President Stacie Cook started the meeting with the ringing of the bell at 12:02 pm. David Hartman led the invocation with another heartfelt and timely prayer. David Spencer led the pledge and song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in honor of the Texas Rangers Winning the World Series.
We had one guest, Dave Lilley of Trinity Hughes Construction, who was introduced by Norris Martin. We had one birthday, our own President Stacie Cook.
On the Sunshine Report, Shirley Craft announced that her last CAT scan showed that she was all clear. Also, we need to continue to keep John Deason in our prayers.
On announcements, we will have our annual Veterans Day Program on November 9th (next week) and members are encouraged to wear their Paul Harris Medallions. Please let Tina know no later than Tuesday next week if you are bringing a guest. Also, Veterans Day Flags will be put out the weekend of November 11.
For the Brag Bucket, Walter Coppage put in money for Benay Ayers in honor of the Rangers winning the World Series. Benay is in New York and last seen wearing Rangers attire. Cara Sauceda noted that her nephew just turned 5 and he is so smart, he may skip a year in school. Will Goodner bragged that his 7th grade son made a touchdown at his last game. Carla Dowlen’s nephew continues to shine in baseball as his team came in second in a recent tournament. Monica Horton wanted to make everyone aware of the BBB Fall Toast. David Kelley also put in money in honor of the Rangers. Judge Jeff McKnight put in money in honor of his two daughters for their success in the Holliday Band at the State Contest.
Will Goodner introduced our member spotlight, Judy Koetter. Judy is the President/CEO of the Beacon Lighthouse, Inc. in Wichita Falls. Fun fact, her husband has the secret recipe for the Windhorst Sausage Feed.
Josh Phillips introduced our program, Senator Drew Springer who has served 4 terms as a member of the Texas State House before becoming our current State Senator. He was raised in Weatherford where he attended Weatherford H.S. and Weatherford College before graduating from the University of North Texas. He currently resides in Munster.
Senator Springer discussed many of the 14 Propositions on the current ballot for election on November 5th. After finishing the regular session this year, there have been 3 special sessions and a 4th to be called primarily focusing on education.
Some of the points Senator Springer mentioned:
Proposition 4 increases homestead property tax exemptions from 40K to 100K.
New State Hospital to be funded in Wichita Falls.
Prop. 5 will help Texas Tech University and other schools with state funding to become Tier 1 schools. This should help MSU. Cost of living adjustment to be provided to retired teachers.
One proposition being proposed would be provide $500K addition support to law enforcement in counties less than 300K as well as additional support for prosecutors.
Prop. 9 will be support broad ban for rural areas.
$600M to be provided for community colleges in support for those who do not attend universities.
A bill was passed about gender in athletics at the NCAA level.
A bill was passed called the Death Star Bill to keep municipalities from over regulating businesses.
$5 billion is being provided for Border Security. Biggest issues are fentanyl, human and sex trafficking that the State is having to deal with.
Melonie Berry was introduced as Senator Springer’s Assistant.
For Rotary Minute, President Cook suggested that the members read an article in the current Rotary Magazine on page 54 about mental health. Also, Norris Martin mentioned that there is also an excellent article on youth and suicide.
President Cook closed the meeting at 1:00 pm with the Four Way Test.