IN THIS ISSUE

Focus On Public Safety
King County Sheriff Dave Reichert gave a far-ranging presentation on current issues in law enforcement and proposed that “police need to work together better” — a reference to the problems encountered at the World Trade Organization Conference last year.

Reichert, a 28-year veteran of the Sheriff’s office who was elected sheriff in 1997, opened with a “cop story.” “In 1970 as a young officer, one of my first calls was to what we called a family fight, now known as domestic violence. The husband had a butcher knife to the throat of his wife, while barricaded in their locked home. When I got there, I had to decide how to respond. With my partner and other back-up at the front of the home, I found an open window in the back. I crawled in, took my shoes off so the man wouldn’t hear me walking down the hall. About that time, his wife had squirmed loose and I helped her escape out the window.

“My next concern was the man, who still wanted to use the knife. I made my move, he knocked me down and cut my neck, requiring 45 stitches. My colleagues broke down a door and made the arrest. I stood up and promptly passed out.

“The man pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, was treated for a year in the state mental hospital, and after release, promptly harmed his wife again. The difference then and now is that these crimes are done with guns.”

Reichert described the violence and horror of the Shoreline “disturbance,” where a man went on a rampage, killing three and injuring several others, before being taken out by Sheriff’s officers. “After the man had broken into the home that had lots of guns and ammo, police officers responding to the call were greeted by a hail of bullets. The first officer on the scene, a policewoman, suffered a fractured skull from a bullet crashing through the windshield. We formed a tactical team of several different police jurisdictions to bring the situation to an end. It was obvious the man had all the firepower he needed to hole up and continue to wreak havoc in that neighborhood. I made the decision that we needed to take the man out – my first such decision in my 28-year career.”

On the subject of WTO, Reichert asked, “Can you imagine a scenario where cops are not able to do anything but just stand by and watch? That’s what happened at WTO.” Reichert stressed that proper planning and working together would have solved some of the problems encountered. “As we learn to work together, we need to do three things: 1) share information; 2) combine training; and 3) build partnerships. We have eight SWAT teams in all of King County … do we need that many? How many bomb squads and separate homicide investigations do we need? As Sheriff, I’m able to look over the entire needs of the County. I would hope we could count on better cooperation among law enforcement agencies in the future.”

Returning to his main topic, the Sheriff said his focus is on public safety. “We need to look at our school resource officer program to make sure our schools are safe. We need to work with kids to build trust and faith. All of us have the responsibility to help them keep the faith.”
During Q & A time, Reichert pointed out that the King County Sheriff’s office was in a support role with the Seattle Police Department during WTO. “We need more integrated training.”

When asked about that training, Reichert said that officers who are to be assigned riot duty must be evaluated prior to assignment. “I am asking Judge Carroll to give an independent assessment of our department’s role in the WTO, based on our four core values: leadership, integrity, service, and teamwork.”

“There are 30 police departments in King County, beside the Sheriff’s department. We provide contract service to 13 cities. Our purpose is not to decrease local identity, but to augment it. We should develop more joint partnerships with other police departments for boat patrols, helicopter surveillance, etc.,” said the Sheriff.
When asked about gun control laws, the Sheriff said that early laws were made in a vacuum. “The question is how are the new laws being implemented? We are part of a group called the Vital Firearms Coalition, recognizing laws already on the books, doing a better job of enforcing those laws, and doing a better job of presenting evidence. In King County today, if a crime is committed with a firearm, the person is going to jail.”

Thanks to Steve Goldfarb for his introduction.

Alan Bohling delivered the invocation and led the pledge to the flag. Larry A. May welcomed two visiting Rotarians and other guests.

Sharon Edberg reports that Marlys Anderson has surfaced in Scottsdale, AZ. Marlys is working for Russ Lyon Realty in that desert city and her work number is (480) 585-7070. She’s in the process of taking all of the required classes and orientations in order to become certified. She has attended a couple of Rotary Club meetings in the area and is hoping to join one of the clubs soon. Marlys, whom you’ll all remember was an active member of the BBRC for several years, can be reached at 9340 E. Redfield Road, Apt. 1085, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.

