Soundings (7/26/05)
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1. Grape & Gourmet restaurant committee (Jack Grant) meeting tomorrow (Wed) at Brooks Manufacturing. Scotty reports that VIP tickets are going fast;
2. "Tournament for the Children" golf tournament September 22: We need tee sponsorships and volunteers;
3. Steve Brummel: Viking Night @ WWU $75/ticket (when?);
4. Centennial Project: Ron Hardesty showed us the bronze plaque, construction of gateway building sometime this fall;
5. Membership committee to meet immediately after lunch;
Guests: Liz Balas (Sunrise Club), Bill Grace (What. North Club), Tim Villhauer (What. North Club), John Hulbert, John Aaron and Lydia Stone.
Bucks in Bay
Carole Beecher - Week in FL, mom's 90th Birthday;
Lynn Templeton - Wedding in backyard, and new daughter-in-law;
Marjorie - Son reports to military training in Virginia;
Frank Zuline - daughter's 16th birthday in Disneyland;
Robin Schmidt - Kayak trip off Orcas last Friday;
Anna Williams - Thanks to Gordon and Robin Plume for "Cole Porter" Planned Parenthood fundraiser dinner at their place;
Christine Palmerton - 3 wks missed due to busy yacht season, 40th birthday;
Gordon Plume - $7,000 raised for Planned Parenthood;
Bob Yost - Missed meetings;
Curt Smith - Obscene phone calls from the Fluoridation Campaign.
Sergeant at Arms - Cy Lindberg
Curt, Patti (twice), Matt Rose (firm's name change), John/Curtis/Roger (for Christine Gregoire luncheon), Stan, Bob Rice, Pete Dawson's boat's lack of use, Marjorie's Rotary pin, and others.
Program
Orphalee introduced Tom Aitchison, President and COO of Aluminum Chambered Boats (ACB). Tom is from Tacoma, graduated from University of Puget Sound. ACB was started in Bellingham a few years ago, and it's 85,000 sq. ft. facility is located in Fairhaven. 62 people employed now, expect to grow to 100 soon. Living wage jobs. Importance of community involvement. Most raw materials and parts are sources locally. 70% growth yearly in sales. Recently won a $18 million military contract for construction of 60 "Bridge Construction Boats" for US Marine Corps. Used for moving temporary bridges during heat of battle, can be dropped from planes. ACB strives for an even mix of recreational, commercial and military sales, but currently is more weighted to the military. Boats are typically 20-32 feet in length, very stable in rough seas, virtually unsinkable, speeds of 50 mph. New partnership with California company for a project to design and build unmanned boats. Biggest problem is lack of qualified labor pool, and financing. Also feel a lack of support in the community, negative to growth and to business. Political challenges: Politicians afraid to be seen as "pro-business". Skagit County and Anacortes actively courting business. Laments the Herald's paltry one page business section. High cost of business in Bellingham, taxes, lack of HUB zones. ACB received good support from county and Rep. Larsen, but City Govt. not supportive. We need a strong business community to support family-wage jobs. Urged people to get more involved in Chamber of Commerce.
Website: www.acbboats.com
Respectfully submitted,
Stowe