Meeting Flash

Rotary FLASH of 10-24-2006
Greensburg Rotary Club FLASH – October 24, 2006

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people convinced that they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference after another.”
– Boston Globe columnist Ellen Goodman

The October 24, 2006 meeting of the Greensburg Rotary Club was called to order by President MARY CLYMER with the Pledge of Allegiance, “God Bless America,” and the Invocation by BOBBI STEMMLER-GUEST.

Sgt.-at-Arms DENNIS CREMONESE welcomed a membership attendance of 49 and 2 visiting Rotarians: JIM BASSETT (Murrysville-Export) and past Greensburg Club President PATTY LONSBARY (Tyler, TX). Now raising money in the millions as a senior consultant for Ketchum Association, Patty expressed her pleasure at being with old friends, took responsibility for making MARK BARNHART our long-serving-suffering club Treasurer.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Club’s Board of Directors will meet next week, Thursday, November 2nd, 5:30PM at UPG.
· Next week’s Club meeting will be Halloween Hat Day at the Greensburg Country Club, with each hat-wearing member’s lunch cost being donated to Mom’s House.
· A few more volunteers or nominations are needed for the next Board of Directors and names should be turned in to either CATHY BAUMANN or CARL ROSSMAN. (Reporter’s Note: Serving on the Board is the best and only way to seriously learn what Rotary is all about and the inside workings of the Club. Every member should enjoy the privilege at least once!)
· Sadly, member Dr. Jim Thomas will be leaving the membership, moving to the sunny south within a few weeks.

PROGRAM-OF-THE-DAY:

“What’s Going On in Hempfield Township” was the topic presented by ROB RITSON, Hempfield Twshp.’s first ever Manager, a job that must address every aspect of living there, from toddlers to teens to residents’ flooded backyards.

The #3 most populated township in PA, Hempfield still carries the rural rating of 2nd Class and is the largest without it’s own police department. In addition to the full-time hired Manager – a position created in 2005 in a shift away from employee supervisors – township supervisors are elected and, along with township responsibilities, have day jobs.

Among the information shared with the membership, Ritson shared the following:
· You can’t get from here to there around Greensburg without utilizing some of Hempfield’s 216,000 miles of roadways.
· There are plans for a 27,000 sq. ft. gymnasium / recreation center at Hempfield Recreation Park that will invite adult activities and opportunities for area youth beyond what’s available through the school district’s programs.
· The 12 Emergency Volunteer Fire Departments are often the community centers for the immediate areas they serve. The township assists in financing workmens’ comp and insurance. A study is underway to look at emergency services and how to best provide them, perhaps having paid workers, consolidating smaller companies with larger ones or hiring a coordinator for the entire township system.
· Hempfield does not now and has never had a municipal police department. As commercial, retail and industrial development has grown, along with a current 41,000 pop., there is a growing possibility of a need. At least 30 officers would be necessary to serve the township, although a residents survey indicated 70% do not see a need, having a perception that the crime rate in comfortably low.
· A Municipal Comprehensive Plan looks at collaboration between the townships municipal bodies of Hempfield, Greensburg, SW Greensburg and S Greensburg, how to maintain individual community autonomy while collaborating to share services, commonalities and diversities.

Ritson closed by observing that, having grown up there, it is an exciting time to be involved in the growth and future of Hempfield Township.

Following a Q & A of the day’s speaker, President MARY closed by leading the recitation of The Four-Way Test.

Rotary FLASH of 10-17-2006
THE FLASH for the Rotary Club of Greensburg PA for October 17, 2006

President Mary Clymer called the club to order today as we joined in the pledge to the flag, one verse of “God Bless America” and the invocation by Will Brown.

Dr. Bill McGrath gave the Sgt. at Arms report: 51 members in attendance out of a membership of 106. He projected that we ought to have 2 new members in a very short time. Let’s hope he is right! He called on our members to introduce the visitors: Don Bloom noted that he brought the mother of Bob Bloom; Captain Larry Shurtleff of the Salvation Army was our guest today; and Rebecka Hutchinson welcomed Marlene Kozak of the Westmoreland Food Bank.

