Rotary Log for January 23, 2020
President Leo Gagnon opened the meeting with a moment of silence for Mark Kelliher. A former club president and Paul Harris Fellow, Mark was a personable man of prolific accomplishments. He passed away January 19.
The Patriots are out of the Super Bowl and spring training starts in three weeks(!) That inspired Yvonne Legge to lead everyone in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” And we sang it with moderate gusto! This was followed by Larry Gray’s thoughtful invocation.
There were many guests introduced. Judy Loto introduced Brian Lemay, new executive director of the Portsmouth Historical Society and Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf, walking tour manager of Discover Portsmouth. Vanessa Burns, owner of the Flower Kiosk, was a guest. Barb Miller introduced Amber Buttermore, Dondero School PTA member. Aileen Dugan had two guests, her friend Claudette Barker and her best friend/husband, Frank Nappo.
There were still more guests. James Petersen introduced his mother-in-law, Judith Salisbury and admitted sheepishly that he was her 3rd favorite son-in-law! Leonard Seagren was accompanied by Mark Kelliher’s sister, Monica Kelliher-Hamby and her husband Steve Hamby. Lexi Leddy introduced John Sullivan who recently moved to the Seacoast and was a Rotarian in Washington, D.C.
Leo went over a few “housekeeping” items. He started by thanking everyone for playing along with his table game, i.e. having everyone pick a number corresponding to a table. The aim was to have everyone sit at different tables and get to know other members. He said he was tired of looking out at the same people at the same table – it reminded him of his school cafeteria. Leo also asked all Rotary Log writers to stand up and be acknowledged for the work they do every week. That will play well back in our newsroom!
Under general announcements, William Cash Committee Chairperson Barb Miller was happy to present a check for $6,000 to Amber Buttermore. Amber is a member of the Dondero School PTA heading up a new playground committee. Our money will help build a new nature playground at Dondero. Amber thanked Rotary for helping give children a different kind of playground. A space which they can plan the way they want, not the way grown-ups want.
Jon Flagg’s historical moment first touched on the 1908 song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” He explained that composers Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer never attended a major league game. Interesting.
Jon then outlined a brief history of Rotary International’s mottoes over the years. The first motto, adopted in 1911, was He Profits Most Who Serves Best. In1950 at the Rotary International Convention in Detroit, two slogans were formally approved as the official mottoes of Rotary. They were: He Profits Most Who Serves Best and Service Above Self. In 1989, Service Above Self was chosen as Rotary’s principal motto.
Eric Weinrieb had the winning 50/50 raffle ticket for $62, but sadly not the matching number for the extra $50.
John Bohenko, recently retired Portsmouth City Manager, introduced his replacement and our speaker, Karen Conard. Karen has 28 years of public sector experience, mostly in Massachusetts state government. Just prior to coming to Portsmouth, she was Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.
Karen emphasized what an honor and privilege it is to be in her current position. She praised Portsmouth’s municipal employees, saying that she is proud to work with such a capable, loyal, collaborative group of people. From the Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Fire Department, she has already met with employees from every part of city government.
Acknowledging that she is the first female City Manager, she joked that her husband is still trying to decide what his title should be.
She described herself as approachable, accessible, collaborative, inclusive and decisive, as well as being a good listener. Already, after meeting with business and civic leaders she understands one particular message loud and clear. That message is that there must be a balance between growth, economic development and the preservation of Portsmouth’s historic past.
She shared the following ‘fun facts’ about the City: 26 languages spoken in the school system, 22,000 residents and 35,000 restaurant seats!
Karen joined Peabody Rotary in 2010-2011 ‘under duress.’ She had been made to do so by the mayor of Peabody. But she knew instantly that joining was a ‘no brainer.’ The future Portsmouth City Manager appreciated Rotary’s sense of unconditional and unquestioned acceptance and camaraderie. Six years later, she was club president when the City of Peabody celebrated its centennial anniversary.
Karen mentioned The Taste of the North Shore, the annual Peabody fundraiser which raised $15,000-$20,000. That, of course, pales in comparison with the Portsmouth Christmas Tree sales which she has experienced first-hand as John Bohenko’ s guest.
She ended by repeating her thanks to John Bohenko for the support he has given her in the transition period. Karen looks forward to continuing John’s leadership, while providing a new vision and direction for the city’s future.
There were numerous questions. What about those the Middle Road bicycle lanes or the future of the McIntyre building? Can we curb the City budget? What is the timeline for the new police department? And how about the rise in property taxes, sustainability and energy?
On most issues, Karen said it was premature to discuss details. But she assured everyone that she will be discussing all of them with the responsible departments. As to what had drawn her to Portsmouth, she confessed that her parents ‘dragged’ her out to the Isles of Shoals every summer. Her favorite historical moment was her disappointment that there are actually no strawberries at Strawberry Banke.
When asked if she had any fun facts about presidential candidate Deval Patrick, she said she had not actually worked with him. She respects that Governor Patrick had tried to maintain continuity in his administration, not getting rid of good people just because of a new regime.
Karen hopes to rejoin Rotary and looks forward to returning to speak to us again, once she has spent more time at City Hall.
Respectfully submitted, Francoise Meissner
