Rotary
Club of Hemet
P.O.
BOX 2537 Hemet, CA 92546-2537
"Service Above
Self"
Home Page
President
Margaret Penney
Secretary
Jerry Julian
President Elect
Mission Statement
4 Way Test
10/22/07
Measure G - Vote No was the topic of
Clyde Osborn, Treasurer of
the Valley Health System.
He gave us his interpretation as to what the issues are be if Measure G
passes. Again, as a Board Member, he is not allowed to speak for the
Health System, and spoke only for himself. One of his main
positions is that a successful vote Yes, will take the hospital out of the
hands of a local elected Hospital Board, and put it in the hands of a
private organization, with a debatable past history.
Rotary's recommendation is to
study the issues carefully before making a decision how to vote, and
voting is a vital basis of our freedoms.
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10/9/07
Measure G - Vote Yes
was the topic of
Amelia Hippert,
a Professor at Mt. San Jacinto College, and a
Board Member of the Valley Health
System. She came to give us information about
the condition of the Valley Health System. As a Board Member she is not
allowed by law to speak for the Health System, which she made very clear
to us.
She IS allowed to give her
opinions as a private citizen, which she made very clear she was doing,
The very future of health care in our area is at stake, depending on
whether the measure passes or not. The hospital is operating at a
significant loss now, and unless a sale of the assets is made, or a better
source of income if found, it most likely will face bankruptcy issues. So
it is extremely important that citizens study the issue and be prepared to
vote intelligently.
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10/2/07
Anne Jennings, Director of the Hemet
Museum gave a
fascinating talk about the history of Hemet, from the standpoint of very
old Street names in Hemet, and where they came from. You will have
to get the details from the Museum, but very briefly:
Whittier: W. F. Whittier, a bay area land developer very active
here late 1800's.
Johnson: Hancock Johnson, another
a bay area land developer
very active here late
1800's.
Stetson: James Stetson, another
a bay area land developer
very active here late
1800's.
Mayberry: Edwin Mayberry, another
a bay area land developer
very active here late
1800's, who helped develop the San Jacinto Valley by supplying funds to
build the Hemet Dam.
Florida: Named as an attempt to build the area reputation as a Citrus
center.
Also Tom Dornell, the President of the Museum Association, gave more
details. To get the full story, go the Museum, at the corner of
Florida and State. Open Tue. through Sun. 11am-3pm
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9/25/07
Murray and Laura Celaya
Robitaille are one of only another 2 or 3 Performing Arts groups in town.
Their passion is to see that the Performing Arts are not only presented in
the San Jacinto Valley, but are also made available to the the youth of
the community. In addition they also search for actors/actresses to join
in
local presentations.
Specifically they have several presentations available: "Cash on
Delivery !"is a fast paced farcical comedy; and a lovely love story called
"Love Letters". 951-306-2084 or playwithyourfood@msn.com
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9/18/07 Tom
Wilson, Field Representative for Paul Cook
Assemblyman 65th
District,
described Paul's works and interests in the Calif. Legislature since his
election, particularly Health care, and his seat on the Committee on
International Trade. Paul has issued updates on bills that he is
following: AB 282 - Stolen Valor Act; AB 339 Manuf. Homes
Escrow; AB 455 Contractor's State License Board Quorum; AB 456
Construction Management Education Account; AB 1525 BPPVE Extention Act -
Private Education; and AB 1662 - Overseas Ranked Ballot. In
addition, Tom is on the Valley Healthcare Board, and answered some
questions about the valley hospitals.
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9/11/07
Sonya Haffner,
Executive Director of "T.H.E. Center, Inc., Therapy for Handi-capable
Equestrians", spoke to us today about the great center here in Hemet, and
what they offer especially, to both children and adults with handicaps.
Sonya has
been a riding instructor since 1995 and a NARHA Registered Instructor
since August 1998 as well CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) Level
4 Western, Level 3 English certified instructor. She is comfortable
teaching both riders with disabilities and those without. Over the years
she has taught riders as young as 3 years old and up to seniors. While
most of her therapeutic students have physical disabilities, Sonya has
also worked with those that are mentally impaired, learning disabled,
severely emotionally disturbed, sight impaired, hearing impaired, and many
with multiple disabilities. " I have been blessed to instruct such a
diverse group of students over the years."
"Some of the greatest joys in my life have been being able to share my
knowledge with others. I receive a huge emotional reward by being able to
help people better their lives through therapeutic horseback riding. "
This is a lady, and an organization that live by the Rotary Motto of
"Service Above Self", and they deserve the community's support.
