The View – 9/4/14

Next Guest Speaker: District Governor Kevin Eisenberg, noon, Thursday, September 11

Meeting Highlight: Jennifer Bosma was chosen Rotarian of the Month for her work on the golf tournament fundraiser. Dad Tom accepted glass art award of crossed golf clubs created by Glass Artist Betty Cottle.

The meeting this week focused on Rotary Park and, primarily, how to handle ownership. Leading the meeting were Rotary Foundation Board Members.

Tom Honer brought the Park project to the Club.

Since the Land Trust is asking for some $60,000 in an escrow account to pay for future maintenance, insurance, etc., the Mendocino Rotary Foundation ruled out the Land Trust to receive and manage the park property.

The main alternative has been for the County to take over with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in place to guarantee that the Mendocino Rotary Club maintains control of park activities.

Donna discusses Interact Club.

Some member comments and suggestions:

• The County would not be the best caretaker or trustworthy partner based on how it has handled other properties.

• The Sewer District, a locally-controlled organization, would be a better partner to own and manage the land with Rotary’s help. Need to determine Sewer District’s interest in taking over the property.

• Although Rotary Clubs can’t own property, it was determined that our Foundation can hold title and that — at least for the immediate future — could take title and, for a few thousand dollars a year, cover all maintenance and insurance costs.

Harold was a passionate advocate for considering alternatives to County ownership and local control.The Mendocino Rotary Club could / should forgive the $26,000 seed money taken from reserves as seed money to buy the park and consider this an investment in the project. A vote on this proposal is underway.The Mendocino Rotary Club could / should forgive the $26,000 seed money taken from reserves as seed money to buy the park and consider this an investment in the project. A vote on this proposal is underway.

• The Mendocino Rotary Club could / should forgive the $26,000 seed money taken from reserves as seed money to buy the park and consider this an investment in the project. Another $17K is still in the reserves for emergencies. A vote on this proposal is underway. If this is approved, we will have the money needed before the Dec. 31 deadline to secure the property — a huge accomplishment and major legacy for the club.

In a first: we had a guest beamed in from Hawaii, via FaceTime: our own immediate past president, LaDonna McDonald, who has a major driver in raising money for the park, and wanted to participate in the discussion.

LaDonna beamed in from Hawaii and projected on screen.

Happy Dollars:

• Brandt Stickel introduced his new CPA, Larry Flores.

• Pete raved about this cruise to Alaska.

• Dean was beaming about the arrival of his newest family member, Coby, the 4-month-old border collie.

Larry Flores, new CPA at Hogan and Stickle Law Firm.

• Kira’s sisters have been visiting from New Hampshire.

• Donna’s boys (husband Chris and sons, Monty and Skylar) were going to attend the Wood Boat Show; also her daughter, Erin’s, cross country team came in third in a big competition with the USF Team edged out only by powerhouses Stanford and UCLA.

• Donna attended the first meeting of the new school year of the Rotary Interact Club at Mendocino High School and reported that all went well.

Sunshine Report:

• Our own Sunshine Queen Wilma Tucker is still in the hospital from surgery, but coming along nicely and out of ICU and in a general surgical bed.