President Report

I took a couple of weeks off for a vacation with my family in northern Michigan near the Canadian border, so I apologize to anyone I was slow in getting back to. I was in a cabin in the woods with a lantern and an out house. It actually wasn’t that bad, but insects that bite are one thing I will not miss. It was a little bit of a rough outing as my children struggled with the loss of their grandmother.

I want to thank everyone who has called or sent me an e-mail to congratulate me on being chosen as president. I even want to thank retired Capt. Greg Reynolds who told me I was an idiot and asked if I was insane for taking this job. As I told him, I have been married for almost twenty years to the same woman and have three teenage daughters, so I am used to having people think I am an idiot and that I don’t know what I am doing.

We lost another one of our own. Dep. Rocky Laws passed away last month while out on a bike ride. Rocky was a long time ASTREA pilot who was living the dream. He had a family he cared for dearly and he got paid to do a job that he loved. Rocky will be missed by all of us. Keep his family and partners in ASTREA in your prayers, because it is hard to lose one of the good guys.

We should enjoy what we do. This profession is not an easy one to get into. Once we are in it, we are held to an incredible personal and professional standard. If we don’t laugh and enjoy the ride, it will be over far too soon.
If you missed the last monthly membership meeting, you missed Supervisor Ron Roberts. He came to speak to the membership and the board, updating us on the state of the county. He identified the major issues facing the County of San Diego in the future. While the county is on sound financial footing, the state continues to raid the coffers of the county.

We work in one of the best climates in the country, for one of the best departments, with one of the best board of supervisors. We have a lot of incredible people on this department, and I want to get that out to the public, Walt Ekard, and to the board of supervisors.

Be Safe. Enjoy what you do and live your dream. 

In our board meeting on June 10, I was elected DSA president. Effective June 18, I am no longer working as a lieutenant and will be serving the membership as your representative.

(This report was printed during Ernie’s Carrillo’s transition period from President)
Mary G. Walsh was a special lady and her dedication to our department was second to none. We missed our opportunity to recognize a great lady and for that, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Mary and former Sheriff Kolender were the faces of the department when it came to community events and social functions. I will miss her smile and her “we can do it” attitude.

Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) and our governor waited for what they felt was the right opportunity to attack state worker pensions and benefits. Member Hollingsworth introduced SB 919 which calls for significant change to state employee retirement and health benefits. This new legislation calls for a 2.7 at 57 retirement benefit formula for public safety and adds 5 years to the length of service time (currently 20 years) required to be fully vested for retiree health care benefits. These are just a small part of the entire bill, which also has several other provisions that will affect non-public safety employees. A full version will be posted on the DSA web site in the PAC section.

President's Report - Hank Turner

Current Report

Members

DSA Events

Important Forms

Regional Memorial

Stay in Contact