walter and Treasurer Phillips met with Chief Deputy District Attorneys Mark Pettine, Carlos Armour, and Appellate Chief Cathy Stephenson to discuss the Attorney General s opinion regarding badges for non-sworn employees. A revision to the current badge policy will likely occur. (To read the Attorney General s Opinion, click here: http://ag.ca.gov/cms_pdfs/opinions/2007-07-31_06-307.pdf.) 7. DDAA Awards Banquet Feedback and Award Winners: Favorable feedback was received from the Awards Banquet, held on Saturday, September 29, 2007. (A list of the 2007 DDAA Awards is at the end of the minutes.) 8. Red Ribbon Luncheon: The National Red Ribbon Campaign, which is the nation s largest drug prevention effort, began after drug traffickers in Mexico tortured and brutally murdered Special Agent Enrique Kiki Camarena in March 1985. Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31, 2007) is dedicated to helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the cause for which he gave his life, the fight against the violence of drug crime and the misery of addiction. The Board voted to send representatives to the local Red Ribbon Luncheon. (Motion: Espinoza; Second: Koerber. Vote: Unanimous.) 3
(To read about Red Ribbon Week: http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ongoing/red_ribbon/redribbon_history.html) 9. Holiday Party Update: Plans for the Holiday Party, to be held on Friday, November 30, 2007, were discussed. 10. Salary Committee: Director Roach updated the Board on the status of the PTO reopener. A proposal to increase the number of hours granted for Search Warrant duty was discussed. 11. Part Time / Flex Time Committee: DDA s interested in part time/flex time/telecommuting should work with their Division Chief to determine whether an appropriate position is available. 12. Consultant s Report: Consultant Janay Kruger inquired whether she should contact the Board of Supervisors to set up a recognition day for the 2007 DDAA Award winners. The Board voted to authorize the contact. (Motion: Roach; Second: Walter. Vote: Unanimous.) 13. Treasurer s Report: Treasurer Phillips updated the Board on DDAA expenditures. The DDAA is operating within parameters of this year s budget. 14. Request for Contribution for the San Diego County Regional Law Enforcement Memorial: In order to honor local law enforcement personnel, a collection of public safety organizations, spearheaded by the Deputy Sheriffs Association, is working to build the first San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Memorial. The Memorial, located on the grounds of the County Administration Center on Pacific Highway, will be dedicated at the end of October. The Board voted to authorize $1000 for the Memorial, after a discussion about financial impact. (Motion: Koerber; Second: Phillips. Vote: Unanimous.) The Board also voted to contribute $500 to the Memorial Fund for Army Cpl. Anthony Kamalu Bento, son of District Attorney Investigator Anthony Bento, who died recently in service to our country. (Motion: Roach; Second: Simmons. Vote: Unanimous.) (To read more about San Diego County Regional Law Enforcement Memorial: click here: http://sdmemorial.org/index.php?/memorial/memorial) 15. President s Report: The DDAA was asked recently to participate in a poll being conducted by law enforcement, but declined. 16. Adjournment: 6:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jim Koerber, Secretary 4
A Message from the DDAA Board of Directors The Deputy District Attorneys Association held the 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the La Jolla Aventine - it was a very enjoyable evening. We wish to thank Chantal DeMauregne, Janay Kruger (our political consultant/social coordinator), Janice Sumrow, and Julie Harn for their hard work on planning this great event. We had a great turnout with nearly 175 people. We gave away door prizes again this year - the winners of gift baskets were Nida Rice, Susan Gust, and Ted Minahan. Paul Reizen won the Grand Prize - two round trip tickets anywhere in the United States. Congratulations to the door prize winners! In the end, the night belonged to the winners of the following awards: Prosecutor of the Year Laura Martin Gunn Outstanding Achievement Awards Elizabeth L. McClutchey Blaine K. Bowman Robert O. Amador and David T. Grapilon Child Support Program Attorney of the Year Natasha Esses Edwin L. Miller Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award Mark V. Pettine Charles Nickel Award Summer S. Stephan District Attorney Investigator of the Year Robert L. Marquez Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Patrick W. Gardner, San Diego County Sheriff s Department Special Recognition DA Technical Division for Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice 5
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