Flag Salute: Ken Secor in full Zoom-SYNC

Song:  what song?

 

Unofficial greater: Jon Sampson as he greeted just about everyone in attendance.

Roving Mics:  None, just a few dozen unmuted mics.

 

President Ken suffers from selective hearing and did not want to hear any good news even though many members were eager to share.  (No complaining…you all voted for this guy.) Edit... later Ken was gracious enough to acknowledge Mary Barlow and the recognition she recently received from CSUB.  Congrats Mary…any chance my kids can go back to school next month, please?

 

News flash: Duane Keathley has sold more real estate in Kern County than Donald Trump!

 

While keeping his distance, President Ken acknowledged the Club’s newest Paul Harris Fellow by tossing the award from a balcony down to Lizette Patterson.  Lizette will also be awarded a gold glove for her fielding skills.

 

 

In this week’s episode of COVID Connect, Pat Collins shared his newly developed green thumb with the club.  After discovering the benefits of fertilizer, Pat is now producing tomatoes and a very rapid pace.  I’m not sure if they are organic or even edible, but the tomatoes may suffice for making ketchup.  Pat has also taken up the new extreme sport of standup paddle lawn paddle boarding.  No life jacket is required, but a face mask beer receptacle is a must.  We are glad Terri hasn’t kicked you out of the house yet Pat.

 

“Battling DUIs in Kern County"

Rotarian Jorge Barrientos introduced the panel of speakers including Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer and Mothers' Against Drunk Driving (MADD) advocates Carla Pearson and Brandon Stallings. 

 

Carla Pearson began with an overview of MADD and her involvement with the organization.  The mission of MADD is “to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.”  Pearson’s son, Adam, tragically lost his life at the hands of a drunk driver on June 22, 2002.  The tragedy spawned new legislation and lead to Carla’s passion for fighting against drunk driving. 

 

Through MADD, Pearson works closely with the district attorney’s office to advocate for victims.  She also works with the families of victims, helping them cope with their losses.  Pearson highlighted MADD’s victim impact panels which aim to educate drunk and drugged driving offenders on the lasting and long-term effects of substance impaired driving. 

 

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer followed by acknowledging the benefits of her office’s partnership with MADD.  Zimmer explained the difficulties her office faces when prosecuting DUI cases along with the emotional challenges encountered.  DUI offenders face many potential charges including misdemeanors and felonies.  As Zimmer explained, Kern County juries do take DUI cases very seriously.  However, the penalties assessed do not always match the crime as offenders are frequently released from jail long before serving their entire sentence. 

 

Nonetheless, the DA's office and MADD work tirelessly to see that offenders are held accountable for their actions.  Zimmer closed with the statement, “No more victims.”

 

Brandon Stallings, Deputy District Attorney, is a member of the MADD advisory board.  Stallings  is a passionate advocate for DUI victims as well. 

 

The MADD advisory board monitors the activities of MADD and assists in coordinating community events, fundraising efforts, and the like.  Stallings invited the Club to join in on the MADD California Law Enforcement Recognition Virtual Awards to be held on July 30, 2020, at 10:00 AM (watch at bit.ly/onemaddkern).  Stallings discussed many accomplishments of award recipients.  Perhaps most notable, a Bakersfield Police Officer who made 142 DUI arrests last year.  Stallings closed with a goal that we should all share in:  To make our community a safer place for future generations.