27260 Girard St. / P.O. Box 5337 Hemet, CA 92544,
Tel: (951)658-7790
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8/28/07
Hemet Police Captains Dave Brown and Rob Webb
gave us more information and demographics about the city. One reason
the City Police Dept. is considered so effective is that 80+% of the
officers live within the city limits, so they have more of a personal
interest because their kids live here too.
The biggest point of
discussion was the need for increased funding for the Dept. because of the
fast increasing population within the city, which is now over 71,710. As
stated last week tin 1990 the average age was 64.2, and now is 41.
Arrests for Drug use and sales is up 40%
since 1003. There are now 21 gangs and over 1,000 documented gang
members. During a temporary 4 month Special Enforcement period 100
illegal guns were taken off the streets. etc. etc. etc.
IF special bond issue is
voted successfully, it will be guaranteed to be spent ONLY for Public
Safety, NOT put in the general funds, and would have strict fiscal
accountability watched by a special committee. Considered is a $.05
or 1/2˘ sales tax, with food and medicine exempted. This would be
spent for Crime Suppression, re-establish the Gang Drug Vice and Narcotics
Squad, establish Fire & Police Medics, Fund the PAL program for the kids,
and replace the 47 year old Jail and 911 center (Only one is old in the
entire county)
To repeat from last week,
this is based on the Hemet Police and Fire questionnaire that was sent to
all residents. Normally the best return is usually 6% max, and it
was 11% from our residents indicated approval. If you missed getting
the questionnaire, you can get one from the Police or Fire Department
Headquarters.
A Public Safety Hotline
will be established soon.
THANKS FOR SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
-------------8/21/07
Hemet Police and Temp. Fire Chief Richard Dana, and Captains Dave Brown and Rob Webb. (Photos are L to R) I
will say that the 5 members who attended had very red
faces at our poor
attendance, but Chief Dana and the Captains were remarkably gracious, and
continued with their presentation anyway. You will see from the
above upcoming speakers, that they will come back next week and give us
more information.Topics discussed were: Gang suppression: The number of gangs are up and the money to deal with them is down. The unit has to deal with 21 gangs within the city, but they have had support from the City Council and are having much success in dealing with them; Demographic Changes: Since the mid 80's the average citizen age in the City has reduces from the mid 60's to the low 40's caused by the great influx of new citizens; Citizen Questionnaire: The voluntary return by the citizens of the Questionnaire that was mailed out recently was truly remarkable, and indicated a high desire by the citizens especially to combat the gangs, to control the greatly increased traffic problems especially on Florida. You might have noticed an improvement in the past few days on Florida Ave based on the increased surveillance.; Bond Issue: And the great increase in positive replies indicates that there is a very strong indication that a bond issue to cover the increasing costs for law enforcement is probably worth putting before the voters in a coming election. So remember that they are coming back next week, Tue. Aug. 28.
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-------------8/14/2007:
Former Assemblyman Russ Bogh gave us a lot of his history while in office, along with the many Assembly Bills that he authored and were voted into law: Helped reduce the $10billion deficit to $700million today; Indian Tribe gaming contracts which will now put hundreds of millions of dollars into the state revenue; victims rights; RapeShield Law; sex offender housing; police & firefighter aid when injured in the line of duty; the true costs of Illegal's in the state - $10billion in health care alone; etc. etc. He has a business background with the accompanying ability to know what pays for itself and what doesn't, which many other Assembly members do not seem to.
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Click Recent Speakers
for more.
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7/16/2007
RYAN School of
Aeronautics Museum:
Several
years ago along, with the Hemet Sunrise Rotary Club, we built a handicapped ramp
for the RYAN School
of Aeronautics
Museum. An interesting piece of news is that they have been able to
expand by combining with another Hemet man, Doug Medore, who has a museum
of his own. Doug is a Captain in the U.P.S. airline, and his museum
is also at the Hemet Ryan airport. He has three hangers, an easy
walk across the tarmac from the RSA museum. His collection includes
5 WWII training aircraft including: a Ryan PT-22, a Voltee BT 13, a North
American AT-6, and a North American Trojan-28; Plus a Check Jet, a MIG 13,
and an L-14 Observation plane.
All aircraft are operational, including the MIG-13, and fly frequently performing at Air Shows and the "missing man" formation. This is an exciting addition to the Museum that was formed by Maure Solt, a WWII Instructor at the Aeronautical School. Although he now lives in Florida, he still writes for the "Sky News" newsletter. You can support the Museum with a small $15/year membership fee. Call Ryan Reunion Committee 951-925-2337 for further information. The RSA is located on the south side of the Air Port on Walden Weaver Rd. next to the restaurant.
