Rotary Club of Greensburg

A Flash from the Past

Rotary Flashes of 01-20-2004
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 75, No. 30……………………………………………..January 20, 2004

Inside This Issue
Wise and Otherwise
Next Meeting’s Program Listing
Our Weekly Meeting and Birthday listings
Announcements

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”Raise your sail one foot and you get ten feet of wind.” (Chinese proverb)

”Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and actions.”

TODAY’S INVOACATION was given by Bill Rudolph – “Almighty and Eternal God we ask that You bless all here present and that you will bless the work of Rotary International. We live in dangerous times, where wars and strife abound. Help us as Rotarians to serve those less fortunate, so that we may become peacemakers and healers. Remember those who left our fellowship; be merciful to them and their families. Grant us the privilege of seeing them again when our earthly journey is over. All this we ask in Your precious name. Amen.”

SERGEANT AT ARMS REPORT– There were no visiting Rotarians. Our guests were: Brent Filak (Bill Kern), Lyn Strobel (Chuck Strobel), Evan Lowry (Carl Rossman), Jan Hower (Tom Hower), Katy Clymer (Mary Clymer) and Nancy Barkman (John Dickson). Our exchange student, Bojana also was present.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was 75. This included 67 members, 6 guests, 1student and our speaker.

MAKE-UPS: Bobbi Watt-Geer and Dave Robinson attended the Rotary Club of Hempfield Township. Dave also attended a meeting at the Youngwood/New Stanton Club.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MEMBERSHIP PROPOSALS
The Board of Directors, along with the Membership Committee, has approved the following membership proposal publications. Any objections should be presented in writing to the Secretary within 7 days.
Brent A. Filak, a manager at Sarp & Company, CPAs in Greensburg. He resides in Greensburg. Bill Kern proposed him for membership.
Alex M. Lima, Market Area Manager with First Commonwealth Bank in Greensburg. Alex resides in Greensburg. Tom Jachimowicz proposed him for membership.

LITERACY PROJECT – President Bob presented Cesare Muccari, Director of the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library with a $3,000.00 check for our Club’s commitment to help children in our community to read. Children in daycare schools in Greensburg will be involved in the project. There will be a rotating book collection, programs conducted once a week at the daycare schools by trained Library children’s staff and children’s programming at the Library. In the next several months, the Club will complete our commitment to this very worthwhile project, by presenting another $3,000.00.

DUES REPORT
The Board approved an increase in dues and meal costs beginning January 2004. The dues have not been increased since before 1995 and the cost of meals since 2000. The increase in dues will be $5.00 per quarter. The meal cost increase will be $1.00 per meal or $13.00 per quarter.
Members who make up meetings at other clubs and report it to the Secretary will now be given credit for $9.00 rather than the previous $8.00 credit. The cost charged for guests will remain at $10.00.

URGENT – To make this outing happen, 12 to 15 more people are needed to make reservations.
A GREENSBURG ROTARY FAMILY OUTING is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 8, 2004, from 3 to 5 PM. It will be an afternoon of bowling at the Main Bowl on South Main Street. For $10.00 per person you will have a soft drink, 2 pieces of pizza, unlimited bowling (shoe and balls provided), gutter guards for small children, a DJ, maybe even some black lights and a fog machine. What a wonderful way to get the families and friends of our Club’s members together for a great afternoon! Chuck Anderson will be the man to see about reservations.

WESTMORELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRAYER BREAKFAST will be on January 30, 2004, at 7:00am at the Sheraton/Four Points. The cost is $15.00 per person.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 27 – Mrs. Kathy Murray will speak on the Group Study Exchange trip to the Slovak Republic. We will also have the Birthday Table.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING’S PROGRAM

