Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay

August 31, 2010 by danfeuer
Filed under Club Reports & Agendas

Fred Hilsenrath Report August 25, 2010

Our speaker for lunch was A.J. Kelly, the City Attorney. Mr Kelly thought his listeners may fall asleep during a lawyers report. Such was not the case. Mr Kelly’s lively presentation kept us awake and interested. Mr. Kelly gave us an update on the “gas compressor” noise issue which Mike Parker discussed at a previous Rotary luncheon, earlier this year. According to Kelly, it appears that the gas company will voluntarily abate the noise coming from the compressor station in Cleburne County, directly across the lake. In addition, Mr. Kelly outlined how the Mayor and the City Council had successfully petitioned the Municipal League to support an effort to amend the law concerning noise from gas compressors. All 500 cities in Arkansas support the policy to change state law at the next legislative session. Finally, Mr. Kelly told how the Mayor and the City Council had petitioned the Department of Environmental Quality to change the “permit process” for gas compressor stations, to include notice to local communities, ambient air quality testing, and other matters. While much of this takes place out of public view, it is part of the City’s attempts to stay on top of the coming natural gas exploration in this area.

Mr. Kelly also lauded the Club with some of the details of the daily workings of our local District Court, where Mr. Kelly prosecutes misdemeanors on behalf of the City. He went through three kinds of cases: domestic abuse, driving while intoxicated, and others of a potentially more serious nature. None of the specific case details were meant for publication. But everyone attending heard new and different things about various activities in our City, and the work of the local police force. A lively discussion ended with many questions for Mr. Kelly. Much of it will never reach the local newspaper, radio, or television. But the lives saved, and the injuries and accidents prevented, help to make Fairfield Bay one of the great gems of this State.

Rotary Is About Sharing

By Terry Lee

Rotary is truly about sharing. It is about gifts. It is about taking responsibility together. It is about encouraging others to use what we have. It is about providing skills that give people a chance to be better. It is about learning that we all have the same hopes, dreams, needs, and goals.

The emphasis placed on water projects, hunger, health, literacy, and fellowship really is the basis for our success as Rotarians. As Rotarians we are able to help meet these challenges. We can all look forward to understanding each other better and living in a more peaceful world.

All across the world Rotarians note the importance of reading and we publicize the needs in the form of poor literacy rates and lack of resources. Around the world we support numerous programs that help children and adults to gain the ability to read.

Shirley 4th graders receive thesauruses from Rotarians as part of the “Dictionary/Thesaurus Project”.

Worldwide illiteracy rates approach 20%. In many countries the rates is in the 80% range. Approximately one billion people are not able to read. Reading, writing and character literacy are essential to independence and economic freedom. Far too many adults in North America and the developing countries live in poverty today because they haven’t mastered those skills. Far too many children are currently at risk of falling into the same trap. Illiteracy is one of the world’s (and America’s) most serious problems.

Shirley HS students receive awards for essays on “The Four Way Test” as it relates to their lives and education.

The inability to read translates into many difficulties. Safely driving a car, voting in an election, using a newspaper, applying for a job or having mom read a bedtime story are just a few of the challenges to be overcome.

We are very proud of our club’s many efforts in literacy. We have Rotarians who are involved in many literacy projects including The Black Stallion Project, The Dictionary Project, The Thesaurus Project, and the Fairfield Bay Library Summer Reading Program.

Literacy is a basic skill that helps us to fight poverty, increase productivity, and gain skills to help each other. As Rotarians we are working to fight illiteracy one person at a time. We are doing this in so many effective ways.

Race fans line up to “purchase” tickets for the races at last year’s “Night at the Races.” The Rotary Club of Fairfield Bay will once again present this entertaining and enjoyable event on Thursday, October 14, to benefit Local Literacy Projects including the Dictionary Project, Summer Reading Program, and the Black Stallion Project.

On Thursday, October 14, the Rotary Club of FFB will present “A NIGHT AT THE RACES!” to benefit literacy projects in our area. Social 6 p.m. and Post Time 7 p.m. at Indian Hills Country Club. Bet on Actual Thoroughbred Races on Film and Win PRIZES!!!! $25/person—$40/two for “Funny Money”, Mini Reubens, Nacho Bar, Cheese Display & Beverages. Cash Bar—Including Mint Juleps! Tickets at FFB Library—Call 253-3236 for more information.

...............