Cogitator Nov 7, 2012

Posted by George Cooper 
on Nov 07, 2012
 

John DePetro, WPRO Radio Talk Show Host

 

VISITING ROTARIANS/GUESTS

None.

CLUB ANNIVERSARIES

Happy Rotary Induction Day this week to three Rotarians:  Mike Neville, 4 years on October 29th: Bob Petrucelli, 6 years on November 1st; and Jane Boynton, also 6 years on November 1st.    

ELECTION DAY BREAKFAST

Congratulations to John Wolcott, who spearheaded yet another successful Election Day Breakfast at St. Luke’s on November 6th.  President Ken admitted to being a little nervous with the light turnout early on, but folks began to come in at 8AM or so, and it was a nice steady stream of Swift Gym voters after that.  Said John, ‘It was good P.R., and, a good day for the club.’  Agreed!  John will give an update on the financials next week. 

ROTARY FOUNDATION DINNER

President Ken announced that Venus DeMilo Restaurant will be the site of this year’s Paul Harris Foundation dinner, to be held on Thursday, November 15th.  Please see President Ken if you’d like to attend.  Tickets are $45 per person.

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

Ron Winde and John Wolcott spoke of their upcoming trip on Saturday the 10th to Rockaway, NY and Hoboken, NJ.  John’s new employer, Ocean State Transit, told him ‘…get the volunteers and we’ll let you take the buses!’  Ron and John, along with other volunteers from East Greenwich’s First Baptist Church, took charge in gathering up loads of food, clothing, and other necessities, especially children’s items, for the benefit of thousands still hurting from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.  Nice work, guys! 

http://eastgreenwich.patch.com/articles/eg-bus-drivers-organize-sandy-recovery-trip

HAPPY BUCKS (proceeds were designated to support John and Ron’s trip for Hurricane Sandy victims)

-John Wolcott retired not too long ago.  For a few days anyway.  He’s now back to work, as mentioned above, driving kids to school for Ocean State Transit and having a good time working for ‘a great company.’

-Jane Boynton wished hubby John Boynton a happy 49th birthday, and she was very happy about her upcoming trip to Florida--her annual ‘girls’ trip’ with daughter Jen and Jen’s friend.  Lastly, Jane was pleased about a great cover shot (with Bonnie Sauer) in the East Greenwich  Magazine letting the town know about our upcoming Citrus Drive. 

-Proud papa Bill TenEyck was happy to report on daughter Schuyler making Second-Team/All-Division in tennis this year. 

-Alan Flynn, Mike Neville, Ron Winde, and Lou Lepry all chipped in for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. 

-Karen Taylor mentioned that Mike Neville’s wife, Joyce, is now managing an art show at the East Greenwich Library.

-Bonnie Sauer was happy over the great press coverage in the East Greenwich Magazine, and, a great Election Day breakfast. 

-Chuck Sauer gave a buck for the ‘babes’ on the EG Magazine cover. 

-Kevin McDonough gave a buck for Election Day, always a great day for democracy. 

-Bob Petrucelli was thrilled about his new grandchild born last week. 

-Jodi Gladstone’s son earned Academic All-State honors.  Caleb also managed to bring two dates to the Election Day Breakfast! 

-Vin Meola thanked his brother Paul for his volunteer piano performance during breakfast at St. Luke’s.

 

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

John DePetro, Radio Host of WPRO’s The John DePetro Show

Radio personality John DePetro noted, ‘We need more people like you in this Rotary Club, getting involved in local community efforts like relief efforts and coaching.’  He continued, ‘What should matter isn’t who is Republican or Democrat, but who is offering real local solutions.’

DePetro shared some thoughts on the recent national and local elections.  It seemed strange to him how much power one state like Ohio holds over the nation on Election Day.  He also lamented the incredible sums of money poured into Ohio, and other parts of the country, during a presidential election cycle.

He believes voter fraud is a very real issue, and he connected early voting policies to potential fraud.  He offered Pawtucket as an example, where 500 requests for mail ballots created 501 votes. 

The radio host was also critical of Rhode Island’s preparation for Election Day.  The Secretary of State’s website was down for a portion of the day, adding to the confusion of many Rhode Islanders who were searching for their new polling places.  Furthermore, incorrect ballots were delivered to one South Kingstown polling site.  In Providence, some 600 people jammed one polling place at 7:45pm, fifteen minutes before closing time.  ‘Yet these things are never ultimately investigated, never prosecuted…’

In Rhode Island, he noted it was a good day for incumbents Whitehouse, Langevin, and Cicciline, despite the difficult time Rhode Islanders and those from the Northeast have endured lately.  DePetro included a statistic that Governor Chafee’s approval rating at 18% is even lower than President Nixon’s 24% during his impeachment troubles.   

John DePetro thoroughly enjoys his job at WPRO, leading the local discussion ‘from behind the mike’ on so many different issues.  He also said that it’s interesting to him that people are generally watching less television news, and, turning more to local radio shows for basic information.

Bill TenEyck with guest speaker John DePetro