Contact With Portsmouth Coast Guard Auxiliary

This morning Anne contacted the Portsmouth Coast Guard Auxiliary and added a link to their website at the left hand side of the blog. The email is as follows:

Hi:

I'd like to introduce myself as the Co-Chair of the Portsmouth Coast Guard City Sub-Commitee of the Portsmouth Mayor's Military Affairs Committee. That's a lot of words, isn't it, but the bottom line is that we would like to see Portsmouth, VA designated as a "Coast Guard City" by the USCG. We are currently exploring the possibilities. We have a blog which provides information at the following link:

http://portsmouthcoastguardcity.blogspot.com/

The Coast Guard instructions for the Coast Guard City Program application process are on the left hand side of the blog, along with some Coast Guard Cities, to familiarize yourselves with the program. We've added a link to your excellent web site on the blog. I think your sound effects are OUTSTANDING. Our blog just began last Friday, so it is still very much a work in progress.

I am familar with the excellent work that the CG Auxiliary does as a relative was part of the team that tested the Coast Guard's new Rescue 21 system. He shared with me that many CG auxiliary members assisted his team in testing out the system, by acting as distressed boaters to test out how the system worked prior to an actual emergency.

We would very much like to partner with the Portsmouth Coast Guard Auxiliary in joining forces to make Portsmouth a Coast Guard City. We feel sure that the Portsmouth Coast Guard Auxiliary would be in favor of Portsmouth becoming a Coast Guard City. I would be glad to visit at an upcoming meeting, with your permission. We are glad to do the paperwork and work with the City, but would covet your expertise and all the information you could provide for our effort. Your presence in the community makes a stronger case for the Coast Guard's approval of our request.

Best regards and looking forward to hearing from you,

Anne Galvin Bremer, Co-Chair
576-3701
contact us at: Coastguardcity@aol.com

Committee Progress/Division of Duties

Anne Galvin Bremer and Terry Danaher have divided up the responsibilities in determining whether Portsmouth, Virginia can become a Coast Guard City. Anne will investigate the Coast Guard requirements, maintain the blog and communicate with other Coast Guard Cities. Terry will be the primary liaison with the City of Portsmouth. Anne and Terry will compile the package for submission to the Coast Guard together.

MMAC Chair Irv Lindley sent an email advising in part, "In addition to your fact-finding conversations with other Coast Guard cities and Terry's efforts with the City of Portsmouth, there are several other areas that may be able to provide supporting information. (i.e. Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce - Awards, Lefcoe - CG Appreciation Lunch at the Commodore, Tour Bus projects, to mention a few)."

Irv will provide some thoughts on these other areas soon.

Anne Galvin Bremer
576-3701
Contact us at: Coastguardcity@aol.com

Coast Guard Cities Community Guide

You can find the Coast Guard instruction as a PDF file in the "Coast Guard links" area on the left-hand side of this website and here at

http://www.house.gov/delahunt/coastguardcommunityguide.pdf

The document provides all of the official guidelines for becoming a Coast Guard city.

Contact us at coastguardcity@aol.com.

Contact with Rockland, Maine Coast Guard City

On September 25, 2008, Anne Galvin Bremer spoke with Ann Matlack, Assistant to the City Manager of Rockland, Maine, a current Coast Guard City. Rockland is a community of about 7,000 people. The Coast Guard City designation began as an effort to honor a citizen who had collected a great deal of Coast Guard items and established a small museum.

The City of Rockland becomes very involved with the Coast Guard Sailor of the Year Program and honors the Coast Guard at their Lobster Fest, which coincides with the Coast Guard Birthday. Due to their small size, they are able to work very closely with the Coast Guard families who reside in Rockland. They have problem solved with issues of local families accessing health care at their civilian hospital and are currently assisting families in getting favorable heating oil contracts for the winter months.

Ann found the application instructions for the Coast Guard City Program to be non-specific, but advised that Portsmouth should make the application package as personal to the city as possible. Rockland, Maine included a lot of photographs in their application. Ann advised Portsmouth to brainstorm to think of all the ways the city supports coastie families. She also advised that the "go to" Coast Guard City is Grand Haven, Michegan.

Ann Mattlack may be reached at 207-594-0305 or amattlack@ci.rockland.me.us.

Contact us at coastguardcity@aol.com.

The Start of the Coast Guard City Designation Process

At the September 25, 2008 Mayor's Military Affairs Committee (MMAC)meeting, LANT/D5 Senior Chief Steve Carleton advised committee members about the Coast Guard City Program (CGCP). Senior Chief Carleton provided a hand out that explains the CGCP in detail., as well as providing weblinks to the other cities that have already been designated Coast Guard Cities. Details from his hand out are outlined in a separate entry on this website.

MMAC Chairman Irv Lindley asked for volunteers to work on a sub-committee to explore the City of Portsmouth applying to become a Coast Guard City. Anne Galvin Bremer volunteered. Councilwoman Elizabeth Psimas suggested Terry Danaher as Chair. Terry asked Anne Galvin Bremer to Co-Chair and the sub-committee was formed. Updates about the progress of this committee will be posted on this website, along with contact information for other programs, progress on the application to the Coast Guard, etc.

Contact us at CoastGuardCity@aol.com