Will Einstein, trumping up interest for EADC Work Party on Saturday, March 4, revealed that Jan Nestler has found more projects for her beloved Rotarians to accomplish. Will said, “We’ll need a dozen or more members to help on this spring clean-up project.”

Final, absolute closing has arrived for the Valentine’s Day Dine Around. You might still be able to slip in if you act now, by contacting Bob Moloney immediately. This annual fellowship function has been a great success, thanks to Bob’s sponsorship. Saturday evening, February 12 – don’t miss it! Last call!

A group of Rotarians and their guests joined in the BBRC Chorus to help dedicate the new Hopelink family facility at Main & 148th. Singers included Will Einstein, Larry May, Judy Johnson, Howard Johnson, John Mix, Steve Waltar, Jeff Cashman, Shelley Noble, Jenny Andrews, Chuck Barnes, and Stewart Martin. (Foto by Fil Noble)

Rotarians who’ve joined the BBRC in the past year and who have NOT attended a New Member Assembly are invited to the next Assembly, to be held Saturday, February 19th. Details to follow.

Steve Lingenbrink brought his road show to the lectern, reminding members that the “tactic of mass fines — where every members puts a buck or two on the table — has been basically abandoned this year in favor of more specific blockbusters.” Lingenbuck called Steve Luplow to the front to praise Luplow for his role in making the Bellevue Square meeting a success. Lingenfine assured Luplow he would not be fined, only that the Sergeant At Arms needed some advice.

“Do you do jewelry appraisals?” was the question. Luplow, Ben Bridge Jewelers manager at Bellevue Square, said, “Sure, I’m called upon to do appraisals.” Lingenjewel had a unique “jewel-encrusted calculator” bearing the promotional stamp of Goldfarb Jewelers. Lingenruby wanted to know how much the calculator would bring on the open market (or closed). Luplow responded, after much deliberation and estimate the price tag at $91,234.56! At that moment, Steve Goldfarb (part of the Steve triumvirate) pointed out Lingenbrink to Friday’s guest County Sheriff Dave Reichert as someone who was “hassling me.” The gig ended in predictable laughter and a big round of applause. Any fine was lost in the mirth.

But it wasn’t over. Dick Brown was fined $20 for opening his shop early on January 7 in order to serve a few Rotarians who happened to be there for the BBRC meeting. After 23 members rose to tell about their purchases, the fined was levied. However, Rourke O’Brien, who will become Sergeant At Arms on July 1, rushed to the lectern to reduce his fine from a week ago from $200 to $50 … and to absolve Brown of all. Talk about restless members! TOP

Portrait Of A
BBRC Rotarian:
TERRY BAKER

One of the BBRC’s eight active Charter members is the focus of this week’s Portrait. Terry Baker is a retired dentist and naval officer. “I had been in private practice in Bellevue for three years when I got a call from Norris Bevan. He wanted to interview me as a prospective charter member of a new Rotary Club being formed. The rest is history!”

Terry, a native of Helena, Montana, and a graduate of Carroll College there, entered the Navy in the mid-fifties and served as a line officer. After his first tour was over, Terry used his GI Bill to enter dental school in Chicago. His first assignment was with the Public Health Service, where he worked for four years on the Quinault Indian Reservation. He then re-entered the Navy in 1964 as a ship’s dentist, serving on three different ships, with such ports of call as Vietnam and Scotland. After 27 years in the Navy, Terry retired in 1982.

He opened his own dental practice in Bellevue and became part of the charter member group of the BBRC in 1985. “There were 25 of us and I served as club secretary for the first two years, during which time we added 75 more members. Under the presidencies of Lou Webb and Dick Clarke, the BBRC really grew.”

Terry and his wife Marge, are permanent fixtures at Club fellowship outings. “I’ve enjoyed working on the Fellowship Committee over the years.” When asked for two special memories he had of his BBRC membership, Terry said his “second classification talk was about my Navy career … I brought along film of my being initiated in that special group that has crossed the equator … I guess my talk went on too long, because President Don Deasy pulled the plug from the wall!” Terry also highlighted the two trips the International Committee made to Tijuana, Mexico, to build a cistern for a community water supply and a room that became part of the community school. “I really enjoyed the experience of working with other volunteers, especially the young people and Rotarians, as we tackled some worthwhile projects for the people in the area.”

