Rotary Club of Eureka, California

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

July 20, 2015

Lunch was a choice of Beef Hash or enchiladas, corn, ciabatta rolls, salad bar and brownies. 

Jerry Reece led us in the salute to the flag.  

Greg Pierson gave the invocation. We were asked to remember Cynthia Van Vleck, who passed away recently .  She had a long career in County Schools, and is the mother of Fred Van Vleck.

President Jay Bahner went straight to introducing our speaker District Attorney Maggie Flemming, who was on a tight schedule.  Flemming took over in January and started making improvements immediately.  She started looking at police reports in real time so that miscreants who were in custody weren’t released before their files were assessed.  She has instituted vertical integration so that cases aren’t handed off from person to person.  She reviews all trial assignments.  She currently has 716 open felony cases including 9 murder cases and 8 vehicular manslaughter cases.  She has a staff of 12 deputy district attorneys to assist her.  Their annual budget is 6,000,000. 1,400,000 is coming from Measure Z.  She has an “Early Resolution Court” where those who plead guilty get a discount on their sentences.  70% of all misdemeanors get pled out. 

After a few questions, we went to the drawing. Remember that guy who won $10 last week?  He won again and this time he got an hourglass with the Rotary Four Way Test on it and a chance to draw a card for the prize pot.  It was a four of clubs.  Next week he could become a Triple Crown Winner if his ticket is drawn for the four way test coin.  To place bets put cash in a self-stamped envelope and give it to Hank Ingham. 

We had a special presentation from John Driscoll, Congressman Jared Huffman’s representative.  

Steve Justus, Gregg Gardiner, Pat Folkins, and John McBeth received Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for their involvement in Honor Flights.

Gregg Gardiner was detained for additional recognition.  The Rotary Club of Kauaii gave him a proclamation declaring Gregg Gardner Day  for his efforts on behalf of their power company. He spun the new Rotary Wheel of Fortune and was assessed a $200 fine.  Then he was given his past president’s badge and a Happy Camper Mug and sent packing. 

Keith Crossley gave the Rotary Minute.  Jerry Reece was asked to do a business craft talk.  He recently sold his McDonald’s stores and now he and his wife run a Cruise Planning Business. 

Steve Lafferty got a thank you note from the Senior Resource Center because the Rotary Small Grants committee gave them a $2000 grant.

August 3 is Bring your kids to Rotary Day.  Don’t drop them off and leave. 

August 27^th is Coast Guard Appreciation Cook Your Own Steak Night at the Elks Club.  By yourself a Steak for $20 and then contribute another $20 to buy some Coastie a steak.  Cocktails at 5pm and dinner at 6pm. 

As a parting thought, Jay reminded us that on this date Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, all because in the show “The Honeymooners” Ralph Cramden made a fist and said “To the moon, Alice!” 

Submitted by Hank Ingham.