High Noon Rotary Club of
Durango
District 5470
Club 1161
Meet at Doubletree Hotel
Time: 12:00 Noon
Thursdays
Newsletter:
September 25, 2008
PROGRAM OCTOBER 2,
2008: Project Amigo
Fellow Rotarians:
- Tami started the meeting with the pledge and notes from the
September 25th Board meeting. She announced the acceptance of the resignation of Kent
Curtis and the BoardÕs approval of Scott Flyte as a potential new member
to be proposed to the general membership. Tami also emphasized prompt payment of the monthly
membership bill because the bills are now in arrears as opposed to in
advance. This constricts the
ClubÕs cash flow considerably since we pay the Doubletree bill weekly.
- Tim Walsworth made the presentation of the $13,313.23 (14% higher
than 2007) check to Tami for RotaryÕs share of the golf tournament in
July. Tim also recognized his key associates for the fundraiser: Nancy
Bennet, Tami Coddington, Jeff Brown and Bill Hobson. Great job Tim!
- Guests: Mike Sandberg introduced Ray Perotti, Mark Schwantes, Greg Munroe and Christy Pruett all
from LPEA. Melissa CaskeyÕs guest
was Mark Warren. Burt Coleman
introduced Rotarians Jim and Ruth Jackson from Florida. Jim was a former district
governor. Scott Flyte was
introduced for the third time.
Jan Measles introduced former HNRer Colorado State Patrol Major
Ralph Martin who is now spreading the Rotary gospel as the president of
his Hawaiian Rotary chapter.
Ralph graciously thanked all HNRers for teaching him almost
everything he needed to know about being a Rotarian. Exchange student ÒBoomÓ reported
on her activities with DHS Homecoming and attending the Morning ClubÕs
Barn Dance. Emily Spencer
introduced Michelle, the director of operations for the Strater. Jeff Brown introduced Matt Winland
and Steve Dorf, CEO of Fast Track Communications.
- Bill Cartwright announced the Rotary Build Day with the Habitat for
Humanity, 10/25/2008. Its in
Bayfield and you can volunteer two hours or all day if you wish.
- Sergeant at Arms Dan McCarthy did Fines and Happy Dollars: Dick Sullivan announced that
daughter Molly scored a soccer goal. Bob Chaput gave $5 for the great
success of the Greg Mortenson (of Three Cups of Tea fame) event which raised $53,000 in our
community. Bob thanked the Club for donating all of SeptemberÕs fines to
the project. Moni Helling had
happy news about her daughter at DHS. Al Harper blessed the club with $100 for his numerous
appearances in the Herald, what he would be presenting today as our
program and most importantly his anniversary. Nancy Bennet had a birthday. Cathy Crum paid a fine for circulating a recall
petition on Paddy Lynch.
ÒBoomÓ is looking for a 2d semester host family. Rick Routh won the draw but didnÕt
answer the question so the Rotary Foundation was the $30 winner. Dan McCarthy was thanked for doing
such a good job as the September Sergeant at Arms. Good job Dan!!
- Awards/Honors: Mike
Sandberg, Angie Beach and Burt Coleman were all honored for working the
ÒGreen ProjectÓ with the DSNGRR and LPEA. Several members of LPEA were honored for their
participation and leadership: Ray Pirotti, Mark Schwantes and CEO Greg
Munroe. Nine local service clubs participated in this effort to neutralize
the DSNGRRÕs environmental footprint in the community. That makes DSNGRR the only Green RR
in the world. Al Harper was
honored for his leadership in making this happen by using only Green power
for the train. Many kudos and
warm fuzzies all around for the many participants in this project.
- PROGRAM: Tami introduced
High Noon Rotarian Al Harper to make his presentation on the conference
center and the new 220 bed hotel on the DSNGRRÕs parking area and other
space to be purchased from the City.
Al gave us a lot of history on the last 20 years of failed efforts
to build a conference center with taxes Al and his partners; Rick and Karen Langhart have
a vision to preserve our local railroad history by remaking the gateway to
Durango with this project. We
need it because we have lost 500 hotel rooms in the last five years and a
conference center will attract many new visitors to town. The project will have $20mm of
AlÕs and LanghartsÕ monies but will require a total of $70mm to complete
it. The Project will be four stories including the underground
parking. It is supported 4-1
by the City Council. The goal
is to have it completed by December 2010 when Rotary will have its
Christmas party there. The
conference center will bring in about 65,000 visitors during the off
season and about 18,000 of those will be new visitors. The new hotel will cost about $214
per room. It will have a
Grand Central Station feel to it and will be a monument to the history of
railroads, both internally and externally. The centerpiece will be the steam locomotive at the
entrance off College Drive.
They still need more equity ownership so if you have some extra
cash, contact Al. Al made an
excellent detailed power point presentation and handed out a great
conceptual drawing of the project.
This project can be described as a watershed event in DurangoÕs
development and growth and will define the beginning of a new era in
DurangoÕs tourism economy.
Thanks for the presentation Al.
- Remember next
weekÕs Program: Project Amigo.
The Four Way Test in
everything we do and say:
Ÿ
Is it the truth?
Ÿ
Is it fair to all concerned?
Ÿ
Will it build good will and better friendships?
Ÿ
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Yours in Rotary,
Editor
Wayne Bedor
waynebedor@yahoo.com