Soundings (3/11/08)
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Visiting Rotarians: Fred Sexton, Rich Bodine
Guests: John Stewart (Horizon Bank), Brian Tines, Pam Felke (both Big Fat Fish), Joe Hoppis (Muljat Realty), Debbie Granger
Announcements:
Squalicum Student of the Month: Debbie Granger announced she will leaving Squalicum HS to take a position with the UW Fisheries Department (Aquaculture department) and will be moving to Seattle soon. She thanked our club for all our support over the years to help Squalicum Students through our program. Debbie introduced the two students:
Alicia Lichen (February SOM) volunteering YMCA camps, lifeguarding, and sous-chef and will be going to UW next year. Alicia talked about her volunteering experiences, learning to be less shy and developed leadership skills.
Desiree Newell (March SOM) passionate about horses, accepted to college in Colorado (Colorado State University) specializing in equine veterinary sciences. Desiree worked with 4H Club, professional dog walker, local animal hospital. The volunteering helped build her confidence.
New Member Inductions: Matt Rose introduced Mary Humphries, President of Bellingham Technical College, dual citizenship (Canadian), lived in Bellingham 15 years, served on the visioning committee for Whatcom County's Growth Management Act, NC Audubon Society, etc.
John Templeton said we have the opportunity for our club to become a 100% Paul Harris Fellows club. Very few clubs have achieved that distinction, and we are close to having that ability right now. How do achieve this? He would like to organize a Fireside meeting two weeks from next Thursday night (March 13th) at his house to discuss this topic. Stay tuned! For past presidents and anyone else interested. Directions: From the intersection of Northshore and Britton go three blocks to Haywood Drive, left to Haywood Court to 3rd House. 3011 H
Don't forget the upcoming Rotary fellowship event for 7 pm May 17th. First, 7pm dinner at Bayou on the Bay, then go the 9pm MBT's showing of "The Male Intellect: Oxymoron?" - a one man show. $40/person.
Sergeant at Arms by Frank Chmelik
Todd of course, Ron Hardesty, Dave Nichols, Phil X, real estate agents, physicians, Orphalee, Bryant, and others.
Program
Anna introduced Blair Smith of the State Liquor Control Board. The agency was created in 1933 right after prohibition. After prohibition, each State got to control how liquor is handled. WA State decided to become a "control state" (one of 18 states) that sell all hard alcohol through state stores. The agency has a three-member board which oversees the work of the agency, and there is a full-time administrative director. Enforcement and licensing are coordinated. The theory is that higher prices lead to less consumption.
Each year, revenues earned through the sale and taxation of alcohol are returned to the state. In Fiscal Year 2006, the WSLCB sent more than $298 million to the State General Fund, cities and counties, the Basic Health Program, prevention programs, and research.
Cities and counties receive more than 11 percent of this money - $31.9 million in FY 2006. The money returned to local governments is used for prevention programs, law enforcement support, affordable health care coverage and health benefits for children and pregnant women, and many other related programs and services.
The agency (1300 employees) has six divisions. Blair works with the enforcement division. Some his division's activities include: Conducting stings and monitoring over-serving and over-consumption. They have participated in partnerships like "campus community coalition" to figure out ways to reduce alcohol-related problems in town.
Illegal sales of tax-exempt tobacco and the reservations? Yes, the State loses an estimated $250 million each year to illegal sales of tobacco - that's 25% of all cigarette sales.
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot