May 3 Meeting Notes

 Announcements

We welcome guests Glen King (who is becoming a member), Stacy Gold, and Diana Stumbaugh.

We need people to sell tickets at our booth in Memorial Park through Friday.  It's fun and easy to sell as you talk with all the people coming by.  Call Kathleen to let he know when you can take a shift.  This is our last push before the big parade Saturday.  We have now sold nearly 2000 tickets, but have 3000 left.

Earl would like all the tickets (sold and unsold) turned in be Friday night.

We also need 10 helpers to monitor the 5 marked off areas near the Courthouse from 10:30 - 12:00 to see which area gets the first poop droppings.  We will be drawing the 5 winning tickets at 3:00 at the main entertainment stage.  Lets all show up and show our excitement and support.

Thanks to Alan, Mark, Woody, and Robin for helping as parade marshals for last Saturday Youth Parade. Jim & Carol were busy driving the junior royalty finalists down the parade route.  The rain stopped about 15 minutes before the parade started.

The parade marshals

                Jim & Carol with the Junior Royalty                                                         

Last chance to register for the Rotary District Conference next weekend.  Register online at www.rotary5060.org.  We have scholarships for first time attenders.

Next bike ride meeting will be Tuesday, May 17, at 5:00 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Brags & Confessions

John Schapman has a new baby girl this morning at Marie Katherine Schapman was born at 3:15 this morning, and they were all headed home already by the time we were meeting.  Congrats John and Jennifer.

Baby Marie

                                                           The Schapman kids with  the new arrival

Wayne got his pool open Sunday.

Chris' son Brady got promoted to full underwriter a year early.

Kelly was in Richland to visit the grandkids last weekend.

Rebecca said that Mari turned 16 and passed her driver's test.  A blessing and a curse.

Carol said she sold 66 raffle tickets in two hours Sunday at the food fair.  She also thanked Earl for all his hard work on the Road Apple Roulette fundraiser.

Woody is going to Arizona for a friends wedding next weekend.

Bill gave his Mercedes convertible to his grandkid (who now get to pay all the insurance).

Program

Kathleen introduced Brian Brett, Fire Chief of Chelan Co. #1/Douglas Co. #2 Fire District.  Brian talked about the state of the fire district, the new combining of the Chelan County #1 and Douglas County #2 districts to cut costs and increase efficiency.  He discussed the wildland fires, and the aggressiveness they are taking to put them out quickly.  Downside is that it costs a lot to get air support ($150,000 per retardant drop, helicopter costs, etc).  Brian also mentioned the partnership with Bureau of Land Management, Department of Natural Resources, and the US Forest Service.

Next Brian talked about the changes in structure fires related to the more modern combustible, fast burning materials.  He went over some things we can do to be safe (close bedroom doors, don't leave with dishwasher or dryer going, ect.).  Brian also talked about the increasing demand for services and the decrease in volunteer resources.  There are about 5200 calls, 60% of which are medical.  Brush fires, rescues, and house fires (about 2/month) make up the rest.  The fire districts have 65 engines and trucks and 2 helicopters.  They would like more firefighters.  Brian talked about the need for a tax to keep up the level of service.. Every 6-10 years they have to come to the voters to approve taxes for needed resources.

After Notes

Eric's raffle ticket was drawn, but not the correct marble.  Again, less marbles and more money ion the pot next week.