Meeting Minutes - Bob H.
For her Last time, President Alissa rang the bell at 7:30
Guests
Our speaker today, Mayor of Hopkins, Patrick Hanlon. With Tony, Steve Coley from the Mtka YMCA.
Mikey and Alissa’s friend, Allister, visiting from Las Vegas.
Tracy, still looking us over for membership, from Carpet 1
Invocation
Invocation by Mac; A good 4-letter word today is HOPE. It’s a wonderful word to think of, especially when we’re struggling or things aren’t going right. There is a light of hope at the end of the tunnel. Through Rotary, we can fulfill the hopes of others. Mac quoted Romans, that we be filled with ALL joy and trust in Him, so that we may overflow with Hope.
Pledge
Everyone.
4-Way Test
Everyone.
International Theme
Everyone. “The Magic of Rotary”
Paul Harris Awards
None this week.
Announcements
Alissa O. - Passing the Gavel party at Maynards at 4:30 today. Definitely weather dependent. Watch for go or no go email.
Alexa R. - “Thyme to Celebrate” meeting at ICA on July 22. We’ll be donating spices.
Mark Marlin - a nice hot day at Summerfest this Saturday June 28. There should be brisk beer sales. Still need more help. Sign up or just show up and he’ll find a job for you.
Jerald S. - the next Fundraiser meeting will be at Hopkins Auto Body on July 7 at 5:30.
Chris R. - Chris handed Shauna her 1st Paul Harris member pin
He also announced that with our 2024-25 goal breaking RIF donation, we have passed $500,000 in our club history. Hooray for us!! Everyone has shared in this great milestone.
Videos from District leaders, who are also thankful for this achievement, were shown.
New Member Induction
Jerald inducted James Walton as our newest club member. Welcome James!
He comes from rich Rotarian stock. Today, you’re one of the newest Rotarians in the world!
Rotary Minute
None this week.
Raffle
Cathy, to no surprise, had ticket #535, but couldn’t close the deal.
Foundation Award Checks or Thank You's
Tony presented a $2000 check to Steve Coley, the Exec Director of Mtka YMCA. Steve told us how grateful they are. The money will help pay for 15-25 kids at Camp Christmas Tree, and to help with membership costs, The Y never turns anyone away.
Happy Bucks
Happy Bucks, with Beth.
Bob H. - For individual club members donating $500, and with Bob’s match, $1000 was donated to Tee it Up for the Troops. Bob played 75 holes on his 75th birthday, on June 20, the summer solstice. 16 hours of golf.
Shauna - for winning a court case, and a much appreciated letter from Alexa.
Chris Carr - Happy for a great year of leadership from Alissa, and 3 other club members joined him at the Crystal New Hope annual golf event.
Amy S. - for 10 high school students doing a summer internship at Kiddy Wampus. Here’s to 1st jobs.!
Jerald S. - for the long time he and Chris have shared The Velvet Hammer duty. Also, for Mayor Hanlon here today, as someone who really cares about the City of Hopkins.
Tony N. - for Alissa’s great year and that The Foundation, and our club, are on solid ground.
Ryan R. - happy for Alissa’s year as President, and for the Pizza Party at Magney’s last week.
Alexa R. for Alissa’s service as president, to Shauna as one child is in a mock trial, and that several members took part in making 13 blankets which will go to the HCMC burn unit.
Beth Y. - for Alissa’s great year, and back from Denver. She drove the round trip with her 88 year old mother. The best of times. ……
Alissa O. - She was very appreciative for the help and hard work of the entire club. They made her year easy, and memorable.
Thank you from the ENTIRE club, Alissa, for your enthusiasm, organization, and leadership. As Frank sang, “It was a very good year”.
Program
Pat Hanlon, Hopkins Mayor.
Pat grew up in Hopkins, spent time in the Peace Corps, and he and his wife Catherine have a 3 year old. It was a change going from large Hennepin Co. government to small Hopkins, but he loves it here. “Team Hopkins” is not led by the Council, but by the business owners, citizens, and hundreds of volunteers. He notices the positive energy of our club, and we should be proud of all that we accomplish together.
Pat touched on some key areas:
-The LRT is coming in 2027. It’s a big circle, as Hopkins was originally a train stop in West Minneapolis, on land donated by Harley Hopkins. One request; the town be named after him. That original stop brought people, some stayed to live here, and the LRT will do the same. Hopkins has always been a walkable town where you know your neighbors.
-Taxes; what used to be a high is now one of the lowest in the metro. Hopkins size is only 4 sq miles, but with much ‘upward’ (vertical) growth, the population has grown.
-Public Safety; the Police Department prioritizes walking and knowing the community. They lead with compassion, and have over 100 community events per year. 2024 was Hopkins’ lowest crime rate in its history. The Fire Department is a leader in the metro, with purposeful connections with other FD’s. It’s a state-wide resource in chemical and toxic issues.
-Smart Development; homes are affordable and well built for energy efficiency. Passive solar, being a Tree City, Hopkins has historically been 50% renters, but now younger people and mixed cultures are finding homes to buy. It all connects for low crime and high quality of life.
Pat talks about the 1980’s when people were leaving Hopkins, and there were plans to radically remove buildings and ‘start over’. Cooler and wiser heads prevailed, and the historical culture was kept. Pat’s father Ed was one of those leaders. In fact, our club first met at the Boston Gardens, Ed’s restaurant. Hopkins is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hopkins supports small businesses; he’s doing a lot of ribbon cutting these days, celebrating new business. Hopkins is 40% non-white and is intentional in mixing that diversity, connecting all the lifestyles and cultures here.
Some say the Hey Day of Hopkins was in the past; Pat says Hopkins is in its Golden Era right now.
The one challenge Pat thinks about is the lack of mobility for some families. Resources are needed to help create opportunities for kids, and support interaction. Our club could apply our ‘Building Responsible Youth theme to help that need.
Even though we’re Minnetonka, Pat says we are part of Greater Hopkins!
Thank you Pat for the energy and belief you are bringing to Hopkins. I for one have seen 75 years here, and you’re right, Hopkins remains a unique place in the metro area.
Adjournment
Submitted by Bob H.
Member Submissions
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