Randy Repola Discusses the Estes Valley Fire Protection District Ballot Measure
Randy Repola
Randy Repola is the chairperson of the Estes Valley Fire & Safety Coalition, a citizen committee formed to advocate for the passage of a sales tax to fund the Estes Valley Fire Protection District. Randy served the Town of Estes Park for 20 years in positions which included Chief of Police, Chief of Public Safety and Town Administrator. He left the town in 2007 to work for the US Agency for International Development on projects in Iraq and Kosovo. He retired from the University of Colorado in late 2025 as the Chief of Police at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora where he oversaw police, security and Emergency Management. Randy and his wife, Elizabeth, returned to Estes Park full time in 2025, where they both serve the Estes Valley Fire Protection District – Randy as a firefighter and Elizabeth with the auxiliary. Randy is a graduate of Colorado State University with degrees in Economics and Business Administration.
Our program on September 24th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
RSVP to Karol: kj.rinehart@aol.com before 12 noon, Monday.
Included In This Spoke Edition
Estes Valley FPD Ballot Measure Fund Development Committee Meeting International Svce Comm Mtg Reminder, Results Crutches4Africa Email Officer and Director Nominees 2027-2028 Meeting Notes 9-17-26 Meeting Recording 9-17-26 From the Chaplain
Fund Development Committee Meeting
Meeting of the Fund Development Committee immediately following the Noon Rotary meeting on 9/24.
International Service: Committee Meeting Reminder, and Results
International Service Committee meeting October 1st, after the Club meeting!
Have a look at the video from the Ukrainian kids wearing the shoes 'we bought'.
At the Arts& Craft Fair this year that Sunrise Rotary holds on Labor Day Weekend, they hosted Dave Talbot, founder of Crutches4Africa.Our two Rotary clubs have supported Dave’s efforts over the past three years.I want to share with you an email Dave sent to Jean Rissmiller that he received after the Festival.
Jean:
Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Arts & Crafts Festival.Below is an email from someone we met at the event. This connection could not have happened without you, your extensive efforts and the tools Rotary gives us to help the unseen in places far and wide!
David Talbot
Crutches 4 Africa
Officer and Director Nominees for Rotary Year 2027-2028
From Past-President Jack Ford:
In accordance with our Club's By-Laws, we are required to advise our membership of the Nominees for three consecutive meetings prior to our Election Meeting on the second Thursday of October, which falls this year on the 8th.
The nominees are the following named persons:
Officers:
President, Rick Life
President-Elect, Carl Robicheaux
Past-President, Guy Van der Werf
Secretary, Sarah Walsh
Sergeant-at-Arms, Bill Solms
Treasurers, Longley Parker and Gregg Jurgens
Directors:
Club Administration, Karol Rinehart
International Service, Dale and Chuck Bonza
Community Service, Beth Weisberg
Fund Development, ________
Youth/New Generation/Vocational, Chris Davis, Dave Boon, and _______
Membership, Paul Harris, and Public Image, Scott Robbins
Big Duck, ________.
Notes for September 17, 2026
President Guy Van der Werf rang the bell at 12:00. Madison Casey gave the Invocation. Guy led the Pledge of Allegiance. We sang “Loch Lomond” accompanied by Madison Casey.
Guests of Rotarians:
Guests were introduced by Dave Boon: Andy Grant (visitor from Galveston, TX), Fred Thibodeau (new member next week), Richard Kimple, and Jean Rismiller.
Announcements:
Carl Robicheaux said the Fund Development committee will meet on 9/24 after the club meeting. We made $29,490 on the John Denver concert, better than last year.
Lee Lasson announced that tech training will take place on both Oct. 1 and 22 at 10:00 a.m. before the club meeting. You don’t need to sign up, just come. They are working on training materials.
Madison Casey announced the Foundation meeting today at 1:30.
Jean Rismiller thanked everyone who helped with the Arts and Crafts show. They cleared $4200 at the silent auction and may have made as much as $50,000 for Sunrise Rotary. They are sponsoring Autumn Gold on September 26-27 and need help with several different tasks. Please check the Spoke for “Sign-Up Genius” where you can volunteer.
Jack Ford read the list of nominees for the officers of next year’s committees.
Happy Money:
Ben Van der Werf is happy he’s making his sponsor payment for the John Denver concert.
Richard Kimple is happy for the events at Rocky for indigenous peoples. Check the park web site for further details.
Bill Solms thanked Carl Robicheaux for his volunteer work and hopes he’ll volunteer again next year..
Carl Robicheaux thanked all the volunteers who worked at the John Denver concert.
Guy Van der Werf told a story about a bear that managed to get into his bee hives over an electrified fence.
Program:
Rick Life introduced Shari Gallegos from UC Health. She spoke about strokes: symptoms, treatments, risk factors, and what you should do if you have symptoms.
Shari Gallegos presents Spotlight Guy gives Shari a
on Strokes Piece of the Rock
Adjournment:
President Guy led the five-way test (number 5 is “is it fun?”) and rang the bell at 12:52.
Do you know a Club Member who needs assistance? Maybe a ride to meetings, or just a phone call to keep in touch? Please contact Bill Smith 970-420-1033 or billsmithbronx1956@gmail.com.
