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Our about-to-be inducted Club 33 members saw TV cameras and an overflow crowd and maybe thought they were the reason. Sorry, guys, this was San Diego Rotary as the community forum, the best podium in town, and you picked a great meeting to join us.
David Wescoe delivered the inspirational moment, a poem titled “Why I Wake Up Early” that drew a lot of knowing nods, and the Shelly/Showley duo led us in patriotic song. Bert Wahlen’s news disclosed that liars take 35% longer to say something than ‘truth’ers, something that we’ve all long suspected.
Joan Friedenberg introduced the students from Garfield High; David Oates received thanks for the Young Rotarian event; and Dick Troncone recognized new Paul Harris Fellows Bill Gore, Kimberley Layton and Bill Thaxton. Thanks for your support!
Marlee Ehrenfeld brought us new member Richard Kwiatkowski, who handles marketing for the Airport Authority, and Derrick Cartwright introduced John Wilson, the new exec at the Timken Museum with an enviable arts resume. Marlee and Derrick passed the two minute intro test as well!
Lewis Linson told us that our highly successful Rotarians at Work Day program will take place on Saturday, April 25. It’s a great opportunity for community service and Lewis called for new projects, which in this environment will be more than welcomed.
Hard to believe, but Club 33 will be 100 years old in 2011, and President Stan announced that Ben Clay agreed to chair the Centennial celebration. Kudos to you, Big Ben, and know that you’ll have plenty of support moving forward.
Vince Mudd took the podium and dispensed with his duties, introducing our program as a collaboration of the local Chamber, Economic Development Corporation, SANDAG and many other stakeholders. Their task was to create a document of regional needs for the upcoming economic stimulus package, and they were represented by Mayor Jerry Sanders, SANDAG representative Jack Dale, and EDC executive Andrew Poat.
Sanders recently returned from Washington, where he asked that funds be disbursed quickly and directly to cities, bypassing the states and their beaurocracies (and sticky fingers). Billions of dollars are available for ‘shovel-ready’ projects in transportation, highways, transit and light rail that have passed environmental and engineering muster and are ready to bid. Border projects, solar initiatives and public safety programs are also included in the Mayor’s shopping list.
Dale indicated that the appropriations will begin in March, 2009, and that states have four months to put half of the money to work or risk losing the rest to other states. He said that San Diego has a very good shot at the money because we speak with one voice to state and federal officials. The stimulus dollars are to be used for capital, not operations, and he lobbied for transit dollars for local and regional rail improvements.
Poat spoke of ‘CleanTech’ initiatives, including alternative fuel vehicles, energy storage and liquefied gas biofuel research.
It was a great primer for us, and gave a personal touch to what we’re reading in the headlines every day.
Editor of the Day: Fred Baranowski
Photographer: Paul Nestor
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