West Jax Rotary

Career Day at Bishop Snyder High School

We will NOT BE MEETING AT THE HOLIDAY INN THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28; WE WILL BE MEETING AT BISHOP SNYDER AT 10:30 for pinning of the new Interact members and 11:00 to begin the Career Day portion of the meeting.

Due to our having 70 new interact members this year, we are beginning the pinning ceremony earlier than normal. Hopefully, many of you will be able to join us at 10:30 instead of the usual 11:00 start. If you can’t make 10:30, please come as soon as you can.

Notes
Josh Harrison discussed the Sulzbacher Center and discussed volunteerism. Adopt a Highway was also discussed.

Rob Overly talked about the Dominican Republic and his coming visit to purchase equipment and work on a Filtration Plant for water.

Harry Roddenberry discussed Big Bargain and Books where you can purchase books for $.50 to $2.00 Friday,Saturday and Sunday at the Fair Grounds. He asked that many participate helping either sell or buy the books.

Franklin Beard discussed the upcoming visit to Bishop Snyder High School for Career Day and to support Interact. He needs a minimum of 30 club members to participate as there will be 70 new Interact Members receiving their Pins.

Dr. Jim Lanier introduced the Undersheriff of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department. The Undersheriff’s main topic of discuss was the recent new items and discussion regarding the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Budget. A recent audit of the departments operating budget was completed which showed the Sheriff’s Office is very understaffed with a vacancy of 225 Officers. The audit showed the City Council what the Sheriff’s Office had been telling the City Council all along. Understaffed and Overworked! The Sheriff’s Office was asked to cut its budget by $12.6 million, but what the news media failed to mention is that in order to cut the requested amount from the budget the Union and City would have to renegotiate its agreement to which the Union is very hesitant to do. The union costs are fixed and cannot be cut, therefore, to reduce the budget the amount requested means less people and less coverage for the Jacksonville area. As stated, the only negotiating arms of the budget reductions can be done by Mayor and Union through Collective Bargaining. The Sheriff only has budget authority covering work rules. Although the Sheriff’s Office is understaffed and overworked they provide excellent service to the citizens of Jacksonville and will continue to do so.

Visiting Rotarians:
Jerry Hanks — South Jacksonville
Ron Raymond — South Jacksonville
Juan Gutierrez — South Jacksonville
Fred Seely — Riverside
Phillip Parsons — Downtown

Rotary Guests:
Todd Cowen — Guest of Harry Roddenberry
Bud Para — Guest of Bob Goodwin
Phil Murphey, Jr. — Guest of Phil Murphey

Birthdays
Ike Sherlock — October 22
Dan Dodd — October 27
Jim Lanier, Jr. — November 1
Jeff Ludwig — November 2
Charlie Bryant — November 3

Next Meeting - November 4, 2009
Speaker: DGE Cynde Covington, Rotary Foundation/Polio Plus
Greeters: David Dunston and Ed Varnes
Invocation: Del Wallace
Pledge: Tom Sandlin
Four-Way Test: Joe Myers

Quick Links:
You can now report make-ups online.

Submit “Family of Rotary” information online.

Please review the 2009 - 2010 Duty Roster and mark your calendar with your responsibilities for the upcoming year.