i would like to acknowledge the presence of our new executive director abient. when we were in the finance discussion. and she and i had an opportunity to meet with the chief of staff, at the mayor's office a few days ago. and it was an interesting visit in light of the anticipated interim mayor changes. so we are going to find another tune, we hope, to visit with the acting mayor as well. we also -- we had tune to meet the entire hss staff during a regular staff meeting that acting director griggs put together and i found it to be very informative from start to finish. and she and i were able to introduce ourselves. and i was able to duties her to the staff as well. and that happened on february 1st. commissioner brezland and i attended the "first annual appreciation lunch "for city board commissioners" for which we individually paid $40. and i told my wife this is the first time i've had to pay to congratulate myself. it was a very interesting afternoon. i personally found it to be interesting from the standpoint of meeting other commissioners that provide so