Mayor Martinez goes to Washington
Two to three times every year, Mayor Martinez tells Fort Collins
good-bye and travels to Washington, D.C.
Martinez is part of a diverse group of individuals from various
professions and locations from around the United States who go to
Washington, D.C., to be part of Donald Rumsfeld’s Defense Advisory
Board.
Among this group is the governor of North Carolina, the chairman
of the Chamber of Commerce and the former CEO of Home Depot.
Howard Snow, manager of Government Relations and coordinator of
the Defense Advisory Board-Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve, was impressed with the group and excited to see what ideas
the group would develop.
Snow said while the group was informally discussing health care,
they developed many interesting questions and ideas.
“They were coming up with things I’ve never heard anyone say
before,” Snow said. “I can’t wait until they sink their teeth into
some of these issues.”
The board’s primary purpose is to monitor the economic effects
of mobilizing the National Guard, reserves and coast guard, as well
as considering their job stability and opportunities after their
return.
“The board was primarily set up… to take the pulse of and
motivate employers to support the guard and reserve,” Snow said.
“Our job is to motivate you.”
The group was called together to provide multiple perspectives,
with the main emphasis being on the business perspective.
“We need the same human capital as businesses, municipalities,
states, fire departments,” Snow said.
Snow said Martinez was chosen to represent city-level government
for many reasons, including his knowledge and experience.
“He’s a pretty unique individual,” Snow said.
Martinez, who just announced his candidacy for state Senate,
attended the first informal meeting held on Feb. 24.
“It’s probably about two or three times a year we’ll meet,”
Martinez said.
The board is established for two years, according to the Charter
of the Defense Advisory Board for Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve, which can be found on www.defenselink.mil. The charter
said while the travel expenses may be reimbursed, “members of this
advisory board will serve as consultants without compensation.”
Martinez is not concerned about the amount of time he will need
to devote to the board interfering with his work in Fort
Collins.
“Certainly it takes more time, but it’s not a burden,” Martinez
said. “It’s certainly not going to interfere with my job here at
home.”
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