On October 25th we will host the Republican contenders for County Commissioner in the second of two candidate forums. We hope to have another large turnout like last week for the Democratic candidates.
Ray D’Agostino Josh Parsons
The Republican candidates are Ray D’Agostino and Josh Parsons, both current commissioners. The format will be the same as last week's. Each candidate will have the opportunity to make their pitch, describe their qualifications and record, and share their plans and objectives if elected. They may also share thoughts about their opposition. Rotarians will have an opportunity at the end of the meeting to ask any questions. You may invite guests to this meeting as well, however at this time we request that any questions to the candidates come from Rotarians only. No follow-ups or additional questions until everyone has had a turn to ask their question.
Ray D’Agostino
Ray D’Agostino was elected as a Lancaster County Commissioner in 2019. Previous to this post he served for ten years as CEO of the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP), a regional U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that is focused on housing affordability. Ray also served as the first Chief of Staff for former State Senator Smucker (now Congressman) and spent 17 years in local government as a municipal and authority manager. He is a retired veteran of the U.S. military having served 22 years in the Naval Reserve and PA Army National Guard.
Ray founded the Local Housing Investment Fund & Trust (LHIFT) of Southcentral PA, a revolving loan fund centered on providing flexible, low cost financing for projects which include affordable housing, economic development and neighborhood revitalization.
He has served on numerous state, county and local boards and commissions, including on the development team of PennDOT Publication 447, as treasurer of the Lancaster County Veterans Court Community Partnership, chairman of the City Revitalization Improvement Zone (CRIZ) for the City of Lancaster, and chairman of the Lancaster County Planning Commission.
Josh Parsons
Prior to being elected Commissioner, Josh served as a prosecutor in the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office. Josh was the representative to the County SWAT Team and served in the Felony Drug Unit, which prosecutes drug dealers. He has taught as an instructor for Trial Advocacy class at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law for the last 15 years. He has advocated new ways to stop recidivism and was a founding member of the Lancaster County Veterans Court team, which provides a second chance to veterans in trouble.
Josh served as an Army Infantry Lieutenant. He is a graduate of the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, where he earned a full merit scholarship, and the University of Delaware, where he earned an Army ROTC scholarship.
See a list of coming programs with brief descriptions (LINK)
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Notes from last week's meeting:
Christine Sable introduced the forum guests
Our meeting featured the first of two Commissioner Candidates Forums, attended by more than 80 intensely interested Club members and guests. This week, Democrats Health care executive Alice Yoder and former Elanco schools Superintendent Bob Hollister appeared. Next week the Republican candidates appear.
Bob Hollister (left) was first, followed by Alice Yoder
Following introductions and ground rules from Christine Sable, our Programs chair, Hollister and Yoder each shared their backgrounds and qualifications, and their views of what country commissioners need to be focused on more urgently. They then answered questions from our Rotary audience for nearly 30 minutes. One area of strong agreement was housing. Both Hollister and Yoder identified Lancaster’s housing shortage as their primary issue and stressed the need to focus planning and funding on workforce housing in particular, while preserving our farmland. They agreed that the housing shortage is impacting the growth of local businesses. Hollister addressed the need to “protect democracy” with secure elections and the right to “cure” mail-in ballots. He stressed the importance of jobs training, improved infrastructure, and character. Yoder emphasized the need for smart planning, and said this is a perfect time for a county health department and more data-driven solutions to growth, and health services. Both also agreed on the need for improved healthcare coordination. Refer to the October 19 issue of LNP for a full report. LNP Reporter Tom Lisi provided thorough coverage of the Candidates Forum.
The Board is accepting nominations for the new Lifetime Membership category for members in good standing who are
unable to attend meetings and perhaps have stopped paying dues. The designation foregoes dues and entitles the holder to receive The Transmitter and other correspondence for life. Lifetime Members need to be nominated by active Club members and approved by the board
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Club goes cashless
Since our meals are now are included in our dues, there is only a need to pay for meals when we bring guests. Cash will not be accepted. Only credit cards will be accepted.
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Leave of Absence Dues Modification
The new dues structure remains in place. However, any member may request a 3-month leave of absence. Dues will be $122 for this three-month period.
Enjoy a night out on Wednesday, October 25, starting at 5:00 PM at Stoner Grille. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Polio Plus. All proceeds will be matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Incidentally this is also Rotary Rendezvous.
Arrive anytime between 5-5:30pm for drinks and fellowship.
Details
Location: Stoner Grille Arrive: 5-5:30pm for drinks and fellowship
Thanks, we hope to see you there!
- Tom Baum and Rendezvous Committee
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“Lifetime” Member nominations open.
The Board is accepting nominations for the new Lifetime Membership category for members in good standing who are
unable to attend meetings and perhaps have stopped paying dues. The designation foregoes dues and entitles the holder to receive The Transmitter and other correspondence for life. Lifetime Members need to be nominated by active Club members and approved by the board
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REMINDER: Share Your Program Ideas! We welcome interesting speakers, and engaging programs.
Our Club is always looking for ideas to add to the list of potential programs. If you have any ideas for programs, please contact Christine Sable (sableccim@gmail.com) or another member of the Meeting Planning Committee or any Board member, who will pass them along. Both live and virtual (Zoom) speakers are welcome.
Program Committee Resources to help you suggest speakers and programs::
Guidelines as to what is appropriate for a club program (download)
Form for outside speakers or organizations to propose a program (download)
Form to request information from an approved speaker (download)
The programs the Lancaster Rotary Club offers are important for our club and, with your help and participation, have often been truly phenomenal.
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Have Something to Share? To Add, Edit or Discontinue an Announcement or Photo:
Transmitter Editor, Steve Henning, will gladly add a new announcement, edit an existing announcement, or discontinue an announcement that is no longer relevant. Please contact Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net. Photos of Rotarians in action are always welcome. Send photos to Steve at: rotarians@earthlink.net.
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Joys & Concerns
Joy: Past President Tim Peters says, “I am pleased that my treatment for lung cancer is going well. The very expensive medication seems to be doing its job. All organs outside the lung cavity are now clear and the tumors have shrunk. I am hopeful for a full and happy life.”
Joy: LNP staff writer Tom Lisi and staff photographer Amber Ritsoni provided excellent coverage of the first of two candidates forums.
It is important and easy! Help Keep the Club Calendar Updated
All Rotarians – especially committee chairs – are encouraged to help keep our new Club Calendar full and updated with the great things that our Club is doing in the community. Please submit any items you would like added to RCOL7390@lancasterrotary.org. Examples include the schedule of McCaskey Mentoring Sessions, Committee Meetings, Power Packs or Salvation Army Bell Ringing. If it’s happening, let’s get it on the Calendar for all to see! Your help will keep us all updated with what’s going on within the Club AND will showcase our very active Club to the Lancaster Community and to prospective members. The Club Calendar is available atwww.LancasterRotary.org
Rotary Club of Lancaster
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