On a warm autumn day Rotarians came together for fellowship and service. President Bill gaveled the meeting to order and thanked all those who made the meeting possible.
PEP Student of the month: Tayten Neiderhiser
Dr. Fred Fauvre introduced Tayten Neiderhiser from Topa Topa School, the PEP Student of the Month, and her parents Eli and Jessica. Dr. Sherrill Knox, Principal of Topa Topa, explained some of the reasons why Tayten was chosen for this honor: “…she is quiet but competitive…she has an internal drive…she is a pleasure to be around…” . Fred presented her with a certificate and a check for $200. Tayten then gave an affecting 3 minute talk thanking Rotary,her teachers and, most of all, her parents. There was not a dry eye in the house at the end of her talk.
Bosnia Trip
Marty Babayco narrated a short slide show highlighting the major events and people involved in their recent trip to Bosnia. Marty, Kay, Mike, Susan, Bob visited the country slowly recovering from a brutal ethnic and religious civil
war. Here are some of the major issues touched upon:
· Bosnia has made significant progress in rebuilding and stabilizing, but tensions remain
· Joint Rotary projects are underway to create local tomato growing businesses
· Rotary is working to reduce human trafficking
· The local Rotary club has members from the three major religious groups
Marty said that the members of the group were so moved that they all wanted to return.
Debate on SOAR
On the Nov. 8 ballot, there are two competing propositions, Proposition C and Proposition F, regarding the continuation of the 20 year old SOAR (Save our Open Spaces and Agricultural Resources) initiative. As a public service, the Rotary club invited spokesmen for each proposition to present their cases. Supervisor Steve Bennett defended Proposition C, which would extend the existing SOAR essentially unchanged through 2050. Rob Roy, an attorney for California Agricultural interests, defended Proposition F which would make significant modifications to SOAR and would expire in 2036.
Following is a summary of their comments and arguments:
Rob Roy for Proposition F:
1. SOAR was initially implemented in Napa County and the temporary takings was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
2. The conditions in Napa and Ventura County are not similar.
3. SOAR has done nothing of note and has not solved the problems of water, pesticide use, farm worker housing, etc.
4. Farmers are not “developers in overalls”.
5. Proposition F garnered over 30,000 signatures.
6. Reported Health problems from pesticide use are not supported by medical science but only by anecdotal reports.
Steve Bennett for Proposition C:
1. SOAR has prevented Ventura County from becoming like the rest of Southern California.
2. SOAR has made it safe and economical for farmers to invest more in their farms.
3. SOAR has preserved the necessary critical mass of agriculture to keep farming productive and possible.
4. The attorney who drafted Proposition F is well known for crafting language in propositions that create loopholes.
5. The vagueness of the exceptions in Proposition F would quickly unravel SOAR and reverse the progress made in the last 20 years.
President Bill thanked Mr. Roy and Mr. Bennett for a civil and substantive discussion of the issues. He expressed the wish that politicians at the national level could do the same.
