Soundings (6/6/06)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 
Flag Salute and Invocation by Stew Ellison

Visiting Rotarians: Al Pemberton, Ronald Vekved

Guests: Jeanne McGee

Announcements

Bill announced that six Squalicum students were awarded scholarships by our club.

Dick Stark auctioned off 4 tickets to the Mariners game, winning bidder was Patti Imhof for $150, the money will go to our club.

Jeanne McGee's birthday today!

Susan Jewell, executive director of ARC of Whatcom County, thanked us for our recent contribution. ARC advocates for the rights of people with developmental disabilities. They are currently renovating an old home for their new "Dan Goodwin Community Center". The money donated by our club will buy fencing around the yard.

 

Bucks in the Bay
Bill U for the fun of giving out scholarships;
Steve Brummel for last week's successful WWU golf tournament;
Phil X for 3 years of marriage, and sold his boat;
Pete Rittmueller for some exciting hydrology work at a dam in Oregon;
John Hulbert for winning the WWU golf tournament and his son's 3-year birthday;
Mattt Rose for trip to China;
Bryant for 13 year wedding anniversary;
Patti Imhof for 2 daughters home for the week and a cooperative husband;
Steve Snodgrass for Ski to Sea race with Cy and a trip to Oregon;
Dale Brandland for safari trip to South Africa in May;
Denise Bosman for both kids winning at State, and Drew graduating;

Sergeant at Arms by Lynn Templeton
Matt Rose deer horn, John Hulbert golf, Dick and Larry condos in Hawaii, Bob and Susan, 666 in Revelations, Dale, veterans, financial guys, Christine, Phil X, men in shorts.

Program
Frank Chmelik introduced Jim Darling, the Executive Director of the Pot of Bellingham. Jim is the former planning director of Irvana, Illinois; moved to Bellingham some 15 years ago. Jim's wishes for 2006-7:

  • Hope for another 20-year contract with Alaska Ferry; current contract signed in 1989 for the Bellingham service;
  • Hope for another contract with an air carrier.
    The redevelopment of Bellingham's Waterfront is forefront in his work now. It all started with the condemnation of ASB site for the creation of a marina in the ASB pond. The assessed value in 1999 was $24 million and dropping (brownfields); but now estimates of full build out may have assessed value over $1 billion (which may take 15-20 years to do). Since the site will require very complex arrangements between Port, City, regulatory bodies, as well as potential tenants. A few notable potential tenants:
    1) Relocated the NOA Pacific fleet to Bellingham, plus the connection to Huxley College (265 jobs)
    2) US Coast Guard new installation with homeland security.
    3) Huxley College of Environment.
    The Department of Ecology may be able to fund up to half of the clean-up costs. Jim's wishes for the coming years:
  • Ecology approves clean-up and work could begin by 2008;
  • Port and City signs an Interlocal Agreement between themselves.

    Respectfully Submitted,
    Stowe Talbot