Brian Masterson and Martin Harwood greeted arrivals while Rex McKinney sold raffle
tickets to anyone feeling lucky this beautiful spring day. President Jerry called the meeting to order announcing next weeks program was military awareness and many military guest were expected. We need to sit with arrivals and make them feel at home.
Betty Gail Peters gave the prayer and pledge. President Jerry announced the Annual Club meeting will be June 10th and will be held at Pensacola Country Club. Bill Maloy introduced our newest Paul Harris Fellow, his wife, Nancy. Congratulations!
The $55 raffle was won (again) by Lew Doman, which lead us to Sunshine given by Hugh Hamilton. Our military guest from the USAF and USN were introduced followed by visitors, and visiting Rotarians. Sunshine ended with Happy Birthday.
Paul Young introduced Florida Legislative Representative, Clay Ford of Gulf Breeze, also a fellow Rotarian. Clay is serving his second year in Tallahassee. This year’s challenge is dealing with taxes and a $72 billion dollar revenue, which has declined due to reduction in sales tax. Also, almost 4 million residents do not have health care and cost is a big problem. New plans are being set up with private carriers to try and address affordability by giving more coverage selections. Clay also co-sponsored the bill for funding treatment and research of autism.
The lower budget caused reduce funding for education. But it was only by 2% which he felt was fair due to the 40% increase in funding over the past eight years. Healthcare, energy and insurance are still big topics that will be addressed in the future.
Meeting adjourned.
Alan Moore and Ron Richards readily greeted Rotarian’s at the door in preparation for another glorious meal and friendly conversation.
President Jerry, with a month to go before turning over the helm, kicked off the meeting bringing Nancy Malloy to deliver the prayer and pledge. Jerry then asked JJ Coonan to the podium to introduce our newest Paul Harris fellow – Jane Ferguson. Jane’s husband Mike graciously made the donation on behalf of his wife for her selfless dedication as a military spouse. Of particular note was her dedication as a volunteer in Japan assisting in a leprosy clinic. General Mike read letters from his children attesting to the spirit and dedication of their mother. Congratulations went out to Jane, as the fifth spouse to be recognized in this manner.
Lucky Betty Roberts won the raffle which then meant Sunshine was next. Robert Mills was Mr. Sunshine today and told a wonderful bodily function joke—if you missed it consider yourself lucky.
The Program: As it is Military Appreciation Month, Rear Admiral Gary Jones USN, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command and Captain Pete Frano USN, Commanding Officer NAS Pensacola were introduced by Vice Admiral Skip Furlong, USN Ret. Admiral Jones briefly spoke to the global war on terrorism and the courage and dedication of those in uniform waging the battle daily across the world. This generation has answered the call – just like the generations did in both world wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War Like those previous generations, the spouses and families of the servicemen and women are the “power behind the power” and directly responsible for the successes our military have enjoyed through the years. He also thanked Rotarians for the Rotary value system and its’ overall support for the military.
Captain Frano is wrapping up his three years as Commanding Officer of NAS Pensacola. He mentioned that the support NAS receives from the City of Pensacola and its citizens is the “perfect mix” of the two groups. Often cities like San Diego and Norfolk take the Navy for granted due to size of both. But with Pensacola and NAS, the size is just right and a great fit. Pete then introduced some of the CO’s of the tenant commands onboard NAS, including: Aviation Schools Command, Center for Information Dominance, Naval Technical Training Center, and MATSG 21’s Executive Officer (XO). He then introduced LT Dye and HMC Sims who have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. The lieutenant was assigned to an Army unit in Iraq in order to eliminate roadside IED’s using electronic warfare and other methods. We now have a 92% IED discovery rate before detonation, up from 50% just a few years ago. Great success! The chief was assigned with a Special Forces battalion in Afghanistan and worked in close contact with the Afgan army to identify hostile targets. He thanked his family especially in light of the fact that he will most likely return to Iraq in the not too distant future. All were thanked with a standing ovation and the meeting was adjourned.
Soon after his role in presenting Rotary Scholarships at our May 13th meeting Jim Martin made a similar delivery, noting outstanding PJC students at the annual college leadership dinner. In that same meeting Grover Robinson was installed as president of the college Foundation for 2008-10, and Donnie McMahon was heralded for his work on the school’s behalf.
Al Stubblefield’s rightly proud of his daughter, who was a Merit Scholar finalist.
Sorry to report that Pat Groner (who was our member for over 57 years before his transfer to North Pensacola), is having some physical problems.
Brooks Champlin apparently hit a financial jackpot; he sodded his whole front yard!
Morris Eaddy continues to shine as an art teacher, and in further works of his own. (Morris will have a key role in the Rooters’ June 10th program which will be a salute to country music.)
Gerry Hoewing was all smiles last week when the Naval Aviation Museum hosted the Children’s Chorus programs…including a reception in Cubic Bay restaurant.
Britt Landrum says his role as a member of the federal financial team grows more interesting all the time, what with so many major problems.
Poor Collier Merrill is obviously in for many meetings as work proceeds to choose an interim and then a new president for UWF. Collier’s done yeoman service in his roles there.
Jack Gray, who gives generously of his time for clerical additions to local programs, may have set a record last week. TWICE in one week the meeting chairman forgot to call on Father Gray for the invocation!
Charles Wiggins may soon have to call his dad MR. MAYOR!
Tom Owens has a new way of bonding with this young son. This year will mark their second trip to Chicago to visit Wrigley Field and see the Cubs.
Apparently it’s official. Marvin Kaiman and his bride have closed on their Gainesville house and will be moving there in June. They’ll be missed.
Credit Mike Ferguson with using some of the information he gains in his ongoing military advisor role. Regularly he’s sending lengthy e-mail messages to a host of friends, detailing things that are happening in the war zones. The reports are far more detailed than one sees in the press.
With the Hurricane Season starting June 1st, Linda Biller, Leigh Broxton and their many Red Cross volunteers are getting ready should emergency measures be needed.
Ellis Bullock III’s son is forging a career in TV production on the west coast.
Word on the street is that Jerry Maygarden may be reducing his time at Baptist Health Care Foundation and focusing more on his Tallahassee enterprise.
Jeff Lewis is wondering who his new boss may be. The current public defender, Jack Behr is just the third man to hold this post, which dates back almost forty years. Behr is stepping down, and the ballot box will determine the next defender.
Walter Strong – May 27 – Havre de Grace, MD – 1year
Gene Schmidt – May 27 – West Palm Beach, FL – 19 years
Rodger Doyle – May 28 – Pensacola, FL – 16 years
Martin Harwood – June 1 – New Orleans, LA – 5 years
Phil Phillips – June 1 – Orlando, FL – 3 years
Jim Martin – June 2 – Suffern, NY – 4 years
Charlie Wiggins – June 6 – Great Lakes, IL – 6 years
Bob Hart Jr. – June 7 – Pensacola, FL – 34 years
Blair Crooke - June 7 – Tallahassee, FL – 14 years