PROGRAM:

MARK DAVIS introduced West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis, who began by announcing that West Lafayette is a Class 2 city as of 1/1/2016, which means another elected executive joins the team. John Dennis He introduced the city’s first City Clerk, Sana Booker.  The city is growing, prospering and continuing to improve quality of life as he enters his 9th years as mayor.  He responded to questions submitted last week:  
1.    As cities grow, too much fluid flows through too small pipes, causing overflows into the Wabash River.  The remedy is a bigger pipe near the North River Road and State Street intersection costing $23 million.
2.    Speed limits on city streets are determined by different entities.  Some require permission from the State and others may be posted by  the city.
3.    Development around the airport will include residential, retail and research facilities, all generating taxes.  It will become a gateway to the city.  And the taxes will help fund the State Street project.
4.    Rail service to Chicago will receive continued support and eventually should pay for itself – not needing funds from the city.
5.    Celery Bog has the busiest trail area.  The tale of the swan attack was told with appropriate dramatic effect!
6.    Bidding on the State Street project will begin soon.  It’s a four year project that partners with what Lafayette is doing.  Dennis predicts that in five year we won’t recognize the two cities joined by the Wabash River.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELP WITH
MEETING FUNCTIONS:
 Money Collector:  WES MC DIVITT and STAN MITHOEFER;  Greeters: CHIP RUTLEDGE and MARIELLEN NEUDECK; Piano Player: RAY PEETERS; Song Leader:  ARVID OLSON;  Invocation:  STAN MITHOEFER;  50/50 Raffle; PETE LUBIAN and GEORGE RAMSEY;  Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting:  JO WADE.  Webmaster:  LARRY HUGGINS.


THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.”
~ E. B. White, American author

JANE'S CORNER:
A heartwarming story by BOB VERPLANK:

“The cake ~
The first Tuesday of every month, Rotary has a birthday cake for its January birthday participants. On January 5, 2016, only BILL HATFIELD was present at the birthday table. BILL did not want any birthday cake. He turned to JACK KELLY who auctioned off the cake. The winning buyer was DENNIS SAVAIANO. Shortly after DENNIS got the cake, he realized that he had to go to a meeting and could not use the cake. He handed it back to JACK KELLEY. JACK had a meeting with several participants and one of those was BARBARA REIF. BARBARA said she knew what to do with the cake.

BOB VERPLANK was at Westminster recovering from a broken hip. Shortly after lunch he looked up and saw BARBARA REIF. He said "BARBARA, you are the perfect visitor. You come with a smile, are always encouraging, always leave us brighter, bring a gift, and leave in five minutes." BARBARA laughed and left the cake.

The cake was a marvel to behold, it was a turtle cake, it had pecans, and chocolate, and Caramel, and lots of gooey stuff in between. It was large. It was fattening, heavy, and all the things a good cake should be.

BOB sent the cake to the kitchen. As supper that evening, everyone who was in Westminster for rehabilitation, who wanted it, could have cake. So could the cooks, nurses, and staff. The next day there was still one fourth left. It went to those who administered rehab and therapy. Thanks for the cake.

One might draw several admonitions from this story.
1. To say no is not necessarily the worst thing.
2. One who gives, has no idea where his blessing might arise.
3. Many might benefit from one gift.

Thanks for the cake.”

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CLUB BOARD MEETING:
Discussed the urgent need for a treasurer; acquisition of new computer equipment for projection of information at the front of the room; continuation of the 50/50 Raffle; progress on the Centennial Celebration preparations; and making it easier for a member to be president while still holding down a full time job.

MISSING GREETER BUTTON!!!  Have you greeted in December and forgot to turn in the White Greeter Button?   If it’s still on your jacket or residing on your dresser top, please return it.  Nothing will be said except THANK YOU!!!!

SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE UPDATE:
FLOYD GARROTT says we had 33 bell ringers at 6 locations.  The kettles contained $2,102.75.  
66 members donated $8,320.00 for a grand total of $10,422.75.  Kiwanis’ total is $9,172.84.  Nearly $20,000 is a win for the community.  Thanks to ALL!