Meeting Recap

President Scot opened the meeting and after some technical audio problems called on Dick Ryder who recited an invocation appropriate to the occasion.  Following the pledge, Sgt-at-Arms Mary Healy introduced guests and two visiting Rotarians. Pres. Scot then introduced new member Bob Wilson, with the oxymoronic classification of Nonprofit Law.

Committee announcements were lead by Steve Raymond, this year's chair of Golf 4 Kids, Rotary’s oldest charity in support of physically challenged children in five area schools. (Steve must do a good job because he has chaired many a major fundraising committee for the Club.) Susan Drack gave a pitch for the District Conference at Squaw Creek Oct 29-31, followed by Susan Sheridan selling club shirts.  Pres Scot announced that the Sept 13 meeting will be a tailgate party with Sacramento’s new Mountain Lions football franchise.  Coach Dennnis Green will be the speaker, so plan to attend wearing you favorite football team attire.

After a generous community service time, Chair of the day Elmer Haskin ably introduced speaker Bill Shea, long active in Aviation administration at both state and federal levels. Bill was enthusiastic about enlarging the local air show to emulate the Farnborough Air Show that he had recently visited in London.  The Airbus 380 which will carry over 500 passengers made an impressive low level demonstration. Boeing also showed their new 777 after flying direct from Seattle for the show.

The speaker lamented the decline in the number of aircraft manufacturers remaining in the United States. Boeing is the lone commercial survivor where once we had more than five major manufacturers and California was a leader in the industry.  He also said that the California Dept. of Aeronautics is a minor part of Caltrans and in his opinion should be an independent agency reporting to the Governor because of aviations importance to our economy.  Obviously California Aviation as an industry was a passionate interest to this speaker.   He mentioned the need for three new airports in California,  and the need to consider accommodating supersonic and large planes which soon will add to the difficulty of landing locations.

Pres. Scot announced the speaker next week as Scott Jones, Sheriff Capt. who is a candidate for Sacramento County Sheriff. An invitation has been extended for the other candidate, Capt. Joe Cooper to also speak. -MDN