September 29, 2022 Meeting Summary

Sept. 29, 2022
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Jamie Terry
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan & Ron Van Ekeren
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Hanna Eslinger
Guests:
Exchange Students:
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA: Amanda Nilsson
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Terry Roark
Foundation Drawing: Kerry Greaser won $10 with 52 cards in the deck and $44.50 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Murray Schroeder
Announcements:
  • Jamie Terry noted that there were about 40 responses from members for committee signup. The list will be out soon.
  • District Assembly is October 8 in Cheyenne. Registration is $50, and the club has funding to assist members in attending.
  • Dave Hansen told the club our service project, Read to Feed, is starting in the elementary schools. We need committee members to help.
 
Rotarian of the Week: Rollin Abernethy nominated Amanda Paul for her work as treasurer; Kelly Neville nominated numerous members for awards in the community: Christina Kuzmych, Aimee Aldrich, Kerry Greaser, Jan Lawrence, Dave Hansen, Dave Krause, Tom Wolfe, Kermit Brown, Bill Hiser, Phil Nicholas, Randi Downham, Megan Goetz, Doug Faus, Terry Moss, Rolf Peterson, and all UW Rotarians.
 
Songs: This Land Is Your Land
 
Program: City of Laramie, Janine Jordan
 
Introduction: Hanna Eslinger
 
City Manager, Janine Jordan, talked to the club about the upcoming ballot questions related to the 5th penny tax. This has been renewed every four years by voters since 1986.
 
The measure will look different on the ballot this year. There will be two questions, instead of one. The first will ask if you as a voter want the tax to renew for another four years. The second will ask if you as a voter would like to make the tax permanent.
 
Jordan explained that is is a semi-permanent decision, as the tax could go through a repeal process and be revoked if needed in the future.
 
The first 4 pennies is used for state taxes, and about 30 percent comes back to the county. The remainder is used for general purposes.
 
The income from the tax accounts for about 15-20 percent of the total general revenue for the City of Laramie.
 
About 80 percent of the tax is paid by locals, and 20 percent is paid by visitors.
 
In fiscal year 2021, $6.6 million was provided to the city supporting personnel in critical operations. It also is used for maintenance on streets and alleys, storm water sewers, and detention areas.
 
Jordan noted that she understands that roads in Laramie have consistently been an issue. While the 5th penny tax significantly helps, the city is normally heavily short on the funding needed to adequately manage the streets.
 
The 5th penny funding is also used to provide numerous community partners with financial support. These organizations provide the community with educational, medical, economic, and social services that are not provided by the government.
 
More than 20 not-for-profits received funds last year from the city.
 
Response: Jaime Stine
 
Did You Know?
  • The 4-Way Test was established by Herbert Taylor in 1942.
 
Rotary 4-way test
Of the things we think, say, or do
•Is it the Truth?
•Is it Fair?
•Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?
•Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?
 
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
•FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
•SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
•THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
•FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
 
‘Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org