On cold & crisp Thursday, the members of the Mount Clemens Rotary met once again at the Italian American Cultural Center. Greeting us was the duo of Ken Steele & Ed Mastry selling 50/50 tix and making us feel welcome.

 

At 12:13 President Jeff Furest rang us to order with a statement of Progress, Achievement, leads to Success!

 

Louise Rallis had the honors of leading us in the Pledge & national anthem. Piano Gary provided the musical accompaniment.

Amanda Oparka challenged us with “The Four -Way Test.” The ever-ebullient Bob Lee gave the invocation, blessing the food and the hands that prepared it.

 

For our repast we feasted on lemon chicken, smashed cheesy potatoes, vegetable green bean medley, tossed salad, garlic rolls and chocolate cookies for dessert.

 

At my table, Jimmy Gwizdala, Eric Pierson and guest Kyle Oparka swapped cooking stories, of the best way to grill in cold weather.

 

Pres. Jeff gave notice of the club that the board elections will be made by 2/10. He then introduced Cartier Smith, our District Gov. Nominee who will be our District Gov. in two years. Mr. Smith was the President of the Ann Arbor Club in 2016/2017. It was great to have him here so that he could have the Mount Clemens experience.

New member alert, Kim Jarvis introduced new member Tom Welsh, telling Tom, we have over 70 members, to walk the walk, do the deeds, and service the needs that make us all proud to be ROTARIANS. Tom has Rotary experience as  past president of the Portage Club and in a past life, helped  the government, under Ronald Reagan, save $40 million in streamlining the phone system. No small feat! Pres. Jeff reminded us of our commitment to bring in 25 new members and we are almost half way there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric P. was unleashed for fines. Since there was no Goodwill and Sunshine, Eric went to work. Gary P.’s lack of a cookies for his table bit him for $2. The scribe’s dis of going to only one of two concerts with the finer nicked me for $5. Bob L. "Lincoln Hat" bday hat $4. Last week Kathleen Best and Doug N. left with their  badges, $2 & $4 accordingly. Eric made Tom W. welcome with the mandatory $5 introductory fleecing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The speaker was our very own Bob Cannon, Supervisor of Clinton Township, one of Michigan's longest acting supervisors in the state. Bob mentioned, that as a kid growing up in St. Clair Shores, he wanted to be mayor, and followed Tom Welsh's path. Bob noted the great projects that are happening in Clinton Township, and he has assembled the "best people around him" in spite of his board members, progress is being made.

 

With his team, he recruited Bruce Thompson to head up development. Bruce came to Clinton Township after working in the City of Westland for many years and saw the similarities of both communities and it was a natural fit for his expertise. Bruce's changes were to streamline the development process of building Planned Unit Developments for builders. He updated the master plan for the township and started the redevelopment of the Groesbeck Corridor at Elizabeth & Groesbeck, implementing a mixed use community with regional builders to facilitate the transaction.

In addition, the two regional hospitals, Henry Ford & McLaren Macomb have become central building partners for the expansion. Senior living communities along with new restaurants have become the "domino effect" of the expansion. Another  big task is the redevelopment of the shopping malls, which are trying repurpose themselves in the competitive retail market. It was a great overview what is happening in our own backyard!

 

 

Pres. Jeff won the 50/50 $40

 

Meeting adjourned at 1:25.