STUDENTS TODAY were Krista Cooper and Elaine Carney of Hempfield High School and they were chauffeured by Chuck Strobel.

Mary told us of three cards being circulated for our signatures – one in sympathy for the death of Bob Wilson’s father-in-law; one get well card for Steve Ender who is in the hospital; and another get well for Bonnie Barnhart (connected with Mark Barnhart) who had injuries from a fall.

WOW – Word of the day chosen by Tom Headley was DOPPELGANGER, and with one voice it seemed, the answer was “look alike!” Good job! We may be ready for the third grade spelling bee yet!

ANNOUNCEMENTS - ED MEADOWS reported that First United Methodist Church was having a Polish dinner on Friday night, and invited all to it – especially you know who – TJ! BEN POLICASTRO asked for volunteers to sign up for the Nov. 11 Highway cleanup – if you missed the clip board, just call him. Many hands make light work, and a whole lot of good conversation, besides it just goes faster! DATO – reminded us of the Wine Tasting Event at the Country Club.

Prez Mary shared a thank you note from Bob Abraham for his Paul Harris Recognition.
And she reminded us that on OCT. 31 we would be meeting at the GREENSBURG COUNTRY CLUB – when our lunch money would go to Mom’s House!

PROGRAM TODAY, Gene James, program chairman called on Rebecka Hutchinson to present the Greensburg Rotary Check to Marlene Kozak for the food bank. The check will cover turkeys for 108 families’ turkey dinner. Marlene told us that many Rotary Clubs adopt a local food bank in the area. We were also urged to participate in the Oct. 28 Harvest Walk/Run sponsored by Hempfield Rotary Club.

BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION conducted by Rebecka Hutchinson, and concluded with our melodious voices raised in song.
Birthdays: Kevin Metzger, Joe Biss, Ken Rutter, Erik Hallquist, Joyce Lock, Jeff Long, Mike Monsour, Dan Carr, Debbie Hepler, George Ross.
Membership Anniversaries: 41 yrs.- Bill Courtney; 30 – Pete Cecconi Jr; 12 - Cesare Muccari, 8- Eric and Michelle Bononi; 4 – Kris Agarwal. Congratulations to our loyal members.

MINI BIOGRAPHIES were given by George Ross, a Fayette County boy now in Retail Lending with First Commonwealth. College career took him to Kansas and then to IUP where he played baseball, graduating in 1990 with a major in criminology. He related that he had moved 8 times in 9 years! He also told us that after working for a year with UPS in Virginia that those workers deserved every dollar they made!
Our second biography was by Ben Policastro Jr., a 1961 Hempfield graduate who met his wife of 46 years at a dance, and knew that she was the one! In 1965 he graduated from St. Vincent College . His major was finance. Ben and his wife have 2 sons. He is in manufacturing aluminum windows. The business is just below Westmoreland Hospital. He went into business with his father.
THANKS for letting us get to know you both better!

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM - Rob Richman from Hempfield Township

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
July 19, 2006: John Barth, , owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing, sponsored by Tyler Courtney.
Aug. 15, 2006: Joyce Lock, Mgr. 1st Commonwealth Bank, sponsored by Alex Lima.
Aug. 22, 2006: Leia Shilobod, Owner of InTech Solutions, Inc., sponsored by David Robinson.

Rotary FLASH of 10-10-2006
Greensburg Rotary Club FLASH – October 10, 2006

QUOTE-OF-THE DAY: “The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” – Bernard Meltzer, professor emeritus of law, Univ. of Chicago

WORD-OF-THE DAY: gambol : (gam’bul), verb meaning to frisk about, run and jump about in play, frolic. Sentence: “Tom Jachimowicz was observed gamboling about in St. Clair Park”

President MARY CLYMER opened the meeting in the usual manner with the Pledge of Allegiance, “God Bless America” and the Invocation by TED McDONNELL.

Sgt.-at-Arms DENNIS CREMONESE announced an attendance of 60 members AND John Dickson’s guest DOUG ROSENSTEEL.

PETE DOCHINEZ was the driver for Greensburg-Salem HS student guests: IRENE PAPAS, LEAH SIMANCELLI, STEVE CARL.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

BEN POLICASTRO called attention to the sign-up for the November 11 Highway Cleanup.

