Good Day fellow Rotarians and friends and family who are reading our weekly bulletin. Today’s minutes are from TUESDAY, October 6, 2020.
President Bill rang the bell at 7:30, following about 15 minutes of “catching up on the latest” amongst the members on Zoom. It was great having some chat time and seeing the faces of fellow Rotarians.
Sue Nelson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The weekly Inspiration was presented by Susan Cole who quoted 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate: Leymah Gbowee
“Don’t wait for a Gandhi.
Don’t wait for a King
Don’t wait for a Mandela.
You are your own Mandela.
You are your own Gandhi.
You are your own King.”
At 7:35, we had 34 joining us!
Normally we are a singing club; President Bill spared us this morning and passed over the song.
We had No VISITING ROTARIANS today
Guests of Rotarians: Our Guest Speaker Matt Stevens
Announcements
- Heather Cullen was announced as our October Rotarian of the Month. You will find Heather involved in numerous Rotarian activities. Heather has spearheaded and continues to work tirelessly on our weekly Food Security Drive. Heather is also involved with our Students, Schools & Community. She runs the Odyssey of the Mind Program in Windsor, Student Choir, Puts on Student Plays, and Community Talent Show.
Carol Martin announced Build Construction at Windsor High School
Ground Breaking next week-end for the 20’ storage container – for storing tools and equipment
We received approval on our District Matching Grant which will provide:
- Basic Tools for 30 Students
- Materials for the first student project.
October 13: Marie Ganister from Windsor High School will be our speaker
with program update and details
Rotary Socials with Social Distancing:
October 8th: 5:30pm Just Drinking at Bill Bolster’s home; 6500 Fraught Rd SR
Bring your own chair, blanket, jacket, and wine glass if you don’t want plastic. Comfortable Shoes for the country recommended, Air Hugs Only.We are limited to 15 people, so please sign up early by sending a message to Pam Moulton at [email protected]
October 14th: Ladies on line – Pam Moulton
October 28th: Boys on Bandwidth – Michael Juric
November 12th: Bingo Night!
Pam Moulton recalled when we did “take a Rotarian to lunch” and how much it was enjoyed; this could be a good social distancing contact: in person or zoom, getting the opportunity to get acquainted or refresh your friendship with a fellow Rotarian. President Bill would like to see a social once a month suggestions welcome.
District 5130 Disaster Relief Fund
They will work hard to make sure every dollar donated will make a difference in someone’s life!
Mail to: Ashliegh Diehl, District 5130 Treasurer 1315 Fourth Street Eureka, Ca 95501
COVID CORNER:
Total Cases: 8101 (7412 last week)
New cases Fri 84
Sat 47
Sun 62
Mon 79
Deaths: 122 (last week 122 – stable although hospitalizations are up)
Hospitalized: 31 confirmed and 8 suspected
We continue to see 19% of our cases in the 25-34-year-olds and 17% in the 35-44-year-olds
We have tested a total of 182,113 in our county and have 6408 people recovered
Sonoma County is still on the strictest Tier of Lockdown because we have been unable to stop the surge of new cases and hospitalizations. Public Health feels this could still be from social outings during Labor Day and of course the evacuations from our recent several fires. We cannot encourage enough the need for everyone to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. We do not need an epidemic of flu on top of COVID. It would devastate our County residents. Even if you do not feel you need it, you are protecting others by getting yours.
This is my personal observations and not meant to be taken in any sense Political….. Please practice responsible behavior and follow the 3 W’s (wash your hands, wear your mask and watch your distance!!!!) Our President being part of super spreader events and getting COVID has not helped educate the general public when he makes statements “that getting COVID is no big thing and you can fight it!” He was given medications and treatments that are not available to any of us, had the very best medical care, and then demonstrates irresponsible behavior that will not help the spread of this disease. He is also being treated with steroids that make you feel great, powerful, but weaning off them is a big come down. The medical communities who are trying to save lives are livid and rightfully so – this was irresponsible and harmful.
Remember your “bubble or pod” are those that you live with; not extended family and friends. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and social distance. do not share communal food. thanks
Di
Help Wanted:
- Tom Boylan is still looking for scribes. Thank you Pam for your great work in September, Pegi is doing October & Ken November.
- Robotics is being delayed due to the unfortunate situation of President Nominee Glenn Sugden being exposed to COVID on his return trip home. Our thoughts are with Glenn and wishing him a speedy recovery.
- For anyone interested in being District Governor, information is on the District website
UPCOMING MEETINGS
- October 8th – Cocktails at President Bill’s – limit to 15 people
- October 10th – Alzheimer’s Association walk to End Alzheimer’s
- October 13th – Marie Gannister from WHS Vineyard Academy
- October 24th – PDG Kathy Flamsen’s virtual District Conference
Fine master:
Leslie Lewis was not with us today again Ken Moulton took over, although no fines were imposed Ken reminded us that when the Rotary Club of Windsor first formed in 1987 there was not much in Windsor, it was an unincorporated part of Sonoma County. The Rotary Club of Windsor started their meetings in the bar of the Windsor Bowling Allery, and it was the first year women were allowed to join Rotary. Ken ask charter members what they remembered about those beginning days and what attracted them to join Rotary.
