11-7-2013 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha Leader

Guests included Josh Epperson.

Prayer concerns include Jerry Pittman’s dad, Conrad Duprez’s mother and Ann Manchester, who underwent a “procedure.”

 As previously announced, a $5000 contribution from the Rotary Club of Chickasha has helped Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center buy six additional iPads and a mobile iPad charging station.

The funding was made possible by a $4,000 grant from Rotary District 5770 and a $1,000 match from the Rotary Club of Chickasha.

Teachers Janice Blasingame and Jeannie Snow and two BWECC students demonstrated at Thursday’s meeting the applications used on the iPads to enhance math and language skills for Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students.

Rotarian of the Day was Stewart Fairburn, who did a selfie and introduced City Manager Stewart Fairburn as guest speaker.

Stewart updated the club on some of things going on in Chickasha, including:

--  An effort is being made at repairing and/or upgrading city property and buildings.

--  Defective parks equipment removed and effort is being made to rebuild playground at Centennial Park. The Kids Place wooden structure built in 2005 during a community build was deemed unsafe and was torn down earlier this year.

–  An estimate of $300,000 to refurbish amphitheater at Shannon Springs Park is co-prohibitive and a less costly approach is being studied of making it more useful to the public.

– Currently looking at all streets to set priorities on projects.

-- After CIP tax was extended an additional 10 years, phase 1 of water infrastructure improvements will begin shortly.

-- Council is looking at raising water and sewer rates to make them more in line with other communities of similar size.

-- Working on ridding the city of dilapidated structures.

– Develop emphasis on maintenance where buildings down get to be be dilapidated.

-- Considering going to automatic water meter to upgrade existing water meters and improve consistency and accuracy of billing.

-- Library has been refreshened and refurnished.

-- Covered pavilion has been added to Depot in downtown Chickasha.

– And, lighting of viaduct coming into Chickasha from East has been installed, work is set for improved sidewalks and bump outs on Chickasha Avenue, Shannon Springs bridge has been replaced and pedestrian sidewalk has been built and Washita Valley Park community building has been refurbished as will available to rent for community events.

-- Chickasha first city in state to implement Smart911 system.

-- Working with volunteer organizations, Chickasha Animal Shelter is virtually a “no kill” shelter.

– Declining sales tax revenue a concern as budget process begins for 2014.

President Greg Elliott reminded Rotarians to sell tickets for John Deere Gator drawing. The vehicle will be given away at the Dec. 12 Christmas Party. Each club member is responsible for selling five, $20 tickets. Top salesman wins dinner and overnight outing to Oklahoma City.

The meeting adjourned after recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.