Veteran's Affairs Plus W/ David L. Washington

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what's going on good

Dave Washington 0:47
day. Las Vegas, good day. This is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host, and I have a few things to stay real quickly, and then we're going to get with our assembly member, Miss Tanya Flanagan, she's gonna give us an update, so we'll be right with you soon, young lady, okay, all right, here. Cool. Well, we know the Pope Francis Paul, passes this past week, so just want to express condolences to our Catholic members out there, because I know that's a deep loss for you all. And on the local level, a very, very, extremely decent lady, Miss Elaine win. And also this month would would have been her birthday, I think her 83rd Elaine was such a wonderful person. I had the opportunity to be around her many times, and to include back in 84 we served on a strategic planning committee for the Clark County School District, and I was representing parents. But just just a very, very nice person. You know, with her billions of dollars, she still was just a regular type of a person, and that's what I loved about her. So I hope I can get Poonam on here, who's a dear friend of hers, at some point, to talk a little bit more about her life and the things that she's done. I know she dropped a lot of money, and also, we will be getting a museum here in Las Vegas through her work. Just a tremendous lady, Karen Hunter, who has Karen Hunter show on on urban urban it's called the urban show on Sirius FM, a great show, and her birthday is this month. So I want to acknowledge that we also had Earth Week this week, and I think it gives us an opportunity to just kind of sit back and think about the things that we can do to make the earth a better place, because Mother Nature, Mother Nature, has done wonderful things, but sometimes us as people mess things up, which we've done a big job of lately, and we need to kind of correct those things. And then finally, I want to say this movie called a sinners. I don't even watch scary movies, but I'm told it's not really a scary movie. I'm going to go and check that out tonight with my granddaughter. With that, I want to bring in assembly member from the wonderful district seven in Clark County, Nevada. Hello. How are you? Miss Tanya,

Tanya Flanagan 3:12
I am well, how are you, Mr. Washington, it's good to be part of your show today. So thank you for having me on this again for a few minutes of this 83rd legislative session. Yes,

Dave Washington 3:23
absolutely. I know that I said I I know I can count on her. She has her own radio show, and your show is on when it comes on Sunday morning, right Sunday morning, I think it's seven, 737

Tanya Flanagan 3:34
o'clock in the morning, 7am thank you for that. Cool. Cool with me at 7am on Sunday morning. Yes,

Dave Washington 3:41
yes, great. Alright. Assembly. Assembly member, would you please give us an update, what's going on up there in the 83rd session?

Tanya Flanagan 3:49
Well, you know it is, Oh, got april 23 that the week of the 23rd anyway, um, April 22 was for deadline day. So we're in this phase now where bills in each of the houses, but we have the Senate side and we have the assembly side. So bills being brought forward on the Senate side have been heard as well as on the assembly side, and so couple weeks ago was the deadline for them to get out of committee, and that means your bill either has been heard, it's been work sessions, and it was voted out of committee to go to the floor so the respective committee that heard whatever the bill might be voted and then it went to the floor for the entire assembly on this side to vote for the 42 members of the assembly to vote to send it to the 21 members in the Senate side so that that committee, respectively can Hear it, and then that house will take a vote. And so we're kind of, I guess, about little over 30 days remaining in the session as a whole. It's scheduled to end on June 3. So that's how many days we have left, about 37 give or take, somewhere in that space. So definitely down to. Home stretch, and that includes Saturdays and Sundays. Let me add that, right, not you know, it's not business days, folks, it's calendar days. So that is what's going on. We're seeing bills on everything from healthcare, AI, to education. Of course, we have a lot going on with regard to the budget, and so there's a lot of work related to the budget that was delivered by Governor Lombardo, so Ways and Means, which is chaired by Assembly Member Danielle Monroe Marino, working very hard to look at how the economics will shape up as we come out of this session. The economic forecast is due in the first week of May, so we'll be taking a look. We know, as we're watching trends, things are happening at the national level. We know that what's happening at the national level is affecting our state in terms of tourism impact. And you know, we are a state built on tourism, mostly on gaming, and people come here when they feel comfortable and safe and have discretionary dollars, but with all of the shift and change that's happening in government, federal level, jobs, military jobs, military civilian positions being threatened to be carried 12,000 just all these changes has led to a downturn in tourism and tourism activity. Some events are still drawing people and doing, okay, we're just going to really have to look at how that's shaping up. And as you know, education gets funded first, so per, you know, the Constitution and the requirements. So there's a lot of people up here who have about, I spend roughly 1000 lobbyists walking around the building in any given day throughout, you know, this period of time, right to talk about the bills and the legislation set either from a grassroots advocacy space or for a client or just behind a cop, whether that causes energy is food, is housing, healthcare, insurance, safety, fire, economic development, career development. There's a lot of different topics, right of conversation. You know, indigenous people, neighborhood restoration, cleanup bill, you know, charity equity. So there's a

