Rotary Meeting
March 21, 2006
President-Elect Linda Kaplan presiding

ANNOUNCEMENTS
A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. ED FISCHER!!

President-Elect Linda reported on the success of the Fashion Show which raised $2,000. The District will be providing a Matching Grant of $2,000, and special thanks go to PDG Roy Gonas who was instrumental in obtaining a $2,000 grant from the Suzanna & Carlton Tweed Foundation. Kudos came from all corners of the Club for President Ellen Book's tireless efforts in making this such a success. President Ellen sent specific instructions to thank those who helped make this a success. Participating members include: Dorreen Reitnauer, Dan McCrea, Donna Gaines, Suzanne Fontana, Jennifer & Chris Marsh, Karen Dorfman, Horace & Saida Feliu, and Don & Karen Streaker. Funds raised from this event will ensure the Club achieves its Centennial Project of providing lights at Murry Park as well as adding a monument or plaque in the park acknowledging Rotary's contribution.

Diana Phillips reported that following the meeting, her committee would be judging the essays and selecting the winner of the Jim Stehle Essay Contest.  She is seeking a volunteer to present the award on March 29th, at South Miami Middle School's Social Studies Fair.

Barbara Kornblau shared that while at Doug Weinman's office, the receptionist handed her a flyer from the International Kid's Fund to help raise $63,000 for a Nicaraguan child who needs surgery. Although many of the surgeons nurses and other healthcare professionals are volunteering their time and talent for this child, the funds are needed for other health care support.

President-Elect Linda reported on her attendance at the President-Elects Training Seminar (PETS) in Orlando. Attended by 640 Rotarians, Instructors and spouses -- 392 of whom were President-Elects from around the state. Linda talked of the new knowledge she acquired and how inspiring and motivating the program was for her.

Maxene Graham is still looking to hear from members as she continues her recovery. You can reach her at home by calling (305) 385-5990.

Don't forget our Rotary Exchange Student Ilaria Rundeddu is looking to spend time with you and your family at different events. Got an exciting venture coming up? Invite her along -- you'll be glad you did!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

April 8 -- Garage Sale at Prseident Ellen Book's Home. Yesterday was the vernox equanox marking the first day of Spring. So do your Spring Cleaning and bring your usable throw-aways to Ellen's house, now!

April 8 -- Inbound GSE team from Scotland arrives.

April 18 -- Joint meeting with the Cutler Ridge-Palmetto Bay Rotary Club for the incoming GSE team. Meeting is at Tony Roma's Restaurant, 18851 S. Dixie Hwy (U.S. - 1). DO NOT GO TO BERNIE'S!

April 22 -- District Assembly right in our own back yard -- Signature Gardens, 12725 SW 122 Avenue. Check the District's website: for more information and to register.

April 29 -- Rebuilding Together -- South Miami property

Using a uniquely wonderful series of quotations on having faith in yourself and never quitting, Program Chair Pansy Graham introduced our very own Rotarian . . . his honor, Mayor Horace Feliu who spoke on his vision of the future of South Miami. One significant change that Horace looks forward to is reinstate an invocation for City Commission meetings. His plan is to rotate through Rabbis, Priests, Ministers and Imans so as to show both tolerance for all religions and a return to the US motto. "In God we Trust."

Horace pointed out that South Miami is centrally located between the City of Miami and the rapidly growing Kendall and South Dade areas which has created many concerns about traffic congestion for the 11,000 residents. This has spurred the need for more aggressive traffic calming programs. At the same time, it has raised the property values causing a "gentrification" of our community and the resulting rise in taxes is driving out many senior citizens and others on fixed or small incomes.

The need for affordable housing is a county-wide problem and South Miami is impacted, as well. Horace acknowledged the work of our own Cathy Miller and the Rebuilding Together program.

Mass transit is another solution to the traffic problems, but mass transit is a County responsibility. Horace pledged South Miami's participation with the County towards developing a better Mass Transit system that will take cars off the road.

Addressing concerns that, too often,citizens have to hang around City Commission meetings until well past midnight in order to be heard, Horace is looking to move the Public Remarks section to the beginning of the meetings so that Commissioners have community input before voting on issues.

Horace then fielded numerous questions from the members.

Meeting Functionaries
Invocation:	Ed Fischer
Pledge:	Bill Enright
Guests:	John Sorgie
Happy $$:	Hampton Booker
Door Prizes:	Fabio Fernández
$$$ Prize:	Greg Kendall
It’s Your Turn
March 28th	Door Prize:  Darryl Downs  / Dessert: Doug Weinman
April 4th	Door Prize:  Bill Enright  /  Dessert: Howell Watkins
April 11th	Door Prize:  Horace Feliu / Dessert: Don Streaker
April 18th	Door Prize:  Fabio Fernandez / Dessert: John Sorgie
April 25th	Door Prize:  Ed Fischer / Dessert: Carolyn Smith
Future Speakers:
March 28:	Ed Fischer -- Membership Development
April 24:	Harry Horgan -- Shake a Leg
April 11:	Martha Gutierrez -- Take Stock in Children
April 18:	GSE Team -- Joint Meeting at Tony Roma's with the Rotary Club of Cutler Ridge-Palmetto Bay