PITTSFIELD ROTARY CLUB   1-23-08

APOLOGY:  visitor Fred Bradshaw was left off last weeks letter.  He was there with wife, Carole…sorry Fred!

Visiting Rotarian:  Joe Cook, Louisiana, MO

Guests:  John Birch with Carole; Kent Hawley with Max; Pat Boshardy with Carolyn.

El  Presidente announced you need to get Hockey tickets for the District 6460 Hockey game by this Friday, if you plan on attending.  Call, or see, him for details….

He also asked for volunteers to help plan the GSE Team visit in April….Ron, Mark and Carole came forward and volunteered…so we know things will be well planned….

Kent Hawley, JWCC, announced the Open Forum at Pittsfield Center, JWCC, on Monday, Jan. 28, to help give guidance on JWCC future…. Since Pike County no longer has a representative on the JWCC Board, it is important for our area to have input into the processes for the college’s future…. (PLUS….need to get some great candidates for the JWCC board for the next election identified and start getting their names before the public in Pike, Brown, Hancock and Adams Counties, so that  our area is better represented in the future… and work toward getting them elected….this is not political, but practical…..my comment, not Kent’s)

Student Guests from Griggsville-Perry:  Jessica White, daughter of David; is an Office Aide, in G-Unit Senior Club, Quiz Bowl, Drama Club, and Student Council.  Takes late-night auto mechanics, likes 4-Wheeling, plans to attend Culver-Stockton in Forensic Biology.

Aja Hurst, daughter of Peggy.  In SADD, Drama Club, Tech-Prep, Science Club, softball, volleyball, basketball, plays in fast pitch softball in summer, likes 4-Wheeling, anything ‘non-girly’.  Plans to attend WIU in Child Psychology. 

A ‘Thank You was received from Community Center President, Shirley Johnston for Rotary’s contribution to the Center.

Make-up was received from Eldon Atwood in the California heat……..

One song was sung, with the 47 Rotarians and guests doing much better under the leadership of Eric Dolbeare, PDG, probably since it was ‘SMILE’, which all knew….

(Hey!!! We had a Real CROWD today!!!)

Program:  Greg Carnes introduced Catherine Coil, who accompanied our speaker.  He then introduced Aaron Schock, Representative of the 92^nd District in our State Legislature.  Aaron graduated from Bradley University in Finance, in only 2 years!!!

At age 19 was elected to the Peoria School Board, at  age 23 became the youngest State Representative in the history of the State of Illinois!!

Aaron said that there are three main focus’ that our nation needs to repair…economy, veterans care and benefits and peace. Issues only a candidate with legislative experience can get something done.  He has passed 18 bills in the legislature, more than any other representative…We must work in a bi-partisan way to get things done.

He said, ‘ I am the best candidate for the job’…..’We must preserve the right to privacy and individual freedoms’……