Northwind 3/20/08

Posted by David Engels 
 

Whatcom CountyNorth Rotary

Northwind

March 20, 2008

 

MEETING TO ORDER:  President Greg called the meeting to order at 12:35 and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Tim Carpenter gave the invocation.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:     Ron Vekved from the Mount Baker Club and George Tsakumis from Vancouver.

 

GUESTS:  Randy Carr introduced his guest David DeYoung.

 

RETURNING ROTARIANS:  None

 

BIRTHDAYS:  Addie Brown on March 21 and Rich Jacobson on March 23.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:        

 

1.  President Greg announced the District Conference May 15 through May 18 in Everett.  Golf on Thursday and the Boeing Flight Museum on Friday.

2.  Career Choices at WhatcomCommunity College - March 28 - Paul Cooley has every category filled.  Next Wednesday the 26th he needs collators at the Laidlaw Building and on the 28th he still needs volunteers to help between 7:00 a.m. and Noon.

3.  Brian Finnegan updated us on the planned auction May 9.  Two key points:  (1): Bring lots of people, and (2) Donate good items.  Think of all the fundraisers you've attended over the past year, and bring those people to our event.

4.  Dick Donahue announced that Al Peterson had open heart surgery and is doing well.  There will be a committee meeting after today's regular meeting on the Bay 2 Bay Bike Ride.  Last Tuesday, Dick and Tim Carpenter drove the route to help create a map for the riders.  The ride is 60 miles to the Boy Scout Camp, where the riders will spend the night and then travel 50 miles on the return leg.  He is still working on the logo and needs help from anyone with artistic ability.  There is an April 30th deadline for this.  Each rider will pay $300 and they hope to get 300 riders.

5.  Tim Carpenter passed out a brochure for Adelante Foundation.  Tim is looking for those people interested in traveling to the Honduras to fulfill our clubs commitment.  He then put out the challenge to all Board Members to commit to this.

6.  Randy Carr is working on the Youth Services Awards and is looking for volunteers to pick up plaques at the local high schools. 

 

HAPPY BUCKS:  Max Legg was humored by the New York governor's dalliance, which forced him to resign.  Marlene Sexton was happy to see her kids, a bridle shower and a cake tasting.  Chad Chambers was $100 happy to accept a life time achievement award on behalf of this father at tonight's Business Award Banquet.  Paul Cooley was happy to finish a course at Whatcom Community College.  Nancy Tieman for the Madrona deal finally going together and her daughter teaching English in Thailand.  Tim Villhauer for the most programs at one Rotary meeting.  George Tsakumis for spending time with his daughter and grandson.  Addie for reaching the age of 55.  Bob Bowman for his granddaughter's visit.  Stan Brunner for a daughter in Fairbanks sending down a nasty Cougar blanket followed by a beautiful Husky blanket.  Dan Parsons for a great babysitter and neighbors who took in his kids when they were locked out of the house.  Doug Thomas for Jerry Chamber's life time achievement award and his daughter turning 16.  Jack Curnow for Dan Parsons backing Oklahoma's winning program.  Dick Donahue for something profound. 

 

FINEMASTER:   Phil Bratt fined Tim Carpenter for the long announcement.  Ferndale residents for having such a great community and making the front page of the Bellingham Herald.  Husky fans for knowing how many free throws are needed to win a basketball game - two.  Gary Tomsic for the upcoming four day Canadian holiday.  Bob Bowman for staying away from any comments about Jeremiah Wright's sermons.  All boat owners for the new Eagle Ray that launched into the air and killed a woman today.  Brian Finnegan for having an earring.  Anyone participating in the Basketball Pool.  Those participating in a pool for under $2, 000 will be guilty of a misdemeanor and for over $2,000 it will be a felony.  Tony Cubellis for something about a birthday being two days off. 

 

BANNERS:    The Vernal Equinox signifying the movement from Winter to Spring.

 

PROGRAM:   Today's program was our own Pete Kremen.  Pete agreed to fill in on short notice and did an excellent job.  He played part Rodney Dangerfield then became serious.  He works very hard for us - 12 to 14 hour days - 284 days each year for the past three years.  He then gave us a brief sketch of his address to the County.  The county is adversely affected by the economic downturn.  They have lost significant permit revenue with the decline in the housing market but this is offset somewhat by the strong Canadian dollar, which is boosting the retail market.  Revenue is down $1.5 million from building permits, $500k from declining timber sales and another $1 million from other sources.  The working Reserve Fund is down to $12 million from $22 million a couple of years ago.  There are some positives.  The refineries are going through a major expansion.  But, we need to live within our means.  He is predicting an up tick by 2012.  The county needs a new jail but not able to do it right now because the 600 bed facility discussed in 2003 for $50 to $60 million has more than doubled in cost today.  These are the challenges his administration is facing in the future.  Very informative Pete.

 

DRAWING:   No winner again.

 

Editor this week:  David Engels