January 20, 2010 Bulletin

The Bulletin -- January 20, 2010 (#1025)

BOB GRADY (L), EDITOR OF THE PRESS-REPUBLICAN, AND THOM HALLOCK (R), ANCHOR/PRODUCER OF MOUNTAIN LAKE JOURNAL AT MOUNTAIN LAKE PBS, DISCUSSED THE FIRST YEAR OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

WALLACE WESTFELDT (L) SPEAKS WITH THOM HALLOCK FOLLOWING THE CLUB’S PROGRAM ON THE ANNIVERS-ARY OF THE OBAMA INAUGURATION.

BOB GRADY (L) DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES FACING PRESIDENT OBAMA WITH PETER ENSEL (R) AND COLIN READ (C).

New Member Talk:
Alice Church was born in Saranac Lake where she graduated high school. She attended SUNY Plattsburgh and received her degree in education. Alice married, had two children and now has five grandchildren.

During her children’s formative years, Alice was a stay at home mom. That said, she stayed very active within the community. She was a substitute teacher, member of the Mother’s Club, Junior League, was a Cub Scout leader, taught religion classes, and was a charter member of the League of Women Voters.

Alice went into business and opened a successful small family business called the Sugar House. It operated for 10 years before closing it. Alice then went to work for CVPH Medical Center as a health education coordinator. She became the first patient representative advocating for their needs. Alice was eventually drawn back into retail and managed the showroom for Champlain Valley Electric until retirement in 2006.

Alice enjoys the arts, music, and traveling. She loves working closely with the community and has been part of many service and philanthropic groups rising from the ground up. Some of these include the CCC Foundation, BHSN, Hospice of the North Country and the Alice T. Miner Museum. Her good work won’t stop there as she plans to get involved with the Rotary Club.

Program: Bob Grady & Thom Hallock — One Year Anniversary of Obama Presidency

Bob Grady, editor of Plattsburgh’s Press-Republican, wanted to dispel a myth about reporters and those working in media. “People think of us as far left liberals… But I have known thousands of reporters over the years and no two were ever alike.” Thom Hallock, producer of Mountain Lake Journal, echoed these sentiments saying that while they have every right to their personal politics, he hasn’t felt inclined to choose sides. Both Grady and Hallock have a common goal: being professionally objective.

They have been observing the Obama Administration along side America for the past year and spoke to the challenges and changes that have taken place.

Grady feels President Obama might be disappointed with the lack of concrete progress seen during his first year in office. If ever there was an opportunity to get things accomplished, Obama was set up nicely by having democratic majorities in both the House and Senate. In light of recent changes in Massachusetts, this majority has changed and will likely create challenges for the Administration.

“I feel sorry for Obama. He came in with very high hopes that haven’t materialized yet,” said Grady. “I don’t know if a president has ever had as much to do as [Obama] has,” said Grady, referring to the amount of work cut out for Obama with so little time to accomplish it all.

Hallock pointed out that Obama is also faced with resistance within his own party. 2010 will be a very contentious election year, and Hallock expects many Independent voters will vote more conservatively. Both Grady and Hallock emphasized that no president could be expected to do what Obama has been charged with given the same amount of time. Referring to Obama’s attempt at health care reform in his first year, Hallock wondered if perhaps the President bit off more than he could chew with his election campaign. And yet because health care was a critical issue in the campaign, putting it on the back burner could have been equally as problematic as the troubles presently facing President Obama .

Before leading into a passionate question and answer session with club members, Hallock and Grady agreed that the bottom line is both parties need to do better at working toward common goals if anything good is going to be accomplished.

Visiting Rotarians: Gail Recore (Sunrise Club)

Guests: Joanne Knowlton, Bob Grady and Thom Hallock (Bob Parks), Lauren Connelly (Paul Connelly)

This Week:

Dues are due! Please pay them as soon as possible.
First Friday (Feb. 5) will be held at the Ground Round Pub at 5 p.m.
Members of the Champlain-Rouses Point Rotary Club are looking for rides to the RI Convention slated for June.
New Member Orientation will be held Friday, Jan. 29(8 a.m.) at West Bay Financial.
The Board Meeting will be held at CCC Dining Hall (PARC) on Monday, Jan. 25 at Noon.

Committee Moments:

Food Shelf — Elle Berger: December’s food shelf collection totaled $464 with $157 going to the Salvation Army and $307 going to the Food Shelf. Elle thanked volunteers Vicki Marking, Dave Napolitan, Don Anderson and Steve Frederick.
Membership — Bonnie: Thirty-nine of the 105 members have 90% or better attendance (18 have 100% attendance).

Announcements:

Don Moore conceded to Bob Parks that he rarely has guests, but last week had one who was lost to Corn Forrence.
Pres. Bonnie said the Interfaith Council and the League of Women Voters are co-sponsoring an event on Thursday, Feb 4. at 7 p.m. See Bonnie for details.
The Latrine Project is officially done. 204 latrines, 5 men, 2 1/2 years…
Bonnie highlighted RI’s Shelter Box initiative for the Earthquake victims in Haiti. By Wednesday, 930 shelter boxes were in place, and 1,000 more were on the way. Shelter boxes can give emergency care for 10 people and provide contents such as ponchos, medical supplies and kids activity packs. Each box costs $1,000.
Marty Mannix announced a Texas Hold ’Em Tourney for Hannah’s Hope will be held at the American Legion in West Plattsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 30.

Fines: Colin Read paid $2 for all three photos of him.

Bonnie’s Bucks:
Marty Mannix introduced the club to the members sitting at the “children’s table.”

Another Candle Burning For: Stan Ransom (1/24), Bruce Delventhal (1/27) and Paul Connelly (1/31).

Make Ups: F. Hamilton, Lake Worth, FL (1/6)

TRIVIA
Did you know…?
Rotary Foundation has a Haiti Earthquake Relief fund. You can use your cell phone to make a one-time US$5 donation to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Text ROTARY to 90999.