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7/24&31/2007
Both Speakers had to
cancel at the last minute, so we had what we call a Club Assembly where we
discuss Club business, projects etc.
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8/7/2007:
Mike
Gow, Hemet City Engineer, gave us a comprehensive talk about the future of
the City infrastructure, especially roads, sewers, and building both
commercial and a private. The city expects to spend $100,000,000 over the
next 5 years for infrastructure. There are four shopping
centers in planning stages including: the Garret Ranch at NE corner of W.
Florida and Warren Rd; Promenade at NE corner of W. Florida & Myers.
Of interest is the fact that the Garrett ranch will require 1 million cu.
yds. of earth which translates to 50,000 truck loads. Within the
City each truck pays a fee of $3/cu. yd. of earth to help in paying for
road damage.
A current City project map is located at: http://www.cityofhemet.org/engineering/pdfs/projects.pdf
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7/16/2007
Speaker Tue., 7/17:
Today we had Duane Baker, who is the Senior Assistant
City Manager for the City of Hemet. His primary responsibility in
Hemet is Economic Development, and he is responsible for implementing the
City's business retention and business attraction program.
During the record breaking 2005 year, over 1,300 building permits were
issued, and although the economy slowed during 2006
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7/16/2007
Speaker Tue., 7/10:
We had what we call a Craft Talk, where our members describe their
own particular business, without the threat of a fine for talking business
during the meeting (The fines are small, and is one way to have a little
fun). We had two at this meeting:
Claudette Silva, our immediate
Past President, is employed by the Bank of Hemet and described the product
that she is promoting, called Business e-Deposit, where businesses can
make their check deposits right from their business location.
It allows a business to scan their check
deposits electronically directly into their account at the bank using a
small desktop scanner, that they supply. No trips to the Bank, no
waiting in line.
Jennifer Shultz told us a little
about her family and then her business. She is an Independent Beauty
Consultant wit Mary Kay, "America's Best-Selling Brand" of Skin
Care, Makeup, Spa & Body, Fragrances, and even Men's products. For those
with the proper skills, it is an established business that one can operate
from their home which allows for an enriched home life as well.
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06/25/2007
Business
of the Month - June:
Triple Time Tire and Auto Express.
Each month we will be awarding a Certificate to a business in our area
that one or more of our Members has observed and had dealings with. They
have shown that they operate their business with high ethics, and in
accordance with the "4
Way Test" that all Rotarians are expected to live up to.
Bob and Betty Ihrig and Pres. Claudette
Silva
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March 24 at the community Baseball diamond just to the west of West Valley High School. We have donated a new commercial refrigerator/freezer and are having a pancake breakfast to inaugurate their new snack bar. 8AM to Noon.
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Lori
Van Arsdale - City of Hemet Councilperson
Lori gave us a rundown on her trips to Iraq. She has friends there
in the Government and has worked closely in consulting with them build
their new government and society.
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Sherry - Ramona Humane Society
Sherry told us about the Society and all the different animals and projects they have and how they are taken care of.
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Robin Lowe - City of Hemet Councilperson
Robin talked to us about the state of the City now that the New year is with us. e talked about, roads and highways, businesses and industry coming to town, and other infrastructure of the City.
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Rotary District 5330 Governor, Dr. Helene Kalfuss gave us our annual
meeting to see what her new year's goals and objectives are, and to check
check our progress. Always a highlight of our Rotary year.
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Bob Knepp - Honorary Member
Reported
on the progress we are making on replacing the 17" computer monitors at
the Braille Institute Computer Learning Center in Palm Desert, with a
series of increasingly larger flat screen monitors up to at least 32".
Also a 20" flat screen has been added to their mobile testing and service
vehicle.
We just received
confirmation that we will be able to present this program at the
world-wide annual Rotary convention this year in Salt Lake City, Utah,
which should help to multiply the effect nationally, and even
internationally.
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Attorney
Steve Wojcik -
talked
about the
state of the
schools in Hemet Unified School District. Steve will be running for the
board to replace Gisela Gosch.
NOTE:
In standing with the Rotary Principles of not endorsing Religion or
Politics, if we allow one politician to make a presentation, then we will
allow all competitors.
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Bob Duistermars - United Way
Bob told about major changes
coming to the local
United Way.
In the past they have looked at the community from a Service Agency
standpoint. In the future they will be looking from an Impact Based
standpoint, where the United Way goes to the community agencies and groups
and asks what issues they think are the most important, and will then
focus on those issues. (951)929-7173
Guests were
Mary Snow from the Foster Kids Program, and Clyde Gibson from the Hemet
Sunrise Rotary Club.
