Bulletins - 2008 - 07/30/2008
This
Week's Bulletin Was Written
By Chris McCain
Meeting was promptly called to order by Mel Gallegos at 7:30 a.m. The invocation was given by Chris Carstens in which he referenced the value of the monthly Rotarian magazine. Pat Cowett led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Jim Mulvaney, Linda Jalving, and Mary Engles led us in a group song of “You are My Sunshine.”
Daniel the ambassadorial Scholar from Brazil has flown back home but still needs to sell his car.
Maureen Eberle is looking for a couple of volunteers to be host counselors for two more ambassadorial scholars.
Joe Ciokon spoke about his trip to Jackson Hole that the U.S.S. Midway sent him on and presented us with the Rotary Club flag from the Jackson Hole club. Joe also surprised us with a Standown Award from 2003 that he came across while cleaning out his Garage. It was good for a laugh by everyone in the club.
Update on Jeff Hogue from Jonathan Stone: Jeff will be having Surgery (2nd angiogram) on Thursday morning July 31st, so please say a prayer for his speedy recovery.
Paul Marsh was inspired by the Movie “21” over the weekend so Paul gave us two playing cards for five dollars in lieu of the usual morning raffle. The two players closest to 21 got to split the pot. Myself and Melissa Chapman were the morning winners in which we split a pot of about $100.00.
Donations were made for the following brags: Pat Cowett was appointed to the Jenny Commission. Dave McKee is celebrating 40 years of Marriage
We had a handful of visitors this morning. Scott Carr introduced Bob Rosig who works in Real Estate, and Jim Mulvaney introduced his father and brother.
District Council, San Diego Youth Symphony at CA Center for the Arts in Escondido, Aug 1st and 2nd.
Thousand Smiles, Aug 1st and 2nd.
Rotary baseball, Aug 14th, 12:35 game.
Public Relations Seminar, Aug 16th. USE Credit Union-Corp Offices (Sorrento Valley)10120 Pacific heights Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121.
Jenny Goodman was recognized by Mel for all her hard work and contributions as it relates to getting the weekly bulletin published.
Mana Mahfoozi who was proposed by Jim Lauth was inducted into the club as a new member. Mana is a Realtor for Keller-Williams Realty. She is married to her husband Steve, who was also present for her induction. They have two Pug dogs. Congratulations Mana and welcome to the club!
Karny Stefan introduced Jack McGory. Jack is currently the Managing Director of The Price Group, a Director and Executive Vice President of Price Charities, and a Director and Executive Vice President of PriceSmart, Inc. From 1999 to 2000 Jack was Chief Operating Officer of the San Diego Padres. He served as City Manager of San Diego from 1991 to 1997 and was a marine Corp. LT from 1971 to 1974. He holds a BA from Colgate University, Masters in Public Administration from SDSU, and a Law Degree from USD.
Jack feels that it is the move toward a Strong Mayor form of government and the politics that come along with it that has caused many of the city’s finest professional to leave their positions. The exit of these professionals from their positions has hurt the city from a managerial standpoint and has lessened the administrative quality of various city departments.
Jack went on to explain that San Diego has the lowest debt and lowest taxes per capita of any city its size. The reason being is that the city has not had any major new taxes since 1978. It is his opinion that the city needs to be more aggressive in generating revenues if it is going to keep up with the necessary maintenance on current infrastructure as well as the addition of much needed additional infrastructure. If the city is ever going to properly address its budget problems then the attitude of “something for nothing” has to be done away with. For example, Jack claims that Utility taxes in the city of San Diego are completely inadequate, especially when compared with other cities around the nation. However Mayor Jerry Sanders has already promised no new tax which is a complete mistake according to Jack if the city is going to be operated with the proper budget that it needs.
Jack also briefly explained that he thinks the city has to get away from a defined benefit plan and move toward a defined contribution plan if it is going to fix its retirement plan system.
Lastly, Jack said that the airport issue has been a reoccurring topic of discussion since 1948 and he doubts there will ever be a viable plan to emerge from all the bureaucratic red tape.
The meeting was adjourned promptly at 8:30 a.m.
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