General News                                                                                                                   

Reminder: attendance should be at least 60%, if you can't make a meeting you can do a make-up on the web at the following address:  http://www.rotaryeclub7890.org/makeup.htm 

Notes from November 21st Meeting - Program Chair - Mick Mines

Mick's guest for the day was Blair's Mayor Jim Realph who was recently re-elected to another four year term.  The Mayor brought along a power-point presentation on the current projects, issues and activities around Blair.  The city of Blair is on the move and there is a great need to plan for economic and population growth. The following are some of the projects and activities the Mayor reviewed:

• Sidewalk project - the project is just about done, it is estimated that property owners will be charged $20 per square for the replacements
• Bird dropping issue on main street - city crews are cleaning three times per week; a study is being conducted on how to control the birds
• Education - Blair is very fortunate to have a great school district as well as Dana College; the bond issue which was recently passed by voters is an indication of the community support for education
• Road work - resurfacing of a number of streets continue including 3rd street which runs near the recycling center; a major project this summer will be a complete resurfacing of main street, down to the concrete base below the bricks (bricks will be removed); in order to avoid a re-route of traffic the construction will be alternated on each lane
• Water treatment plant - a $10 million expansion project is currently underway to accommodate the needs of Cargill; the expansion will be financed by Cargill
• Trail System - many parts of the trail system are complete - the Dana College trail is currently under construction and should be completed sometime next summer; plans are underway to secure funding for another part of the trail which will run past the cemetery to the river
• Economic expansion - there are numerous expansion projects currently going on in Blair, among these include: Cargill, OPPD, MACC, Con-E-Co, Kelly Ryan, McKinnis Roofing, Dana College and the Hospital

Rotary Question of the Week

What is the primary source of program funding for The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International?

Rotary Fact of the Week (from  the RI Website)

The Annual Programs Fund is the primary source of unrestricted support for the programs of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The mission of the Annual Programs Fund mirrors that of The Rotary Foundation: to support the efforts of Rotary International in the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national, and international humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs.

The Annual Programs Fund supports Foundation programs in countries on seven continents. From digging clean water wells for villages in Africa to teaching basic literacy skills to children in Latin America, during any given moment in a day, thousands of Rotarians volunteer their time and expertise to ensure that all contributions given to the Annual Programs Fund are spent wisely on quality Rotary projects.

A full 100 percent of each contribution to the Annual Programs Fund is spent directly on Foundation programs that truly make a difference in the world.

 Thought of the Week

"The principle mark of genius is not perfection but originality, the opening of new frontiers." Arthur Koestler 

November Birthdays
LuAnne Patak - 1st
Don Boswell - 14th
Shawn Peterson - 24th