Jimmy Singletary was sworn in as the Chief of Police on September 24, 2011, after almost 40 years in law enforcement.  On the day of his swearing in ceremony, he was quoted as saying he "plans on restoring community relations between Beaumont and its residents and becoming more 'citizen-friendly' overall."  Residents will concur that Chief Singletary has lived up to his plan.

 

Because of the tragic incident of May 25, 2020 in Minnesota, residents of cities all over the country questioned the relationship of their police department with the citizens they are sworn to protect.  

 

In Beaumont, we feel fortunate that Chief Singletary and the Beaumont Police Department have "built an excellent relationship with the Beaumont Chapter of the NAACP, the 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont, and other community leaders.  During the past few weeks, we have been in close contact with these organizations."  Chief Singletary went on to say, "We stand together and are very troubled by the horrible death of George Floyd.  We will continue to strive to serve our citizens with integrity, fairness, and respect."

 

Chief Singletary will tell us how the Beaumont Police Department is continuing to build the relationships that are critical to a community like ours, and how Beaumont officers are continuing to protect citizens in this time of distrust and racial unrest in our country.
 

 

July 1 is the beginning of the new Rotary year and the change of Rotary theme, new officers for every club to those serving at the international level, new goals and plans, and certainly new ideas.  It is what keeps Rotary new, vital, and engaged with purpose.  Of course, July 1 was marked in the Rotary Club of Beaumont with the official installation of our 2020-21 Officers, Board, and President.  

 

Becky Mason, newly installed herself as District Governor for D5910, conducted the installation of the Rotary Club of Beaumont officers and board members. They were:

Newly elected Directors:

 

Returning Directors

She installed Brad Brown as President-Elect, charging him with preparing himself for the office of the presidency which he will assume next year.

 

Then she installed the 2020-21 President of the Rotary Club of Beaumont, Cindy Cherry.

 

With a very special "Passing of the Gavel" this year, each past president of the Club who could attend the meeting had a the opportunity to wish Cindy well and offer their support to her as she assumes the leadership position for Club #72.  Though they were unable to be in the same room to actually hand the gavel to one another, each had a gavel or a facsimile of one which they were able to present virtually to her with their encouragement and support.  

 

President Cindy Cherry then had the opportunity to address the club and share her feelings about what Rotary has meant to her and her thoughts about the year ahead as President.  You could tell her message was genuine and heartfelt.  The entire installation can be watched in the recorded video below or you might choose to just read her message in the link provided below too.  

 

Interestingly, this quote was typed in small-sized font at the bottom of her written notes.  Though unsaid, it speaks volumes about the person Cindy is and her philosophy about anything she undertakes.  It is,

 

– Gustavo Zerbino, survivor of the 1972 airplane crash in the Andes, soccer team, 72 days in the mountains

 

Let's keep that in mind as we travel this journey together with President Cindy!

 

Link to the Zoom page which will include this and the future recorded meetings for 2020.