First, Madeline Frume, introduced Ms. Kim Richard, who is the director of the Development and Stewardship Office of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo. (Sorry no picture, Boogie Bear hit our photographers camera) The Diocese represents 49 Churches; Holy Cross Catholic Academy in Amarillo, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Dalhart, St. Anthony’s elementary School in Dalhart, St. Joseph’s Montessori and Elementary, St. Mary’s Elementary School, St. Mary’s Montessori Preschool both in Amarillo and a variety of convents.  Ms. Richard announced that there is the Bishops Gala on April 29, 2016 at Amarillo Country Club.  In 2015 proceeds of the Gala were used to put heating and cooling in a parish hall in Turkey, Tx.   Plans for 2016 proceeds are to refurbish both the St. Mary’s Church in Clarendon, Texas and the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center in Amarillo. (Dale Bippus 355-4338) The Diocese is working to help the local community through food drives for High Plains Food Bank and support to the local snack pack for kids program. This involvement is helping to change people’s concept of the Diocese being secular.  If you have further questions Kim Richard can be reached at (806) 383-2243.

 

Madeline Frume introduced a second speaker, Randy Schuster, who is the interim Amarillo building official for the Building and Safety department.  Randy said his department is in the regulatory business and is a silent defender of the public.  Two of the many basic services the City provides are to insure that the buildings in which we live and work are safe and sanitary and that our neighborhoods are orderly, clean, and free of public nuisances. For those purposes the City has adopted various laws and policies that provide minimum standards to safeguard life, limb, and health in buildings; to extend the longevity and serviceability of buildings; to promote appropriate and compatible land uses in our neighborhoods; and to promote orderly and desirable development over time. Those include: (1) Construction codes that regulate the location, construction, use, renovation, repair, and maintenance of buildings and their associated equipment; (2) Licensing regulations that apply to certain construction trades, and to some businesses; (3) Zoning laws that regulate the use and development of land; and (4) Laws that regulate nuisances within the City, such as unsafe buildings, junk and abandoned vehicles, accumulations of objectionable material, and uncultivated vegetative growth.  There were 20,000. weed (overgrown vegetation) cases in Amarillo during 2015 due to the area receiving higher than normal amounts of rain.  Having those regulations however, is not enough unless they are effectively enforced.   During the question and answer session it became abundantly clear that the city does not have jurisdiction over the areas controlled by the Texas Department of Transportation nor are there sufficient excess funds available to maintain TXDOT areas. (Ken Bell 352-2896) When asked about punishment for non-compliance of regulations an example was provided of roofing contractors failure to obtain the proper permits.  The speaker stressed that the City does not punish offenders but rather requires parties to be in compliance with regulations.   The standard procedure is to have a 1^st time verbal warning, the 2^nd time an educational fee of $250.00 is charged and on the 3^rd time another educational fee of $500. is charged.  Rotarian, David Elizalde, expressed his personal appreciation for the professional demeanor in which Mr. Schuster performs his job.   If you should have any questions please contact Department of Building Safety which is located in City Hall, 509 SE 7th Ave. Room 105, Amarillo TX, 79105 or by phone (806) 378-6258, or email building@amarillo.gov or randy.schuster@amarillo.gov

 

Dick McKay read an announcement that Caprock High School Snack Shack volunteers were selected to receive the volunteers of the year award at the 2016 Partners in Education banquet.

 

Rotary Foundation tickets were given to each Rotarian present.  Each Rotary Club of Amarillo member was asked to take one book of tickets from their table and fill them out for chances on a $2,500.00 Travel Voucher annual drawing to take place on May 20, 2016.  Please return ticket stubs to Gina by May 12 to be eligible for drawing.  No money is due since tickets are paid for through your dues.  Proceeds benefit The Rotary Foundation.

 

Ticket Drawing:  There is $ 3,750.00 in the pot and it continues to grow. 

 

Jeff Lester, President- presided over the meeting, Invocation was led by John Kanelis, classification Newspaper Publishing, David O’Dell led the opening ceremony which included singing the God Bless America and the pledge to the American flag, Introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians was led by Cal Harriman classification Past President.  Guests present were – Kim Richard, guest of Madeleine Frume, Nan Haworth, guest of Mark Haworth and Blake Goldston guest of David Elizalde. Also, in attendance was Gloria Coleman, from West Rotary Club and Melissa Mertogul from San Luis Obispo, CA Rotary Club.  Thank you to Dale Bippus and Melvin Darnell for greeting, Melvin Edes- ticket sales, Kevin Gandy – Wheels, Melvin Edes for providing free beef jerky, Rocky Gafford for providing a free pizza and Gina Rodriquez for taking care of everything else.

 

Quote:  “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.  What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”.  Author- Jane Goodall (1934-    )  Animal Rights Activist