Club Business
President Jim Cartner brought the meeting to order. Randy Perkins, District Governor Elect, led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the US flag. Jim mentioned that Sid and Micah both have birthdays this week. Last week Randy and Steward both celebrated anniversaries. Congrats to Randy and his wife, Reida, have been together 50 years! Below are the October birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Next week Frank Longest has the program. On October 30, we will have a club assembly. On December 5 we will participate in a special Rotary Packathon sponsored by Feed the Hunger at the Holly Hill Mall. Set aside December 18 for our annual Dirty Santa Luncheon.
Rotary District 7690 Club: Alamance (Burlington) | ||
Birthdays and Anniversaries for 10/01/18 to 10/31/18 |
Member Birthdays | Birthday |
---|---|
Gilbert, Mary Thomas (MARY THOMAS) | 13 October |
Little, Daniel S. (SID) | 19 October |
Fox, Micah (MICAH FOX) | 20 October |
Wedding Anniversaries | Partner’s Name | Anniversary |
---|---|---|
Perkins, William Randy (RANDY) | Reida (REIDA) | 10/12 |
Sioussat, Stuart C. (STUART) | Betsy | 10/12 |
Rhode, Carolyn (CAROLYN) | Mark | 10/21 |
Porch, Debbie (DEBBIE) | Chuck | 10/24 |
- Brad Moser updated the club on the progress of the son of one of his partners, who was recently injured in a diving accident in Puerto Rico.
- Micah Fox was thankful for the community building opportunities created by the recent hurricane.
- Jim Cartner chimed in that he participated in a chainsaw party his church put together to help some older members who needed trees removed.
Member Responsible for Today’s Program
Sid Little had program responsibilities this week. he has been a Rotarian since 1980 and a member of our club since 2003. He moved to Burlington in 1973 and spent forty-one years in a career in finance. Sid is now enjoying his retirement. He is married to Ann and has four children and several grandchildren. He is also a Paul Harris Fellow and fills in at times masterfully as secretary when Carolyn is away.
Mayor Ian Baltutis
Mayor Ian Baltutis, elected in 2015, is a 2008 Business Entrepreneurship graduate of Elon University. He has worked for businesses both large and small in roles that ranged from customer service to technology support to logistics and management. He also managed purchasing, logistics, and ERP system integration for Honda Power Equipment Mfg from 2007-2011.
Currently, he owns and manages Vibration Solution LLC, an American product design and manufacturing company that he founded during his studies at Elon. Baltutis is a strong supporter of American manufacturing. He founded his company around the idea of turning the standard business model upside down and creating a company that is lean, efficient and nimble. His foresight and leadership have allowed the company to reach and profit from hundreds of niche markets that other companies cannot serve.
Today, his company competes on a global scale while continuing to create local jobs. He regularly lectures to students and business professionals of all ages around the country about the future of international business, innovation, the maker movement, careers for social good and the power of the Internet.
Baltutis is an Eagle Scout who believes in always giving back to his community through service, leadership, and philanthropy. In his free time, he can often be found tutoring math and science for 4th and 5th graders at Alexander Wilson Elementary, volunteering with Elon University students and alumni, advising start-up entrepreneurs, and mentoring youth through the local Boy Scout Venture program.
Mayor Baltutis shared on a number of Burlington related topics. He began by informing us that today the police department is actively enforcing our city’s new anti-sweepstakes-gambling law. Machines in thirty-two locations are being confiscated, if they failed to comply with the previous warnings. He said the decision to impose stricter rules was made after discovering that sweepstakes locations matched high crime areas. The city is already being sued by the owners, but plans to fight in court.
Alamance County is expecting significant growth over the next twenty years – up to 40,000 new residents. We have 6000 new residential units under construction, but that does not meet the current or projected need. He mentioned that local schools must also be expanded to meet to population growth. The bond proposals being considered in the upcoming election are crucial to making this happen.
Ian told us that cities can grow via urban sprawl or infill development. We are working on several infill development projects at the present, which include a bicycle and greenway plan, redevelopment of the old Western Electric Plant, updating our traffic signal system, and improving the Maple Ave. corridor. The traffic signal plan is being worked on in conjunction with our sister city, Gwacheon, South Korea, which has a state of the art system.
Burlington has received an award for the creative way it engages new residents, called Belong in Burlington. People find out about the community, meet key leaders, and hopefully come away feeling more connected. The next meeting is October 24 from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Burlington Municipal Building (425 South Lexington Avenue) in downtown Burlington.
Conclusion
Ed Woodall had the winning ticket today, but failed in his attempt to draw the Ace of Hearts. There are 21 cards left and the pot is growing. Then we all stood to recite Rotary’s four way test before Jim adjourned the meeting.
Until next time…