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Vol. 18, No. 46, MAY 15, 2006 |
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The Friday Program: Our Northern Friend; Change Underway in Canada (Jeffrey N. Parker, Canadian Consul-General for the Pacific Northwest) | Friday Potpourri | Health Report: Don Deasy | Arthur Pratt Passes Away | Student of the Month Honored: America Cuytun | The Mini Calendar — Important Dates on the Horizon | Grown Man Cries at Meeting | Two Prospective Member Applications Approved for Publishing | Community Service Mini-Club Assembly | Web Fun |
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The Friday Program:
Parker pointed out that “a new government took office shortly after the New Year, with the reigning Liberals giving way to a minority government, which brought the Conservatives back to power. Typically, a government such as this will last 18 months to 2 years before elections will be called.” Parker said, “The U.S. is our best friend and largest trading partner. Our targeted agenda lists the following: accountability of government, reducing taxes, tackling crime, child care, health care, cut sales/corporate/business/personal taxes; attention to infrastructure; provide more RCMP; Deal with the issue of armed border guards; strengthen our military.” Trade is vital for Canada. 87% of the country’s trade is with the US. Conversely, Canada is the single largest U.S. market, accounting for something like 25% of American trade. “Yes,” said Parker, “the trade agreement between our two countries is very important.” With a fine spring morning bringing early showers, President Lingenbrink called the meeting to order. He introduced Roger Allingto,n who delivered the invocation and led the Pledge to the flag. Tom Smith introduced a gaggle of visiting Rotarians, including Keith Jackson, Janet Woods, Jeff Barker, Seattle #4; David Bobanick, Mercer Island; Bob Neubauer, California; Candice, Frenoon club. Many members remembered Bob Neubauer, former president of the Bellevue Sunrise Rotary Club in Factoria, as a frequent visitor back in the good old days. Bob participated in many weird skits, including an appearance on behalf of the Women’s Department of the Clothier. Don Deasy is good about providing an update on how his treatment is coming for his cancer. Here is his latest:
Student of the Month Honored: America Cuytun
America's community service interests have involved working in projects benefiting children. She plans to enter college and become a nurse. Also attending the Student-of-the-Month ceremony were her parents Martin and Ileana Cuytun. This is the time of the year when grown men cry. Don Chandler was near tears Friday, pleading with members holding out on their Paul Harris commitment for the current year. “You could sure save the mental health of four past presidents who’ve agreed to shepherd the annual Rotary Foundation campaign — Every Rotarian, Every Year.” Along with Chandler, Don Deasy, Dick Brown and Cary Kopczynski are all putting their bodies on the railroad track in order to get checks processed for TRF (The Rotary Foundation) prior to the end of June. “The problem is it takes some time for processing at Rotary headquarters. If you want your contributions to be counted in this year’s campaign — and, we, your committee, certainly do — then you MUST ACT NOW!” Chandler wailed. The question is, why would you let the oncoming train plow into our TRF Committee? HINT: IF YOU HAVEN’T CONTACTED ONE OF THE FOUR SHEPHERDS NOTED ABOVE, YOU MUST DO SO THIS WEEK. If you want no part of an organization that adopts hollow slogans like “Every Rotarian, Every Year,” then play your part and make YOUR commitment TODAY! (Woo wooooo ... the sound of the train rounding the bend ...) Two Prospective Member Applications Approved for Publishing A brief board meeting immediately following Friday’s meeting resulted in the approval of applications from two prospective members. According to new member policies, these proposals will be published twice within a ten-day period, soliciting comment from the membership. Dr. John Armenia - Joining with a classification of “Education Leadership,” Dr. John Armenia is the director of the Education Leadership program at Bellevue’s City University. He has held this position since 1995. His previous employment was with the Peninsula School District. He is a 23-year member of the Gig Harbor Rotary Club, who has served as Club President, Chair of Club Service and Membership, and as trainer for District 5020. He joined the Gig Harbor club in 1983 and currently maintains his membership. With Steve Lingenbrink as his sponsor, John brings an interest in world affairs to the BBRC, with his school and Rotary partnerships. He has served as President of the Washington State chapter of Phi Delta Kappa International and as an associate with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He has also belonged to the Selah, WA, Kiwanis (1978-1983) and the American Legion (1971-1986). John is the editor of a publication called “A Joy to Learn” (1986-2006), and he enjoys golf and professional writing/editor. He served on District 5020’s Governor’s Newsletter staff from 1997 to 2001, and he is a member of the Canterwood Golf and Country Club (1988-2005). John and his wife Brenda live in Redmond. Ronald “Ron” Black - Ronald V. Black is president of Referral Financial Incorporated, a residential mortgage firm in Issaquah. He and his wife Stella live in Redmond. They have four children. Ron is sponsored by Dick Brown and co-sponsored by Paul Martin. His classification is proposed to be “Mortgage Broker-Residential.” Over the years, Ron has coached youth baseball, soccer and basketball. He is a member of the Washington Association of Mortgage Brokers, as well as the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. Ron enjoys listening to classical music and studies stock investments as a hobby. He lists golf as his chief recreational activity, with a membership at Sahalee Golf and Country Club, Sammamish. Members wishing to comment or raise questions regarding these proposed applications are requested to contact Club Service II Director Tom Smith no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2006. Community Service Mini-Club Assembly (Why is everything “mini” this time of year?) Shelley Noble, Director of Community Service, brought her chairs to the forefront Friday for a recap of activities of one of the most active committees going. To add further interest in the subject, the crew did a take-off on “Yellow Submarine,” accompanied by the guitar of Chip Erickson and the voices of Noble, Howard Johnson, Kevin Jewell and Tom Smith.