KATY DORAN announced the Youth Exchange Information Nite, Wednesday, October 11 at WCCC’s Commissioner’s Hall at 7 PM for interested or curious HS students, their parents and Rotarians who would like to know more about the program. Teen children and grandchildren of Rotarians are eligible.

REMINDER - St. Clair Lecture is Wednesday, October 11 at UPG, Ferguson Hall with Frank Coulter speaking about Architecture in W. Pa.

Nominations and / or volunteers for a few good people are requested and encouraged for the November election of the club 2007 Board of Directors and may be turned in to either CATHY BAUMANN or President MARY.

DICK McNEEL asked for ideas from the members for the 2007 Arts & Heritage Festival committee for that fund-raising concession. Please share with Dick, Carl Rossman or other committee members.

BILL KERN announced the Foundation Dinner on November 11 at the Willow Room in the Mon Valley Healthplex. Reservations are $150 each, with $100 of that fee going to the Foundation. Ads for the dinner program are encouraged and flyers for purchasing ads will be available at future meetings. Reservations to the dinner may be made via webpage: http://www.rotary7330.org/Documents/Foundation%20Dinner%20Registration%20Form%202006.pdf or with the form at the end of this FLASH issue.

BOB BLOOM gave a report from the October Board of Directors meeting:
· Club will purchase a computer and projector to be available for program presentations and to record and maintain membership meeting attendance.
· The club will host one Incoming Youth Exchange student for 2007-2008
· Nominees of past Presidents may be made for a future District Governor.
· “Halloween Hats” will be the theme for the club meeting October 31 at Greensburg Country Club, attended by District Governor Lee Brown. The cost of the meal for each hat-wearing member on that occasion will be donated to Mom’s House.


PROGRAM-OF-THE-DAY:

October program chair GENE JAMES introduced Congressman TOM TANGRETTI, who began his presentation by recalling that his luncheon table-mate Chris DeDiana was an intern in his office 30 years ago.

The over-all theme of the Congressman’s talk was how to restore hope, faith and credibility of the PA legislature to the people of the Commonwealth, referring to the day’s front page Tribune-Review article about “perks” abuses as a prime example of how and why changes need to come about. Citing arrogance of pride and power as being prevalent among a small cabal of legislative leaders who commandeer the state, Mr. Tangretti called for transparency and reform to restore public trust.

A 63-member bipartisan effort is forming in the PA legislature to look at the means to reform, bring about transparency and accountability via the following:
· A Lobbying Disclosure Act – PA is the only state in the USA that does not have one
· Campaign finance reform
· District reapportionment reform – currently an extremely political process
· A constitutional amendment for open records of all leadership accounts to prevent future misuse of funds as cited in the Trib article
· Clarification of Terms of Rules to prevent future midnight sessions that bring as many as 40 pages of Rules committee amendments and language changes to a bill for a vote with no opportunity for members of the legislature to read them before voting
· Controls of “lame duck” sessions, which become open season for misbehavior between the date of elections of new members and the date they begin to serve
· A Constitutional Convention to address such issues as the size of the legislature and judicial terms of office

Prior to a lively Q & A, Congressman Tangretti closed with a final thought – 98% of the PA legislature is NOT represented in the Tribune-Review article.

President MARY closed the meeting with the recitation of The Four Way Test.

