President Neil started the meeting (Club meeting #5511, Meeting #9 of President Neil’s year) at 12:04 pm with members attending in-person and online for today’s meeting.

 

 

President Neil technically had not thought of the day but was glad of the attendance today with program provided by our Everett elected official.

 

Zeb Cobbs (online) introduced his sister who has been a frequent visitor to our meetings.  Zeb also took the opportunity to give his $200 happy bucks in recognition of his recent birthday, upcoming anniversary of wedded bliss (49 years). 

 

Pres. Neil highlighted a recent email regarding the proposed change in the scholarship policy. 

Under "Eligibility" #3, the current language reads as

     “Students must be enrolled at a college, university or vocational training school for the following school year with the status as a full-time student as defined by their school's registrar.”

 

Proposed amendment to the language in bold print:

     Students must be enrolled at a college, university, or vocational training school for the following school year with the status as a full-time student as defined by their school's registrar unless otherwise indicated by the donor.

The change allows for flexibility in using scholarship funds with the permission of the donor. Neil is asking for your e-mail approval of this change, as it does require a vote of the membership.  

Ed Peterson celebrated his birthday, wedding anniversary, Housing Hope’s anniversary and his club membership with a $204 double bellringer.  

 

Ian Saltzman was happy about the return of students with his $100 bucks.   Kay Fantin was $20 happy about being a grandmother. 

 

Amy Norman was also happy about her birthday and club members with an $82 gift. 

 

Steve Miller was $20 happy as he recognized the “behind the scenes” support of our Rotary Presidents. 

 

Will McMahan was happy to serve the Red Cross in Spokane recently with the victims of the recent wildfires. 

 

Barb George was $100 happy for her son’s recent successful heart bypass surgery. 

 

Greg Lineberry thought he was going to be $5 happy for his anniversary, but it turned into raffle tickets.

 

Raffle winners today were Walt Greenwood (red wine package), Amy Norman (white wine package and today’s speaker and former Rotarian Judy Tuohy (free lunch).

 

Today’s presenter, Judy Touhy, provided the club with two tickets to the Schack Art Center’s Pints and Pumpkins event and a glass pumpkin.   President Neal conducted an auction.  The winner was Kari Petrasek. 

 

PROGRAM:  Everett City Council update presentation by Judy Touhy. 

 

In addition to her role as Executive Director with the Schack Art Center, Judy currently serves as an At Large member of the Everett City Council. She was first elected in 2014.  She is a former Rotarian. 

 

Judy updated the club on the Everett City Council’s current activities and programs.   One of the key focus areas is the ongoing issue with unsheltered populations in our community and the challenges of drug use and personal safety that stem from this problem.  This a issue that is hitting many communities.  The Council is actually doing much but it is a complicated issue.  It is everywhere and it is tough to overcome.  The Council has been working with the Police and Fire Departments as well as the Public Library to embed social workers.   A recent $4 million grant from the Snohomish Community Foundation is aiding in providing temporary housing.   Fentanyl use is part of regular interaction by the police department.  The jail is almost serving as a short-term detox center but for only 3 days for the user.  Fentanyl requires lifelong treatment.   Everett has been on the forefront of recovering funds from opioid settlements to fund substance abuse treatments.  Recently, Washington’s State Attorney General has added Everett to Operation Overdrive that will focus on stopping flows of drugs to our community.  

 

To help with homelessness, the City Council has been implementing buffer zones in our neighborhoods, working with United Christ and Fred Meyer.   COVID relief funds had been funneled into recovery, public safety, grants, and pallet shelters.  Other successful programs include the recent gun buyback programs where cash cards are given out for guns. Over 500 have been bought back.  Our own Kari Quass has helped relaunch the street tunes pianos.  City parks are getting new playgrounds, new trails and two new dog parks, along with many volunteer events.  Along with more downtown projects in planning and a new library sculpture, there has been research about a new multi-purpose event center/ballpark for our Everett AquaSox. 

 

After questions, President Neil thanked our presenter and shared that a donation was being made in her name to the Bridge Receiving Center.  

 

Meeting adjourned at 12.53 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Photography submitted,