Sometime around noon Thursday 18 January, 2024 (failed to look at my time keeping devices) the Rotary Club of Wichita Falls came to attention with Vice President, Cara Sauceda taking command in the absence of President Stacie Cook who was absent due to caring for her Grandmother. Cara brought Dr. David Hartman came to the front for our invocation. Cara then led us in the pledge and a singing of the ever so popular Edelweiss.
The following visitors were introduced: Dee Ann Martin, wife and guest of Noros; Kathy Tegtmeyer, wife and guest of Larry; Brian Darland, guest of Alan Donaldson; and Sam Pak, guest of David Kelley. We did not have any birthdays celebrated today.
Dave Hartman informed us that Shirley Craft was in the hospital, and we are wishing her well. Walter Coppage was in the house after a stint with covid and his wife is getting better as well.
Alex Pappas has been researching fundraising ideas. An announcement was made the local blood supplies are reaching a critically low level and we were asked to investigate visiting the blood center for a donation.
Carol Murray passed the brag bucket and was able to pull a few dollars out of the members pockets.
The youth of the month was present before the club by Kenny Weeks, Ms. Kalecia Peterson, who is attending Hirschi High School. She was present with her grandparents and Rick Taylor. She would like to attend the University of Texas and pursue Pediatrics Psychology and provide help in navigating through the trials of life that we have all been presented.
Josh Phillips introduced our speaker, Wichita Falls own, Representative James Frank, who has proudly represented us and about 200,000 of our closest friends for the past 11 years. He represents 14 counties and leads us through the maze of government legislation and laws that affect us all. He went through Texas A and M system of higher education. James and his wife have 6 sons and 2 granddaughters. One of his present jobs is part time yet very demanding. 140 days every two years and has the monthly legal tender of $600.00 per month. You all have a of gaining the privilege of attaining this wage and duties. Mr. Drew Springer has decided not to represent his area again and leaving a vacant slot that Is being chased by at least 4 candidates at this time.
Representative Frank brought us up to speed on a few items that started out in the few of thousands that were considered in the 140 day work sessions. Property taxes which have gone down due to some money shifting, of which the oil and gas industry which we all in Texas love pays about 14 to 15 % of the budget. The attempt to explain the education funding which requires an abacus, a slide rule, and an AI NASA computer was needed to figure the numbers was needed to split up the dollars that are generated partly by the popular gambling monies generated by this ever so popular Texas Lottery System. Buy your tickets early and often!!!. The North Texas State Hospital Wichita Falls Campus is going to receive funding for a new 200 bed facility to replace and upgrade the facility and bring it closer to a more tenant friendly usable building. Bringing a boost to the local economy. The State Franchise Tax is to be eliminated for small companies that range in sales from 1 to 2.5 million dollars. And the ever so controversial subject of Lake Ringgold, which a judge has ruled as “shown as not needed”. There were a few items that were presented that added to the side of not needed, we spent about 20 Million on a RO (Reverse Osmosis plant) for Lake Kemp which is larger than Lake Arrowhead. We received funding for the world-famous wastewater recovery system. This process has been studies by many other parts of the world, and they have visited Wichita Falls to see this process some from the middle east. Texas Tech is also teaching this process in engineering classes, and water recovery which is becoming and ever so important process of sustainable importance. Representative Frank also welcomed each of you to join his newsletter that is emailed out and is attainable by visiting his web page: www.house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=69
The Club Meeting ended with the Four Way Test