Lunch Menu: Salad bar, pork chops, meatloaf, gravy mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, applesauce, rolls, and dessert. Called to order by President Gregg Gardiner at 12:26pm
President Gardiner informed us that today is the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. He talked about the significance & history of our national anthem and then we all sang the song together, led by Gregg’s guest, Christine. We actually sounded pretty good thanks to Christine who kept us pretty much on key. Carlton Nielsen led the Invocation. VISITING ROTARIANS: Jim M. and Praj White both from Arcata Sunrise. GUESTS OF ROTARIANS: Bruce Rupp introduced Hawley Butterfield, Ted Loring introduced Eli Savage our soon to be outbound exchange student, Don Leonard introduced his eldest son, Scott Leonard. Jeff Leonard brought Kim Bergel. FOUNDATION MINUTE: Dr. Bauriedel talked about what $100 can buy you. A new pair of shoes, a nice dinner out for 2 people or a new stove for a family that can last for many years. Rotarians that contribute $100 a year to the Rotary Foundation are considered sustaining members once they have contributed that amount annually for 10 years they become a Paul Harris Fellow. Of course everybody is urged to contribute more than that if they can. He asked us to remember that as little as $100 a year can change lives, it can make a difference. If you want to know more about the Foundation there is a seminar coming up on October 4th at the Fortuna Monday Club. A Registration form will be coming soon. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dr. Bauriedel announced that a former Rotary Club of Eureka member, Mac Gardner recently passed away. He was a 20-year member of our club and very involved. He was the former Council Executive for the Redwood Area Council Boy Scouts of America. Funeral Services will be held at the Eureka Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Dolbeer St at 11am on Wednesday September 17th 2014. President Gardiner announced the names of the four new members of the Board of Directors… Steven Lafferty, Dale Warmuth, Nathan Nilsen and Mindy Bussman. Congratulations to all. SPENGLER-HOWARD RAFFLE: Rick Littlefield won a bottle of Riverbend Cellars wine. Stacy Lane drew from the deck of cards for the joker and a pot of $280.00 however, no joker. The pot will now go to $300 next week. GUEST SPEAKER INTRODUCTION BY: Matthew Owen. Matthew told us that over 50% of arrests in Humboldt County are alcohol related, it was illegal to drink alcohol 81 years ago. Tobacco kills more than 5 million people a year and takes 10 years off a person’s life. Prescription painkillers are responsible for 15,000 deaths due to overdoses a year. These are all legal, regulated, controlled and taxed businesses. Humboldt County has a 4 Billion dollar industry that is untaxed, unregulated and uncontrolled. Our panel is here to talk and answer your questions about the Marijuana industry. GUEST SPEAKERS: Sheriff Mike Downey- he’s been working in marijuana eradication for over 30 years and has come to the realization that this is a free country. People should be allowed to make decisions about things like marijuana use as long as they are not a burden on the state, county, etc. He is not pro or against the legalization of marijuana but knows that what we are doing now isn’t working. There isn’t the manpower to enforce the laws. We either need to legalize or fully fund enforcement. Kevin Jodrey, Director of Wonderland Nursery in Garberville a medical marijuana facility feels that marijuana has made many medical advances and needs to be available to help people medically but it needs regulation. Natalynne Delapp, Executive Director of Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) in Arcata – Unregulated marijuana grows are currently impacting our Federal and Private lands, our wildlife and water. Something needs to change. Maggie Fleming- Incoming Humboldt County District Attorney – As a prosecuting attorney for 25 years she is definitely seeing a big impact to our environment from unregulated marijuana grows. Our regulations and enforcement has to deal with land and water use issues. Richard Marks- Organizer for California Cannabis, Elected Harbor Commissioner, and member of the Northcoast Rail Authority Director. His job at California Cannabis is to help draft an ordinance for legitimate cannabis growers in Humboldt County that will create a powerful unified voice and create sustainable and fair cultivation regulations. Luke Bruner- Treasurer and Director at Wonderland Nursery believes that Humboldt County has an opportunity to provide leadership for the rest of California. Questions and Answers included discussion on many topics including… (Sheriff Downey) difficulties and costs with enforcing laws now include the rough Humboldt County terrain and the need to employ helicopters which are extremely expensive to run. (Dan Price) There are many dangers of marijuana use it degrades IQ especially of youth, can cause Bipolar disease and Schizophrenia by those who use it chronically. He agrees that what we are doing is not working. (Kitty Poterack)- as a Pediatrician she applauds this panel. We need to move marijuana into the light of day so serious conversations can happen about the problems with use. (Bob Morse) How will legalization improve our ability to enforce marijuana grows that are downgrading the environment? (Sheriff Downey) It may help deter those coming here for profit only. Make it not as profitable for them. (Luke Bruner) Legalization will make marijuana growers a part of the business community meaning that they will join Rotary, need attorneys, accountants, etc. (Maggie Fleming) Oakland instituted an 18% sales tax on marijuana sales. (Sheriff Downey) One big problem is that Federal Law trumps State and County law. It is unlikely that the Federal Government will ever legalize marijuana use, as there are too many states in the middle of the US that will never vote that in. Right now they are not enforcing the law in those States that have legalized marijuana but they do have the legal ability to do that.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 1:30pm
Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox
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