Warm greetings for everyone on this sunny day came from Ted Brown. President Bullock called the meeting to order and led us in the four-way test. Prayer and pledge was led by Jack Nobles.
President Bullock began the meeting by asking if anyone is missing a Rotary pin as one has been found. Rotary is still looking for a home (in the Washington HS area) for the exchange student. Also, there is still time to sign up for the trip to Trinidad the first week of March. Leigh Broxton and Leslie Halsall joined forces to sell raffle tickets, and Blair Crooke was the lucky winner of $65.
Mr. Sunshine, Hugh Hamilton, introduced numerous guests and visitors, keeping the level of cheer high by way of sharing a few humorous pet-related jokes. A special welcome was given to Leon Hirsh, assistant to the Rotary district governor. Having no Rotary members attending the meeting with birthdays this week, Hugh wished us all a good day.
Betty Roberts introduced our speaker, Brad Roberts who gave a presentation on Ending US Dependence on Oil and Gas. He spoke of the global power use and the increasing competition for energy. The US population (3% of the world) uses 25% of world energy. Everyone agrees that better use of energy is a must through:
Support for more renewable resources (wind, solar)
Reduce our consumption
End the addiction to gasoline
Mr. Roberts spoke of the importance of energy storage. Storage of electric grid power is impossible; it needs to be stored in a different way. Options include pumped hydro power, compressed air, and a battery system (of huge batteries). We can reduce our usage of power through more efficient appliances, time of day pricing (changing our habits), and a Smart Grid at home (complex and interactive). The biggest change for the future will be electric cars, locomotives, and buses.
President Bullock thanked all those that helped at the meeting, and with that the meeting was adjourned.
The club’s resident artist Morris Eaddy is now studying a new form of production dealing with modern forms.
Bob Rogers and the Waterfront Rescue Mission saw much higher numbers of the homeless during the prolonged cold snap.
Maybe the club should invest in some sort of Diplomatic Formal Garb for Coy Irwin, who’s to greet the Spanish king.
See where Britt Landrum’s firm has a different view of recession. There are good temporary people on their team…but users are slowing down.
The new city library branch (north side) is nearing completion. Credit Bill Maloy for much of the hard promotional effort on this one.
David Harrison, February 17, Mobile, AL, 2 years
Roger Vinson, February 19, Cadiz, KY, 26 years
Cal Moore, February 19, Montgomery, AL, 25 years
Stephen Benz, February 19, Pensacola, FL, 10 years
Don Haferkamp, February 20, LaPorte, IN, 8 years
Jimmy Jones, February 21, Paragould, AR, 30 years
Frank Beall, February 23, Dothan, AL, 43 years
MEMBERSHIP PROPOSALS:
Gary Sammons has been with Gulf Power for 31 years and is the new Pensacola District Manager responsible for the operation of the district which includes Escambia and Santa Rosa County. He has been a Rotarian for 8 years. He is a member of Cokesbury Methodist Church and is married to Shirley. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Malcolm Thomas is the Superintendent of Schools for Escambia County and has had 28 years of experience in the school district. He is a life long resident of Escambia county and a US Army Veteran. He is married to Sandra and they have two daughters.
Judy Bense is the interim President of the University of West Florida. She has served at UWF for 28 years, most recently as chair and professor of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology and executive director of the Division of Anthropology and Archaeology at UWF. She is currently the chair of the Florida Historical Commission.