Soundings (10/5/10)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 

Flag Salute and Invocation by Denise Bosman

Visting Rotarians:  Sandra Guerra from Rotary club "Copan-Ruinas" (Honduras), and three from other local clubs; Marlene Sexton, Robbie Richards (?) and John Hutchins (?).

Guests: Mark Turner (photographer) and Alina Valieva-Coonc (Whidbey Island Bank).

Bill G, Bob M and Doug W each talked about the Copan, Honduras project to build a new restroom facility for a school there.  Sandra Guerra (Copan Rotary) came up and thanked our club for the support for the new building project.  She attended that school herself.  She said a good restroom building is especially important for the girls there.  Many of our club members have already donated financially to reach our goal - thank you! 

Shannon on G&G: Only 60 VIP tix left.  Leena says she needs items for the auction!  Tresha says please sign up on the volunteer list.

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Bill G glad to see Dan Wilkerson;
  • Bob M says thanks for all the B4B financial support, looking forward to the Feb trip there;
  • Eddie participated in Roche Harbor fishing derby great weather! Welcome back Mike Hammas!
  • Phil X $100 for B4B, always appreciates a good restroom;
  • Bob Becker also $100 for B4B;
  • Brad Cornwell had some football bucks;
  • Brent Walker had an Ed Zech update - he got a job with Veterans' Board of Appeals;
  • Curt with football bucks, he attended "campus school" on WWU campus, restrooms there were the inspiration to start researching the Bellingham Brothels project;
  • Mimi Ferlin announced a luncheon with candidate John Koster next week, and B&G club breakfast fundraiser on Oct 28th please attend!
  • Jim Johnson had a birthday and $200 for B4B;
  • Donna glad the B4B "non-event" turned into some good fundraising, gave some money from Ed Satuchek as well;
  • Matt Rose missed meetings while in Austin TX for conference, son Warren in dance production at Fairhaven Firehouse, bad airplane landing joke;
  • Marlene Sexton from WC-North club with some restoroom memories;
  • Dick Stark selling his Husky tix next week;
  • Denise B with another restroom story;
  • Steve K's daughter got married in Seattle, then he attended another wedding on Catalina Island;
  • Ken Oplinger with a small political victory;
  • Leena Kirschman's son playing football at Simon Fraser, a freshman starting on defense!
  • Doug Wight big thank you to Mike Hammas for his tireless efforts on Hospice House;
  • Chuck Olson $ and shout out to Jake Locker.

Sergeant at Arms by Lynn Templeton
Fines for Stan re. UCLA victory and thanks for taking Rick Neuheisel, Jane Carten on the cover of the Business Journal, Doug Wight, male-only tables, Brad and John T for their ties, Chuck, Stowe, Phil X for stealing Do Ho's shirt, Husky fans.

Program

Dennis introduced Rep. Doug Erickson.  Doug thanked our club for our community work; told a story about Food Bank facility.  He is running for Senate (Dale Brandland's spot).  Senate seats run for office only every four years (in the house you run every other year!); this allows Senators a longer time to work on projects and understand issues.  Doug wants to work on the transportation committee, and also work on water issues for farmers in North Whatcom County.  He wants to help change the mind set in Olympia - specifically the methodology: Legislators need to focus on "cost and delivery of service".  Doug feels that those services that can be run like a business (liquor sales, insurance, printing, back-of-the-house cumputer services, etc.) should be given to private sector, government should run only those areas (education, public safety, etc.) that shouldn't be run like a business.  Core competencies - core priorities.  One example: WA State Ferries, unfortunately a big union issue, and lost opportunites for passenger-only ferry service. 

Budget deficits: They are projecting about $4B deficit next year.  If we could just not take on new programs, the deficit would go away.

Healthcare idea:  Make state employees pay a greater share of their healthcare premium costs, 25%, like private sector.  But Doug suggests allowing state employees options on their plan.

Raffle won by Donna E!

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot