Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

March 28, 2002

"Trust in your own untried capacity."

Ella Wheeler Wilcox.......

Steve opened the meeting with his booming 'Welcome' and told the crowd of his feelings watching the ceremonies as the USS Theodore Roosevelt returned to Norfolk, VA, after a 6 month 'cruise', which began just after September 11, 2001.

We all took a moment to turn our thoughts to the young men and women that serve on the 'Big Stick' (walk softly, etc. you remember the rest) and all those serving their country in uniform. Steve gets lots of mail and he read a timely inspirational message. Following the Pledge, Steve called for the introduction of guests.

Steve recognized 'International travelers' Ted Robson and Jim Burpee, both just returned from ski vacations in Europe.

GUESTS INCLUDED:

John Monroe & Merv Bergal, Speakers

Deanna Devereaux, BB/BS

Mike Sandberg

Ken Fusco

Phyllis & Scott Lea

Scott Stewart

Terry Price

Tom Sluis, Durango Herald

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Bowl-a-Thon: Deanna Devereaux, head of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, recapped the success of the recent bowl-a-Thon. Over 600 bowlers participated, receiving $35,000 in pledges for the cause. Deanna read the names of a number High Nooners that made or solicited pledges.

Korean War Veterans: Jeff Brown announced plans to honor Korean War Vets next Friday afternoon. It will be a 50th anniversary celebration. Call Jeff for details.

Read to Pre-Schoolers: April 24th is the day to invest an hour reading to kids at area pre-schools. Get in touch with Steve Govreau for details and to sign up.

Capital Projects: Tom Brossia called for a meeting of the committee members on Tuesday, April 2. Call Tom for time and place. Two CAP grants have been approved by DG Bill Tarpley and sent up the ladder for further approvals. They are a project with the San Juan Mountains Association and bicycles purchased by the Mentoring group.

Park Dedication: June 20th is the date of the dedication of the amphitheatre next to the New Recreation center. Additionally, the event will be a club meeting and picnic. A plaque will be unveiled giving the particulars of the project, perhaps including the 4 Way Test.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE:

Puifai does us proud: Paulette read Puifai's grades at DHS. 4.0! Further, she said that Puifai had scored very high in a recent math competition.

Small world department: Mike and Carol McGuire are the current host family for Puifai. She and her family helped Mike get back in touch with an old friend now living in Thailand.

VOCATIONAL SERVICE:

DHS Seat belt campaign: Mike McGuire conveyed the thanks for a group of DHS kids that conducted a marketing and awareness campaign, with the financial support of Rotary, intended to get more young drivers to use their seat belts. Seat belt use was observed to have increased from 52 to 60%, but the results were disappointing, given that cash was used as the incentive.

CLUB SERVICE:

Directory Photos: Bob Chaput asked newer members to get their photos taken for the directory and offer to take new pix of any member that wished to have same. Air brushing and hair darkening will be an extra charge.

District Leadership Seminar: Jeff Brown reminded us of the seminar on the 230th in Montrose. The club covers the registration costs, so keep that in mind the next time the opportunity arises. Board members and committee chairs are encouraged to attend.

Bud Deering mounts Olympic Pins: Steve asked Bud to include three more pins with those from the recent Salt Lake events, that he plans to mount on a plaque and return to the club to be auctioned off at a fund raiser. The three pins are one each from the terms of IPP Tom Galbraith, current Prez Steve Wheeldon and PE Jeff Brown.

YOUTH SERVICE: (the unofficial 5th avenue of service)

48 Rotary Youth to Visit in June: Paulette announced that 48 kids will pass through Durango, staying two nights, starting on June 18th. Host families are needed and a pot luck is a real possibility at Rotary Park. Call Paulette and offer you best scalloped potato recipe and a bunk for a couple of nights.

Say Yes For Children: Unicef, a Rotary International partner in the fight to eradicate polio, has a new campaign. The ten point rallying call includes: 1. Leave no child out. 2. Put children first. 3. Care for every child. 4. Fight HIV/AIDS. 5. Stop harming and exploiting children. 6. Listen to children. 7. Educate every child. 8. Protect children from war. 9. Protect the earth for children. 10. Fight poverty: Invest in children. Unicef is asking for support from NGO's (non-governmental organizations), world and government leaders.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Importance of Rotary: Steve asked Kevin Bruce, Jeff Brown, Spencer Pearse and Rick Routh to meet informally to discuss the importance of Rotary to them and the roles that each sees for themselves.

Mike Schafer retires: Mike announced his retirement from the Bank of Colorado.