Dave Washington 7:12
lot sure, you know, one of the things that I had planned to do when I completed my fire service career, I thought I wanted to be a lobbyist, but I used to go up every legislative session for probably about 10 years running. And then when I saw the activity, I said, No, there's too much ripping and running. And you know, it's tough work, but it's worthy work, and I know that from a African American standpoint, I don't think that there's any paid or professional lobbyists. I know, generally, they were with some group or another. There was some particular cause, rather than being there on a routine basis, like many of them are. And like you say, there's about 1000 of them running around doing what they got to do. And I understand, you know, you got to make some impact on the members of the of our legislative body to try to get things done that you think are important Absolutely.

Tanya Flanagan 8:01
But you know, as time has progressed, we have shifted as well. And so you do see, you know, African Americans in the building, and that, because a lot of times, traditionally, you will find people of color haven't always entered these spaces. But times are changing, and we're evolving. And as you grow to know better, you know better, so you do better. So you know Lawrence week, dr, Lawrence weekly is here often for CSN Jason Jason Frierson, who was the former Speaker of the House at one point for the assembly, is here in the lobbyist capacity. Now. William horn, former also assemblyman. Assembly member. William horn, attorney, has his own firm as a partner in the firm, I believe it's Western government affairs, but he has a a firm, right? So he's here Ricky degree eight. So you you know there are some people here doing the good work and part of this process, women, men, young, old. I love to see the young people in their 20s who recognize early on that they have an interest in the passion and the democratic process and impacting that, whether it's lobbying work, becoming an attorney and doing some work in this field, whether you know government affairs, government legislation and legal work. So the Attorney General's Office is across the street, which is in the midst of the heart of the state's capital. So the governor's offices across the mall here, and then you have the legislature, you have the Senate and the Assembly, and you have the secretary of state, you have the Attorney General's Office. And so it kind of is the political pulse in its own way over the state, even though we know the majority population is down in Southern Nevada and Clark County. You do see, you do see, I think it's a space where, if you're into lobbying, it is important that we participate and have voices heard and stay connected, even after you get people in like. Did, right? Continue to talk with them, because a lot of what happens at the legislative level, everything really that happens at the legislative level, I want to say, is very citizen centric. So it's what the citizens need. Some of it is policies, right? Like, yes, it's the regulation of of government, or the regulation of business, that that regulation is coming because it's being looked at, is, how does it affect you? And then what can be done that is good governance in line with what's already been done, what is so far down the road it maybe can or can't be well, I can go back. So how do some controls and guardrails get put in place?

Dave Washington 10:38
Right? Well, I can tell you, it's pleasing to know that there are some African Americans who are in the lobbying positions of that's great. We have grown as a people. Give us some closing remarks assembly member in regards to how you think things have gone and are going.

