Soundings (8/17/10)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 

Flag Salute and Invocation by Steve Swan

Visiting Rotarians:  Dr. Gary Snyder

Guests:  None!

Announcements:

Trivia: District 3450 is Hong Kong / Macau / Mongolia.  63 clubs.  The District's most recent club was in Ulaan Bator.

Golfun District 5050 event on Aug 21 on Whidbey Island.

Donna gave an update on Bucks for Banos project in Copan, Honduras to build a lavatory facility for Juan Ramon Cueva Elementary School.  There will be fundraiser/auction brunch on October 3rd, 11am at the Bellwether ballroon.  We are doing this project jointly with Whatcom North Club.  Donna says she needs items for the auction!  The first organizational meeting is tonight at Poppe's at 5:15pm.

Also the International Services committee is organizing trip there for the actual construction project.  Please see Bob Moles if you are interested to partake in the trip and volunteer.  There is a $500 non-refundable deposit.

New member inductions

Stan introduced Amada McClure.  Born in Virginia, raised a family in Texas, she is excited to become a member of our club and the opportunity to give back to the community.

Bill first met Mark Bergsma.  Born and raised in Bellingham. Two children and three grandkids.  Mark is a professional photographer since 1979, his work is well known in Bellingham. 

Welcome Mark and Amanda!

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Bill proud of our new members;
  • Denise also happy to have new members, missed meeting, had a birthday and thanks Eddie for great crab feed;
  • Brad Cornwell for missed meeting, went backpacking in the Enchantment Lakes near Leavenworth;
  • Scot for 4th wedding anniversary;
  • John Templeton was in Seattle for son's birthday;
  • Tony Carter missed meeting while on vacation;
  • Tonja says Shakespeare season is over, great crab feed Eddie;
  • Ken Oplinger says Christine Palmerton is the new chairperson at the Chamber of Commerse!  Leadership Whatcom is looking for participants - it's a 9 month program, see http://www.leadershipwhatcom.org/main.html;
  • Marla Sanger missed meetings while in AK, OR, and CA.
  • Leena Kirschman for 23rd wedding anniversary, also went up to BC to see son's transition to university there;
  • Jim Johnson happy celebrating 16th wedding anniversary, and received a renewed consulting contract so he is gainfully employed for another year;
  • Dr. Curt is glad to be here: Open heart surgery couple weeks ago, funny stories.

Sergeant at Arms by Jane Carten
Fines for Tony Carter for lost golf balls, anyone who went swimming this weekend, Lynn Templeton for parking fees at NW Fair, Bob Tull for driving without identification, anyone who showed up here last week, anyone who didn't pay for crab feed, AND "this day in history" TRIVIA.

Program
Dennis Archer introduced Dusty Gulleson, running for State House, 40th District, Position 1.  Dusty lives here in Bellingham.  Dusty runs a company called E-Resources, a technology company.  He is running for office because he is concerned about the state of our nation.  Educationally, the US is falling further and further behind. His grandfather moved to Elma Washington around the turn of the century.  His father became a missionary in Indonesia, and that is where Dusty grew up, except for occational furlows back to the States to attend school.  He learned to appreciate the US because of that perspective of growing up abroad.  He is proud that the US is a country where he could start a company and grow it successfully.  He wants the US to get back to the ideal that the government will let the individual thrive. Dusty says he has been honored to have run for office wether he advances or not (the results of the primary will be announced tonight).

Surprising aspect of running for the first time?  The time it consumes! 

Education solutions?  Local oversight, such as hiring and firing and more budget control.  Too much administration staff and not enough teachers. 

Income tax referendum?  Against it: It is written as an excise tax on income.  Toxic to small business.  It will have a detrimental effect on business and therefore will affect other tax revunue if business moves to other states.

See his Website here: http://www.votedusty.com/ 

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot