PITTSFIELD ROTARY CLUB   1-16-08

No Randy, Debbie in charge…things ran smoothly…..

Connie led singing, with Linda’s excellent playing…and the rest needing more practice.

Make-ups…a real bunch from Eldon Atwood suffering the California weather (WARM!!!!), covering the entire period he has been away, and keeping his perfect attendance intact….

Visiting Rotarian:  Mary Littrel, Louisiana, MO

Visitors:   Bob Dieker with Max; Dr. Jake Brown with Mark; Steve Shepal with our speaker.

A Thank you was received from Michelle Westmass for having her speak at Rotary.

‘Mean Walter’ Lamb has come up with a very helpful plan to collect funds for the Rotary Foundation…He warned us last week…...No Pin, or no Badge….costs you a buck….$1.00 if your cell phone rings   and $5.00 if you answer it….better keep them on vibrate, or off……He collected $15.00 today….

Program:  Greg Carnes introduced Jim McConoughey, candidate for Congress for the 18^th   District, to replace Rep. Ray LaHood. (He  did say we will have ALL candidates for the position that will come…..to preclude any indication that Rotary was favoring one candidate……)     

Jim McConoughey said he was raised on a cattle farm, worked for a hotel chain, has been married for 20 years, has 2 children, has worked with Rep. Ray LaHood on economic development.

He currently is involved in the Heartland Partnership, which is dedicated to communities and economic development in them.

Economic development is the most important priority in the 18^th District and #1 for the entire country.  He says, ‘ people can tell you what the problems are and how to cure them, but it takes the legislature to get some common sense by lst listening and then forming coalitions to bring things together to really make changes’….

We need to have a good economy in order to have lower taxes, less government and more security.

He WILL have an economic development director on his staff, if elected.

The rural way of life is under threat ….take a look at the web  sites….Need extra effort in these rural areas to improve their economy.

The area needs a congressman who makes good decisions.

He has learned that regulation can, and has, destroyed jobs and rural ways of life….

If elected, preserving Illinois jobs will be a priority…..

He thinks that 85 percent of the NEW jobs will be created in the next 20 years will be by small businesses.