January 29, 2005

Last Week’s Program...
State Representative and fellow Owensboro Rotarian Tommy Thompson reviewed for the club items that will be on the legislature’s agenda when it reconvenes next week for the remaining 26 days of this year’s short session. These issues include:
- The budget. Tommy is encouraged by the spirit of non-partisanship now surrounding this issue. He is optimistic a budget will be passed during this session.
- Tax modernization and reform. Kentucky’s antiquated tax code has numerous liabilities, including an unfair burden on lower income taxpayers and barriers to economic development. Tommy mentioned that reforms will most likely involve a shift from reliance on sales and income taxes to more reliance on consumption-oriented taxes. He anticipates an increase in the cigarette tax (Kentucky now has the lowest in the nation).
- Medicaid system reform. Kentucky is plagued with the dual challenge of a large aging population and a disproportionate share of disadvantaged citizens. 1 out of 7 Kentuckians is on Medicaid. According to Tommy, the Medicaid deficit this year is projected to be over $500 million.
- Health care. Tommy discussed the crisis created by skyrocketing health insurance costs. He plans to introduce legislation this session to help small businesses provide affordable health insurance to employees. He also mentioned the need to reign in medical malpractice awards, which are driving physicians out of Kentucky.
- Education funding. Kentucky must continue to build on the progress made since 1990. Enhancing preschool and kindergarten and improving the on-to-college rate are goals.
- Expanded gaming. Tommy supports giving the people of the state the opportunity to be heard on this sensitive issue.

Thank you, Tommy, for an informative program and for representing us so well in Frankfort.

Attendance: 97

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: David Edds, Jr.

Fellowship Report: Jim French

Introduction of Guests: Madison Silvert, guest of Dave Silvert; Lee Denney, guest of Tom Castlen; Tonya Poyner, guest of Ruth Ann Hughes; Shelley Murphy, guest of Tim Bradshaw

Meeting Make-Ups: Martel Wightman at Marshall County

Thought for the Week: "There are obviously two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live." ~ James Truslow Adams (1878-1949, American historian, writer

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
· Indoor Playground contributions and/or pledges may be mailed to Jeff Ebelhar, Owensboro Rotary Foundation treasurer, at the following address:
Jeff Ebelhar
100 W. Third Street
P.O. Box 1824
Owensboro, KY 42302-1824

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...     
J. Todd Inman  - February 1                                       
Paul Martin - February 2
Bob Whitmer - February 2                                       
Donna Risley - February 4
Gary Sisk - February 4

ROTARY REMINDERS
· Don’t forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary, 7 a.m. on Tuesdays at Heavenly Ham Restaurant in Towne Square North.
· Rodney Berry is the program chair for February.
· Ken Lawson will be at the Fellowship Table during February.
· If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, or you have changed your email address, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list.
· Log on to Rotary’s website at www.owensbororotary.org. You’ll find our current member directory, photos of new members, past copies of the Impetus, some interesting history, and more!

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
"Rotary reveals itself in layers." I’m not sure where I heard or read that, but I’ve come to the conclusion it’s a fairly accurate observation. Membership in Rotary is somewhat like the fable of the blind men and the elephant. Each blind man touched a different part of the elephant, and based on that experience, described the animal differently. To prospective members, Owensboro Rotary probably appears to be a group of local people they’d like to be associated with, so they join. To our new members, we’re a large meeting room full of some acquaintances and many strangers. The layers begin to reveal themselves as members attend meetings and become engaged in the work and fellowship of the club. At some point they begin to understand that Rotary is about giving back to the community. It’s about Readifest and community service grants. It’s about scholarships and student loans. It’s about an indoor playground for the children of our area. Eventually, they begin to grasp that Rotary is something bigger and beyond Owensboro, Kentucky. Rotary is:
- more than 1.2 million Rotarians
- in more than 31,000 clubs
- in more than 166 countries
- each finding and meeting needs in their communities.

I encourage you to continue to explore the many layers of Rotary.

Have a great week!

Pat

THE FAMILY OF ROTARY  
Congratulations to Matt Francis who has been named city editor of the Messenger-Inquirer.

JANUARY IS ROTARY AWARENESS MONTH - HOW "ROTARY AWARE" ARE YOU?
Did you know…
that the Four Avenues of Service, based on the Object of Rotary, are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based?
· Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club.
· Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.
· Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.
· International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS  
February 9: Al Cross - Former Courier-Journal political reporter, Director, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, University of Kentucky.
February 16: Helen Mountjoy - Member and former Chair, Kentucky Board of Education
February 23: Mitch McConnell - U.S. Senator

2004 - 2005
OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Pat McFarling
Vice President: Bill Dexter
Past President: Jeff Ebelhar
Secretary: John Kurtz
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: Tish Correa-Osborne, Todd Inman, Patty Drury, Tim Bradshaw, & Noel Maddox

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