Oct 11 2016- Rotary Forum

Pres. Greg Baker opened the meeting at 12:36 PM, with his on ‘this date in history’: the Cuban Missile Crisis began on Oct. 14, 1957; Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas on Oct. 14, 1492; Curt Schilling won Game 6 of the 2004 American League on Oct. 19, 2004; and the Everly Brothers’ “Wake Up Little Susie," reached the top spot on Oct. 14, 1957.

Pres. Greg Baker cut the ribbon to symbolize that our club is now a member of the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.  SLO Rotaract treasurer Austin Kurner thanked us for our past support and asked us to again support their annual Coats for Kids Drive that collects, at drop off points throughout the County, new and used children’s coats and jackets for those in need.  Anya Stanley reported that the Community Giving committee will meet after our meeting today. Pres. Greg asked us to at least come on down to the October 15^th banquet festivities at the Hyatt in Westlake Village. Joel Conn is sending out another email on Stop Hunger Now requesting funding and announced we will pack 10,000 meals on Saturday, October 22 during the Pismo Beach Clam Festival. Michael Boyer has announced his candidacy to become the Dist. Gov. for the 2019-20 year along with 5 other candidates. Ashlea Boyer announced that there will be a board meeting this Thursday at the Arroyo Grande hospital. The next Rotary annual convention will be in Atlanta Georgia on June 9 through the 13^th.

Fine Master Jack Hardy fined himself  $25 for not introducing one of the guests at his table. He then fined Charla Anderson $26 for her October 6 wedding anniversary with J. T. Jim Lewis was fined $15 for talking out of turn. Erik Mund was fined $25 for his 13^th wedding anniversary with Lindsey. Karen Zappia and Mike Frederick were fined $10 each for not wearing their Rotary pins. Pres. Greg Baker, John Traversaro and Peter Candela were fined $35, $25 and $25, respectively for not wearing their membership badges.

Ron started by stating that traffic congestion is going up while gas consumption is going down. This results in less revenue based on the gas tax coming into the treasury. Gas tax revenue 2013-16: 2013: 21 cents/gallon; 2014: 18 cents/gallon; 2015: 12 cents/gallon and 2016: 9.8 cents/gallon of gasoline purchased. It costs $4/yard² for sealing; $25/yd.² for overlaying; $30/ yd.² for filling; and $87/yd.² for reconstructing the roads. Funding is deteriorating; Sacramento has further cut funds for transportation despite the lobbying efforts by cities and counties throughout the state; and there’s an increasing shift to grant funding requiring matching funds. For these and other reasons, major J Self-Help Local Transportation Investment Plan is on the ballot for this November 8 election. It proposes a 1/2 cent sales tax for transportation to fix potholes, repave local streets, relieve traffic congestion; improve street highway and bridge safety; make bike and transit improvements within and between communities, increase senior veterans disabled and student transit; and provide safe routes to school. Ron then passed out a brochure that explains this in greater detail. 25% of the money from this proposal will go to South 101: 17.5 million will go to relieve route 227 congestion. The following safeguards are in place: (1) a nine-year sunset date; (2) protected from state raids; (3) annual in-depth audit and report; and (4) funds not to replace fair share contribution from new development; (5) a 1% administrative expense; and (6) an independent taxpayer oversight committee.

“It’s not who you think you are that holds you back; it’s who you think you’re not.”