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Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage
Service Above Self
 

Welcome! At 12:10 precisely, our self-named “Rookie” president Bill Gilbreth rang the bell to welcome us all, and thanked us for attending.  Otis Bradley gave the flag salute, followed by a stirring invocation by Pradeep Kapadia.  Guests and members were then escorted to the luncheon buffet. We thanked Scottie for tickling the ivories once again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With barely time to find our place settings, Bill got us going again at 12:25.  With another packed agenda, he wasted no time in giving thanks to all who made this meeting happen.  Matt Clements, for set-up and take-down.  Greeters Marc Whitman and Matt Clements.  Piano music courtesy of our music director, Smitty.  Today’s desk was run by the ever efficient Tony Thacher.  Roving Mic handled by Yolanda Flores.  Reminder Editor, Mike Malone.

 

 

Speaking of our fearless leader, he was seen leading the Children's Balloon March at Libbey Park.  This is one way to deal with inflation. Current Living Treasures will lead the March in subsequent weeks. This picture was taken moments before he left the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We quickly determined there were no visiting Rotarians, but plenty of guests.  Special guests were Robert Roddick and Johnny Johnson.  Patricia Teague Anderson introduced George Eskin, Fred Coleman, and her son Patrick Teague.  Bill Ghormley and his wife.  Yolanda brought members of the Sanchez family; Julian, Christian, Alexander, and their mother Norma.

Paul Harris Fellowship Award:  Terry Beckett then gave this long over-due award to Bill Ghormley for his years of service to our club.

 

 

 

 

 

Announcements:

 

Patricia Teague Anderson gave a rundown of the programs for the next few weeks. 

 

Recently, the board met and approved the Continuing Resolutions.  A draft budget was presented by Don Reed, and will be voted on next month.  Bill thanked everyone who volunteered to sit on the board of directors, and their continuing commitment to serve our club.  Bill then ran through a few suggestions put forth by our Social Director,

 

 

 

 

Katherine Lee.  There will be a 5th Friday at Hermitage Ranch, picnic by the pond.  It will be very casual, and run from 6p.m. – 8p.m.  Invitations will be out soon.  Matt Clements will be organizing volunteers for set-up and cleaning.  You should have received you e-vites.

There has been a suggestion by Rotary West club to have a joint social. The date of Saturday, August 6th has been put forward and will be held at Larry & Dennis’ Beach house.  He then asked for a show of hands on those who would be interested in attending, we had about 21.  More information to follow.

Kern River Valley Rotary club has mobilized a relief effort for victims of the Erskine Fire, which truly tore an entire community apart.  Our board has voted to donate $1,000 to the fund, but more is needed.  Please see Mike or Nathan for individual contributions.  Or, you can mail your check to: KRVR Rotary ERSKINE FIRE FUND, P. O. Box 2884, Lake Isabella, CA 93240-2884. Money donated to this fund will be used exclusively to assist people hurt by the Erskine fire.

Cal State University Channel Islands: Yolanda then talked to us about a recent trip where she used a Rotary grant to bring 35 students to CSUCI.  The students were members of COPA, and from Matilija JHS. Mr. Javier Ramirez, the principal, was their tour guide.  Students got to visit the library, dorms, cafeteria, classrooms, and labs.  Most had never been to a university before, and were very engaged and excited to be there.  They vowed to study hard, and find a way to get accepted to college.  Julian Sanchez spoke about his visit, and how it changed his perspective and hopefully will change his future.  Julian spoke passionately about what he saw, the library, and how he could envision himself in the future to become the first person in his family to every attend college.  He thanked Rotary for making this visit possible for all of them.

Confessions:

Bill Ghormley had a loose check lying around he couldn’t use.  Bob Davis expounded on a recent visit to the Soule Park restroom that claimed to use “waterless technology”. 

 

Otis has been very busy and very absent from meetings lately, because of opening 3 new stores for his business.  Sandy Buechly went to Norway for her birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fining: Ren Adams then asked obscure questions about the Olympics.  Wendy Barker didn’t know this was the 31st.  Mike Malone now knows the 1st modern games were held in Athens, Greece.  Otis tried to sound intelligent explaining the symbolism behind the colors of the 5 rings.  No Otis, they don’t stand for peace, love, and harmony.  Boyd almost got all the games held at Lake Casitas in 1984.  Judy doesn’t follow tennis champions, Al West equally doesn’t follow the mascots, and PK tried but failed to name a runner from Ojai who medaled in the Olympics.

Program: Patricia then introduced todays speaker, Judge George Eskin.  Judge Eskin started as the D.A. for Ventura County, and lived in Ojai until the early 1970’s. He has been in private practice, and retired as Superior Court Judge of Santa Barbara County in 2013.  He is the husband of current Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson.  He came to speak about Proposition 64, which will be on the November ballot, but also wanted to explain why he is supporting it.  He joined L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) after retiring in 2013.  He feels that prohibition of marijuana looks and feels a whole lot like prohibition of alcohol during the 1920’s.  Alcohol prohibition was finally repealed after 13 years, for the very reasons current laws against drugs should be repealed.  Prohibition was found to be the reason for creating more crime, and making mobsters richer, while poor people suffered.  Reagan’s war on drugs, which started in the early 80’s, has created the worlds largest & most expensive criminal justice system in the world.  25% of all prisoners in the world are being held in US jails.   The initial strategy was that we would decrease supply, and thereby reduce demand, and therefore reduce negative collateral consequences of drug use.  Instead, supply has increased, prices have dropped, and negative collateral consequences have skyrocketed.  It is estimated that 38% of all prisoners in jail are being held on drug charges, as non-violent offenders.  Judge Eskin believes we should take drug use out of the criminal justice system, and put it in the hands of medical professionals who can better address the causes and symptoms of addiction.  He then ran through the staggering statistics of cost and effect, and how little our efforts to stop drug use through law enforcement have been.  Several countries have de-criminalized drug use, and have seen significant reduction in arrests, and drug use as those addicted can now find legal means for treatment and to regain their positions in society.  Families are being held together, not torn apart.  Drugs are being moderated and regulated by health professionals, and cases of HIV and Aids are on the decline.

At 1:30, Bill thanked our guest for his thoughts.  He also thanked Julian Sanchez again for his bravery in standing up sharing his experiences with us.  He then knocked on the bell, as by now we should know what that means. Have a great weekend, and see you next Friday!

 

Respectfully Submitted, Michael Malone