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Terry McDougall |
Program: Pat Rooney and
Mike Pihura - St. Catharines Mayoral Candidates
The blessing and grace was given by John
Snowling and Don Shaw lead a high energy O Canada.
President Rick welcomed
all and introduced the head table: Chris Blake, Sergeant-at-Arms
Judith Barker and Terry McDougall who introduced today’s guests.
Guests: Today there were
a record number of guests, too numerous to list in the Gossip Sheet.
We had Rotarians from other clubs, 7 of the 8 candidates for mayor,
supporters of the candidates along with guests of our members.
Birthdays: Sandy Peters,
Bob Lawler, Peter Kudreikis and Rusty Kruty all celebrated birthdays
but your editor was so busy trying to list the guests she couldn’t
remember if we sang happy birthday to any of them! Many happy returns
to the birthday boys.
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Bob Lawler and Rusty Kruty |
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines
– AM is holding its annual Wine Tasting & Charity
Auction on Saturday, Oct. 28th at Hernder’s Estate Wines in
support of the Children’s Discovery Centre of Niagara.
Youth Leadership Committee
meeting is taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 11th at 5:00 at the golf
club.
The Buffalo Sunrise Club
is hosting two information sessions on the topic of African AIDS
Orphan Support. Events start at 7:30am on Oct. 10th and Oct. 17th
at the Hyatt. See President Rick for further details
Dave Butler introduced
his son Stewart as a new member. He was born in Toronto but raised
with his three other brothers in St. Catharines. He attended Sir
Winston Churchill SS and Trent working and worked at BNS, Xerox
and a dental supply company where he was responsible for the Canadian
introduction of an automated root canal system (the announcement
of which caused most of us to squirm in our seats). He is currently
with Scotia McLeod. Stewart is very active as a coach in Fonthill
where he lives with his 3 children and wife Michelle. His classification
is Financial Advisor.
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Dave Butler, Stewart Butler and Rick Merritt |
President Rick introduced
Glen Norton a former member of our club who coincidentally introduced
Rick. Glen was a member until 1998 when he relocated to Hamilton.
Glen worked in the financial services sector from the early ‘80s
to 2004 . He did some independent consulting until 2006 when he
joined Meridian Credit Union as VP Credit Management. Glen graduated
from Ryerson and Western. He is a newlywed having married Jackie
on September 16th. His classification is Commercial Banking.
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Rick Merritt and Glen Norton |
Sam Walters presented everyone
with a pebble reminding us that the ripple effect should inspire
us all to get our buts in gear and bring items in to the auction
(editor’s words, not Sam’s – he was much more
tactful and encouraging). He presented prizes to Bob Gosselin and
John Burroughs in recognition of their success to date. Thanks to
Creekside Estates Winery and Barry Katzman for supplying the gifts.
Sam also presented new Rotarians Stewart and Glen with their canvass
packages.
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Bob Gosselin and Sam Walters |
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John Burroughs and Sam Walters |
Happy dollars were waived this week given
the length of the program.
No luck this week for Bob Gosselin drew
the 7 of spades, which may be lucky for some but unfortunately not
for him today.
All the
candidates for mayor were invited to attend and seven came. Chris
Blake was the moderator. Each candidate was given the same three
questions to answer and they had four minutes in which to respond.
The questions dealt with the issue of homelessness, tax assessment
and working on issues outside of the municipal jurisdiction.
In fairness to the candidates, it would
be better for Rotarians who were not present to ask each for their
thoughtful response – otherwise the Gossip Sheet would become
the Gossip Campaign Book! (or as an alternative the editor is willing
to lend her 12 pages of notes, although it may be difficult to interpret
her scrawl)
Following the presentations there was an
opportunity to ask questions and 2-3 candidates responded to each.
The only question that they all responded
to was asked by George Darte, namely “do you believe in the
City of Niagara?” All responded yes, although Garry Robbins
asked George to define Niagara!
Ray Bukovec thanked them
all for their presentations and for giving their time to the betterment
of the city. Ray also noted that most of our questions were raised
by a doctor and mortician!
President Rick also thanked
the candidates and wished them all good luck.
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Marilynn Bodogh |
Sue Erskine |
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Preston Haskell |
Brian McMullan |
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Jackie Phelan |
Garry Robbins |
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Rob Welch |
NEXT WEEK’S
PROGRAM
Jon Ogryzlo, Niagara College Horticultural
School
Until further notice, the Rotary
Club of Fonthill will be meeting at Lookout Point Golf and Country
Club on Wednesday’s at 7:15am.
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