While on the subject, a check for $4,200 was given to Scott Sadler, representing the YMCA Partners with Youth programs. Specifically, he cited the grant would go to support scholarships for families to attend YMCA Summer camps. Tom Smith, Chair of Youth Services Committee, told the club that this committee is “in it for the long haul, looking to develop long-term relationships with the youth of our community.” The committee sponsors such visible projects as Students of the Month, Scholarships, Career Seminars, Day Planners for Sammamish High, and RYLA Scholarships. Chip Erickson serves as Chair of Preserve Planet Earth Committee, known for its environmental projects like the Sammamish River Releaf project and Adopt-a-Highway clean-up. Erickson put out the call for a “small crew for highway 405 clean-up, Saturday morning, June 3." Chip also said that another in a series of nature hikes is planned. Howard Johnson, club representative on the Rotary First Harvest board, introduced David Bobanick, Rotary First Harvest Executive Director, who accepted a check for $4,182, representing the final contribution to this important District project. The BBRC has supported RFH to the tune of $6,000 this year. Howard also said that the club “exceeded its target of participation at RFH monthly work parties. David Bolson was awarded a Starbucks coffee card for his exceptional participation at the RFH work parties. Shelley closed the group’s mini-assembly by saying, “Statistics show that one person’s commitment influences 10,000 other people over a lifetime.” Keep connected! The Friday Program:
Parker pointed out that “a new government took office shortly after the New Year, with the reigning Liberals giving way to a minority government, which brought the Conservatives back to power. Typically, a government such as this will last 18 months to 2 years before elections will be called.” Parker said, “The U.S. is our best friend and largest trading partner. Our targeted agenda lists the following: accountability of government, reducing taxes, tackling crime, child care, health care, cut sales/corporate/business/personal taxes; attention to infrastructure; provide more RCMP; Deal with the issue of armed border guards; strengthen our military.” Trade is vital for Canada. 87% of the country’s trade is with the US. Conversely, Canada is the single largest U.S. market, accounting for something like 25% of American trade. “Yes,” said Parker, “the trade agreement between our two countries is very important.” While the two countries maintain such a high profile trade, “there are some irritants. A new Softwood Lumber Agreement has a deal in the works. Not everyone’s happy with the consensus. The Agreement is for the next seven years.”
Another irritant is Canada exporting its waste to sites in Michigan. The Wolverine state is not enjoying this import. However, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allows this to occur. Talks continue. Energy is another key topic. “Katrina caused reduced production of U.S. energy. Canada stepped up production and the irritant is a charge of subsidizing energy production.” The exporting of water to other users, particularly the American Southwest, is in a discussion phase. The question is whether NAFTA is able to regulate the flow of water across the border. The Western Hemisphere Transportation Initiative (WHTI) has the issue of requiring passports at the Canadian-U.S. border. Canada supports a less restrictive policy, but recognizes the security issues posed by the United States.
Other issues include the coming 2010 Winter Olympics to Vancouver/Whistler. “How will we deal with the border during this heightened demand?” There is talk of increasing the capability of rapid transit between Seattle and Vancouver. The Pacific Northwest is a major gateway to China and India. Canada’s goal is to “cooperate, not compete.” Parker said that climate change is an issue. “There’s an economic opportunity in the Northwest Passage area in the Canadian north. This is one to watch for prospects of commercial shipping.” In the Q & A portion of the program, Parker was asked about delivering oil from the Alberta market. If it’s to be delivered to China or other Asian markets, a new pipeline to Prince Rupert would be required. Otherwise, the oil is going down into Midwest United States points.
And, the issue of regulation of salmon production, both farm raised and wild, continues to be a sticky wicket. It’s an issue of access to stocks, said Parker. In recognition of Parker’s presentation, a certificate was presented him showing a book has been donated to the King County Library System’s Ready-to-Read Program, promoting literacy in the community. Thanks to Jim Gordon for his introduction. CANSTRUCTION Architects and engineers compete to see whose team can build the most spectacular structure using little more than cans of food at Canstruction, the 13th Annual NYC Design and Build competition in New York.
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Friday Potpourri
