Volume XIX
Number 36

Tuesday
Dec. 2, 2003

MORE NEW MEMBERS
By Jim Meehan
 

Tony Albright led The Pledge of Allegiance at our November 25th meeting, and Frank Toller followed with Thanksgiving thoughts and a prayer. 

Mike Smith introduced his guest Willis Blakewell, general manager of Round Hill Winery.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jeff Epps

Jeff Epps (filling in for Phil who is in NYC for the holidays) reminded us that we would be dark on December 9th as December 11th is the date for the annual Christmas Party. Joice Beatty advised members that this is our twelfth year for donations to the Napa State Hospital and asked us to give generously for next year's gift. Andy Bartlett announced that he needs a chaperone to accompany five young women to Mexico February 14 –22, 2004 . . . please call him if you are interested.
 

RAFFLE

Bill Word did not draw the black marble at the raffle.
 

Alston Hayne

NEW MEMBERS

Next on the program, was the induction of three new members to the St. Helena Rotary by Alston Hayne. The three new members are: Jim Haslip, Educator; Norm Mitoff, Executive Recruiter; and Loren Gardner , Landscape Consultant who was the former student representative from St. Helena Rotary to France and South Africa. We welcome you to our club.

MORE NEW MEMBERS -- Continued
 

FINE MASTER

Diane Dillon

Jeff introduced the day's "Fine Master", Diane Dillon, who promptly fined herself $25 for missing so many meetings. Her questions focused on Napa County and facts about our region. Alan Fowler and Steve Yost missed the question on the total number of cities in Napa County (five) but Chuck Meibeyer was able to put them in order by size! Chuck Bailey's guess of Larry, Moe and Curly for the names of the three county supervisors up for re-election produced laughs and a $20.00 fine.

Alan Fowler   Steve Yost   Chuck Meibeyer Chuck Bailey

PROGRAM

On Becoming the New Napa County Executive Officer
Speaker:  William Chiat

Diane Dillon introduced Bill Chiat, the new CEO for Napa County, who has been with the County for nine months. Diane outlined Bill's professional background prior to his Napa County position. She also explained that he oversees a staff of 1400 employees, has an annual budget of $200 Million, and reports to the County Board of Supervisors.

Bill, spoke about the changes in population in the valley and the growth of the Latino community. He said he feels that Napa is lucky it doesn't have suburban sprawl. 90% of the population lives in the four cities and one town (Yountville). However, he pointed out that this presents challenges with affordable housing since there is a new requirement for the county to allow for more housing. Another issue is the change of the County from a largely agricultural area to one, which has high numbers of people who commute to the Bay Area or have second homes here. This, along with the year-round presence of tourists on our roads is new challenge.

He shared a number of interesting statistics about Napa County, including that 19% of the population is 65 years of age or older. This is largest population of seniors by far of any county in the Bay Area. There are 65,000 voters of 120,000 residents in the county. The fastest growing area in the County is American Canyon with 12% of the population and added that they may likely determine much of the future direction of the county. Bill went on to note that the county governments are basically the branch offices of the state government. 60% to 70% of what is done at the county level is mandated by the state. The county often acts as a safety net for the cities – providing mental heath care, jails (258 beds), and library facilities among other services.

Bill sees an important issue for the county that he plans to tackle in the New Year - "The General Plan" has not been updated since 1968!

It was an interesting and pertinent discussion for all of us and there were many questions directed to Bill from the members in the audience.

LEAD WITH YOUR HEART
By Jeff Whitehead
 

Bill Word

Bill Word presided over the November 18 meeting, filling in for President Phil Toohey, who was en route from Katmandu. However, see below.
 

INVOCATION

Jerry McQuiddy quoted Helen Keller in the invocation, whose message reminded us that the most important things in life cannot be seen or heard, but must be felt.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kathy Patterson

Kathy Patterson reminded everyone that the Rotary Christmas party would be held on Thursday, December 11^th at Markham Winery.

One of our guests, Lance Gardener, drew the black marble and cashed in on the $100 prize in the weekly drawing. Congratulations, Lance!
 

BELLRINGERS

Jake Scheideman

Most notable among the bell ringers was Jake Schiedeman, who filled the group in on his latest trip to Nicaragua. He has established a relationship with Habitat for Humanity to join forces to build 50 to 60 homes in the village of Empalme de Boaco. Jake hopes to complete 10 homes in 2004 and the balance over the next few years. Average cost per home will be $3500 -- don't some people wish that were true here!

PROGRAM

Community Commuter Consultants
Speaker:  Sorel Klein

Sorel Klein, commute consultant for Solano/Napa Commute Information, spoke to the group about ways to cut commute costs and help to solve commuter connection problems. SNCI is a public agency program offering free information and services to residents within Solano and Napa counties and the surrounding areas. These services range from carpool/vanpool match lists and transit trip planning to vanpool information.

Sorel Klein

Mr. Klein told the group that if one in ten people used public transportation, it would reduce our dependence on foreign oil by 40%. Auto emissions would also be reduced significantly. He added that the average commuter traveling 20 miles each way to work every workday could save $2100 per year by carpooling.

His agency does a number of things to help foster more effective commuting in the Napa/Solano area. They survey employees to determine their needs and match employees for possible carpooling. They make on-site presentations, where commute alternatives such as carpooling, public transit and bike to work topics are discussed. They provide bus, ferry, train and BART schedules, commuter guides and bike maps. They offer incentive programs for vanpooling, carpooling, transit use and bike to work for employers. They also assist employers in starting and promoting vanpool programs.

Since the SNCI is a public agency program, all of these services are provided free of charge. 

SCNI is able to take addresses of interested employees and do a computer analysis to identify commuting patterns. They then match employees with similar commutes so they can be organized into carpools or vanpools. They currently have funding available to subsidize carpools in Napa County.

Solano/Napa Commuter Information has teamed up with the Napa Clean Air Coalition to help promote vanpooling in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in the valley.

Mr. Klein asked all Rotarians to encourage their employees to use the services of his agency to help improve the quality of life in and around the Napa Valley.

LEAD WITH YOUR HEART -- Continued
 

FINE MASTER

Gary Delucchi

Fine master, Gary Delucchi, quizzed a number of Rotarians with various trivia questions. Among them:

World's Greatest Lover – King Solomon
(Jeff Epps)

Top Film of 1959 – Ben Hur
(Joice Beatty)

1978 Tragedy – Jonestown
(Jerry McQuiddy)

What state was Andy Griffith's Mayberry – North Carolina
(Don Scully)

Gomer Pyle's Occupation – Gas Station Attendant
(Frank Toller)

PHIL TOOHEY RETURNS!

Phil Toohey Club President

Phil Toohey, just off the plane from Kathmandu, surprised the club by stopping in late in the meeting -- shades of President Bush! Looking a bit jet lagged, but high in spirits, Phil described his trip as extraordinary. The delivery of 280 wheelchairs to needy individuals was a resounding success. Phil told the group that many of the 280 recipients literally dragged themselves to the distribution site.

It had been five years since the last distribution, so this event caused considerable excitement. The Minister of Finance made a proclamation honoring Rotary and a film crew and a number of newspaper reporters were on hand to record the events.  

Phil thanked the Club for its support and assistance in helping bring this program to fruition.

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