Northwind 3/30/06

Posted by David Engels 
 

WHATCOM COUNTY NORTH ROTARY

NORTHWIND

 

March 30, 2006

 

Meeting to Order: President Scott called the meeting to order at 12:35pm; Bruce Brabec welcomed the club in a foreign language. Scott then led us in the pledge of allegiance. Tim Carpenter provided the invocation.

 

Visiting Rotarians: Dave Engels introduced the visiting and guest Rotarians: From the Bellingham Club were Rob Westford, Jamie Vos and Jim Vos; from the Mt. Baker Club were Ron Vekved; from Bellingham Bay were Robin Schmidt; and from out of town, George Tsakumis and Wolf Paech.

 

Guest of Rotarians: Tim Villhauer introduced his phantom guest, Chris, who conveniently was absent at the time of introductions (hey Tim, my son use to have an invisible friend too); Bill Grace introduced his wife, Kris, who joined us for lunch.

 

Returning Rotarians: none noted.

 

Birthdays:  President Scott announced a number of upcoming birthdays, a couple of whom were also recognized last week: Adam Finfer; Dick Langabeer; Julie Johansen and Winton Smith.  Happy birthday to each and all!

 

Foundation Minute: Today's minute didn't exist.

 

Announcements: President Scott reminded the club that Career Fair is 3/31 (tomorrow). Paul Cooley read off the names of the volunteers who needed to arrive at 8:00am. Approximately 460 students are expected to attend this year. Jerry Landcastle invited the club to help out with a community project on Saturday, April 1, 2006 from 9:00am-12:00noon at the Ferndale soccer fields. Tim Villhauer reminded everyone that this time next week (4/6) at Christ the King there will be the Good Scouting Banquet and they will be honoring Dick Metcalf.

 

Happy Bucks: Tim Carpenter was happy that he was welcomed at the corner table; Brian Finnegan is training for this year's Ski to Sea, already almost drowned and lost his keys in the river; Lynn Seelye traveled the last 5 weeks; Jack Curnow is sad to see that there are no barbers where Bruce Brabec lives; Greg Iwasaki was happy about the Career Fair and volunteers; Jake Smith took a ski trip with Larry Pollett; Dave Adamson's wife's baby appointment went well, also, just purchased house with 7 acres in the county; Bruce Brabec is happy to see everyone; Bill Grace is happy spring has arrived (saw first hummingbird), have "humpty dumpty" dahlias to give away if interested; Rick Staeb went to Arizona and it was colder there than up in Bellingham; George Tsakumis was going to Portland, needed a map and couldn't get one in Bellingham; Dan Parsons has a successful internet gambling operation.

 

 

Finemaster:  The finemaster committee chairperson, Phil Bratt, fined all those on the finemaster committee for not discovering that there was no March 30, 2006 on the schedule. Dave Engels was fined because he should have enjoyed the company of Lori Pobuta at the greeters table. Brian Finnegan was fined for not knowing when to show up for the Career Fair; Jack Curnow was fined for his wise comments before the invocation; Scott Walker was fined for not being happy that Meridian broke Blaine's winning streak; Ron Vekved (guest) fined for just being here; all chap-stick carriers were fined; everyone who isn't an immigrant to the US was fined $1; and Dan Parsons was fined for his blowup doll exhibition at Bob's Burgers and Brew.

 

Banners:     Dan Parsons guessed theme of April Fools Day.

 

Program: Bruce Brabec introduced Carl Weimer, the executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust. Carl is also the executive director of ReSources which runs the ReStore. He is an alumnus of the University of Michigan and a new county council member.

 

The Pipeline Safety Trust came about as a result of the Olympic Pipeline tragedy that occurred on June 10, 1999. The explosion of 6/10/99 was a result of a culmination of factors. The pipeline was damaged by a 3rd party â¿¢ Olympic knew about it and didn't fix it. A valve was installed wrong and kept malfunctioning â¿¢ about 50-60 times prior to the accident. Got to a point it malfunctioned so often that Olympic ignored it when the alarm went off regarding the malfunction. There was also criminal negligence of employees of Olympic â¿¢ some served jail time.

 

There are many costs incurred as a result of a pipeline failure: injuries/death; environmental contamination; property damage; severe economic damage; and fuel price increases, to name a few.

 

When the pipeline burst in Bellingham the community came together and refused to ignore the tragedy and the community said "no"; not starting the pipeline again until it finds out what happened, why it happened and the regulations for pipeline safety change. Bellingham kept at it for greater than two years. Politicians took notice and eventually the Pipeline Safety Act of 2002 was passed. The Act required pipelines to be inspected (first time ever required). The Office of Pipeline Safety also moved forward to make significant rule changes.

 

The Pipeline Safety Trust was started with $4,000,000.00. Its mission is to promote fuel transportation through safety and education. The Trust helps by pushing for better data and regulations; it is an independent source for pipeline information; and it is a trusted liaison between the government and private enterprise.

 

The Trust promotes easier access to information for the public in regard to pipeline safety. It accomplishes this by its website; by email lists; by state specific websites; national newsletter; work on new rules and regulations; and the hiring of engineers to perform independent reviews on the issues.

 

The Trust's on-going needs/goals include: stronger testing regulations; land use rules and regulations; easier access to pipeline information; strict financial responsibility; and giving states more authority over pipeline companies.

 

Drawing: Kris Grace had her number called, but did not draw the ace of spades. The pot grows bigger.

 

Editor this week:  Greg Thulin