Charter member, Past President Bill Arnone stated he had only been in Santa Rosa one month, when his partner’s, then-girlfriend, Maureen Merrill, invited him to a Rotary meeting, he first thought it would be a good way to meet people in a new community, the rest is history.
Charter member Diane Brabetz said Rotary saved her husband’s life, Les had a heart attack while at their home in Mexico and it was the Rotarians there that assisted them in getting medical attention and provided emotional support
Charter member past president & PDG Maureen Merrill reflected on how our club founder John Lewis was supportive of women in Rotary, even though the feeling was not as positive in other Rotary Clubs. The Windsor Rotary Club was started with 56 members, 19-20 of them women.
Charter member past president was intrigued by a group meeting in a bar, doing self-introductions; Sue did not start out thinking it would be a 33-year membership.
Charter member past president Ed Turner said he was working for the Press Democrat at the time John Lewis was forming the Rotary Club of Windsor, John invited former PD Publisher John Weeks, who declined but passed the invitation on to Ed Turner.
Today’s Program:
Matt Stevens Community and Media Relations Manager for Smart introduced by Doug Williams
When Matt is not working for Smart he enjoys traveling, hiking & biking, he is a partner in a Fishing Ranch in Idaho and has two children, his Son is a paramedic-firefighter in Santa Rosa.
The Smart Train celebrated a 3 year anniversary in August, a lot has happened since our last Smart Train update three years ago. In the past 3 years, the Smart Train has carried over 1.9 million passengers, carried 7,000 wheelchairs, & 192,000 bicycles.
Two new stations were opened in December 2019, one at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal &Downtown Novato.
Smart Board of Directors placed a measure on the March 2020 Ballot to extend the current ¼ cent sales tax for an additional 20 years.
The existing ¼ cent sales tax has produced $289 million in revenues through the Fiscal year 2018. Smart leveraged that revenue to secure an additional $323 million in funding – effectively doubling the sales tax income.
Extending the sales tax would have enabled SMART to save $12.2 annually by restructuring debt payments and reducing debt costs annually from $18 million to $6 million. Ballot Measure 1 failed.
Post Measure 1 SMART reduced expenses:
Cut twelve staff positions
Reduced service schedule (38 to 16 trips a day & no weekend service)
Eliminated onboard WiFi
Brought customer service in-house
Riders down 90% since March – COVID-19
Doing more with less
Post Measure 1 Opportunity
On September 2, 2020, the SMART Board of Directors launched a community-wide Listening Tour across Sonoma and Marin counties, hosted on Zoom, to bring community members together to exchange ideas on how to best position SMART for the future.
Due to COVID-19, SMART is taking advantage of historically low-interest rates and doing a small “refi” that will save $3million.
When Sonoma County Health Officers issued a shelter in place orders due to COVID, SMART, rose to the occasion by implementing thorough cleaning and social distancing protocols in accordance with the Center for Disease Control guidelines.
SMART has not had any COVID outbreaks.
Windsor extension construction started December 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2022.
Q&A
- Tom Boylan: How SMART has gotten so far off the mark on completing the train to Cloverdale?
- Matt responded that in 2008 the sales tax measure was approved, however, in 2009-10, the recession hit, revenue was lower than anticipated and the Board of Directors of SMART froze projects, fast forward & SMART has accomplished a lot in addition, doubled the sales tax, completed the stations in San Rafael, Larkspur, Novato, SR Airport and now working on Windsor. They do not have a date for completion to Cloverdale, challenges of rail at the bridge in Healdsburg.
Doug Williams stated if felt the SMART has been beneficial removing cars off the road and removing trucks will be better.
Matt stated SMART has been in communication with Senator Mike McGuire concerning the Great Redwood trail in Willits South. SMART will be managing freight route, (parts of the conversation got past me, however, I understood SMART will be managing business freight route in the future).
Wally Krutz compared Sonoma County public transportation to Australia & other European countries, where public transportation was better connected, bus, ferries.
Matt responded previously to COVID, SMART had connections with Golden Gate Transit & the Ferry, however, connections have been lost since COVID, Matt stated Golden Gate Transit ridership is down to 1% of pre-COVID, & The Ferry 15% of pre-COVID.
Michael Juic stated he supports public transportation and ask what we could do to support public transportation?
Matt agreed it will take a change in the norm, we all need to think of new ways of travel.
Post Note: Lamar Collins did NOT lose his house to fire, suffered smoke damage but grateful to have a home and for all the well wishes.
President Bill thanked Matt for coming to the club today and closed with
“If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans “
In 2020 God would be laughing in the aisles watching all of us grabble with plans that look like they have been assaulted with an ugly stick. For me, laughing is better than crying, so I am staying positive and remaining thankful for the healthy friends and families we can still embrace. It feels tragic, for sure but if you think about it, it is so crazy it is laughable.
Respectfully submitted,
Pegi Ball