Author David Morse
News and Views – By Dave Morse
June 19,2020. President Tim Daleiden started out “zoom” meeting by ringing the bell at 7:01 am; we sang “Smile” and “American the Beautiful,” led by our favorite tenor Chuck Snipes.
President Tim noted that this was his last meeting as President and this was the 15th consecutive Davis Sunrise, zoom meeting.
Guests
Michael Schick, a perspective member.
Announcements:
Rose Cholewinski, reminded folks to review the email sent with specific instructions about the demotion celebration, June 26, 5:00 to 5:30 pm and then a Zoom meeting at 6:15pm. Rose reminded members that we will be dark the morning of June 26 and July 3.
Contact Brodie Hamilton, if you are interested in ordering local wine, 25% of the sales price goes directly to our club.
David Coop
- The Ichuni Community Water Supply Project, in Kenya, has a prospective local club participant, so it looks good for the project to be completed. This is a $122K project ($22K from our club) to provide a well to an area that has no reliable water supply during the dry season; the well will provide water to three schools as well as the community of Ichuni.
- RC of Panama Norte, program to provide computer training to teachers in rural areas that have no libraries. The International Committee members are donating at least $1,000 to this project.
- Members have donated over $5k to three international NGO’s that earmark funds directly to Covid relief; the Sunrise Board will match this amount for a total of $10k.
Larry Greene, congratulated members for exceeding Tim’s goal of $22k to the foundation with $24,683. Also, Paul Harris pins to members John Morgan, Don Winters, Tim Daleiden, Manny Carbahal, Dick Bourne, and Larry Greene.
Sgt. Rick Stromberg, reminded members to settle up their fines by sending money to the club, via Venmo Id 35172742, @DavisSunriseRotary or check addressed to Davis Sunrise Rotary, PO Box 4531,Davis, CA 95617, and the “best way” to send a check directly to our treasure, Tom Read, 1547 Norte Dame, Davis, CA 95616.
Happy Bucks:
Dick Berry has been admitted to the Fencing Hall of Fame Louisville, KY.
David Foos and Jay Bookman are happy for sons graduating.
Tim Daleiden, is happy for help from Mac Walker for pickup and delivery for the Yolo Food bank, the route was increased from the usual 8 deliveries to 13, also thanks to Marc Thomson for organizing drop offs.
Sgt. Rick noted that June is the most popular month for weddings. Members celebrating anniversaries include: Rick and Pat Stromberg(“51 or 52, can’t remember after 50”), Gary John (52), Dick Bourne (54). Dick is also happy that grandson Ian graduated from Holmes Jr. High and was designated “hero of the year.”
Lori Raineri gave happy bucks for the great volunteer work done by our club, “I’m inspired every day!”
Program chair, Lori Raineri introduced our speaker, Erik Vink, Executive Director, Delta Protection Commission (DPC).
Erik guided us through some wonderful pictures of the Delta.
The Delta Protection Commission is a state of California agency. Convergence of the state’s two major rivers.
The Delta is the largest freshwater estuary on the west coast, it includes the Convergence of the state’s two major rivers.
The Delta includes 738,000 acres, wine grapes is the largest crop but the Delta also produces corn, alfalfa, tomatoes, and pears. The Delta has the largest natural gas field in the state.
Erik encouraged us to visit the Delta’s “legacy communities”: Walnut Grove, Locke, Courtland, Clarksburg. Check out where to stay, eat, etc.:
Erik briefly touched on the controversy of the diversion of Delta water. He reminded us of the defunct, proposed peripheral canal, the Governor Brown proposal for two diversion tunnels and the current proposal for one diversion tunnel. The current proposal is one tunnel diverting 6000-7500 cfs near Hood and delivering directly to export pumps in the South Delta. Current flow 6000-12000 cfs. The tunnel would have significant construction impacts to Delta communities and recreation over the decade or more during the construction period. The DPC’s main concern is to maintain farming and the eco system.
Questions:
Lori Raineri asked that given that the DPC has been around for 30 years, what would the delta be today without a protection commission? A. There would have been more urbanization in the delta area.
Tim Daleiden asked about increase diversions with the tunnel. A. Currently, exports of water are reduced when an endangered species is threatened, with a tunnel, diversion will continue with instillation fish screens.
Gary John: At what point doesn’t make sense to reclaim islands? A. Some of the islands are 30 feet below sea level. Depends on which islands. It is important to maintain salinity control, repair levies and drain out.
Dave Morse, Please talk about how you deal with the varied interests of the Delta community: farmers, recreation folks, and eco friendly groups? A. Yes, there is some challenge with varied interests. However our mandate is to ensure water supply, restore eco system, delta values. “we are not fans of the tunnel project.”
Clay Brandow, I am interested in riding bikes and hiking, so I don’t get in trouble from land owners, any recommendations as to where to find the spots? A. Biking is on public roadways, we don’t have suggested bike routes. You could check with biking groups. Hiking, not many good places, levee roads are private. Better cycling than hiking.
Lori Raineri How is the economy of the delta, recreation vs. agriculture in pandemics? A. Agriculture is going, packing plants have problems. A lot of people are boating, some marinas are open. Smaller businesses are not doing well.
Lori Raineri talk about your heritage in agriculture. A. My father was a dairy farmer, I was not. I studied agriculture, agriculture and land conservation, I have a great infinity to farmers.
President Tim rang the bell at 8:07 to close our meeting.