Melisa Caskey on the move: When Steve asked her about her news, she said it wasn't time for details. Stay tuned.

Kevin Bruce's Son scores in Science Fair: Kevin proudly announced that his son has advanced a number of levels in Science Fair competition.

ON THE TABLE: (yeah, I pick up that stuff you leave on the table.)

Health Fair, April 20th, DHS: From 7:00 AM to Noon on April 20th, you have an opportunity to get some important tests conducted at reasonable prices, some even free. Blood chemistry and PSA (prostate specific antigen) tests will be available for a fee, with others gratis. For more details, visit this non-profit's website, www.9healthfair.org.

MEMBERSHIP:

Mike Sandberg proposed: From Jill Bruce: Below please find another new member proposed for membership. He is the blind gentleman that has been attending for the last 2 months. Jeff Brown contacted the President of the Arlington Heights Rotary Club and Mike was highly thought of and an exemplary member.

Proposed member: Paul (Mike) Sandberg

Sponsor: Wayne Bedor

Classification: Rancher

This former Rotarian is being sponsored by Wayne Bedor. He was a charter

member of the Arlington Heights, Illinois Breakfast Rotary Club from

1988-2000. He moved to Durango in 2001 and was a former telephone lineman

and police officer.

He would like to join our club for fellowship and to be able to serve our

community.

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks, Jill jbruce@frontier.net

PROGRAM

Steve gave the floor to Jay Hwang, who introduced the day's speakers, John Monroe and Merv Bergal. They have formed the 6 month old Durango Research Group and presented a summary of their early findings from their initial report on the Pedestrian Mall Project. The DRG is "an ad hoc group for the specific purpose of studying ways in which the downtown central commercial area of Durango can be kept a vibrant and living entity."

The group is studying two concepts, while representing not to be proponents of any of the concepts it has taken under study. The first is the closing of Main Ave from College to 9th St and converting it into a pedestrian mall area. The second is the reintroduction of some form of the original Durango trolley, which ran along Main until the late 1920's.

You can read Tom Sluis' (a real reporter) article in the March 29th Herald on-line, where he covers the presentation in great detail. Go to http://www.durangoherald.com/index_news.asp and select the article.

Monroe and Bergal cited early results of their study, including successful malls where merchants recorded visitor increases of nearly 50% and sales increases of between 25% and 40%. The success of the mall in Ft. Collins was cited, but it took that project about 10 years to become viable and a number of enterprises failed in the early years.

The presenters said that much is left to do to determine if the projects make sense for downtown. There is a shift in focus away from the central business district, to retailers in the South of town. The shift began with two car dealerships, followed by the opening of a mass market retailer and the strip malls that always follow. With the development of Ewing Mesa closer to reality as a result of the $76 million coming to Mercy for a new hospital building, the urgency to act now seems a reality.

The pedestrian mall concept has to address issues such as parking, traffic increases on side streets, emergency access and the potential of tourists with arm loads of packages and no place to put them. 66 parking spaces along the 3 block stretch of Main would be lost.

Taking a look at Main lately suggests that a number of merchants and restauranteurs are taking matters into their own hands. One coffee shop offers street-side seating, while a new restaurant-deli plans patio seating at 7th and Main.

This writer grew up in a town that waited until it's once-lively downtown was in full decline before attempting to bring back the locals. It was too late and never recovered. Perhaps the DRG it on the right track, getting going now while it's not too late.

The speakers invited your comments, pro and con, as they will help strengthen their data. E-mail them at drg81301.yahoo.com. After questions, Steve presented John and Merv with the valued vessels reserved for speakers.

NEXT WEEK

Steve reminded us that next week we will be treated to a taste of the music that will be featured at the

Durango Blue Grass Meltdown. With nothing more for the good of Rotary, Steve adjourned the meeting.

COMING UP

4/2: Capital Projects Committee meeting. Call Tom Brossia for time and place.

4/4: Blue Grass Music

4/11: John Piel, Durango Herald columnist<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

4/18: Hospice / Michelle Appenzeller

4/24: Community Service project, reading to pre-schoolers.

4/25: Program to be arranged by Ellen Roberts*

5/2: No meeting - MEXICAN FOOD FIESTA

5/9: San Juan Mountains Association, Jenny Kane

5/16: Crow Canyon

5/23: Steve Whiteman, Fisheries Biologist, Southern Ute Indian Tribe

5/30: Program to be arranged by Ellen Roberts*

6/6: Program to be arranged by Ellen Roberts*

6/13: Club Round up.

6/20: Park Dedication, meeting and picnic

* Ellen, this came from our Prez.