Submitted by sub-Reporter, Katy Doran

FOUNDATION DINNER RESERVATION FORM
District 7330 Rotary Foundation Celebration
Reception 5:30 PM Dinner 6:30 PM
The Willow Room
Located in Mon Valley Hospital Health Plex
PA Route 51 North Belle Vernon, PA
(PLEASE PRINT)
Name of Rotarian _______________________________________________________
Rotary Club____________________________________________________________
TRF # (if known) ________________________________________________________
Guest(s)_______________________________________________________________
Phone _____ - _________ - ____________
Dinner reservations (indicate quantity in appropriate box)
___ # Roast Prime Rib of Beef ____ # Orange Roughy
___ # I have special dietary needs - Vegetarian Meal Describe ____________________
**Rotarian reservations @ $150 each ($100 gift to Foundation included.) $___________
Guest reservations @ $50 each ………………………………………… $___________
Please accept my optional special gift $100 $250 $500 other ……… $ ___________
Sorry, I cannot attend. My gift herewith to The Rotary Foundation is… $ ___________
**If you are a Sustaining Member to the Foundation you may pay $50.00 for your meal only.
___ I would like more information on the Paul Harris Society ($1,000 a year contribution)
Make checks payable to:
Rotary Club of Indiana Total $____________
Charge: VISA MasterCard No. _________________________________ Exp. _______
Signature________________________ Name on card __________________________
Return this completed form with payment by October 29, 2006 to:
Marlin B. Stephens
115 Apple Lane
Indiana, PA 15701
Questions please call:
Marlin B. (Bing) Stephens 724-349-7084 bings15701@yahoo.com
Linda Yarbrough 724-850-7539 lstrittm@pawc.com

Rotary FLASH of 10-03-2006
Greensburg Rotary Club FLASH – October 3, 2006

QUOTE-OF-THE DAY: Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. ---Ann Landers

President MARY CLYMER opened the meeting in the usual manner with the Pledge of Allegiance, “God Bless America” and the Invocation lead by GENE JAMES.

Sgt.-at-Arms DENNIS CREMONESE expressed gratitude for the consideration of members on the recent death of his sister and announced an attendance of 50 members and a full house of visiting Rotarians and guests: Tim Henry and Martha Henninger (Hempfield Rotary), Tim Bassett (Murrysville Rotary), Congressman Tim Murphy (St. Clair-Bethel Rotary), guests of Mayor Karl Eisman Sue Trout, Mary Perez, Chief Lyons, Barb Ciampini, Les Harvey, Tim McCormick, guests Pat Fiato ( Bob Ottaviani), Joy Barsoum (Adib Barsoum), Liz Bradley (Tom Hower & Rebecca Hutchinson).

CHUCK ANDERSON was the driver for Greensburg Central Catholic student guests: Lauren Soltis and Michael Stevens.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Nominations and / or volunteers are welcome for the November election of the club 2007 Board of Directors and may be turned in to either CATHY BAUMANN or President MARY.

Reminder - St. Clair Lecture next Wednesday, October 11 at UPG, Ferguson Hall with Frank Coulter speaking about Architecture in W. Pa.

Westmoreland Historical Society will host the St. Clair Dinner with Daniel Barr this Wednesday, October 4 at the Greensburg Country Club. In addition, tickets are available from several members, including CHUCK ANDERSON, for the Society’s spring, 2007 drawing for a Falling Water Luncheon-on-the-Terrace for 6 persons - $50 each or 3 / $100.

With apologies from this reporter, please contact DATO for more information about the Wine Tasting event October 18 at the Greensburg Country Club.

The Rotary club’s Board of Directors will meet Thursday, October 5 in the Hempfield Room, UPG at 5 PM with dinner.

The Halloween Day club meeting, October 31, will be held at the Greensburg Country Club with a visit from District Governor Lee Brown.


PROGRAM-OF-THE-DAY:

Greensburg Rotary’s own KARL EISAMAN, Mayor of the city of Greensburg, thanked his long-suffering wife’s willingness to allow him to serve the long hours for a very small salary and his being blessed with such a fine City Council. His City Council guests (listed above) represented the City Administration, Fiscal, Planning, Fire and Public Safety, Police and City Solicitor positions.

Among the valuable assets of Greensburg is the Volunteer Fire Department, which enjoys a Protection Class 3 rating, the highest available in the Commonwealth.

Via PowerPoint, the Mayor outlined the city’s revitalization program through the following:
· Partnerships with federal, state and county and other organizations
· Proactive Thinking
· Planning – City received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in April, 2006 for its Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan for Local Government
A variety of city projects were outlined that included various re-developments of buildings and neighborhoods by The Westmoreland Cultural Trust, Seton Hill University, state office facilities, “Home Town Streets” enhancement, Offut Field, the Troutman Annex and the Excela Health System facilities.

Following a brief but lively Q & A with a few member comments and suggestions offered to the mayor, President MARY closed the meeting with the recitation of The Four Way Test.

Submitted by sub-Reporter, Katy Doran