Terry has served as an assistant cashier for several years and also has had a high attendance level. His other passion is his climbing up the “chairs” toward the top spot in the Queen City Yacht Club. “I’m currently the Rear Commodore, and in two years will be in the top leadership post as Commodore of the Club.”

Terry has three children, Mary Ellen, Kathy, and Patrick, and two grandkids. As for Rotary, Commodore Baker says, “It’s allowed me to meet outstanding people, both locally and internationally. I’ve had the privilege of doing make-ups in several foreign countries. Both Marge and I are real partners when it comes to Rotary!”

Peter Powell accepted the new Sapphire pin that denotes his reaching a second Paul Harris fellowship, representing his contribution of $2,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation. Committee Chairperson Dick Clarke affixed the new pin, while putting in a plug for each member to contribute at least $100 to the Rotary Foundation prior to July 1 to reach the Club’s goal of over $10,000. Contributions are lagging, with only $3,750 deposited so far.

Will Rogers said: “We don’t seem able to check crime, so why not legalize it and then tax it out of business?”

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Sarah Noel Porter

Congratulations to new grandparents Dick and Judy Brown. Their daughter, Jennifer, gave birth Friday, January 28, to 7-1/2 lb. Sarah at 1:24 p.m. Everybody doing fine! Grandma and Grandpa elated!

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MIX IN MOTION

"And the Board wonders why four members left?"

For My Friends & Family
Contributed by Earl Falk

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails. Over the new few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails had been removed.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar, just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are a very rare jewel indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.”

Last week was National Friendship Week. A perfect opportunity to show friends how much you care. Send this wonderful story to everyone you consider a Friend, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you’ll know you have a circle of friends.

Happy Friendship Week to YOU! Let’s make EVERY week FRIENDSHIP WEEK. Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole in your fence.

And how would they define a risk manager?

An auditor is someone who arrives after the battle and bayonets all the wounded.

A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain.

An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday didn’t happen today.

A statistician is someone who is good with numbers, but lacks the personality to be an accountant.

An actuary is someone who brings a fake bomb on a plane because that decreases the chances that there will be another bomb on the plane.

A programmer is someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand.

A mathematician is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat which isn’t there.

A topologist is a man who doesn’t know the difference between a coffee cup and a doughnut.

A lawyer is a person who writes a 10,000 word document and calls it a “brief.”

A psychologist is a man who watches everyone else when a beautiful girl enters the room.

A professor is one who talks in someone else’s sleep.

A schoolteacher is a disillusioned woman who used to think she liked children.

A consultant is someone who takes the watch off your wrist and tells you the time.

A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.

How to Identify Where a Driver is From
Contributed by Bob Vallat, from his son in the Big Apple

1. One hand on wheel, one hand on horn: Chicago.

2. One hand on wheel, one finger out window: New York.

3. One hand on wheel, one finger out window, cutting across all
lanes of traffic: New Jersey.

4. One hand on wheel, one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on accelerator: Boston.

5. One hand on wheel, one hand on nonfat double decaf cappuccino, cradling cell phone, brick on accelerator, with
gun in lap: Los Angeles.

6. Both hands on wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror: Ohio, but driving in California.

7. Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in back seat: Italy.

8. One hand on latte, one knee on wheel, cradling cell phone, foot on brake, mind on radio game: Seattle

9. One hand on wheel, one hand on hunting rifle, alternating between both feet being on the accelerator and both feet on brake, throwing McDonald’s bag out the window: Texas.

10. Four-wheel drive pick-up truck, shotgun mounted in rear window, beer cans on floor, squirrel tails attached to antenna:
Kentucky.

11. Two hands gripping wheel, blue hair barely visible above windshield, driving 35 on the Interstate in the left lane with the left blinker on: Florida.