Minutes from September 17, 2015

Posted by Donna Caccia 
on Sep 24, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
September 17, 2015
 
 
OPENING:
 
CHARITY BASKETS were passed by Vanessa Zampini and Melanie Flammand.
 
Visiting Rotarians: Bill Palmisciano announced that there were not any visitors today.
 
Guests: Chris Sanford (1); Bob Haigh (1).
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Correction from last week: Carol Batty’s grandson is captain of LaSalle Football.  Apologies Carol.
 
50/50 Raffle – Steve Hinger.  Mark McHugh had the winning ticket but did not pick the Queen of Hearts.  36 cards left for next week.
 
Bill Palmisciano – Collecting for sashes.  $35 per sash.  Thanks for the support.
 
 
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION:  George Marley, Boys & Girls Club of America
 
 
HAPPY BUCKS was hosted by Steve Tilley, collecting was Colonel Steven McCartney.
 
Gordon Wilmot – Son is visiting for three weeks from Mexico.
 
Vanessa Zampini –Daughter got married.  Fire alarm pulled while everyone was getting ready.  Got great pics in front of the fire trucks!
 
Chris Sanford – Kept daughter alive for 6 months.  New unit in the Navy – 1 floor up from where he is now.
 
Lara D’Antuono – Ten year old daughter gave her a birthday card.  “Your 44.  You’re old.  But you look 22!”
 
John Howell – Congrats to Lara D’Antuono, new moderator of events for Supt search.  She asked all the questions.
 
Bob Haigh – Youngest grandson Max is at Lara’s Boys & Girls Club.
 
Kristin Acciari – Having knee surgery. Won’t be here for a couple of weeks.  Best wishes Kristin.
 
George Marley – First official Rotary meeting.  Dog’s second birthday.  Happy Birthday!
 
Paula Hurd – Back from European vacation.  Highlight was going to the D Day beaches/ cemetery.  Very moving.  Placed floral arrangement on the monument. Played taps.
 
Mark McHugh – Celebrating 15 years of marital bliss.  Congratulations!
 
Bob DeGregorio – 10/1.  Comedy Night. $20 tickets.  Bring friends (if you have any).  Bring your own snacks.
 
Judy Earle – Having family for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate her parents 67th wedding anniversary.  Awesome!
 
Christine Harkins – Indescribable experience to see the American Cemetery at Normandy.  Really something to behold and experience.  Thanks to all who serve and have served.

Steve Hinger – Ordered dictionaries.  Will be looking for volunteers in the next month to deliver to Warwick 3rd graders.
 
Bill Palmisciano – Went to Luxemburg and saw General Patton’s gravesite.
 
Lara D’Antuono – Gordon’s grandson works for Warwick Boys & Girls Club – one of the best workers!

Christine Harkins –Happy to help with putting stickers in dictionaries.
 
 
SPEAKER:  Associate Justice of RI Supreme Court: Judge Brian Stern
 
He handles about half of the business cases in the state including the Coventry Fire Districts.
 
Presides over all criminal felony trials in Kent County.  Large scale child molestation case in Coventry.  Large embezzlement cases.  Child pornography cases.
 
Spoke about the “CSI effect” – juries expect gun residue tests and trajectory analysis.
 
The trial process is not quick.
 
For child pornography cases, need to call 90 jurors to seat 14 – in order to get impartial jurors.
 
In 80% of the cases in Kent County, the defendant is represented by a public defender.
 
700 felony cases filed a year in Kent County.
 
96% of cases never see a trial.  They either plea bargain or the state will dismiss the case.
 
Defendants don’t have to testify.  State has burden of proof.
 
Jurors don’t decide punishment in felony trials.  The judge decides the sentence.
 
As a juror, you don’t always get all of the pertinent facts.
 
Courtrooms are open to the public.  More people are coming to the courthouse to hear trials.
 
Citizens Legal Academy for Teens – high school students come in once a week for 6 weeks to see how court system works.
 
Estimates that 85% of the cases he hears, the root cause is drugs, alcohol and mental health.
 
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