ROTARY GRAM

High Noon Rotary Club

January 8, 2004

"The chief factor in any man's success or failure must be his own

character."

Theodore Roosevelt

    With a booming Happy New Year, club President Chessa Gill opened the

first meeting of 2004.  She led us in the invocation and pledge.  Chessa

called for the introduction of guests including: Outbound exchange student

(to Sweden) Steve Bowen, sponsored by our club; Yuta Niimi, exchange student

from Japan, sponsored by our club; Lynn Westberg and Char Day of San Juan

Basin Health, guests of Past President Jeff Brown; Nancy Vanderwall and

Polly Morgenstern, Dan's wife.

    Guests Lynn Westberg and Char Day spoke about the lost tobacco

settlement funding that the state put into the general fund, thereby denying

it's use for the intended purpose of tobacco prevention and education.  To

help fill the gap, San Juan Basin Health is selling 25% discount cards to

smoke free local restaurants for just $35.00.  The $35 goes to the efforts

to reduce smoking and you get 25% off at various local eateries.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

    President Elect Nominee, Steve Govreau spoke of the progress in the

planning of this year's Snow Down event, Yabba, dabba, Durango.  He showed

the club an example of the commemorative champagne glass that will be

available to attendees of the Snow Down Ball.  Silent auction items for the

Snow Ball were requested by Dave Ganevsky.

    Bill Cartwright recapped progress toward the January 24th fundraiser,

Red Ball Express.  He reminded us to sell our tickets and that local

Rotarians were not eligible to win.  Help is still needed with set up and

take down for the event.  Contact Bill or anyone wearing a red, Red Ball

Express jacket.

    Sherry Taber spoke of the efforts of the Scholarship Committee.  About

$10k is set aside for this year's recipients.  She and Bob Salzer are

working actively and welcome the participation of others.

    Bud Deering had surgery over the holidays and was among the members

enjoying the first meeting of 2004.

    Keoki Sears volunteered to check on the state of the River Walk and

Rotary Park landscaping after comments about the city's failure to maintain

it according to a previous agreement.

    Chessa asked Don Freemyer, a High Noon Rotarian since 1987, to give the

club some insight into his life.  Don told us he was born in Nebraska and

spent formative years on the family farm in Kansas.  He recalled nearly

drowning in a stock tank and taking unauthorized spins in farm vehicle,

among other youthful adventures.

    Don's family moved to Las Animas in 1944, where he learned the finer

points of irrigation and growing hay.  In his senior year in HS he was on

the State Champion basketball team and spent time hunting and fishing with

his father.  He went to college, CSU, in 1959, entered the ROTC program and

upon graduation was awarded a trip to Southeast Asia, eventually working as

an 'advisor'.

    Returning to Colorado, Don went to law school and has lived in Durango

since 1979.  Thanks for your service to the country and to the community

and, rumor has it, a great spaghetti recipe.

    Raffle tickets were drawn, with Tom Cheatham and Ted Robson earning

chances to draw a card for the pot.  Tom started the new year off by

selecting the Ace of Spades and winning the $23 pot.

    Sergeant at Arms, David Downs highlighted birthdays and anniversaries,

and those who made resolutions for the new year.  Several happy dollars were

also recognized.  If you admitted to not having taken down your Christmas

tree, a fine was requested.

    The next board meeting is on Tuesday, January 20th, 7:00 AM at the

Double Tree.

                                                       PRESENTATION

    The days speaker was Tom Brossia, ably supported by Brian Kimmel.  The

subject was a recap of progress toward the club's commitment to lead an

effort to renovate Buckley Part, or as it is known to a certain element in

town, Stoner Park.  Tom stated that youth and projects such at that

undertaken by the club are part of Rotary's community service mission.

    The club regularly sets aside $15k a year for capital projects such as

parks and other structures.  The goal for the club's $25k investment is to

rally and lead the community and other sources of funding, in the renovation

of the park to:

>Increase the use of the park.

>Create an anchor and better park space for North Main.

>Create a safer and more diverse urban park experience.

>Support the effort to maintain a viable, economically important

 and vibrant downtown.

    As it now exists, the park has not seating, no lighting or attractive

landscaping.  For the renovation, the bulk of the funds will come from local

businesses, individuals, state and other resources.

    Brian described the current plans to the club, including the addition of

paths, a fountain, restrooms, a play area, a mini-botanic garden and a

trolley stop.  The effort may also include a traffic circle to slow traffic

as it proceeds North.  The park would then have multiple uses including a

place for residents to enjoy a sack lunch, rest and relax, as well as

continuing to serve as a venue for art shows and festivals.

    Past Presidents Patty Burkholder and Steve Wheeldon are serving as

co-chairs of the fund raising effort.  It was stressed that the club has set

aside the $25k in past years and that no more funds were to be contributed

by the club.

    Mary Barter indicated that the city, 9-R and the county have a fund for

joint projects that provide a long term benefit to the community, as it

projected for the renovation.  She said that Buckley has an active, but not

always healthy use and it needs to be developed so that all citizens are

comfortable, otherwise it will remain a hazard too easily accessible to our

youth.

    Tom stressed that the club's major role is to 'quarterback' the effort

and that numerous hours have been invested by members, Dean Brookie and

Brian Kimmel in particular, toward the goal of developing a city park that

all could use and be proud of.

    Bob Chaput and Marv Collentine spoke in oposition to the use of club

funds for project.  Chessa thanked Tom and Brian for their presentation and

everyone for their comments and brought the meeting to a close.