Northwind April 14, 2016

President Sharon called the meeting to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Jim Sands provided invocation.

Guests:  Tracy from Tim and Pati’s office.

Returning Rotarians:  Tim and Pati from a trip to Arizona and Monument Valley.  Rollo from a Spring Break trip to the Cabin.

Birthdays and Anniversaries:  Linda Quinn is having a birthday on April 20^th.

Announcements:  June 4^th is the work party for Star Park in Ferndale.  The District Conference is April 29^th at Semiahmoo. Ken has Duck Tickets and Eric will be collecting money as you sell your tickets.  Look for as many selling opportunities as possible such as Haggen’s or other large gathering of people.

Happy Bucks:  Bill was happy about the Mariners recent wins and Greg’s improving health report.  Greg was $5 happy that he wasn’t going to need a heart transplant.  Jim Sands was very happy that he got to do the invocation.  Ken was happy Duck Tickets were available for sale.  Rollo was happy about his Spring Break vacation.  Julie was $5 that this was her last official tax season.  Tim was $5 for his and Pati’s trip to AZ.  Pati was happy that our program was able to fill in today. Laurie was happy that the Korean and Japanese baseball programs were producing good talent. Your editor had a few happy bucks for the fine job the Program Committee was doing.

Fine Master:  Tim was happy to stride to the podium to begin his financial infliction on his fellow Rotarians. Eric was really late but no fine due to his emergency.  Jill was $2 dinged for being late.  Julie was fined a dollar for no immediate plans for her future now that tax season is done.  Pati was fined for not supplying a phone number on one of Tim’s messages.  Rollo was fine a buck for something.  Ken had no fine since he was getting the Duck tickets distributed.  Jake was fined a dollar for being so early to the meeting.  Sharon was fined a dollar for not having any program worries for the rest of the year.  Jill was docked a dollar for a Duck Ticket incident.  Bill was fined for doing excessive accounting during member’s happy bucks.  Stan was fined for his unusual appearance at the Sergeant At Arms desk.  You editor was dinged for self promotion of his big band.  Linda was finded for talking politics with the Mayor.  Other imposed fines by members including Sharon fining Julie for having to go back into the office after April 15^th. Bill fined the Fine Master for some alleged infraction.

Banners:  they were a carryover from the meeting that we missed on April 1^st (Career Fair) they were April Fool’s Day themed. Jake, Ken and Eric were fined for not getting the theme.

Program:  Pati introduced the Mayor of Ferndale, Jon Mutchler.  Mayor Mutchler is a WWU graduate, the founding local pastor of Ferndale Alliance Church and professional pianist since his dad was a Jazz Educator. He was elected to the Ferndale City Council in 2009 and reelected in 2013. Jon was also elected to and served on the 2015 Whatcom County Charter Review Commission. Jon took office as mayor on January 1, 2016 for a four-year term. Jon enjoys visiting informally with Ferndale citizens and can be found each Monday morning from 6:00 – 8:00 AM at the Ferndale Woods Coffee Shop. You are invited to stop in.

The Mayor is the father of 7 children ages 8-26.  The family received their second grandchild on Wednesday night.  He went to seminary in British Columbia before moving back to Ferndale.  He has built two homes in Ferndale, he and his wife have home schooled their children.  Wasn’t sure if he was going to run for Mayor after spending two years on the City Council but decided to do so after Mayor Jensen encouraged him to do so.  Jon then fielded questions from the audience ranging from traffic flow to future city projects including an overpass of the railroad tracks at Thornton Road which will cost $38 million.

Drawing:  Ken won the door prize of a Jigsaw puzzle and then immediately drew the 8 of hearts so the pot continues to grow..