Warffemius-Seidler
Post 381
Minutes
March 17, 2014
The American Legion Warffemius-Seider Post 381 membership
meeting opened at 7:45 pm at Denny’s
Place, 15800 Brandywine Road, Brandywine, MD by Post Commander
Ron Fisher.
A quorum being met by the following
members in attendance and excused absences: Visitors:
Ron Fisher
Henry Turner
Dan Dorrance
Chris Marshall
Dennis LaVallee
Jeremy Foster
Erle Ross
Felix Colaciello
Chris Tress
Pamela Neal-Robinson
Ian Young
Bob Ross
Invocation from Post Chaplain, Chris Marshall
Minutes from the previous meeting was presented and
approved with the addition of Bob Ross in attendance.
Committee Reports:
Financial Report: MSP to postpone until the following
meeting.
Sick Call/Chaplain’s Report:
Chaplain Chris Marshall reported Felix Colaciello was not
in attendance as he was tending to his wife’s
wellness.
Old Business:
First Vice Commander Henry Turner advised Denny is
preparing to sell Denny’s Place by the end of
March and meeting with a realtor. Post 381 has the option
of purchasing or matching any offer for the
property. Main issue with purchasing the property would
be the many code violations of the current
property that would need to be addressed. The option of
tearing down the infrastructure and building
on the foundation would prevent the post from pursuing
additional building permits which has already
been grandfathered into Denny’s property. In addition to
1st Vice Cmdr Turner’s report, Commander
Fisher advised that he talked to State and the National
Judge Advocate, pertaining to the Post
purchasing Denny’s Place, to see if Post 381 could
receive a one year tax exemption, based on the intent
that the Post would be spending the year raising funds to
purchase Denny’s Place. If approved, Denny
would hold off on selling the property for a year, giving
the Post the necessary time to build the capital
to purchase; to which this issue would be put to a vote
in the April Meeting. Currently Denny is looking
to sell for $390,000 and is willing to come down on the
price. Sergeant-At-Arms Ian Young posed the
question as to the possibility of Denny changing his mind
on selling the property during the “1-year
grace period”, and Cmdr Fisher advised that legal
documents were being drawn by Steve Armstrong to
insure the Post’s interests are not taken advantage of.
That being said, Cmdr Fisher wanted everyone to
be aware of the impending Golf Tournament Denny is
hosting in June to which The Post will be
sponsoring and major financial contributors for the post
will be in attendance. Due to the uncertainty of
the future for Denny’s Place, it is undetermined as to
how much of the proceeds from the Golf
Tournament would be distributed to the Post.
First Vice Cmdr Turner suggested a written agreement
between Denny and Post 381 should precede the
Golf Tournament on how the proceeds should be distributed
amongst the two. Cmdr Fisher further
states that if the Post asks Denny to delay the selling
of his property, the Post must promote and market
the establishment.
Cmdr Fisher is looking for ideas/suggestions from Post
381 members to raise funds over the next year to
pay for all the expenses occurred this fiscal year. One
of the expenses occurred by the Post was the
rejuvenation of the Post website. Emails for Post 381
Officers will be easier to access, as there’ll be a link
on the webpage to do so. The webpage is being maintained
by Ron’s Mobile Service for the next 3 years
for $295 (which is a donation to the post) and $700 due
to John Pescatello for services rendered for
updating the website.
Cmdr Fisher advised that the Adopt-A-Highway sign will be
posted soon and the question was posed as
to whether or not “Denny’s Place” would remain on the
sign if/when the Post purchases Denny’s. Once
“Denny’s Place” becomes property of the Post the issue
would be addressed.
First Vice Cmdr Turner reemphasized that the acquisition
and building of property can only occur if the
Post raises the adequate funds. And for this reason, the
Post website was revamped to look like a
credible organization worthy of outside attention to
donate to the Post. 1st Vice Turner advised a letter
is being created requesting for donations which all
members of the Post are needed to reach out to
contacts to push for Donations
Cmdr Fisher informed the Post that the Girl Scouts wrote
a letter of endorsement to Post 381; A letter is
being drafted to endorse the Girl Scouts and a notice of
sponsorship will be placed on the Post’s
website. Cmdr Fisher also mentioned that he reached out
to the Boy Scout Commission for the pursuit
of endorsing the local Boy Scouts. The Post is still awaiting correspondence
from Boy Scout Officials.
Cmdr Fisher also informed the Post, that Steve Armstrong,
Vice Cmdr Turner, Finance Officer Pam Neil-
Robinson, and Cmdr Fisher would be meeting to discuss
possible property to be donated to the Post.
The intent of the meeting is to secure property along
with Denny’s Place being considered the Annex for
Post 381 and discuss future plans of acquiring property
and what to build on said property.
Sergeant at Arms Ian Young advised that the VA Rep @ the
College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is
requesting more information on Post 381 to distribute at
the college. Cmdr Fisher advised additional
literature is being developed to brief the public on Post
381’s accomplishments and accolades and will
have it ready for distribution soon.
New Business:
Cmdr Fisher advised there will be three new members added
to the Post in June.
Cmdr Fisher announced that the Zoe Foundation is going to
endorse Post 381, therefore the Post will
create a letter of endorsement to the Zoe Foundation.
Cmdr Fisher also announced that as a result of the
donations made to the Post for the website by Ron’s
Mobile Service, the company will be listed as a sponsor
of Post 381 on the web page.
Cmdr Fisher advised that Councilman Franklin of Prince
George’s County will visit the Cmdr, to discuss
the endorsement of Post 381.
Cmdr Fisher further advised that Nikea has presented the
Post with a bill of $1,000 owed to her
company for services rendered within the past year. Nikea
has developed plans and reviewed Denny’s
Place and Dr. Dobson’s property to determine
infrastructure possibilities.
Cmdr Fisher read an article of the Free State Warrior
newspaper congratulating the Post’s
accomplishments within the past year.
Cmdr Fisher is moved that documentation be created (by
Steve Armstrong) to cover the Post if Post 381 is closed due to bankruptcy; The
document will stipulate as to where the assets would be distributed
(primarily to the charities established on behalf of
Warffemius and Seidler and any other charities
helping vets). MSP unanimously.
Cmdr Fisher announced Denny’s Place is hosting a Golf
Tournament in June and that the Finance Officer
(Pam) would work with Denny on a percentage of proceeds
going to the Post.
Cmdr Fisher was delighted to announce the petition
presented by Dan regarding the term of the Korean
War Veterans has been approved and will be heard on the
floor of Congress.
Cmdr Fisher reiterated that the costs to refurbish
Denny’s Place to build on the foundation would be
approximately $10 Mil ($400K for Denny; $1.6 Mil for
building on foundation; $8 Mil to maintain the
facility along with staff). 1st Vice Turner pointed out
that the $8 Mil could also be used for the building
of the new infrastructure the Post could acquire as the
Post 381 HQ. But the decision needs to be made
as to whether or not “Denny’s Place” is considered as an
Annex and how much of the $8 Mil should be
relegated to the upkeep versus the main facility to which
Post 381 HQ could be located.
Service Officer Dan Dorrance recommended that the
refurbishment of Denny’s Place should include at
least one RV pad for the Security Officer and another pad
for Veterans in transit.
Adjourn: moved to adjourn. Seconded.
Benediction given by Post Chaplain Chris Marshall
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm .
Respectfully submitted;
Erle Ross Ronald
F. Fisher
Post 381 Adjutant Post
381 Commander
