ROTARY ROUNDUP
Thursday, September 8, 2005 at 7:00 a.m.
Holiday Inn, Jonesboro, AR (AP)
Rusty Clark, presiding
Jayni Blackburn, praying
Sandy Puryear, pledging
Josh Fletcher, promulgating
Asa Hutchinson, politickin'
PROGRAM
Dave Davidson introduced Asa Hutchinson, Republican Candidate for Arkansas Governor in 2006, only 15 months away. Mr. Asa grew up in Gravette, Arkansas near the four corner area of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. Asa was appointed US Attorney for Western Arkansas in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan. He was later elected to the US House of Representatives and serve as Congressman until President George W. Bush tapped him to head up the Federal DEA, fighting illegal drugs. Following the 9/11 attack on WTC, Pres Bush again called on Asa to help lead the newly established Dept of Homeland Security serving as Undersecretary to Secretary Tom Ridge. Last year, Asa decided to return home and serve the people of Arkansas.
Asa addressed 3 areas as he spoke to the club on Thursday: 1. Private Property Rights; 2. Methamphetamine Epidemic; 3. Job Creation.
Good questions were asked of the candidate: D. Mixon: What about education? Job is not finished. P. Holmes: Return FEMA to cabinet position? No. Do not seperate FEMA from Homeland. J. Fletcher: John Roberts for Supreme Court? Extraordinary choice....will be approved by Senate. J. Clevenger: Advice for State wide level for natural disaster? Governor is utimately the crisis manager. Asa offered himself as best fitted for this role.
1 MINUTE VOCATIONAL
Dr. Scott Dickson is in family practice at AHEC clinic at the same time mentoring and teaching 18 residents. He is on faculty and serves as assistant Director of AHEC. He shares the professional practice with 4 full time partners and they treat individuals from infants to geriatrics.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
***Greg Arnold: Plea for help. Red Cross is pleading for drivers to transport evacuees from their places of stay to appointments at dentist and doctor offices. Typically, from First Baptist, First Presbyterian or Temple Baptist. More details, call Greg, Ken Stacks, Leon Carlisle or Jan Simpson at RCross.
***Jake Morse: Dr. Bob Warner, a native of deep south Mississippi (Bay St. Louis area) went into the area 2 days after the hurricane passed and shot back a serious call to arms. The area has been severly flattened and there is a need for various supplies. The 3 Jonesboro Rotary Clubs haved joined forces and adopted the Mississippi Gulf Coast area that Bob is seeing after. We will fill trucks with supplies and send them south. Jerry Smith and Jake will be communicating with us through this email address.
***Jerry Smith: The area centers are filled and are constant need of "things." Jerry will email with updates on places and things which need help.
***Leon Carlisle: Our new local guests are in need of things as varied as travel bags, suit cases, and containers to store their only possessions in. They arrived with only a plastic bag holding their life's belongings in. Also, any outdoor play things are needed at the center at First Presbyterian. If you have things along this line, holler at Leon or drop by FPC on Southwest Drive.
***Rusty Clark: The Back Packs have worked swell during the first weekend. Keep supporting it and Russ will keep exercising it. 7 SACers took the packs home over the weekend and all worked well. Some visitors from Mississippi got to experience the BPs firsthand also.
CHRIS BLANCHARD FOOTBALL PICKS
Josh Fletcher is heading up this years football picks. The first ballots were distributed Thursday. You must participate in 7 out of 10 weekends to be bowl eligible. Go Indians!!!
GOOD NEWS
1. Rick Carter, who was sitting near Mr. Asa, reported that he was reciting the pledge of allegiance along with the other brethern sitting at the Ole Miss table in Amen Corner as follows, "I pledge allegiance to the flag...and to the republic for which it stands..." However, Rick contends that Mr. Asa worded the phrase, "....and to the Republican for which it stands..." We may never know for sure.
2. Jake and June have shared 44 years of wedded bliss!!
3. Teresa Ashley, after today's treatment will be HALF way through her chemo therapy. YEAH!!!! Looking good!! You go, girl.
4. Scott Dickson reported that Dr. Joe Stallings and 2 residents traveled to Baton Rouge on a mercy trip to aid the ailing. SBRMC had supplied them with ample resources. Within 24 hours of their arrival, they were out of supplies. Although exhausted, they trudged on. Good News for all!!
5. Rusty Clark echoed the Back Pack Good News.
6. Jerry Smith gave a big THANK YOU to all of the URCers who responded last week to the call for help at the Red Cross Shelter.
7. Josh Fletcher is the new Cub Master at Hillcrest Elementary. Scouting was a strong foundation for many URCers including Jake, Donn, Josh and the late Chris Blanchard. If you wish to assist Josh or know more about Cub Scouts, give Josh a call.
8. Ken Stack threw in a buck and apologized to Mr. Asa for running out at 7:30, prior to the program, but he had to get moving. There were 2 yoots waiting on a ride to the clinic. Gotta keep moving.
VISITING ROTARIANS
John Medlock from Paris, Tennessee
Guy Enchelmayer from Jonesboro Noon
Gene Wing from Jonesboro Nooners
Jim Miles from Little Rock Downtown
GUESTS
Mark Duckworth guest of Len Frey
Jason Whitley guest of Margo Holloway
Drew Nadzam guest of Rob Delaney
Amy Howell of Len Frey
Chris Evins guest of Teresa Ashley
Mark Ballard guest of Donn Mixon
Hajo Demeowski guest of Donn, too.
MAKE UPS
Jerry Smith, Sandy Puryear and Cheryl Davis, all made up missed meetings
FINAL WORD
If you can't find anything to do between now and next Thursday to carry out the Rotary motto, 'Service Above Self,' for Heaven's sake don't come in to the meeting bragging about it. There are so many opportunities for us to be something bigger than lip service in the coming days. We'll get our horns tooted in due course, if that is the goal. But while the plaques are being engraved, let's make a real difference is someone's life. It probably doesn't even have to be earth-shattering....a kind word or kind deed, regardless how small it may seem, can go a long way toward healing. When one of our own calls for help, find a way to say, "YES." God bless all for giving during this very important time in our lives. September Editor.
