December 2004 Board Meetings
By Bonnie J. Glenn
The KCBA Board of Trustees met on December 15, 2004. The following is a summary of key actions taken at that meeting. In addition, on December 20, 2004, the Board approved via email a resolution in Support of Civil Equal Justice Funding.
Complete minutes of this and other board meetings are available from the KCBA office.
December 15, 2004 Board Meeting
Presidents Report. Approval of KCBA Nominating Committee President Cary presented the proposed 2005 KCBA nominating committee for board approval. The proposed members were: immediate past-president Tom Kelly as Chair, and Allen Sakai, Jennifer Payseno, Judge Corinna Harn, Pamela Grinter, Anthony Butler, and Stew Cogan.
A motion to approve the proposed slate of nominating committee members unanimously passed.
Drug Policy Project Board Pre-sentation. Over the last several months, the board has received various reports and documentation in support of the current KCBA Drug Policy Project Resolution. Materials included recent reports prepared on various topics of drug policy, frequently asked questions sheet, and a vision statement. In addition, the board has heard presentations from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The December 15 meeting was specifically designated for a full discussion regarding all materials and information presented. Attending the meeting as resources to the board were Roger Goodman of the KCBA Drug Policy Project, Dr. Bill Shaw of the Washington Society of Addiction Medicine, and Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dan Clark of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Dan is currently Chair of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Drug Court Unit.
The meeting started off with an overview of materials received and questions to resources present. Dr. Shaw indicated that he supported the public health approach to the chronic societal problem of substance abuse vs. our current drug policies. Dr. Shaw stated that he thought that this type of public health model would help assist in reducing problematic drug use over time and improve public health.
Roger Goodman presented information and shared the names of other organizations and individuals that support the resolution.
Dan Clark reiterated the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office opposition to the resolution at this time. Dan pointed out recent changes that have been made to our drug laws in the areas of drug treatment and sentences since 1999 highlighting the dramatic reduction in sentences in the last two years and an increase in the number of people who are eligible for drug court. Dan indicated there are positive changes that have recently taken place in drug policy and that we are just seeing some of the findings of these major changes.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who presented at a previous board meeting, oppose the resolution as presented.
A motion was made to have the Drug Policy Project Resolution, as proposed by the KCDPP, to be posted on our website for our membership to review the materials for comment unanimously passed.
The final vote for board approval of this resolution will take place at the next board meeting in January 2005.
All Drug Policy Project materials are available on the KCBA website for membership review and comment.
December 20, 2004 Board Meeting
KCBA Civil Equal Justice Funding Resolution. On December 20, 2004, the KCBA Board approved via email a KCBA Civil Equal Justice Funding Resolution. This resolution supports a significant and meaningful increase in the 2005-2007 general fund appropriation for civil legal aid to begin closing the existing funding gap for civil legal aid services.
A motion to approve the Civil Equal Justice Funding Resolution unanimously passed.
Bonnie J. Glenn is KCBA Secretary/Trustee. Ms. Glenn is a Deputy Chief of Staff at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. She can be reached at (206) 296-9035 or at bonnie.glenn@metrokc.gov.
