OWENSBORO'S ROTARY IMPETUS

July 29, 2006

This Week’s Program…
Dean Ehrenheim – Owensboro Family YMCA

Last Week’s Program...
Judge Thomas O. Castlen, Circuit Court Judge Division II – Status of Drug Court

It was good to give Tom a comic outlet after dealing with such serious issues from the Circuit Court bench.

Judge Castlen reported that since 1995, the civil case load has increased 9% and that the criminal caseload over the same period of time has increased 81% - most of these criminal cases involved drug use. Tom also said that in the last 20 years, the female inmate population has increased 600%. With regard to race and ethnicity, the inmate population is disproportional – one example is that 12% of the U.S. population is black and yet the same group makes up 49% of the prison population.

These facts led Tom to take a look at the issues behind the numbers. What he found was a court system that gauged success by how many "bad guys" they put away – with little regard for what happens when some of these people get out. When many inmates were released into society they returned to drug use and violence that affected women, children and the general public. Fortunately for Daviess County, of the 12 "drug courts" operating at that time, two were in our commonwealth. The Daviess Circuit Court "drug court" is now among more than 2000 in the country, has two full-time staff and saves the taxpayers millions in incarceration costs alone.

Tom: you will always be more popular in this club than a pork chop at the waling wall.

Attendance: 84

Highest Attendance This Year: 88

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Patty Ray

Fellowship Report: Patty Ray

Introduction of Guests: Fred May was a guest of Dean Rodney, Joe Keller was a guest of Tim Bradshaw, Mason Ralph was a guest of Charles Ralph

Meeting Makeups: Larry Mayfield made-up in Paducah, Roger Coomes made-up at Daviess County Rotary Club.

Thought for the Week: Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want!

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
This is more of a "stream of consciousness" letter than a topical dissertation because I forgot some notes at last Wednesday’s meeting and there are some important things we need to talk about.

Steve Gardner noticed our attendance waning a bit – and we brainstormed for about 20 seconds. The best idea’s were for everyone to choose a Rotary Buddy to call and offer a ride to OCC or at least give a reminder every Wednesday at around 11:30 A.M. The other idea may involve email alerts and we’ll discuss that at a board meeting.

I’m excited to announce that we received $150 toward another water well for a community of people just like you in Uganda. The money came from two Rotarians who wish to remain anonymous. The gifts also came without a threat of withholding water from them or giving them "dirty" water – something Sr. Suzanne may do if we’re not so generous.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered during this year’s first wave of Rotary Readifest: Cherilyn Kizer; Tish Correa-Osborne; Dean Ehrenheim; Phillip Travis; Jarred Barron; Flem Gordon; Jim Ed Oberst; Noel Maddox; Patty Ray; Nick Brake; Patrick McNulty; Ed Wathen; Gary Noffsinger; Sr. Suzanne Sims; Bill Dexter; Tom Smith; Duval Bushong; Joy Horton and Pat McFarling.

Now Rotary Readifest is making its County School visits August 1st through 7th. Please sign-up Wednesday or call Pat McFarling at 852-3257.

Thanks for being a Rotarian.

Have Fun! - John

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Tom Castlen - July 30
Jim Ed Oberst - July 30
Tish Correa-Osborne - August 1

ROTARY REMINDERS
• Don’t forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary, 7 a.m. on Tuesdays at Ponderosa in Towne Square North.
• Steve Gardner is the program chair for July.
• Bob Morris is the program chair for August. 
• Jeremy Bradford will be at the Fellowship Table during August.
• 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!

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
August 9: Muhammad Ali Center
August 16: Dr. Jeff Barber – Owensboro Medical Health System
August 23: Rep. Ron Lewis – Congressional Update
August 30: District Governor Kay Sharon

2006 - 2007 OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: John Kurtz
Vice President: Tish Correa-Osborne
Past President: Bill Dexter
Secretary: Tim Bradshaw
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors:  John Kazlauskas, John Medley, Sister Suzanne Sims, Jeremy Bradford, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Ed Wathen

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