Sandie Blair's Classification

Posted by Bill Molesworth 
 

Alison introduced Sandie as an enthusiast who jumps right in and who has the broken ankle to prove it.  She'd only been a member for a week before she took on the Chair of Club Service and the hosting of an exchange student.

Sandie said she'd been dreading this day and trying to put it off.  Her mother was a Blackfoot from Medicine Hat and her father was traveling on business - they met and were married in a week.  They had one daughter and another on the way (Sandie) by Dec. of 57 but times were tough so they decided to hitch to Toronto, which they did.  They stopped at a Loblaws in Toronto to get some supplies and Sandie decided to get born there.  (Somebody suggested she was President's Choice).  Anyway, she got her 15 minutes of fame and her first 15 minutes at the same time and was written up in the Star.  She ended up with 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Her mother didn't like the City so they all moved to Honey Harbour where they had a mixed farm to grow up on.  Her father was a mechanic with DeHavilland and commuted to Downsview.  Sandie went to High School in Toronto while living with an aunt and became a customs broker, got married, had two children - one with a serious illness - and moved back here as a single parent, self employed.  She started teaching software programs and worked with David Whiteman on Satellite Image Mapping.

When her children were teenagers she met Tony and they bought Delux and Midland Bay and built Central Taxi and Transport.  Tony has 2 kids and they have created a united family.  Sabrina is 24 and at HBC, Christian is 23, Marla is 17 and Justin 13 and invested in sports.  There are 2 dogs, 3 cats, a parrot and a fish as well.

 

 
They have tried to improve the reputation of the Taxi company and its efficiency - all cabs will be fitted with GPS for better dispatch and digital payment for efficiency and safety.  The employees help out with volunteer activities and everybody has a loyalty to the community.  This is why she's so happy to be invited to join Rotary - a group committed to helping.  She thanked the Club for the invitation and for her induction.