Our speaker today was Larry Larese, Executor Director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation. Larry started his presentation by pointing out some of the differences between Allegheny County and Westmoreland County when it comes to investing in the infrastructure of the area. In Allegheny County, about $600 million has gone to build two new stadiums and a convention center. Another $378 million is reserved for a light rail system. This is a total of $1 billion dollars invested in the North Shore. In Westmoreland County, there are now 14 industrial parks, with 5,500 people employed. He noted that about $2 billion has been invested in this county by the private sector. The WCIDC is not just building the industrial parks, but also working with existing businesses in the county. Primary investments in infrastructure are “long term investments.” In 1996 two railroads were bought along with an interconnect. Products can be easily and more efficiently moved into our area’s industrial parks. Products from Canada can even be directly moved to Westmoreland County. This is one way to help lower costs for businesses. Since 1996, Larry said that there has been a profit every year from the railroads. The WCIDC works with small and large companies alike. Local sewer, water and transportation systems have been improved, thus creating stability in the region. Local colleges have been very helpful with education for current and future workers. A Comprehensive County Plan is being developed to look at proper use of land and housing. Future plans involve the improvement of Route 981 as a corridor from New Stanton to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe.

JANUARY’S BIRTHDAYS
Carl Rossman………....January 3
Bill Courtney…………January 4
King Hartman……...….January 5
Chris Rizk……...…..... January 9
Bill McGrath……..…..January 12
Gene James…..…….....January 14
Scott Conner……...…. January 14
Judy Ross………….…January 14
Tyler Courtney…..…..January 16
Mike Brewer……..…..January 17
Adib Barsoum…….….January 18
Bill Mills……………..January 18
Chris DeDiana………..January 21
John Gustafson………January 22
Tom Jachimowicz……January 24
Lois McFarlane………January 26
PJ Kelly…………...…January 26
Jennings Womack…….January 28
Chuck Strobel………..January 31
Paul Hochendoner……January 31

MONDAY
New Stanton/Youngwood…12:00………....Community College
Norwin……………………..12:00………...Banquets Unlimited
Jeannette…………………… 6:00PM…..DeNunzio’s Restaurant
Mountain View……………..6:15PM……………...Mt. View Inn
Rockwood………………….6:15PM……....Milford Grange Hall

TUESDAY
Ligonier……………………….7:00AM……………Casa Chapla
West Newton ………………..12:00….…..Presbyterian Church
Scottdale……………………..12:00……....Pleasant Valley C.C.
Mt. Pleasant………………….12:05………………..Elks Lodge
Blairsville…………………… 6:00PM….....Chestnut Ridge Inn

WEDNESDAY
Donegal/Laurel Highlands……7:30AM……Brady's Restaurant
Latrobe………………………12:10…………………Elks Club
Pittsburgh……………………12:00…..…...Hotel William Penn
Westmoreland…………………5:30……………….Bobby Dales
Murrysville-Export………...….6:45PM……..……..Lamplighter

THURSDAY
Delmont-Salem………………..7:00AM…….Touch of Country
Hempfield…..7:30AM….University of Pittsburgh @ Greensburg
Connellsville………………….12:00……….Highlands Hospital
Belle Vernon………………......6:30PM….Cedarbrook Golf Club

FRIDAY
Monongahela…………………12:05……..…Step II Restaurant
Somerset……………………...12:15…..Somerset Country Club
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”

Rotary Flashes of 01-13-2004
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 75, No. 29……………………………………………..January 13, 2004

Inside This Issue
Wise and Otherwise
Next Meeting’s Program Listing
Our Weekly Meeting and Birthday listings
Announcements

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” (Mark Twain)

”When you can’t have what you want, it’s time to start wanting what you have.”

TODAY’S INVOACATION was given by Ed Nemanic – “Dear Lord, we thank You for the many blessings that You have given to the Rotary Club of Greensburg. Inspire us to continue Your service to this community and the world community as we share our resources and talents with those in need. Bless this food and fellowship and be with world leaders as they strive to work out our differences and move towards peace. Amen.”

SERGEANT AT ARMS REPORT– (John Mizikar) – Our visiting Rotarian was Jim Foultz from the Uniontown Club. Our guests were Sue McFarland and Brent Filak (Bill Kern), Bill Mills (Chuck Strobel), Henry Taliercio (Dato Kadagishvilli), Jan Hower (Rebecca Hutchinson), Debbi Redding (Bob Wilson) and John Sharp who attended with our visiting Rotarian. Our four students from Greensburg Salem High School were: Valerie Vrable, Sarah Idzik, Stephanie Prohaska and Mariya Papiha. Thanks to our driver Rick Nedley.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was 82. This included 60 members, 1 visiting Rotarian, 6 guests, 4 students and our speaker. Also, the 9 members of La Tuna and their chaperone, Nancy Estrada.

