Bulletins - 2007 - 09/19/2007

This Week's Bulletin Was Written By Jeffrey Hogue, Esq.

THIS WEEK’S MEETING

The meeting began with an invocation by Leah Swearingen.  President Whitehurst lead the Salute to the Flag.  Linda Jalving helped us sing the National Anthem and then we played the National Anthem of Liberia in honor of our distinguished guests. 

SGT. AT ARMS

John Adams and Frank DeFrancesco won the raffle items, which were restaurant gift certificates.

GUESTS

We had many guests today with standing room only.  The Vice-President of Liberia spoke about Africa and Liberia which is now the boasts of a Harvard-educated female President, the first female head of state ever in Africa.   The Vice-President of Liberia who is in town gave us a brief presentation. 

Dr. Botai is a Rotarian, and the following were his talking points:

• America’s and Liberia’s flag are similar;
• Liberia historically was considered the most peaceful place in Africa; 
• In 1980, a coup was initiated in the Liberian airport, and then a number of problems ensued.  Many lives have been lost due to these problems. 
• The recent administration is committed to improving the country.
• Expressed gratitude to both the U.S. and San Diego for their support of Liberia.
• He is the first V.P. to a woman head of state, and he believes the empowerment of women will play a big part in restoring the peace and security of Liberia.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Time was limited due to two speakers but John Addams did squeeze in an announcement about the birth of his second child, a little girl. 

THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER

George Mullen then introduced Mike Aguirre.  George had boxing gloves with him in the event a scuffle erupted over this widely recognized controversial figure.

• The following were Mike Aguirre’s talking points:
• WATER PROBLEMS
• There is a water scarcity problem in the state, and especially in San Diego;
• San Diego is largely dependent on surplus water for its water supply.  In fact, San Diego is the most dependent city in the state as far as water.  Currently, we get most of our water from the Colorado River and the Sacramento Delta;
• Expressed San Diego’s need to conserve water, and to find alternatives solutions; and
• Talked about current water cleansing operations.
• PENSION
• San Diego has a huge pension deficit;
• Too many people are getting too much money from the City pension, which is unsustainable;
• The pension benefits are “out of control;”
• The pension investment strategy has to be “high risk” in order to try to sustain it.  However, Aguirre wants to see more reasonable benefits, and then a “low risk” investment strategy, which would theoretically allow it to be a self-sustaining operation.
• Currently, those responsible for the pension have taken advantage of it for their own benefit.  The intricacy of the pension fraud is unbelievable.