August 8, 2013 – Meeting Roundup
The presenter of this week's program will be Mr. Mark Baldwin, the City of Manager of Martinsburg
Martinsburg is the County seat of one of the fastest growing areas of West Virginia, if not the entire region. With a population of 17,227 (2010 census), it is the eighth largest municipality in West Virginia. I’m not sure when Martinsburg began using the City Manager form of government, but I think it was in the late 70’s or early 80’s. Mark Baldwin is only the second or third city manager that Martinsburg has had. The City Manager is chosen by the Council solely on the basis of his/her executive and administrative qualifications. The City Manager is the administrative head of the municipal government and is responsible for the efficient administration of all departments. The City Manager is appointed for an indefinite period.The duties of the City Manager include insuring that laws and ordinances are enforced, appointing all employees of the City except the City Recorder and Police Court Judge, supervising all departments, attending all meetings of Council, keeping Council fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the City, approving for payment all vouchers, acting as purchasing agent and any other duties as may be prescribed by the City Charter or be required by Ordinance or resolution of the City.
Mark Baldwin has many accomplishments that he can be proud of including the soon-to-be-completed Raleigh Street extension. The police department has been upgraded to include bike patrols and numerous other innovations. Martinsburg is currently looking into home rule. The biggest advantage to home rule is the ability to collect a one percent tax plus the city will not be subject to several regulations imposed by the state.
Martinsburg, like most other municipalities, faces numerous challenges. Among these are EPA mandated upgrades to the sewage treatment plant, containing drug-related crime, increasing the tax base, and countless other problems that arise. It is also defending itself in a multimillion dollar suit brought by the family of a man who was shot by the police after he stabbed an officer who was trying to subdue him. Mark will tell us much, much more at our meeting this Thursday.
District Governor Sharon Benner's Visit
District Governor Sharon Benner outlined the upcoming year for us. Among her goals are potable water for Ecuador and a hearing aid project for which the district is taking all hearing aids in any condition. She told us that one no longer needs to have had a job to become a member. This opens the door to those that may have chosen to be a homemaker rather than go into the paid work force. Some of the upcoming events for the district are a membership seminar on August 24th, The Foundation Banquet on November 16th, and the District Conference April 24th-27th. We also learned that President Mike is working on starting an E-club for people who would like to be Rotarians and help the community, but cannot make weekly meetings. Among her other goals are forming two new clubs in addition to the E-club, and increasing the district membership to 3,000 members. Youth Service is our fifth avenue of service and she would like to see increased participation in RYLA. She would like candidates with good leadership potential and not necessarily just those with the best grades.
Cogwheels
Answer to last week’s question:
District Governor candidates must be members (other than honorary) in good standing of clubs which have no outstanding indebtedness to Rotary International in the districts by which they are nominated, and have been Rotarians for seven or more years (as of the day they take office), and have served as a club president for a full term (as of the date of their nomination.
This week’s question:
How many clubs are in district 7360 (hint: you can find the answer by going to DACdb)?
Our lone visiting Rotarian was Howard Benner, spouse of the district governor. Howard served as district governor of District 7370 in 2001-02.
Machelle Lewis, owner of Weichert Realtors was a guest of President Mike. Kimberly Lanager brought Jorgina Andrawos, owner of the International Beauty School, and CEO of West Virginia Training Services.
This is the last week to sign up for the golf tournament and/or picnic August 26th at the Woods. There is a shotgun start at noon with a picnic at 5pm which is open to all members. The committee is also still accepting sponsorships.
Thanks in advance to Berniece Collis and all those who volunteered to flip burgers at the Youth Fair this past Saturday.
Labor Day is fast approaching and there is no better way to celebrate than by starting the day with either a steak and egg, or county ham and egg breakfast at War Memorial Park. Tickets are only $25 in advance and can be purchased from a number of people and locations including Patterson’s Drug Store. If you procrastinate and wait until the last minute, you can still buy tickets at the door for $30.
Congratulations to Jonathon Bodwell on his marriage to Julie Layton on Saturday. The pictures I saw on Facebook showed a beautiful family.
We’re about 200 pounds behind the Sunrise club in the United Way food drive. Most non-perishables are okay except canned corn or peas. Canned goods are preferred over glass jars. Bring lots this week so President Mike can fill his trailer. There are only three more weeks left in the drive.
Bill Wortley won the privilege of selling 50/50 ticket as he had no luck finding the Ten of Diamonds. The deck is under 50 cards while the pot grows.