Tanya Flanagan 10:55
Thank you so much for the time once again, to come on the show, sit with you and talk about what's going on here at the legislative session. 120 days, I think we have, most importantly, some really good people who dedicated themselves to the space. As you know, they're paid a nominal amount of money, 60 days out of the 120 to come away from, most of the time, from family, and the things that are common, their homes, all that stuff to come up and to do this work. And I think that the passion and the genuineness that I believe those elected have to do good work that's intentional for the good of the citizens of the state as a whole is what's really important. Just continue to watch and see and make sure, as a citizen, you stay engaged on what issues matter most to you and and realize that local government, this is local government. I know it feels far away, but what happens with the school and education is important to you, not just ccsc, it's what's happening up here, because these people set the budget for what CCSD has to work with, right? And we look at the rules and the guidelines of collective bargaining as it pertains to student to pupil ratios. And, you know, things of that nature, Title One schools, charter schools. We're trying to look at all of these feeding programs, tutorial services, scholarships, scholarships, scholarship, forgiveness, repayment, considerations in certain fields to increase the interest in becoming a teacher, becoming a social worker, becoming a mental health worker, space is where we see because it's not just about the reactionary action, it's the proactive step taken as we Plan ahead for what's the forecast of what's coming. Just want to give a huge shout out to Senator Dena Neil. She's back here with us since her health care, health care, but I got the privilege of watching her present in the committee that I sit on and just just tip my hat. Good work on her part, good work on her part well to look at policy Governor itself, and I'll give people a fair

Dave Washington 13:04
well, please give her our regards, and we will continue to pray for her, and we thank you so much. Once again, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. We just had the pleasure of having Tanya Flanagan Member of the Assembly for the state of Nevada, we appreciate you coming in, giving us some words of wisdom and and I'm pleased once again to hear that we have more blacks involved in lobbying as a profession. So thank you, Assembly member. We appreciate we'll get you back on again after the session, maybe tell us. And I know you have your own show, but you can tell us about some of the things that will you were able to accomplish. So thank you once again, thank

Tanya Flanagan 13:42
you. I love to come back on and talk to you about food and security bills and healthcare bills that I have running up here. So thank you again, Dave for having me on. All right, and continue to do great work. All right. Thanks so much. Bye. Bye.

Dave Washington 14:01
Once again, good day Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host, and I have a dear friend and colleague on the line with us today to talk about a few things, and that is former fire chief Gerald Simon and EDI graduate. How you doing? Gerald,

Gerald Simon 14:20
I'm doing well today. Dave, how are you great? Great. Great. You

Dave Washington 14:24
know you've been, you were a long time instructor with EDI. How long did you participate as an instructor? I

Gerald Simon 14:31
was an instructor at EDI for 2525

Dave Washington 14:35
consecutive years. Yeah, 25 years. That's great. And just so you all know one of the purposes of EDI has to help us, those fire service members, to move up through the ranks of the fire service. Well, I can tell you what I admire so much about one of the things I admire about the former chief and retired Chief, Gerald Simon. He was a fire chief when he first attended EDI, me and Gene was like what. Oh, man, we got a fire chief sitting on the front row. What are we gonna do? Well, we're gonna be authentic genius. We got to do and and we are. We are pleased that you were there. We picked up a few nuggets from attending some of your classes. So, Cheryl, if you would just tell us a little bit about it. Well, our listening audience a little bit about your career growth and path.

Gerald Simon 15:19
Okay, so I began my career in Santa Clara Fire Department. I was there for 24 years. I did the last six of those as a fire chief, and then I was asked to go to Oakland. I worked for Robert Bob and Jerry Brown, the former governor, twice in California, and I was their fire chief. I retired. And then Union City called and asked me to be the fire chief there for a while, and I did that. And then Fort Lauderdale Florida called and asked me to be the fire chief there for a while. I did that. And then Oakland called me back again and asked me to be the fire chief in Oakland again for a second time. So so hold

Dave Washington 15:58
on. You moving fast, I mean, so you were like interim until they because you didn't stay in those places very long. So I'm assuming you were there to help them out along the way.

Gerald Simon 16:11
Yes, yeah, in for Santa Clara and Oakland. Those were, you know, career positions, and then the others were, you know, interim fire chief, or, you know, short term fire chief, right, while they were looking for people. But I did serve all four city Jeffs, yeah,

Dave Washington 16:29
because you use one of the early fire service professionals, if my memory serves me correct, to start that, you know, sit in place for a moment until research and recruitment is done to get a permanent replacement for whomever you're sitting in for before they actually, again, set a permanent fire chief, absolutely.

