.png)
Cogitator Jan 15, 2014
RI State Senator Dawson Hodgson
GUESTS
John Wolcott introduced Heidi Toppel, a retired compensation consultant. John Whaley, a local elder law attorney, was again a guest of Bill Winter.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Happy birthday wishes from the club go out this week to Dr. Judy Pratt on January 15th.
CLUB ANNIVERSARY
Only 31 years ago, on January 19, 1983, President-Elect Ron Winde’s father introduced John Wolcott as he was officially inducted into the Rotary Club of East Greenwich. Nice work, Ron Winde, Sr.!
MEMBERSHIP/REMINDER
And, this brings up a reminder. Each one of us was invited into the club by a fellow Rotarian. Let’s not forget our personal connection to the mission of growing our club. Keep inviting good people to Rotary meetings! Who knows…maybe someday you’ll be able to say you sponsored someone who also made it to 31 years of Service above Self.
LITERACY COMMITTEE
On January 21st, Karen Taylor will deliver books labeled ‘East Greenwich Rotary’ to the London Bridge Child Care Center’s library. Nice work, Karen and the literacy committee, for all of their work this year.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND BOARD MEETING
Dave Iannuccilli announced the East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship Fund’s meeting for Friday, January 17th, at Re/Max Professionals, 655 Main Street.
SPECIAL MEETING/FUTURE CHARITY PROJECTS
Ron Winde has called a special meeting, and all club members are invited, to discuss the important subject of our club’s charity projects and successful fundraising in the future. Please plan to join Ron and fellow club members on Thursday, January 23rd, 6:30pm, at the United Methodist Church, 1558 South County Trail, East Greenwich.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOWSHIP
Congratulations to Sergeant at Arms Jim Essex for his 3rd Paul Harris Fellowship Award.
.JPG)
Vin Meola described Jim as ‘the epitome of a Rotarian,’ and presented him with a special Paul Harris pin containing two sapphire chips.
NEW GENERATIONS
Bill TenEyck announced that on January 29th, Tim Chase will join us as a guest speaker. Tim is the vice principal of East Greenwich High School, and he will talk about an upcoming two-day conference connecting business/community leaders with high school students. Please make sure to be on hand on the 29th.
HAPPY BUCKS
-Bob MacKenzie forked over $1 as the first installment toward his $5 cell-phone-ringing fine.
-Jane Boynton was thrilled to be heading to Loon Mountain for 4 days.
-Chuck Sauer was pleased to see that John Wolcott went to the barber shop for his annual trim.
-Vin Meola was happy Dave and Sharyn Iannuccilli were able to get away to sunny Florida recently.
-Ron Winde was still watching his cell phone for alerts, as grandchild number two is due ‘anytime!’ Also, Ron is excited to be back studying karate with good friend (and recent guest speaker) Don Rodrigues.
-Staci Cormier shared grandkid news as well…she has twins on the way in her family!
-Bill Sequino’s family? Yep, grandchildren en route, too. First March, then May…two boys!
-Ken Colaluca sent out happy ‘thinking of you’ wishes to President Jodi Gladstone.
-Soozie Sundlun was able to babysit her ‘beautiful granddaughter’ during last week’s Patriots game, and together they had a great time. Soozie also sent out warm wishes to Jodi.
-One more grandchild buck this week…Chuck Sauer had a blast with his 2 and a half year old grandson, showing the little feller how to operate electric trains!
-Lou Lepry gave a quick spring preview, reminding everyone that daffodil sales for the American Cancer Society…are only two months away.
SPEAKER/PROGRAM
Dawson Hodgson, RI State Senator
.JPG)
Dawson Hodgson is one of only five Republicans in Rhode Island’s General Assembly. He serves as a state senator for RI Senate District 35, representing East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, and Narragansett. A former state prosecutor, Hodgson was elected in 2010. He is now seeking to become the state’s next attorney general in the upcoming November, 2014 election.
Born and raised in Rhode Island, his grandfather is Winfield Tucker, a turf farmer and Rotarian. Their family business, Sodco, is located in Slocum.
Regarding politics, he said he’d like to see ‘more civic leaders step forward’ in Rhode Island by running for office and promoting smart, pro-growth solutions.
Hodgson noted that state pension reform was introduced and passed during his first two years, and he added that the issue was indeed a heavy one for everyone involved.
He also criticized Governor Linc Chafee’s approach toward education, and he pointed out Chafee’s negative attacks on leaders like Deborah Gist.
Hodgson called the 38 Studios bankruptcy a ‘debacle.’ He cited his proposal for an independent commission to analyze what happened, the impact of not paying moral obligation bonds, and generally ‘how to finally get past this negative affair.’
Regarding the passage of a gay marriage bill, Hodgson proudly stated that he helped lead the charge. ‘Limited government doesn’t just mean lower taxes; it means allowing people to live their lives,’ said Hodgson. ‘Supporting gay marriage is therefore actually a conservative stance.’
He has enjoyed his time in the senate and ‘helped to improve the quality of senate debates’ over the past two years. However, he is now ‘applying for a new job,’ hoping Rhode Islanders will take note of his ‘good record’ in the senate. Hodgson is challenging incumbent Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
Finally, Dawson Hodgson wondered, after two years of experience, whether it would make sense to create a smaller, full-time, and better-paid legislature in Rhode Island. He said he thought this would very likely help improve the quality of legislators on Smith Hill.