President Jerry called the meeting to order . . .
Father Jack Gray delivered prayer and pledge.
President Jerry . . . announcements . . . .
President Jerry opened meeting by welcoming everyone, including guests and visiting Rotarians. Guests looking for a Rotary Club were invited to make application.
President Jerry thanks Keith Bullock for filling in. Reminder was given that we will be helping the Salvation Army ring the bells and an sign up sheet will be at next Tuesdays meeting.
Alan Bookman introduced our newest member, Clary Ellis, who happens to be his son-in-law.
Sunshine by Roger Doyle who congratulated the NWFL Blood Bank on receiving an Impact 100 grant for a new blood mobile.
Roger introduced our two military guests, visiting Rotarians, and guests of Rotarians. Only one Birthday this week, Glen McDonald. Happy Birthday Glen.
$75 in the Raffle and Nancy was the winner of a beautiful Camellia plat.
Evon Emerson introduced Charles Wood, Senior VP of Economic Development for the Chamber who gave an update on the direct the Chamber is going in the area of economic development.
Presentation highlights . . .
The Chamber is working on developing a downtown Urban Tech Campus with will bring in new technology jobs. The campus will be built on 9.2 acres of land between the Civic Center and Aragon Court. The project will allow 500,000 SF of development which will create 1,000 new jobs with an average salary of 50,000. The 10 year impact in new revenue equals 2.8 million in property taxes, 12.7 million in new sales taxes and 1,400 in new indirect jobs. Momentum has already been building for this project through the High Growth Business Club, which is a regional network of Tech Businesses, and through advertising on iTen Wired. This plan will leverage all our existing resources to bring more high tech industry to our community.
Meeting adjourned…….
President Jerry thanked Scott Paul for Greeting and Claudia Simmons for the raffle. Next meeting is the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida.
Credit Sandra Smith with much hard work helping the Children’s Chorus prepare for their 2007 Christmas show. The Civic Center location presented many problems, including costs, and the organization’s directors had many unusual duties.
Hear tell that Ted Brown is developing a unique interest in historic Beck’s Lake near Cantonment.
Didjaknow that Dante Kahn’s a prize winning camellia grower?
Jim Martin and the PJC Leadership now are focusing on September 2008 when the college has its 60th birthday.
Marvin Kaiman admits that it’s true: he and his wife plan to move to Gainesville, where their son is a rabbi.
Reed Bell’s brother, “Bill,” says that he has had many, many comments on his WWII vet’s role on the WSRE-TV stories about local men and women.
Phil Turner - Dec. 14 - born in Russellville, Alabama. - in Rotary 2 years
Bryan McCall – December 14 – born in Pasadena, TX - in Rotary 2 years
Richard Sherrill - Dec. 14 - born in Pensacola, FL - in Rotary 8 years
Ray Jones - Dec. 15 - born in Rockingham, NC - in Rotary 6 years
Frank Creel - Dec. 17 - born in Pensacola, FL - in Rotary 16 years
Scott Barrow - Dec. 17 - born in Pensacola, FL - in Rotary 4 years
UPCOMING ROTARY EVENT
The Rotary Club of Pensacola’s Annual Christmas Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 12:15 p.m. at the New World Landing. If you will be attending and if you will be bringing at guest to this special event, please email rcopens@bellsouth.net.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Costa Rica Wheelchair Project - Our club has submitted grant applications to RI requesting funds to implement our wheelchair project in Costa Rica and we’re encouraged that funding will be gained. The project will provide approximately 32 specialty wheelchairs to youth and young adults in San Jose and the surrounding area. As with our other wheelchair initiatives we’re working jointly with the Five Flags and Cantonment Rotary Clubs and are pleased as well to have the Dothan Rotary Club with us on this effort. Though travel plans are just beginning to solidify the hope is to travel to San Jose on/or about 26 Jan 08 and return on 3 Feb 08. This is an excellent opportunity to serve and if you have an interest in traveling with us, please contact Clif Payne 850-433-8732.