Feb 3 2015 - Rotary Forum
Program for February 3, 2015-Jim Lewis, City Manager of Pismo Beach-" The State of the City of Pismo Beach"
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Michael Boyer opened the meeting at 12:40 PM by auctioning off the fine-free badge to Jim Lewis for $60. He then shined the spotlight on Steve Curry to give his bio. In 1946 Steve was born in San Francisco and soon moved to Reseda where he spent his youth. His father, who was into Little League League, got him interested in sports at an early age. He was very active in the YMCA program starting with Indian Guides and then active in the largest Hi Y club in the world where he became a swimming instructor. He went to Pierce College where he obtained an AA degree and and then went to Northridge until he was drafted in 1967. During college, he ran a business selling flowers on freeway off ramps that enabled him to earn $250 per week when the minimum wage was a $1.25/hr. He also got involved in rugby and played through a good part of his life. In fact, he may have played a little too much rugby since he’s had recent knee and hip surgery as a result of rugby injuries not to mention the numerous broken noses. He spent 13 months in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. When he got out of the Army, he started a retail leather goods store and added a line of wholesale belt buckles. He sold that business in 1975 and moved to his present ranch outside of Arroyo Grande. He continued designing and making belt buckles and and sold that business in 1993 after he became the second largest belt buckle seller in the world. After living with Linda for 11 years, he found they were compatible so they got married in 1983. In 1989 he began a screen printing business called Wet Dog Design, which he continued until 2013. Now he spends most of his time landscaping his ranch; tending to his four cows, one horse and a dog; playing golf; and being very active in Rotary.
FINES:
Kari Ziegler was fined $50 for advertising the fact that she’s adding dinner to the Comfort Market in the village of Arroyo Grande. Jim Lewis received a spin-the-wheel fine of $35 for promoting his daughter’s Girl Scout cookie campaign.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Leeann Liscombe came to the podium to describe the benefits of PERLS (Potential Rotary Leadership Seminars) starting with the basic class and continuing with the master classes. Pres. Michael wished a happy birthday to honorary member Marie Dowdy. Sponsor Cliff Nagler called Madge Morningstar, Program Director of Big Brother Big Sisters of SLO County, to accept a community giving check. John Traversaro came forward to discuss the highlights of the big Rotary Paul Harris Fellow GALA held at the Pres. Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley.
PROGRAM: Jim Lewis, City Manager of Pismo Beach-" The State of the City of Pismo Beach"
Jim began by saying that Pismo Beach is on a roll with a good city Council having significant vision, continued tourism growth, financial strength that is growing and a top 5% in the country police force. This past year the city received over $8 million in occupancy fees and increased sales tax revenues so that the income exceeded budget. On the other hand, the expenses came in below budget. With the passage this fall of the sales tax by 71% of the voters, $4 million will be spent on the streets in the city, Shell Beach drainage and pier improvements. The Pismo Preserve overlooking the City Hall will be available to the public soon. Renovation of downtown Pismo, in the planning stage, is a second top priority. It will include the Inn at the Pier and Pier Plaza. The top priority is reclamation of water from the water treatment plant.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
“Aspire to inspire before you expire."
Eugene Bell, Jr.
Program for February 3, 2015-Jim Lewis, City Manager of Pismo Beach-" The State of the City of Pismo Beach"
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Michael Boyer opened the meeting at 12:40 PM by auctioning off the fine-free badge to Jim Lewis for $60. He then shined the spotlight on Steve Curry to give his bio. In 1946 Steve was born in San Francisco and soon moved to Reseda where he spent his youth. His father, who was into Little League League, got him interested in sports at an early age. He was very active in the YMCA program starting with Indian Guides and then active in the largest Hi Y club in the world where he became a swimming instructor. He went to Pierce College where he obtained an AA degree and and then went to Northridge until he was drafted in 1967. During college, he ran a business selling flowers on freeway off ramps that enabled him to earn $250 per week when the minimum wage was a $1.25/hr. He also got involved in rugby and played through a good part of his life. In fact, he may have played a little too much rugby since he’s had recent knee and hip surgery as a result of rugby injuries not to mention the numerous broken noses. He spent 13 months in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. When he got out of the Army, he started a retail leather goods store and added a line of wholesale belt buckles. He sold that business in 1975 and moved to his present ranch outside of Arroyo Grande. He continued designing and making belt buckles and and sold that business in 1993 after he became the second largest belt buckle seller in the world. After living with Linda for 11 years, he found they were compatible so they got married in 1983. In 1989 he began a screen printing business called Wet Dog Design, which he continued until 2013. Now he spends most of his time landscaping his ranch; tending to his four cows, one horse and a dog; playing golf; and being very active in Rotary.
FINES:
Kari Ziegler was fined $50 for advertising the fact that she’s adding dinner to the Comfort Market in the village of Arroyo Grande. Jim Lewis received a spin-the-wheel fine of $35 for promoting his daughter’s Girl Scout cookie campaign.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Leeann Liscombe came to the podium to describe the benefits of PERLS (Potential Rotary Leadership Seminars) starting with the basic class and continuing with the master classes. Pres. Michael wished a happy birthday to honorary member Marie Dowdy. Sponsor Cliff Nagler called Madge Morningstar, Program Director of Big Brother Big Sisters of SLO County, to accept a community giving check. John Traversaro came forward to discuss the highlights of the big Rotary Paul Harris Fellow GALA held at the Pres. Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley.
PROGRAM: Jim Lewis, City Manager of Pismo Beach-" The State of the City of Pismo Beach"
Jim began by saying that Pismo Beach is on a roll with a good city Council having significant vision, continued tourism growth, financial strength that is growing and a top 5% in the country police force. This past year the city received over $8 million in occupancy fees and increased sales tax revenues so that the income exceeded budget. On the other hand, the expenses came in below budget. With the passage this fall of the sales tax by 71% of the voters, $4 million will be spent on the streets in the city, Shell Beach drainage and pier improvements. The Pismo Preserve overlooking the City Hall will be available to the public soon. Renovation of downtown Pismo, in the planning stage, is a second top priority. It will include the Inn at the Pier and Pier Plaza. The top priority is reclamation of water from the water treatment plant.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
“Aspire to inspire before you expire."
Eugene Bell, Jr.