March 26, 2005

Last Week’s Program...
Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire spoke to the club regarding issues and challenges facing the county and local area. He began his remarks by reviewing the current "whirlwind of activity" in our area, mentioning the impact of the recently adopted tax changes and state budget (including $13 million allocated for an advanced technology center in Owensboro), as well as issues related to the EDC, merger, recreation complexes, library, riverfront development, downtown parking, RWRA, airport, and new cancer center. He reminded the club that although the city and county have some similar responsibilities, they are different entities that maintain a good level of cooperation.

Judge Haire went on to discuss some of the challenges facing our community, identifying the enhancement and expansion of economic development as the most pressing. He contended that, as a community, we must market our strengths and address our areas of weakness. We must adopt an economic development strategy that creates educational and job opportunities for current and future generations. He encouraged local businesses to work in partnership with local government to create that kind of economic climate.

Attendance: 91

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Gordon Barnett

Fellowship Report: Jim Ed Oberst

Introduction of Guests: Madison Silvert, guest of David Silvert

Meeting Make-Ups: Jarred Barron at Pompano Beach, FL

Thought for the Week: Remember the five simple rules to happiness: • Free your heart from hatred. • Free your mind from worries. • Live simply. • Give more. • Expect less.

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• Congratulations to John Kazlauskas, John Medley, and Sr. Suzanne Sims who were elected to the Owensboro Rotary Club Board of Directors. They begin their 2-year term of office on July 1.
• Have you submitted your directory information form? Forms are available at the Fellowship Table or on the club website at: www.owensbororotary.org/directoryinfo.pdf.
• Mark your calendar! This year’s District Conference is April 15-17, here in Owensboro at the Executive Inn. Pat McFarling has agreed to organize a group of sergeants-at-arms. If you’re willing to help out, please let her know.
• 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

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Our second meeting in April will be held on Friday, April 15, at noon at the Executive Inn. We'll be joining attendees of the District 6710 Conference for a luncheon meeting and special speaker. This will take the place of our regularly scheduled meeting that week and the club will cover all meal charges. If you'd like to attend the meeting, but haven't had a chance to sign up, please see Donna Risley or Pat McFarling. They'll see that your name is added to the list. Please make plans to attend this special meeting in April. We'd like to have a good group there to extend a warm Owensboro welcome!

If you'd like more information about the conference or would like to register to attend other conference events, please see Pat or visit the district website at www.rotarydistrict6710.org.

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
"The world is a dangerous place to live;" said Albert Einstein, "not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it." Almost everyone is aware of the extent to which social, political, environmental, emotional and spiritual problems plague our world today. Although we may acknowledge the reality of this situation, we often fail to respond proactively. Some of us look the other direction, pretending the problems don’t exist. Others convince themselves the problems do not affect them and therefore are not their responsibility. Still others respond by lamenting the "good ole days." The common thread in all these reactions is inactivity. Indeed, the pervasiveness of the world’s problems can be overwhelming and paralyzing. The limited nature of our lives makes it impossible for us to do EVERYTHING, but we can do SOMETHING. And if each of us were to do something, the number of problems would lessen or their effects would decrease.

There is a cure for apathy; it’s called involvement. And that’s what Rotary is all about. Being a Rotarian means taking action and standing up for what’s right. It means showing the world we care and that one person can make a difference.

Have a great week!

Pat

THE FAMILY OF ROTARY  
Congratulations and best wishes to Patty Drury and Chester Ray who were married Friday, March 11.

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER!
Bob Morris is publisher of the Messenger-Inquirer. Bob is a former member of the Hammond, LA and Madisonville, KY Rotary clubs.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...   
Avery Smith - March 28
Kevin Carrico - March 28
Pat Strehl - March 29
Johnny Ghosal - March 29
Larry Hager, Jr. - March 30

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.
• Sister Suzanne Sims is the program chair for April.
• 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!

 HAPPY EASTER!

Please mail any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding the Impetus to:

Mike Wallace
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc.
208 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 1866
Owensboro, KY 42302
Phone: 270-684-4554
Fax: 270-684-7314
Email: mike@mediaworksadvertising.com

DEADLINE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPETUS IS THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO MONDAY'S PUBLICATION DATE.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
April 6: TBA
April 15: Rotary District Conference at the Executive Inn (Please note date change)
April 20: Laswell Scholarships
April 27: Hager and Combest Awards

2004 - 2005
OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Pat McFarling - Phone # 270-852-3257 Fax: 270-926-3196, email: patmc@kwc.edu
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

Back to "IMPETUS"