Gerald Simon 16:52
Yeah, that's what I did for for Union City, and also Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then also, again, the second time in Oakland. Yes. Okay,

Dave Washington 17:02
so I know we've asked you to be and you've spoken several times outside the classroom, but we've asked you to be an evening speaker for this year at EDI, the Carl homes executive development institute. Can you kind of cover some of the things that you plan to to share with our student body, and just for the public's understanding, the evening sessions bring all five and six mods of our of our program together, where they could hear a speaker, and this is where you get nuggets from, from someone who's been in the business, or they could even be in another profession. But the bottom line is, they share some things with with the entire student body,

Gerald Simon 17:41
yes. So first of all, thank you so much for having me. You know, be the evening speaker for the Tuesday coming up at Evi, but one of the things that I have held as a as a talking point is getting your ticket punched. What I mean by that is a lot of people decide that they want to go into the fire department and get into the fire station and stay in the fire station for a very, very long time. I am not one of the people who who feels that way. I think that you should get into the fire department, learn your learn your craft a little bit and then get out of the fire station as quickly as you possibly can and get into some other things, things like the training division, things like being a paramedic, things like being an emergency medical technician, working in fire prevention, working as a fire inspector, working as An arson investigator, working as a hazmat specialist working in on the fire boat. Learn about workers comp, learn about a lot of different other things. So what that allows you to do is to really round out your career. When you get your tickets punched in all those levels, you have something to fall back on after you leave the fire department. In my case, I retired altogether five times in my career and part time. But what it allows you to do, because many of us retire at an earlier age, we still have 2025, more years of good service left in us, and if you have concentrated on one of those other you know, specialties, my particular case, I ended up becoming the vice president of a water company. And what I did for the water company is did a lot of the stuff that I did as a training officer, which was teach incident command system and how to how to mitigate disasters. And so I will tell you that as vice president water company for seven and a half years, I actually made more money than I have than I had in 29 plus 29 plus years.

Dave Washington 19:58
Well, yes. Yeah, that is, that is really something. And, you know, and sometimes people think that we shouldn't talk about things outside of our current professional career, but like you, I disagree with that, because you have to prepare. And as you mentioned a lot of us, because I was 56 when I retired, and, you know, I'm just kind of piddling around. And a key thing you said chief was, and this is what I encourage, and this is what I've mentioned to you many, many times, and others that I admire so much about Bert, Washington and Gene Campbell, is they punch their ticket. These guys, I had one certification, and that was CPR, and as a consequence, I got one offer. They wanted me to apply for San Diego, and I knew San Diego, from a financial standpoint, was in so much trouble. I'm like, I'm not applying for that. In fact, I've had a belly full of fire service, and I don't intend to go back in but I can tell you this, had I had additional certifications, there would have been other opportunities. And I admire what you did and and you've shared that you You've not held it to your chest. You shared it with others so they can prepare themselves for for the exit plan. And there's always got to be an exit plan. See, people think that the little part time job that I have working for a dear friend, Frank Hawkins, with his dispensary, I'm doing it because I want to I don't have to work. I'm doing it because it's something I want to do. But I can tell you this, had I had a higher level of certifications, the money that I would be making now would be two or three fold, as you've already mentioned, of what you were making as a fire chief. Exactly.

