OUTGOING BASE COMMANDER NOTES
Well it is time for farewells, I wish to let everyone know that I have enjoyed my period of service as your interim Base Commander to finish out the year. My declining to run for any office for 2004 was due to my current heavy schedule and uncertainties about some of my future commitments. I still plan to be as active in base activities as possible and as desired by the new Officers.
I think that under their leadership we will have a great and successful District Four Conference this coming April/May and it is my fervent hope that they will continue to pursue bidding on a national convention here in Jacksonville for 2009. I am willing to work with them on these projects and will help as much as I possibly can.
I also intend to continue my involvement in the USSV Charitable Foundation Board as Library Fund Chairman at the national level and plan to be a candidate for the District Four Commander position if and when Dennis Blado chooses to no longer seek that office.
We have had an excellent year in the growing of the base thanks to our Founder and Past Base Commander, Ron Robertson, and I wish to expressly thank him for giving me free reign to be involved in the things that interested me and for the support and advice he provided when I requested same during my interim term.
Jim Sweany is taking on a new role as the Executive Board Member at Large, which was necessitated in order to comply with the By-Laws requiring four voting members due to our combining of the offices of Secretary and Treasurer. He has been active in the activities of the Base since it's inception and I am sure will be a great asset to the Board.
You are especially good hands with John Stanford continuing as the Secretary/Treasurer, he kept me on the straight and narrow and provided invaluable support during my tour and I thank him for his dedication to the best interests of First Coast Base.
Dave Schlessinger was an excellent Storekeeper for the Base and has been active in support of the various activities the Base got involved with this year, I think he will be a good Vice Commander and, in the future, a very good Base Commander.
Doc Sweany comes to us from New Jersey with some years of membership in USSVI, experience in being involved with planning and putting on a convention, good contacts throughout the organization and the confidence and desire to excell as Base Commander, I hope you will give him your support as you did both Ron Robertson and myself.
John Markiewicz