Well, by the time you read this article, ballots for the DSA Board Elections will have most likely been counted and with those changes, the board of directors will have a new complexion.

As you’re probably aware, this month, I completed my last and final term as a DSA Director. Honestly, the thought of not running again left me feeling uneasy. I can tell you, it wasn’t an easy choice, having been so actively involved in the DSA since way back in 1988. But, it really made no sense for me to continue on the board with retirement looming in the next few months. I decided to step down and finish my tenure, as the longest, continuous serving board member in DSA history (as far as I know).

Anyway, as such, this will be my last article as your vice president. I do, however, plan on following up with other articles before I retire in the hopes of bringing closure to several unfinished issues, as well as, any others which may pop up before I leave service. I intend on remaining on the Legal Defense Committee until retirement, as legal defense and employee rep work has been my passion for many years. I believe the move will also smooth the transition of leadership for the committee, as well as provide adequate time to train and acclimate new committee members on the complicated issues of law enforcement legal defense, the inter-workings of the department, and the entire civil service/appeal process. 

As for the new board of directors in 2008, I can tell you they are all excellent individuals, and yes, I’m speaking from personal knowledge. I know each of them well. That includes the new candidates. They are all dedicated, very focused, and will serve you, the membership, well. I know they’re all ready for the upcoming challenges we face and are looking to rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. I ask that you show them and President Carrillo the same support and respect you have shown me over the last 12 years. It’s a tough and, believe me, thankless job with little reward other than incredible personal satisfaction in doing what’s right and just.

Just remember, as in any new venture, there’s a learning curve, and even experienced directors with new responsibilities need time to adapt. With three directors up for re-election, every year, it’s nothing more than normal growing pains. Just look at our department over the last few years. The same growing pains have been present within our own department’s command staff. They too, have lost several people, every year, over the last few years and are consistently going through the same growing pains/learning curve. Please be patient with both, as things will normalize in short order and everybody can get down to real business. 

I can’t leave without mentioning our DSA support staff, the real backbone of the association. If you haven’t noticed, we are blessed to have the finest office staff in San Diego. I can’t imagine where the DSA would be without the dedicated, consistent, and professional performance of our staff. They are truly a member based operation, who always go the extra mile for the members. To them, I say thank you for making my tenure on the board a true walk in the park. You are the best.

In closing, I want to thank you, the membership, for your continued trust, votes, and support over the last decade. To say it’s been an honor and pleasure to have represented you would be an understatement. After all, it is all about you, the individual members of our association. You make this association great. The association needs your continued support and I encourage each of you to get actively involved in association matters and aggressively support those who make the commitment. We will all be better off because of it.

For those of you who I may have crossed paths with over the years, I know at times, we may have disagreed on issues; however, I always kept members interests as my primary focus and always spoke honestly and from the heart.  I hope in that respect, I didn’t disappoint. Serving the membership was and still remains a passion for me.

Once you get hooked, it’s tough to stop. Just look at PORAC President Ron Cottingham for a perfect example. I was no different and as much as I thought about moving on to other activities, both in and out of the DSA, I kept being drawn back into the mix of legal defense and employee rep work. Consider it a flaw, so I’m not perfect!! 

Anyway, as I leave the board and ultimately retire from the department, my thoughts will remain with you and the DSA. If there’s ever anything I can do to assist you, please don’t hesitate to call. My phone numbers will remain the same, and I will be more than happy to help. 

Famous quote: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2nd Timothy 4:7) 