Gerald Simon 21:35
Yes. And there's a lot of different ways that you can do that. You can also start teaching at the National Fire Academy. You can teach ICs to the, you know, other water and electrical professionals, of course, arson investigators. Last I heard, I do have a dear friend who is making $550 an hour as a witness for an arsenal investigation. And we have another sister who graduated or retired from San Jose Fire Department, got a job at an electrical company, making a very substantial amount of money, and she she retired as a firefighter. Yeah, because, go ahead, yeah,

Dave Washington 22:22
our deceased friend, Spike Jones. He was an expert witness, and I can tell you, Gene and I participated in a golf tournament this past weekend, and it was the most I ever paid to be in a charity golf tournament. But it was a dear a friend. He's our he was attorney on a board that I that I served on the economic, the economic opportunity board, so I participated based upon our friendship, and I introduced him to Gene. They didn't know one another. And I say attorney Parker gene is an expert. We say what? He's an expert witness. We gotta hook up because, you know, attorneys are always using expert witnesses in different cases. So, yeah, that's, that's a good thing to do, for sure. Absolutely, yes. So Gerald, you will be speaking to our class now. What? What are some of the, what are some of the classes that you've taught for EDI that you think are impacting to a person's career? Because I know you've, you've taught a number of, I think you did four or five classes each year,

Gerald Simon 23:24
yes, and one one year, Deborah Pryor and I taught, actually seven classes in the week. That was when we were doing a lot. So, so some of the classes are team building, understand how to do that, company officer, toolbox, learn how to be a common company officer, conducting labor negotiations, labor and management negotiations, bargaining positions. So how to be you want to be a fire chief? So we went through a whole module on, you know, all the things that people need to do to know about, you know, some of the things they might not know about being a fire chief. So we did some of those classes. And so there's, you know, there's a number of a number of different classes, and you know, as you know, I stepped in and served at whatever capacity they wanted me to do. I've also taught HR classes there, and I did some executive training for the National Fire Academy that I also, you know, taught at EDI as well. So there's, there's a number of courses, and I just have to say this, one of the things that I really respect about the students at EDI is that they really fully participate. They give you their attention. They take the classes seriously. They really sit and really participate in a at a very, very high level. And so I have been honored to teach. I think the count was over 2000 2000 students that I've had through all the modules. And I want to thank you. Each and every one of them for the respect that they showed in the classroom and to be to listen and to participate and really help and do everything they could to learn all that we were trying to impart to them. So absolutely, yeah, absolutely.

Dave Washington 25:17
Once again, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more, we have former fire chief Gerald Simon, who is an EDI instructor. He's retiring from that, but he'll also be evening speaker for us this year. So Gerald give us some closing remarks. We probably got about two minutes or so to go. Okay.

Gerald Simon 25:40
Well, what I want to say is that I really want to thank all those whose shoulders I stood on to get into the fire department. They were trustee vino Angela, Chancellor, Bucha law and Milo Gaskin. They taught me a lot that I needed to know in order to get in. And then after I get in, it's important that I get back. The black Firefighters Association in Santa Clara County helped me when I was struggling to be a chief of fire chief. They came to my aid and really intervened for the city that helped me to become a fire chief, and I also want to thank Robert Osby. He's my mentor. I learned more from Robert Osby in a two hour conversation than I did in my first 15 years in the fire service. After I had a two hour mentorship with him, then I became a fire chief within 25 months after that, and I was a captain at that time. Wow. So he really partisan stuff. And so what I try to do is to be a person for others. I try to give back. I'm a servant leader my whole life is about serving and service, and so I call it a pebble in a pond. So when you throw a pebble in a pond, the ripples keep going. So she Fauci was able to help me, and I am honored that people allowed me to assist them as well. And I think I've shared it with you other one other time. Dave 24 of the people who are fire chiefs now, or I had some help or something to do with their mentorship, so,

Dave Washington 27:27
right? Well, Joe, you you said a mouthful, brother, we appreciate you so much. Your professionalism and just the way you've always give, given back. And there's many folks, as you've mentioned, who are fire chiefs as a result of your leadership. So once again, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more, we're going to sign off until next week. Thank you, Chief. We appreciate you so much. You had a lot to say, and I know you'll say further this year in our evening session at the Carl homes executive development institute. Thanks, Gerald, thank

Gerald Simon 28:00
you so much for having Me. Dave. I really appreciate you too. Hey,

Music 28:20
all the smoke in the air till they hate when they stare all the pain that we bear, all you best.