May 24, 2017

Rotary Club of Eureka Meeting May 22, 2017


. Lunch Menu: salad bar, chicken thighs, tri-tip, roasted potatoes, mixed vegetables, rolls, dessert. Called to order by President Matthew Owen at 12:15pm. Our speaker Rob Arkley led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Invocation was led by Mike Cunningham. BIRTHDAYS: Larona Farnum, Robert McLaughlin, Matt Murrish

ANNIVERSARIES: Jennifer Budwig (Robert), Chris Freeman (Diana). ROTARY   ANNIVERSARIES: J Hockaday 15 years, Greg Pierson 17 years, Neal Carnum 25 years, Mike Martin 28 years, Bill McAuley 29 years, Craig Hansen 30 years, Al Abrahamson 38 years, Dave Dillon 50 years.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jay Bahne announced a meeting after the meeting for all Past Presidents in preparation for Matthew’s last meeting. Almost President Bruce Smith said that the social last Friday at the Ingomar Club was a great event with 15 people attending.  He’s planning on doing a social every other month and would like more people to attend.  President Matthew reminded everybody that Guido (aka Matthew) will be calling soon if you have not yet given $120 to the Foundation and Polio fund for this year.  They are hoping to have 100% participation.  If you have questions call or email Keith Crossley. Bruce Smith and Carly urged all Rotarians to review the email asking for corrections/updates for the roster.
 
RECOGNITIONS: Annalise Von Borstel has officially changed professions from banking to … Real Estate.  She is now a broker with Ming Tree Realty.  Dennis Hunter recently returned from an Elks convention in Pam Springs.  President Matthew noted that his wounds from a recent fall were healing nicely.  John Burger commented that Eureka High School’s team recently won the Big 5 and is now going to the next level!  Bruce Rupp plugged the Eureka Symphony’s recent performance.
 
SPENGLER-HOWARD RAFFLE:  1. Silver dollar to jay Bahne, Jitterbean Gift Certificate to Mike Cunningham, $10 in cash to Anthony, Motorcycle Care gift card to ???, Jim Davis- Chance to win a gold ingot ($203 value) but he drew a 2 of hearts. 
 
GUEST SPEAKER: Our guest speaker was Rob Arkley from Security National. Rob spoke about 3 topics… state of affairs nationally, at the state level, and locally.  Nationally he said it’s interesting to see the truth vs what is being reported.  Consequential achievements are being made by the Trump administration although he said the country is brewing for a civil war. The democrats are being forced to the left by their activist base.  Trump is getting things done administratively. He’s making changes at the judiciary level that should last for a generation.  He’s dealing with the deficit and dealing with entitlements. Trump’s own party is challenging him. It’s not a friendly group.  The economy is doing well.  He doesn’t see the recession others are forecasting.
 
The economy seems stable.  He was in a meeting that forecasted that over 5,000,000 truck drivers will be losing their jobs because of automation. Those are big numbers of people who will need re-training. Change is happening rapidly in today’s world.  He feels that Trump is cutting back on regulation which is needed. He would compare the relationship Trump has with the press to the Nixon era.  California is having a hard time. The deficit is huge and there are problems.  He decided to skip to the local area.  Locally Rob sees opportunity.  His daughter and other young people are choosing to relocate here.  He said it’s a myth that all kids want to live in an urban environment.
 
The reality is that 80% like small town environment. He’d like to see more home ownership locally.  Will see homes torn down locally due to infrastructure aging. He moved to Baton Rouge to make money and he did.  He’s now selling Baton Rouge off and is investing locally as well as a few other states he feels are economically poised for growth. He likes College of the Redwood’s program. Pot industry is a problem. The Feds will be dealing with it. It’s illegal, you can’t ignore the laws.  Homeless he’s seen some good changes. Chief Andy Mills is doing a good job. The Oyster industry here will be bigger than anyone here realizes.  150 jobs expected.  They will be building 60,000 to 100,000 feet of space at the Balloon track. Office/Warehouse most likely as that is what is in demand.  Questions and answers followed. President Matthew Owen closed the meeting at 1:16pm with a reminder that we will be dark next week for Memorial Day weekend.
 
Respectfully submitted,  Alicia Cox















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