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Marsha Spell: CASA
(Center Against Sexual Assault). Availability to the community
including free classes: Child Abductions Prevention & Personal Safety,
Self-defense, Child Lures, Awareness, Assertiveness, Physical Techniques &
Finger Printing. Speaker Contact & 24 hour Crisis Line at
(951)652-8300
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5/30/06 Youth Day - 1. RYLA
(Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) WVHS: Samantha Herman .
Students told about their learning experiences at the weekend camp in the
San Bernardino mountains: speakers, group discussions, fellowship.
2. PRYDE
(Personal
Rotary Youth Experience)
Middle School:
Crystal Pak - Diamond Valley MS, Jessica Hadesty - Santa Fe MS, Gabriela
Butirrez - , Luis Laguna - Santa Fe MS, Nandeet Mehta - Dartmouth MS;
Students told about their daylong learning experiences in the Idyllwild
mountains, also speakers, group discussions, fellowship.
3.
Parker Smith
- Combined his Eagle Scout project with our Club's assistance and rebuilt
the spectator stands at T.H.E. Center - for handicapped children;
4.
Nikole Braaksma,
Scholarship recipient from WVHS told of her vision for a Nursing
Education. We are donating a $650 Scholarship to her.
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P.A.L. Sgt. Newman & Lee Ann Adams Hemet Police Activities League is committed to building a bond between “kids and cops” and offers a variety of activities such as skate park, a BMX track, boxing, video games, pool tables and ping pong.
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T.H.E. Center Therapeutic riding center for Handi-capable
Equestrians. Helping people since 1984. Therapeutic riding is
recognized as one of the most beneficial forms of therapy for persons with
disabilities. The three-dimensional movement of the horse's back while
walking mirrors the human gait and provides a repetitive pattern of
movement.
Debbie
Kominski 91/658-7790
thecenter@lasercom.net
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Mike Gow from City of Hemet talked about City planning, code enforcement. Hemet’s General Plan provides a snapshot of Hemet today, a vision for Hemet tomorrow, development policy guidance for decision-makers, and a work program that outlines the steps required to get from today to tomorrow.
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8/22/06
Attorney
Steve Wojcik -
talked
about the
state of the
schools in Hemet Unified School District. Steve will be running for the
board to replace Gisela Gosch.
NOTE:
In standing with the Rotary Principles of not endorsing Religion or
Politics, if we allow one politician to make a presentation, then we will
allow all competitors. Contact Carl Cardey at 929-4941
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lori
Van Arsdale - City of Hemet Councilperson
Lori
gave us a rundown on the state of the City of Hemet, what is going well,
what is in the planning stages, and what the future looks like.
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6/13/06
Bob Duistermars - United Way
Bob told about major changes
coming to the local
United Way.
In the past they have looked at the community from a Service Agency
standpoint. In the future they will be looking from an Impact Based
standpoint, where the United Way goes to the community agencies and groups
and asks what issues they think are the most important, and will then
focus on those issues. (951)929-7173
Guests were
Mary Snow from the Foster Kids Program, and Clyde Gibson from the Hemet
Sunrise Rotary Club.
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6/6/06
Marsha Spell: CASA
(Center Against Sexual Assault). Availability to the community
including free classes: Child Abductions Prevention & Personal Safety,
Self-defense, Child Lures, Awareness, Assertiveness, Physical Techniques &
Finger Printing. Speaker Contact & 24 hour Crisis Line at
(951)652-8300
------------------------------------------------------------
5/30/06 Youth Day - 1. RYLA
(Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) WVHS: Samantha Herman .
Students told about their learning experiences at the weekend camp in the
San Bernardino mountains: speakers, group discussions, fellowship.
2. PRYDE
(Personal
Rotary Youth Experience)
Middle School:
Crystal Pak - Diamond Valley MS, Jessica Hadesty - Santa Fe MS, Gabriela
Butirrez - , Luis Laguna - Santa Fe MS, Nandeet Mehta - Dartmouth MS;
Students told about their daylong learning experiences in the Idyllwild
mountains, also speakers, group discussions, fellowship.
3.
Parker Smith
- Combined his Eagle Scout project with our Club's assistance and rebuilt
the spectator stands at T.H.E. Center - for handicapped children;
4.
Nikole Braaksma,
Scholarship recipient from WVHS told of her vision for a Nursing
Education. We are donating a $650 Scholarship to her.
