Bulletins - 2008 - 12/10/2008

This Week's Bulletin Was Written By Susan Bleicher

THIS WEEK’S MEETING

President Mel rang the bell at 7:25 a.m.  Jane Barry gave a beautiful invocation and Karen Bucey led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Linda Jalving and Mary Engles led us in singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and President Mel interjected a little trivia regarding who originally sang the song – Gene Autry. 

SGT. AT ARMS

Two raffle prizes (dinner gift certificates) were drawn. Leah Swearingen bragged about her wonderful Thanksgiving dinner in Michigan with her sister and the fog delayed return to San Diego.  Jonathan Stone had two brags – a cruise to Mexico with his parents and the return of his good friend, Jeff Hogue, to our club. Karny Stefan had an idyllic time in Germany visiting family. Jerrilyn Malana thanked people for coming out for her induction as President of the San Diego County Bar, Scott Carr for the video roast he prepared for the event, and Pat Cowett for encouraging her to run for the position.  She also paid for today being her birthday. Gary Green contributed to the fund to praise Melissa Chapman and Lynn Hamilton on their business acumen in these tough economic times.  Jeramy Larson celebrated the sixth anniversary of his 30th birthday. Scott Carr celebrated his birthday. Karen Bucey has been named San Diego’s Small Business Liaison. Tom Sayer proudly celebrated his 50th birthday on December 13. Mike Lewis had both a bitch and a brag.  First, Mike announced that Pearson Ford had merged with Kearny Mesa Ford and was now Kearny-Pearson Ford.  As a result, some long-time employees lost their jobs.  Pearson Fuels, however, was opening its fifth Ethanol station in Oceanside, California.

GUESTS

Five non-Rotarian guests were introduced and two Rotarian guests (one from Sacramento and one from Club 33, Maureen Stapleton, our speaker).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Melissa Chapman – Announced the Holiday Party on December 13 at her and Wyatt’s home.  She is trying to get a final headcount for the caterers.  Instead of the white elephant gift, Tanya Reid suggested the option of bringing an unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program.

• Lynn Hamilton – Thanked everyone for their participation in responding to the letters to Santa (The Responsibility Project) with a special thanks to Jeff Olson and Amanda Hunyh.

• Mel announced Christmas cards being sent to the military.  Send an email to him if you are interested.

• Patsy Cowett announced Lotion Bars would be available for sale at our next meeting to benefit the Greater Downtown Rady’s Children Hospital Auxiliary Unit.  These bars were created by Corie Jensen, Carol Jensen’s daughter.

• Scott Carr – Announced the USO Lunch at the Airport would be on President’s Day, February 16, 2009.

• Linda Jalving encouraged everyone to come to the Paul Harris Dinner/Gala on Saturday, January 10 at $75/per person.  The check should be written out to Rotary District 5340.  She also announced on Maureen Eberle’s behalf that the Women’s Refugee Group will be selling scarves and jewelry at Maureen’s house on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

• Foundation – Mike Whitehurst

  Mike was very pleased to present Dave Ferguson with his sixth Paul Harris Fellow.  Linda Jalving is helping Mike sell raffle tickets for this year’s Rotary Foundation Gala.  With the money collected through passing around the Polio Pig, Mike projects the pig will receive about 25 raffle tickets.

• Karen Green announced it was time for the annual election of club officers and presented the following proposed slate of officers for the 2009-2010 Rotary year which passed unanimously:

  President – Karen Green

  Treasurer – Don Lang

  Recording Secretary – Amanda Hunyh

  Secretary – Mary Engles
  Community Service Co-Chairs – Chris Carstens & Claire Maytum

  International Service Co-Chairs – Gary McElroy & Mike Whitehurst

  Vocational Service Co-Chairs – Judy Bambace & Jane Barry

  Sgt of Arms – Scott Carr

  President Elect – Lynn Hamilton

  Past President – Mel Gallegos

• Mike Whitehurst – Rubio’s on Scripps Poway Parkway committed to donating 20% of their sales between 3:00 and 9:00 p.m. on December 18 to the Poway Rotary Club.  You must have the flyer with you.  Mike had copies for any members who live in the area and might be able to participate.

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

Karny Stefan introduced Maureen Stapleton, General Manager of San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), and Fern Steiner, City of San Diego, Chair of Wholesale Water Agency, as our distinguished guest speakers.  San Diego’s sources of water are the Bay Delta and Colorado River.  Unfortunately, we are located at the end of the pipe.  On June 4, 2008 a statewide drought was announced.  The snow pack level was only 67% of normal and although we have the largest reservoir in the country, the driest year on record was the Spring of 2008.  For example, the Oroville Reservoir was at 40% capacity in February, 2008 and by November, 2008 it had dropped to 29% capacity level.  The long-term strategy for San Diego County is supply diversification.  The Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement was exercised in October, 2003.  The development of new local suppliers is critical because at one point we were 95% dependent on the Metropolitan Water District (MWD).  By 2008, this was reduced to 72%, 18% locally, and 10% from Imperial Valley.  The proposed breakdown of our water sources is 29% MWD, 31% Imperial Valley, and 40% desalination.  The San Diego supply situation in 2008 called for a 30% cutback in agriculture.  The years 2009 – 2010 will have municipal and industrial cutbacks.  We live in a desert.  The steps we have taken to rectify the situation have been a 3 ½ year work effort.  SDCWA is the first Southern California agency to put in a drought management plan.  We have acquired more reservoirs for down the road, 70,000 acre feet of capacity. 

Conservation – Voluntary or Mandatory and why?

Lifestyle changes are required.  The 20-gallon challenge has been fairly successful.  We need to save 56,000 acre feet of water.  There are ways to save money and free services available from the SDCWA.   We are currently in the Drought Watch stage (10%), the next stage would be Drought Alert, and lastly a Model Drought Response Ordinance. 

Water rates will continue to go up.  The MWD and SDCWA have met several times in November and December of 2008. 

Suggested steps you can take:

 Take 20-gallon challenge

Fern Steiner and Maureen Stapleton are huge advocates for the Delta Improvement Plan.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 a.m. and both women stayed for questions.