The city of El Cajon is forming a coalition of veterans and
is seeking applicants through March 31. Veteran Coalition
members must live in El Cajon city limits, be active duty
in U.S. armed forces, reservists, honorably discharged
veterans, and be an active member of a nonprofit veterans’ organization within city limits. Appointed members
will serve on-year terms and attend quarterly coalition
meetings.
El Cajon Recreation Service Manager Adam Tronerud is the staff liaison who will assist the coalition. He said that they are targeting 6-10 or more members for the new coalition, but unlike commissions, guided by certain policies, that they are not looking to limit the number of members.
Tronerud said that the coalition will meet quarterly,
but if it determines that additional meeting is necessary
for special events, it would do so.
“The overall idea is for the coalition members to have
the opportunity to help city staff raise awareness for things that affect veterans and their dependents in our community,” he said. “This gives veterans an opportunity to have a voice.”
Tronerud said specific things the coalition will do within the
first year are that the coalition will be the body to select the
city’s Veteran of the Year honored by the city at the State of
the City address, assisting in the veterans’ war memorial now located in front of The Magnolia, and as special events come back, the coalition can participate in the events and can communicate with the community.
“I am really excited about this opportunity for myself,” he said.
“Prior to being involved in this, I oversaw the city of El Cajon’s
Teen Coalition. There are different things that impact teens
versus impacting veterans, but one of the things I learned in
forming a long lasting coalition is that this first year with the
veterans, I want to listen to the veterans. I want them to have
the opportunity for us as a team to figure out what the goals and strategies are for the future. This is different than the Veterans Commission and will be this
coalition’s inaugural year.”
Tronerud said if there are other things that the coalition members are interested in, he will listen to that and try to implement it so that it makes an impact.
“As a coalition we have a little more leeway and we can be more flexible, so if we have a few more applicants and they qualify, I can have a few more additional members. That is something positive about a coalition,” he said.
Applications are available online at www.elcajon.gov or by
contacting Recreation Services Manager, Adam Tronerud at
atronerud@elcajon.gov. For additional information, please call
(619) 441-1750.
