Randall Sims has been a prosecutor his entire professional life and he wants to keep doing it.

 

The 47th District attorney, who's seeking re-election this year, said he's "not in it for the money. If I wanted to practice law for the money, I'd go into private practice."

 

Randall walked us through some of the things that make his duties "fun." He works with judges that have combined jurisdiction, but noted that District Judges Doug Woodburn and Don Emerson, who preside in the 108th and 320th district courts, serve only Potter County. The others have jurisdiction in Randall County, with the 47th District judge, Dan Schaap, presiding in a court that serves Armstrong County.

 

Potter County's crime rate is much greater than (Rocky Gafford (806) 584-5239) it is in Randall County, Randall noted, adding that Randall County prosecutors consider two homicides in a month to be "a lot." In Potter County, authorities consider it a victory if they can keep monthly homicides in single digits.

 

"Prosecutors really do wear the white hats," Randall said. "We don't want to throw everybody in jail." He noted how the county's drug court is diverting a lot of defendants into rehab and the newly formed mental health unit is diverting defendants into treatment for their affliction.

 

"All we really want is justice," Randall said.

 

Thanks for the great program, Mr. Prosecutor.

 

Dick Spivey, a Bell Helicopter retiree, is making us an offer. He wants to tell (Madison Scott (806) 367-9064) us more about the tiltrotor aircraft that's being assembled at the Bell plant next to the airport. On Monday, Feb. 22, Dick will conduct a session at the Bud Joyner Auditorium at AC's downtown campus, 1314 S. Polk Street, to impart some of his knowledge about the V-22 Osprey aircraft. The session starts at 6 p.m.

 

No noon meeting on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. We'll be having an evening get-together at the Bar Z Winery that day. This event will be a sit down Italian dinner with three courses each parred with a wine. Plan to have a fun social evening. Only $25 per person. 

 

Our club is a great supporter of the Rotary Foundation.  We currently have $2508.00 in the pot which some lucky winner may get to split with the foundation this week.   In last week's matchup of Rotarians who get a free draw John Early found his name in the wheels and called the other name hidden in the wheels Rick Matchett.  Rick wasn't available, according to John so no win there.  

 

There is a new look to our web page and the easiest way to see it is to go to the top of the newsletter and find the link..... Click here to visit Home Page. This website is intended to inform the community and attract new members but the main purpose is to serve our club members as a source of current as well as historical information. Your input is always welcome.

 

Special thanks go this week to: club president Jeff Lester, for presiding; to president-nominee Rocky Gafford for his invocation; to Paul Borchardt for introducing his lengthy list of guests and visiting Rotarians; to president-elect David O'Dell for leading us in song and the Pledge of Allegiance; to Doyle Moore and John Kanelis for greeting us; and, of course, to Gina Rodriguez for all she does to ensure the club runs smoothly.