SPIN for OCTOBER 3, 2016

 
DON'T MISS THESE PROGRAMS!
 
 
 
October 3
Member Forum - Riverfront Development Update
Be Sure to Attend!
 
 
 
 
 
October 10
Andrew Bourne
IVY Tech: The Causes and Consequences of High School Dropouts
 
 
 
 
From the Meeting of September 26, 2016
 
Should Indiana take a chance on more gaming?
Matt Bell believes gaming has a proven, successful track record and should continue in Indiana.
 
Bell, president and CEO of the state’s Casino Gaming Commission, gave a recap of gaming’s history in Indiana, which began two decades ago through passage of the Riverboat Gaming Act by state legislators. Today, there are 13 licenses and 12 properties (Gary has two licenses and one property) in the state. Bell reported that since its inception gaming has generated nearly $5 billion in revenues, employed 13,000 people and accomplished what it set out to do: drive local economic development, employ Hoosiers and provide revenue for education.
 
Indiana gaming peaked nine years ago, Bell said, due to the recession and increased competition from casinos in neighboring states. In the past three years, Indiana wagering and admission taxes decreased by 8.5 percent and there have been 2.8 million fewer casino patrons.
 
However, more than $6 million in annual revenues are generated by gaming and a new tribal casino is set to open in South Bend. And Bell said communities have been positively impacted by gaming revenues, such as Lawrenceburg, Ind., which provided $1,800 scholarships to graduating high school students.
 
So, “policymakers need to decide what they want to see from gaming in the future,” Bell said. There are challenges they need to tackle. How does gaming reach out to Millennials and change as society changes? Casinos where smoking bans are enforced have seen significant reductions in revenues, for example. And what to do about sports betting, which currently is governed by federal law but state lawmakers want that control? Finally, how can casinos incorporate technological advancements and handle Internet gaming?
 
Bell said there is no evidence that organized crime has infiltrated Indiana and there is “exhaustive investigation” into each license application, which goes through a reapplication process every three years. He added that Indiana ranks 45th of the 50 states in problem gaming.
 
Area casinos market heavily in the Fort Wayne area but putting a casino “property in Fort Wayne would cause significant ripples in Anderson, Michigan City and other locations (throughout the state) as well,” Bell said. “I’m not sure the industry is ready for new or transplanted property in Fort Wayne.
 
“My belief is that Hoosiers will gamble,” Bell said, but legislators need to develop modern policies or see gaming decline by not addressing current issues. “I believe we can continue, based on integrity, on community government, on economic development. Our glory days may be behind us, but our industry can continue.”
 
Bell garnered local media attention while speaking to the club. Read more at http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/frank-gray/Competition-heats-up-for-state-s-casinos-15468633
 
 
October Happy Hour
October 19 is the date for Happy Hour! We will be at the University of Saint Francis Keith Busse School of Business (the old Chamber building) at 826 Ewing St. from 5:30-7 p.m.
 
Cost is $10 per person and includes appetizers in the Historic Woman’s Club lounge and a short presentation from Sister Elise Kriss on USF’s presence in the downtown community.
 
 
Polio Race a Winner
Now that all race invoices are in and paid, the net proceeds total $5,470! With the 2-for-1 match from the Gates Foundation, this $5,470 becomes $16,410 to benefit the efforts of Rotary International to eradicate polio worldwide!
 
Many thanks are owed to the race sponsors as well as race-day volunteers to make the event the success it was. Thanks are also owed to club members who participated as our team members in the run/walk. Both the men’s and women’s teams once again bested the race teams from Anthony Wayne. Our people are awesome! The committee expects to build on this year’s success to make the 2017 race even better.
 
Polio Race Committee members are: Dee Hoffman, Evan Hyndman, Jeremy Redding, Roger Reece, Greg Solon, Stephanie Veit and Bill Harris.
 
 
In the News
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kudos for Jane
Club Secretary Jane Wilks received this charming note from Mayor Tom Henry.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Member Info
Yeah, the club added a new member:
Tiziano Briozzo, Valbruna Slater Stainless’ general manager since 2011.
Benvenuto!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
She's lookin' for somethin’ to do
The club’s exchange student Venla Laurinseppa needs to be shown our city and region! Help her feel tervetuloa, include her in fun and informative activities. To do it, contact Dee Hoffman at dhfwrotary@aol.com  or Greg Solon at greg.solon@edwardjones.com    
 
 
October Birthdays
Rick Zolman, Oct. 6
Charles Cammack, Oct. 8
Ron Kohart, Oct. 11
Paul Simunek, Oct. 11
Jason Daenens, Oct. 12
Randy Roberts, Oct. 12
Linda Skaggs, Oct. 13
Bob Kabisch, Oct. 14
Evan Hyndman, Oct. 16
Wendy Robinson, Oct. 17
Irene Walters, Oct. 17
Lona Antil, Oct. 18
Jeff Peat, Oct. 18
Stephanie Veit, Oct. 18
Laura Nicolet, Oct. 19
Masson Robertson, Oct. 26
Jim Huller, Oct. 27
Dick Sievers, Oct. 30
 
October Club Anniversaries
Dee Hoffman, 19 years
John Leal, 45 years
Rob Patrick, 1 year
Lona Antil, 19 years
Charles Shepard, 13 years
Randy Mitchell, 1 year
Ashley Stoneburner, 1 year
Frank Weaver, 5 years
Bob Kabisch, 30 years
 
October 3, 2016 
GREETERS: Ashley Stoneburner (Fort Wayne Museum of Art) & Linda Skaggs (Hampton Inn)      
CASHIER: Judy Fehlhaber (Community Volunteer)
INVOCATION: Jeff Peat (1st Source Bank)
SONG LEADER: Bob Wearley (Retired Commercial Filter)
SERGEANT:  Jeff Peat (1st Source Bank)
SOCIAL MEDIA: Ruth Stone (Literacy Alliance)
HOUSE: Evan Hyndman (Home Nursing Services)
SPIN EDITOR: Bruce Haines (PBS39)
PROGRAM:  Member Forum: Riverfront Development Update by Architects Ron Dick and Rachelle Vedder and discussion of possible Rotary projects
Menu: Soup and Salad, Mushroom Ravioli & Cookies
 
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
October 10: Andrew Bourne, IVY Tech: The Causes and Consequences of High School Dropouts
October 17: Kristina Johnson & Marcia Haaff:  The Lutheran Foundation Look Up and the Regional Mental Health Coalition
October 24: Andrew Downs, IPFW: Local Politics in Fort Wayne
October 31: Win Moses: Reflections on a Lifetime of Political Stories
 
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
October 10: Membership Committee, 11 a.m.
October 10: RYE, 11 a.m.
October 10: Program Committee, 11:15 a.m.
 
Mark Your Calendar
September 30: District 6540 Foundation Dinner, Lerner Ballroom, Elkhart IN
November 10: World Affairs Conference, ACPL