2014 05_29 Meeting - Chief Marks and Literacy Program Report

PD Chief Rex Marks + Bikes Books and Nooks

The meeting opened with Frank N. providing the welcome. Ray Walker was a visiting Rotarian again. We were pleased to have Maria Benitez and Kim Fricke as guests.  Jerry Johnson won the raffle but no ace of spades.  The pot is up to $260 next week. 

We presented Kim Fricke with a check for $1,001 for Sober Grad Night.  This organization is about 20 years old and is committed to providing a safe and sober night following graduation at LHS.  No graduates are turned away.  Karen reported that she attended about 6 funerals over her years as an educator resulting from drinking and driving following graduation.  Sober Grad Night has been quite successful in preventing this in Lincoln.

Joann gave a presentation on the Bikes-for-Books and Nooks-eReader programs that were funded by our District Grant last year. These programs have had a positive impact on reading skills at the elementary schools in Lincoln. (See link.)  Thank you cards our Book Buddy students were passed around, showing their appreciation for the assistance we gave in helping them read. (See pictures.)

Lincoln Police Chief Rex Marks was our program speaker for the day.  Rex started his latest assignment in Fall of 2013.  He has implemented a very proactive approach for the police department versus just being reactive. A new fleet of vehicles has been leased (as compared to the huge maintenance required from the older fleet).  Rex said “… don’t hesitate to call us if there is a problem; that is our job.”  Rex also reported that the planned growth will provide additional resources but may also bring additional needs.  He praised LHS principal Jay Berns as “a good guy with a corrections background” who has Rex on speed-dial.  He wants to return later in the year to report on the results of his first year in office.  

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