MAKE-UPS: Elinore McMahan attended the Rotary Club of Hempfield Township.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE CLUB
Sue McFarland and Bill Mills were inducted today with the help of Cathy Daversa, Bill Kern and Chuck Strobel. We look forward to working with Sue and Bill in serving the community, nation and world in the spirit of Rotary and Service Above Self.

A GREENSBURG ROTARY FAMILY OUTING is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 8, 2004, from 3 to 5 PM. It will be an afternoon of bowling at the Main Bowl on South Main Street. For $10.00 per person you will have a soft drink, 2 pieces of pizza, unlimited bowling (shoe and balls provided), gutter guards for small children, a DJ, maybe even some black lights and a fog machine. What a wonderful way to get the families and friends of our Club’s members together for a great afternoon! Chuck Anderson will be the man to see about reservations.

WESTMORELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARAYER BREAKFAST will be on January 30, 2004, at 7:00am at the Sheraton/Four Points. The cost is $15.00 per person.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 20 – Larry Larese, Ex. Director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation
January 27 – Mrs. Kathy Murray will speak on the Group Study Exchange trip to the Slovak Republic. We will also have the Birthday Table.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

We were treated to a great performance of La Tuna. If you wish to see and hear them perform again, don’t miss them on January 15, 2004, at 7:30 PM, in the Ferguson Theater at The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
Nine members of the Tuna, student musicians from the School of Law of the University of Valladolid, Spain, dressed in their 16th century costumes will entertain you with their popular Spanish songs accompanied by a variety of traditional instruments. This Tuna group won First Place as Best Tuna in Spain in October 2003. The Tuna's CDs will be available for purchase at the event.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE.

Our speaker today was Mike Washowich, Ex. Director of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority. (Mike noted that he was a former member of the Rotary Club of White Oak/McKeesport).
The Authority is the largest affordable housing provider in this county. There are 1,900 housing units that are managed. Over 65% of the population they serve are the elderly. He wants everyone to realize the basic misconception of “units in housing authorities” as being crime and drug ridden, does not apply to the Westmoreland Housing Authority units. Their mission is to move more people of need into public housing, and at the same time, help those to move out of public housing into heir own homes so that they may experience the dream of homeownership. This dream is accomplished through their Homeownership Program.
A partnership is created between the WCHA, the voucher recipients and the housing owner. All units undergo a rigorous inspection process.
The Authority also helps with funds for weatherproofing, furnace repairs, roof repairs, etc.
Partnerships regarding education have been formed with St. Vincent and Penn State. A SeniorNet Project will install computer centers so that the elderly can E-mail friends and family and also gather useful information from the Internet. Technology students from Penn State will assist in this project.
Mike said that funding for the WCHA comes from the rents charged and the federal government.
There are some private partnerships, such as the Troutman’s Building.

JANUARY’S BIRTHDAYS
Carl Rossman………....January 3
Bill Courtney…………January 4
King Hartman……...….January 5
Chris Rizk……...…..... January 9
Bill McGrath……..…..January 12
Gene James…..…….....January 14
Scott Conner……...…. January 14
Judy Ross………….…January 14
Tyler Courtney…..…..January 16
Mike Brewer……..…..January 17
Adib Barsoum…….….January 18
Chris DeDiana……….January 21
John Gustafson………January 22
Tom Jachimowicz……January 24
Lois McFarlane………January 26
PJ Kelly…………...…January 26
Jennings Womack…….January 28
Chuck Strobel………..January 31
Paul Hochendoner……January 31

FRIDAY
Monongahela…………………12:05……..…Step II Restaurant
Somerset……………………...12:15…..Somerset Country Club
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”

Rotary Flashes of 01-06-2004
ROTARY FLASHES
GREENSBURG ROTARY CLUB NO. 250 – CHARTERED OCTOBER 4, 1916
Volume 75, No. 28……………………………………………..January 6, 2004

Inside This Issue
Wise and Otherwise
Next Meeting’s Program Listing
Our Weekly Meeting and Birthday listings
Announcements
Membership Proposals

WISE AND OTHERWISE
”Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress - no matter how slow.”

”Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”
(Henry David Thoreau)

SERGEANT AT ARMS REPORT– (John Mizikar) – No visiting Rotarians. Our guests were Sue McFarland (Bill Kern) and John Kline (Karl Eisaman). Our three students from Hempfield Area High School were: Jamie Wichcowski, Brian Wolfang and Andrew Hamilton.

TODAY'S ATTENDANCE was 72. This included 66 members, 2 guests, 3 students and our speaker.

MAKE-UPS: Dan Krezenski attended the Youngwood/New Stanton Rotary Club and Chuck Strobel attended a meeting at a local club.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MEMBERSHIP PROPSAL
The Board of Directors, along with the Membership Committee, has approved the following membership proposal publications. Any objections should be presented in writing to the Secretary within 7 days.
Susan (Sue) McFarland, residing in Greensburg, PA. She is a managing editor at the Tribune Review. She was a former member of the Hempfield Rotary Club and attended a Group Study Exchange Team to Brazil. Bill Kern is proposing her for membership.
John P. Kline, residing in Greensburg, PA. He is the Vice President of Corporate Banking with First Commonwealth Bank. Karl Eisaman is proposing him for membership.

A REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS will be held on Thursday, January 8th, at 6:00 PM at the residence of Carl Rossman.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 13 – Mike Washowich, Ex. Director of the Housing Authority
January 20 – Larry Larese, Ex. Director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation
January 27 – Mrs. Kathy Murray will speak on the Group Study Exchange trip to the Slovak Republic. We will also have the Birthday Table.

OUR WEEKLY MEETING

Our speaker today was Rich Matason, Director of Public Safety of the Emergency Management Agency. Rich told us that four years ago they formulated a vision to greatly improve public safety. They are now in a position of leadership across Pennsylvania in public safety.
Enhancement of 911: In 1979 there were 5,000 calls that year. Today the number of calls handled has grown to 250,000 annually. The staff of 12 now handles all the calls. Rather than a data base system, a more efficient mapped based system is in place.
Emergency Management: Planning is always the key to success. Rich said that 65 jurisdictions are now all on the same page. Exercises are held, to simulate a Shopping Mall Strike, an airliner crash or a Weapons of Mass Destruction incident.
CERT is a program designed to teach ordinary citizens, neighborhood watches or even groups of homeowners how they can assist in the public safety areas. The County provides training, educational materials and even simulated exercises.
The “meat” of the operations is resources. A state of the art Mobile Command Post vehicle can be set up as a command post and even is a back up to the 911 system if it fails.
HAZMAT, established in 1980, has its own created team of 87 members (60 technicians and 27 specialists) who deal with biological, radiological and chemical detections and cleanups.
An 800 MHz radio system has provided every fire, police and EMS agency with 5 radios. The cost totaled over $14 million. With an additional grant of $5.2 million, every vehicle will have the use of the radio system that will tie the entire county together for superior communications capabilities.
Homeland Security provides a link between federal and state to the local municipalities.
The West Nile Virus Surveillance Program has been very successful in the detection and control of the disease.
For more information, you can visit their website at www.wcdps.org

JANUARY’S BIRTHDAYS
Carl Rossman………....January 3
Bill Courtney…………January 4
King Hartman……...….January 5
Chris Rizk……...…..... January 9
Bill McGrath……..…..January 12
Gene James…..…….....January 14
Scott Conner……...…. January 14
Judy Ross………….…January 14
Tyler Courtney…..…..January 16
Mike Brewer……..…..January 17
Adib Barsoum…….….January 18
Chris DeDiana……….January 21
John Gustafson………January 22
Tom Jachimowicz……January 24
Lois McFarlane………January 26
PJ Kelly…………...…January 26
Jennings Womack…….January 28
Chuck Strobel………..January 31
Paul Hochendoner……January 31

FRIDAY
Monongahela…………………12:05……..…Step II Restaurant
Somerset……………………...12:15…..Somerset Country Club
www.greensburgrotary.com
“Service Above Self”