Soundings (4/27/10)
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Flag Salute & Invocation by Sue Sharpe
Visiting Rotarians: DC Morse
Guests: Mark Bergsma, Lawrence G 'Jerry' Heller (US Bank), Kathy Cheldelin's daughter.
Tonja reminded us that the District Conference will take place May 14-16 in Marysville at the Tulalip Rosort Casino.
Mary Humphries announced an upcoming International Service meeting at Bellingham Tech College at 7:30 am.
Lance says Stephanie Sadler, Stan Dyer, Bob Becker, Leena Kirschman and himself will be evaluating and interviewing scholarship candidates for the six (6) $1,000 scholarships. We will meet on Thursday, May 13 from 9 AM - noon at Squalicum High School in the Skyhouse Conference Room.
Student of the Month is Ian Krause. Harold "Scotty" Scott introduced Ian's parents, Kelly and Dale Krause. Terry White, the Squalicum councilor, then spoke and thanked our club for the continued support. Diane Bates, a business teacher at Squalicum, then spoke a little about Ian. Ian has participated in many organizations over the past four years, such as Future Business Leaders of America, DECA (a student organization for marketing, management and entrepreneurship), Interact Club, Make a Difference Day, etc. Ian also participated in sports, most noteably as part of the Squalicum soccer state champs! Ian came up and talked about his experience on a trip last year to Guatemala as part of St. Paul's church to build a hospital there, and how it opened his eyes to conditions in the third world.
Tonja introduced Heather Lewis, who is our nominee for this year's Group Study Exchange trip to Curitiba, Brazil. Leaving next week, she will be visiting Rotary clubs there and participating in various vocational-service projects. She thanked our club for nominating here, and promises she will give a slide show presentation of her trip when she returns in June.
The following individuals have been approved by the Board for membership in Bellingham Bay Rotary:
- Anthony Carter - Auto Sales - proposed by Eddie Hansen
- Donnie Rubenack - Photography - proposed by Eddie Hansen
- Ellen Sheen - Real Estate Exchange Facilitator - proposed by Dennis Archer
- Allen Stockbridge - Real Estate Advisor - proposed by Stan Dyer
The Board's approval is conditioned upon acceptance by the club's members. Anyone having concerns about any of these individuals becoming a club member should contact Membership Committee chairman Brent Walker no later than April 27.
Tonja has proud bucks for her collegue Heather Lewis who is going on the GSA trip, also her son was accepted to the Marrowstone summer music program;
Orphalee has bucks for Diane Bates, sorry she will be retiring;
Denise proud of daughter and Whitman's tennis team which is on to Regionals, maybe then nationals?
Bryant Engebretson had bucks for Mothers' Day baskets, glad he's not working at Goldman Sachs;
Eddie $ for baskets, weekend away from the kids, and this weekend will be 15 year anniversary in business which will be celbrated with a free BBQ Saturday 9am-3pm;
Doug Wight had proud bucks for his aunt Marjorie Duncan, who recently passed away at age 95, also missed meetings and a 43rd wedding anniversary;
Leena Kirschman proud of Ian Krause who is a friend of her son's, and also proud that her son received scholarship to play football at Simon Fraser University!
Phil X says Brad Cornwell did a great job for the recent building project for The Firs;
Stephanie proud of Ian and happy for Diane Bates too!
Barry will be going to visit relatives in Newport News, Virginia;
Marla Sanger will have some upcoming missed meetings while traveling;
Sue Sharpe update on a birthday, daughter turned 16 and recently returned from Central America, proud that WWU's men's and women's golf teams will be going to NCAA tournament;
Donna Edquist $ for baskets, proud of Diane Bates too!
Brent Walker last weekend attended his 40th college reunion at Whitman in Walla Walla;
Bob Moles enjoyed to Oregon last week, and also excited about Montreal RI Convention in June;
Chris White happy bucks for son's first baseball practice, also changed job: He left SSK and is now with Bell-Anderson Insurance;
Fast and furiousSergeant at Arms by Lynn Templeton
Fines for long marriages, anyone wearing a hat, Scott Walker for cookies, Bob's converible, Stowe's Red Cross wine winnings, single-sex tables, Brad Cornwell as best dressed, those who still have no photo on the Website.
Program
Anna introduced Doug Ericksen, our State Representative for District 42. Doug is currently visiting all the service clubs in Whatcom County. Doug gave some updates from Olympia:
1) The proposed MOTCA tax(Model Toxics Control Act) failed or at least was put on hold for now.
2) There was an extension of the tax credits for ALCOA for a few years into the future - keeps them running here in Whatcom County.
3) The house and senate approved a constitutional amendment that would give judges more authority to deny bail to criminal defendants facing life in prison (result of the Lakewood shooting last year).
4) More of our local tax dollars are being returned to Whatcom County: Twelve years ago we received 62 cents for every tax dollar to Olympia, now we receive 97 cents (good progress).
The State budget: It's a very complicated beast. The budget actually increased in 2009 by $3.5B. Next year the deficit will be between $5-9B. Some ideas being discussed:
a) Privatization of liquor stores.
b) Worker's compensation - WA State currently has a monopoly, one of only four states in the country, not a good thing. Privatize it.
c) Fix unemployment insurance.
d) Fix permitting.
e) Health insurance - Doug proposes health savings accounts for state employees.
Doug says he is now the longest standing member on the state ethics board, and is proud that WA State has had a good record for its lack of corruption compared to many other states, and for legislators on both sides of the aisle trying to do a good job representing their constituents.
As a side note, Doug had recently announced he will be running for Dale Brandland's District 42 Senate seat come November.Tonja syas $308 raised today for Mothers' Day baskets! Next week will be our last chance to donate to this project.
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot