Nora Bailey and Tom Frizzell greeted all Rotarians, visitors and guests with a warm greeting and firm handshake. Shawn Brantley sold raffle tickets.
President Keith Bullock called the meeting to order early in order to allow more time for the program. President Keith called upon Roger Doyle for the prayer and the pledge. Thereafter, President Keith led the group in the Four Way Test.
President Keith then called upon Richard Sherrill who introduced our visiting military guests, visitors and visiting Rotarians. Richard then provided us with the days’ sunshine.
President Keith then called upon two Rotarians for a special introduction. First, Yvonne Emerson introduced us to new Rotarian, Martin Small. He is the new Market President for Wachovia in Pensacola. He and his wife Page relocated to Pensacola during the summer. They have two children. He is excited to be living in our community and looks forward to being a member of Downtown Rotary.
President Keith then called upon Nora Bailey to introduce another new Rotarian, Christina Littlejohn. Christina moved to Pensacola last year and she is the Executive Director of the Pensacola Symphony. She is a native of South Carolina and attended undergraduate school at Furman University in Greenville, SC. She has a graduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and was awarded the Helen M. Thompson award for achievement in symphony orchestras in 2001. She and her husband have a 2 year old daughter.
The raffle drawing was for a total prize of $87 was awarded to Robert Mills. Nice job on ticket sales Shawn! Richard then recognized our Rotarians who were saluted with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday You All”. The music was a just a little thin without the accompaniment of our own John Appleyard.
President Keith then gave the floor to our own fellow Rotarian and Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, David Stafford who introduced the two candidates for Escambia County Sheriff. They are David Morgan who defeated the incumbent sheriff, Ron McNesby in the republican primary election and Larry Scapecchi, who defeated Sam Lucas in the democratic primary election. Both candidates were asked to make a 2 minute introduction. This was followed by five questions prepared by David Stafford based on a solicitation from club members for questions at an earlier meeting.
Both candidates were asked to address the following questions:
1) What is the biggest challenge the new sheriff will face and how would you address it?
2) Detail any plans you have to eliminate or curtail particular programs to save money.
3) Please provide your thoughts on privatizing the jail as a means to save money.
4) Please provide your thoughts on consolidating functions such as in Jacksonville where the sheriff’s department and the police department were merged with charter government.
5) Please discuss your thoughts on cooperation with other law enforcement agencies and the US Attorneys Office in particular.
After a robust discussion of the issues, Charlie Blackwell asked and was granted permission to ask a question from the floor. He asked both candidates to discuss training at the Sheriff’s Department and what, if anything, each would do to change the current training. Both candidates felt that training should be increased.
The meeting ended with President Keith thanking all participating in the program and reminded all Rotarians to “Make Dreams Real.”
Congrats to Grover Robinson for his leadership in finally moving all of the county’s 18 fire units under a single chief. Here’s a first step in gaining efficiencies through unification.
If you see Roger MacDonald limping, there’s good reason. Roger had a spill from his bicycle, resulting in a painful leg gash.
In October the Rooters will go country once more. Charlie Blackwell and Terry Scruggs are rounding up some unique tunes.
On September 27th Coy Irwin continued his help to Honor Flight, helping prepare the 30 guardians who will accompany 102 vets to Washington October 15th.
Didjaknow that Carol Law is a director of the Impact 100 movement? On October 26th the group will be doling out over $500,000 to worthy projects.
Ed Nickinson is celebrating 20 years on the circuit court bench. He’s recognized as one of the state’s authorities on juvenile justice.
Earle Bowden has introduced a new book dealing with the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Bo Carter, October 9, Atlanta, GA, 13 years
David Lamar, October 9, Pensacola, FL, 20 years
Marvin Kaiman, October 10, New York, NY, 37 years
Joe Rosenbaum, October 11, Pensacola, FL, 19 years
W. Bob Hart, October 11, Middlesboro, KY, 2 years
Dale Knee, October 13, Toledo, OH, 14 years