Posted by Robert Wood

What a great day to be an East Hartford Rotarian.  It was a perfect late Fall Day – sunny, clear, and cool with no wind to chill the spirit!  32 Rotarians made their customary stop in front of Empress Mary to pay homage and to part with their lunch money.  Little did they know that Mary had sublet the passing of the second semester dues bill to ADG Marc Glass.  As Marc said “They are due and payable upon receipt”.  In other words -  ASAP!  The entry way also found Sgt. at Arms Ned Lynch actively pursuing innocent Rotarians in order to beef up the Sgt. At Arms treasury.

 

At the appropriate time, President Dave ambled to the podium and brought the milling crowd to order.  After the Song and Pledge, Bob Wood gave the invocation, paraphrasing the Dalai Lama – “There are only two days in a year that nothing can be done.  One is called yesterday, the other is called tomorrow”.  So Today is the day to love, believe. And do.  So, each of us, in our own tradition should enjoy the season and be thankful for all the blessings our God has bestowed upon us!  Upon conclusion, we attacked a fairly good buffet table stocked with mashed potatoes, ham, chicken, mixed vegetables, salad and bread.  Dessert was a fine assortment of cookies and brownies.

 

President Dave called us back to order quite early as there was much to cover and so little time. Guests Ted Maretan and Tracey Decker were introduced and then serenaded with the Welcome Song led by Art Bradbury and George Schoen.  The result was a cut above our normal rendition!

 

Next, Sgt. At Arms Ned Lynch, weighted down with a big haul enumerated the following donations – Steve Jacoby asking us to remember the 76th anniversary of Pearl Harbor 12/7/41, Alex Wisz for his 51st Birthday, Dave Amberg – just for being alive, Mary and Jack Martin for UConn Women being #!, Wes Willett for his foster son learning to crawl, Jack Sayre in honor of his not being Sgt. At Arms, Marc Glass for his Eagles being in first place, 9 others cheering the fact that the Eagles lost!, Dan Russell for his “Widow Catcher” convertible with the top down today, Neal Cunningham for the Yankees doing something right, Bob Wood offering condolences for any Notre Dame Fans, Art Bradbury in memory of Pearl Harbor. Hope Firestone and Mayor Leclerc for the holidays, Anwar Hossain just because, John O’Connor on his son’s engagement, and finally, Ned Lynch for an Anniversary!  Quite a list – Ned also put people on warning to be prepared!!!

 

Nick Cecere was the Lucky winner of the raffle.  Before adjourning to the Annual Meeting, Cristina Lessard was called up to receive a $500 check for Intercommunity Health.  Dave next mentioned Kathy McCabe’s passing, and one of her requested remembrances was the East Hartford Rotary Scholarship Fund.

 

We then opened the Annual Meeting.  In accordance with the bylaws, Secretary Wes Willett took attendance, and asked for a vote on the acceptance of last year’s Minutes.  It was done and voted in the affirmative.  He next indicated that we now have 48 active and 5 honorary members, and an attendance rate of 63 %.

 

Next, Mary Martin, treasurer, gave an update on our finances as of 12/6/17. We have several accounts – Operations with money coming from a portion of dues, $1 from Lunch fees, and a portion of the weekly raffle. The other – Charitable which is supported by the Spring Raffle ($12,047), Fall Golf tournament ($22,051) a $12,000 grant from Pratt and Whitney, plus fines collected by Sgt. at Arms which support our Scholarships.  The 10/31/17 summary is as follows:

 

              Operations – Checking     $7,071.10 

              Charitable                         $14,965.47  

              Spring Raffle                        $4,312.51  

              Fall Golf                                $23,014.83

 

Totals                                                   $42,292.81 

 

To date we have distributed $26,830 out of a proposed Charitable Budget of $62,000.  Several major items will be distributed on schedule – Scholarships $12,000, Board of Ed Projects $7.600, Paul Harris $3,000 to name a few.  A separate Scholarship fund accounting will be made in January,

 

Next, Bill Saunders, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the slate of officers for 2018-2019.  The following slate was presented and elected as there were no further nominations from the floor.  President – Kevin Kickery, President Elect – TBD, Secretary – Wes Willett, Treasurer – Dan Firestone, Past President – Dave Amberg, Directors – Bob Buettner, Neal Cunningham, Anwar Hossain, Ned Lynch, Jack Sayre, and Bob Wood.

 

The Annual Meeting was adjourned and the regular meeting resumed.

 

Jack Sayre needs volunteers to ring the bell on 12/16 at 2,3,4, and 5 PM.  Do your part and sign up!  Our Mayor, Marcia Leclerc, was called up to briefly give a “State of the Town” update.  She started by saying it’s been difficult for local communities to predict the outcome of the State’s fiscal and budgetary issues, and how they will impact our town.  The news isn’t as good as it could be.  The town is not receiving the revenue it had expected, and this has forced close budgeting and some hardships on many town departments.  Cutbacks in programs such as Rental Rebate and Senior programs cause hardships on especially needy groups, East Hartford will be issuing a supplemental 2 mill tax bill on autos, as are many other towns to help bring in needed revenue.

 

She spoke very positively about the Silver Lane Corridor project, and mentioned that the Outlet Mall is not yet a dead issue.  She stated that the Golf Course watering project will save money, that a new Kia dealership will move to Ash Street, and a Dunkin Donuts  will be erected near Main and Pitkin, and the completion of major Class A Office space down by the river.  Just today, she received word that the Blessed Sacrament Church had accepted the Town’s offer to purchase the property and make it available for a new Senior Center.  She noted that the East Hartford Schools have taken in 27 new students from the devastation in Puerto Rico.  All in all she has a positive view for the future of East Hartford.

 

That’s all for now – See you all at the Holiday Party next week – REMEMBER – NO NOON MEETING. 

 

BOB WOOD