Flag Salute & Invocation by Leena Kirschman 

Visiting Rotarians: Mayor Kelly Linville, Ray George 

Guests: Police Chief Clifford Cook, Celeste 

Announcements 

  • Bill Geyer says Membership Committee meets today;
  • Nick Caples report on our RYLA representatives. 
  • Tyler Byrd, CEO of Red Rokk, Inc (a digital media marketing firm) application was approved by the membership committee and the BBRC board.

Student of the Month - Harold Scott introduced Squalicum coordinator Cindy O’Brien who thanked our club and said it has really spurred student volunteerism at Squalicum HS. Our Student of the Month is Hannah Lewis. She is a true leader, participating on the basketball team, took nine AP classes, and still finds time to pursue her own philanthropic endeavors. Hannah started a Lemon Club at Squalicum, raising money for pediatric cancer. She plans on attending the UW. 

Bucks in the Bay 

  • Barry Kramer heading down to AZ; 
  • Chuck Walter missed meetings, turned 60 recently, 30 years in our club! 
  • Mimi Ferlin with a plug for KidsFest Auction this Thursday eve! Proud of Scot Swanson, and she just returned from two amazing weeks in China; 
  • Tonja proud of Hannah Lewis and her mom Trisha Lewis; 
  • Steve Spritzer missed meeting while in South Korea, went to baseball game there, impressed by Korean service and professionalism; 
  • Scot Swanson was inducted into WWU Sports Hall of Fame! 
  • Christine Palmerton attended Mount Baker Rotary auction which raised $185K! Said Nautica brand sent her a “cease and desist” order for NautiGirl brand and told a great story of mounting her defense team; 
  • Leena said KidsFest is this Friday; and hi to Cindy O’Brien; 
  • Tim Krell with some hockey news; 
  • Susie Betts congrats to Hannah, Whatcom Women in Business will be awarding 22 $1200 scholarships; 
  • Donna Edquist kudos to Hannah for basketball team. Donna recently was in San Diego stayed at an amazing boutique hotel; 
  • Jim Johnson on coin collecting, donated $20 worth of old coins! Steve Kimberly going to be missing the next four weeks; 
  • Lisa Schork’s pet is visiting home care; she and her Visiting Nurses board are looking for an executive director for VN Home Care; 
  • Stan Dyer said today we have 74 people at the meeting. 
 

Sargent of Arms 

Fines for Flo - stars on uniform, Dennis Archer, Mike Kirkland, Steve Spritzer and Christine Palmerton, Southside park residence, skiing last day of ski season, Sarah Rothenbuler 

Program 

Flo Simon introduced our new Bellingham Chief of Police, Clifford Cook. Chief Cook said he is originally from Michigan. Went to Texas and spent 25 years there with the Fort Worth police department. In 2007 he took the chief position in Vancouver WA. After five years he retired from Vancouver, and was then approached by Bellingham police department for the position vacated by Todd Ramsay. Bellingham police department has a reputation of being a “forward progress” department and that with the support of the Mayor helped him make his decision. Cook considers himself a Texan. Spent more time there than anywhere else. He got to ride a horse, where spurs and sunglasses... sometimes people were surprised when he took off his sunglasses and didn’t look like a typical Texan! People here have the heart and drive to serve. Be proud of your police department. 

Respectfully submitted, Stowe