MARIN COUNTY
CHAPTER, CALIFORNIA GRAND JURORS ASSOCIATION
(Minutes of the Membership
Meeting January 18, 2007)
At
9:30 President Betty Mattea called on Lowell Smith to introduce the speaker
Vernel Crittendon, the recently retired public information officer at San
Quentin State Prison. Crittenden gave a well-received one hour talk detailing
some of the history of the prison and touching on death row and execution
practices.
Attendees: -- Dennis Brown, Gene Dyer, Ted Freeman, Donald
Graff, Owen Haxton, Joan Holmes, Ann Marie Melanephy Albert Lozano, Betty
Mattea, Lowell Smith, Irwin Taranto, Ron Lucas, Karen Hern, Stu Brown, and
Sheldon Wolff.
Regular meeting began at 10:45 when President Mattea
called it to order. Because Karen Hern, the forewoman of the sitting grand jury
had to leave, Betty called on her to give her report as the first item on the
agenda. Karen reported that they have 10 approved RFI’s. There will be 3 informational reports and 8
to 11 full reports. A full 19 jurors are seated. They had lost 2 very early in
the year, but these have been replaced by alternates. The current grand jury
would like former jurors to be involved in continuity. The current Grand Jury
agrees with Gene Dyer’s movement for the MCGJA to follow up on actions taken by
the BOS on previous jury’s recommendations.
Minutes – The minutes of the September 21 and November 16th meetings were approved as submitted.
President’s report - Betty pointed out that the IJ
had carried a notice about our meeting and the name of our speaker. We had 16
visitors who attended Crittendon’s talk as a result suggesting that we should
continue the practice of announcing our meetings in the paper.
Betty informed the membership that Owen had attended the BOS meeting at which Judy Arnold was sworn in as a new Supervisor. He also had ascertained that Supervisor Susan Adams wants to get on with the quarry issue.
We were informed that the presiding judge of the Superior Court, M. Lynn Duryee, wants former grand jurors to prescreen (with interviews) the prospective grand jurors. Both Catherine McKown and Betty Mattea will take part in the process, along with seven other former forepersons and a pro tem.
Treasurer – Irwin reported that the financial revue committee (Jack Friesen and Ann Marie Melanephy) met. He pointed out that we have about $5,382 in the bank, which is about $182 more than we had last year. Irwin will send the report to the membership. He will make a formal report at the February meeting. Joan Holmes asked if we have to make a financial report to the Federal government. The answer was “no” because we are a 501c(3) organization and have less than $25,000. . Irwin also answered Al Lozano’s query if we were bonded, that we were not.
Membership – Owen reported that we have 45 members
of the CGJA and 36 members of both the CGJA and the MCGJA. In addition dues are
paid for 19 immediate past grand jurors and 19 current grand jurors. Owen is working
on compiling a list of former grand jurors for the purpose of sending
invitations to invite them to our Annual Reunion in May, 2007..
Social – Ann Marie announced that the social luncheon will take place at McInnis Park. The meal will cost $25. (No host cocktails at !1:30, lunch at 12:00) She is planning on about 50 attendees. It was moved and accepted that the date of the social be May 10.
Work Plan – Betty pointed out that Jerry Lewi, who
is now the editor of the CGJA Journal would like the chapters to send him the
new projects submitted by the chapters. Betty suggested that we could send him
a copy of our work plan (Appendix I). Al moved that we add a proviso that it
could be amended as needed. Stu suggested that we only mention, in a paragraph
or two, that we have a work plan. Al withdrew his motion and Stu volunteered to
draft the paragraph(s) explaining the work plan.
Comments from chapter members – Gene suggested having pictures taken that can be put on the website. He will take the photos.
Irwin pointed out that the next CGJA meeting, the Annual Conference, will take place on October 24 and 25 in San Francisco.
Adjourned
at 11:40 AM
The next meeting will be February 15. The speakers will be
our own members,Dennis Brown and Stu Brown.
Sheldon Wolff
For the Secretary