Soundings (7/21/09)

Posted by Henry Lee 
 
 
Flag Salute and Invocation by Bryant Engebretson

Visiting Rotarians: Cheryl, Phil and Anne

Guests: Rick, Jean and Sarah Rothenbuhler's guest John

Announcements:

Tonja thanked Orphalee for filling in for her last week.

Fellowship event: Our annual Crab Feed is scheduled for 5-8pm next Thursday July 30! Unfortunately Eddie did not receive enough interest from club members to go out on the boat and set the crab pots, so he will be canceling the boat trips and buying the crab instead.  It will still be fresh crab and a fun event!

Brewers by the Bay THIS SUNDAY!  at Bellingham Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m., Third annual "Brewers By The Bay", 30 Breweries serving nearly 60 beers to taste, Burgers & Hotdogs, 3 live bands (The Playlists, SpaceBand and the Lost Highway Band formerly known as The Cainthardly Playboys), sponsored by Bellingham Bay Rotary, $25 (cheap!), proceeds to help fund the new Hospice House.  All Rotarians should buy and wear a Brewers tee shirt ($5/ea) at the event.

Peach Arch is sponsoring District Rotary golf tourney on 7/27. Begins at noon with tee time at 2:15pm. $45 per person.

Tonja acknowledged and thanked our 2009/2010 board members.

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Tonja Myers - Thanked club for sending her to the Rotary International Convention. Also thanked Lesa Boxx for holding the "Changing of Guard" dinner.
  • Bob Tull - 39 year wedding anniversary, 30 years in Rotary and his birthday.
  • Joel Hile - Missed meetings, road trip to California in his convertible.
  • Bill Boyd - 25 year wedding anniversary, gave wife nice necklace and in return, received an Xbox.
  • Christine Palmerton - Birthday on 7/10, took a trip to New York, 21 and 18 year old kids moved out of house.
  • Todd Ramsay - 34 years in Boys & Girls club, thanked club for raising $1,200 for Bellingham Boys and Girls Club Cal Ripken 12 and under baseball team.
  • Brent Walker - Recognizing and thanking that the Club has $87k in our account. Had 4th grandson.
  • Steve Spitzer - 2 weeks in Alaska. Son finished 2nd summit, went on a float plane and landed on a glacier which was a fun and a great experience. Visited Wasilla and confirmed that you can't see Russia from there!
  • Ron Hardesty - Went crabbing, spent a lot of money to only catch 3 crabs. Friend recently had open heart surgery and his hearts and prayers go out to her.
  • Terry Brown - Need more volunteers to put up tables and fence for Brewers by the Bay.
  • Bryant Engebretson - Will be in charge of the invocation and will be calling people.
  • Bill Geyer - Brother-in-law in Honduras with update.
  • Lance Calloway - $15 for baseball team. Took 1 year old son on vacation but that didn't turn out to be much of a vacation.
  • John Hulbert - 6 months away, daughter made a team, shot 67 in golf with no bogeys.
  • Mimi Ferlin - Had a great reunion class of 1965. Daughter having contractions. Son getting married in backyard. Husband fishing and will miss wedding which is not uncommon.
  • Rick from North Whatcom Rotary - Accepted new position.
  • Marla Sanger - Left position as VP from hospital. Spent 5 weeks in Alaska. Excited for our baseball team. Accepted position with Peach Health.
  • Eddie Hansen - Thanked Dennis for hosting a wedding. Did a great job.

Sergeant at Arms by Denise Bosman
Fines for:

  • Orphalee Smith - $2 took beer cup to drink wine a party.
  • Pete and Sarah - $2 for being there.
  • If not signed up for Brewers, fine of $2.
  • Stew Ellison - For sending invites for two unknown people.
  • Whoever saw moon landing got fined $2. Bill Geyer also got fined $2.

Program
Guest Speaker Senator Dale Brandland (R) - 42nd Legislative District.

  • Objectives to protect the most vulnerable, not too raise taxes and that budget is transparent and sustainable.
  • Many elective officials were waiting to see how much the stimulus money would be which slowed things down.
  • Revenue is near same with a 2% ± difference. 33% increase in spending.
  • Problem if one party is in control, either democrat or republican.
  • Small business is what drives our state.
  • High costs of L&I and unemployment insurance.
  • Capital Budget:  Non-partisan, needs support from both sides.  State took $800mm from capital budget to operating budget.  Allocation:
    -Varies depends on amounts of money.
    -Higher education.
    -K-12 education - about 5%.
    -Community, trade groups
    -Building for the arts.
    -Boy & Girls Club
    -Member projects i.e. hospice house.

Other issues:

  • Democrats currently have control.
  • He tries to focus on what he can get done.
  • It was a frustrating last session.
  • He's in support of privatization of: Foster care program, Prisons, Liquor and L&I Insurance.

Respectfully submitted,
Henry Lee

P.S. First time doing soundings, so I apologize if I missed anything or misspelled anyone's names