From my Rotations of February 18, 2003:

“Regarding the MagLev train, or people mover, Roseann [Runte, President of Old Dominion University] announced that final funding has been approved and that it will shortly be operational.  She applauded our local Congressman and Senator Warner for the “assist.”  Despite the implications of others, as I added up her figures, it appears that the project will be completed under the original budget.”

Do not forget that our President’s New Year’s resolution is to sound the opening gavel at EXACTLY 12:30 p.m.     
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President Elect Sigur Whitaker opened the meeting at 12:30 p.m. at our regular Scope meeting venue.

Brett Meredith led us in song to include our book slapper number 80 (You’re a Grand Old Rag).You will recall that was George M. Cohan’s original name according to the Library of Congress.  It related to a meeting with a Civil War Veteran who carried with him a tattered American Stars and Stripes.  However, Mr. Cohan bowed to public pressure and renamed the song as we know it today.

George Compo was our Chaplain of the Day.

The School of the Week is Poplar Hall Elementary School.

Jean Owens reported for the Visitation Committee.  The report on Tom Richards was, to be brief, needs your prayers.  Ken Weeks is unchanged.  Bill Jonak expects to be back in two weeks or less.  AND, Morgan Trimyer, Jr. was back again.  Let’s pray for him as he begins his cancer treatment(s).

John Searing introduced visitors and guests.  Visiting Rotarians include Past District Governor, Bill Pollard and Donna Morris from Norfolk Sunrise Club. Stephen Jones brought James Driggers; Greg Sutton brought Cheng Luu; Ben Miles brought Rob Huntoon; Lauren Delp brought Melonie Whitehead; and John Padgett brought Adam Krahl.

I was not in attendance on May 1, 1914 for the Club’s first meeting, but the meeting will not be forgotten.  Indeed, we are remembering it for the entire year. Sally Hartman gave the Centennial Moment.  She reported the history of our Oyster Reef project.  When then-President Rick Coradi announced it, I did not think we could succeed.  The project was just too darned big.  However, with Rick’s leadership, the dedication of Harry Taylor, and many others we succeeded in grand style as everyone knows.  From our humble beginning, oyster reefs grew and grew so that our waters are measurably cleaner and we can now have a good harvest.  If we had been in the current era, we would label it kick-starter.  This is something of which we can all be very proud.

Regarding Announcements, Fines, Happy Bucks and Tattle Tales, I have to plead that I could not hear any of them.  Can we bring back the microphone, please?

The Rotarian of the Week is Teddy Baker.  He is the retired owner of Baker’s Jewelry and Gifts. His home, as he puts it, is West Ghent and his other job was service in the United States Army.  His current residence is in the Pier Condominiums which he prefers to call by the original name, Atlantic City.  He is a past president of the Ghent Business Association, and has served on boards of the Better Business Bureau, the Norfolk Academy Alumni Association, Eggleston Services (on two occasions).  To all that add past Commodore of Norfolk Yacht and Country Club and Norfolk Boat Club.  He is also a past president of our Rotary Club and his Condo association.  Regarding his leadership of his Condo, he would not recommend that job to anyone.  That is a direct quote!  Another Ted Baker quote, “I was the one who named the Norfolk Academy ‘Bull Dogs.’”  Current hobbies and passions include enjoying friends and family.

We welcomed two new Rotarians.  I introduced the first, Glenn Scott.  Glenn is a returning member, having moved to Arizona, and now back to a permanent residence in Norfolk.  Glenn has a long list of public service, which I described, but I mostly felt moved to compliment on the newspaper ink that runs in his veins.  He has spent most of his lifetime in that business, and most of that with The Virginian Pilot.  Rising from a cub reporter to a writer of the Editorial Pages, Glenn succeeded in making a difference with his pen.  One particular crusade resulted in major changes to the safety of both employees and customers of convenience stores in Norfolk.  If you wonder why the cash is locked up and there are other safety and security provisions in place, say thank you to Glenn.

Dr. Tom McLaughlin MD, our newest new Rotarian, joins us after a long history of Rotary and Civic service.  He is a retired Urologist who joins us from Florida.  While some retire TO Florida, Tom choses to retire TO Norfolk to be nearer family.  He resides at One Colley Avenue AKA Harbor’s Edge.

The Rotarian of the Day is Adrien Latta. He is the Human Resources Manager at Maersk Line He joined our club in 2012. He is a member of our Public Relations Committee.

Adrien introduced the Honorable Paul D. Fraim, Mayor of Norfolk. Mayor Fraim’s topic was his annual review of the State of the City.

“Mayor Fraim was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School. He then went on to the Virginia Military Institute, where he was co-captain of the football team. He received a B.A. degree there, followed by a M.Ed. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University Of Richmond School of Law. He coached football at both Virginia and Richmond.

He began practicing law in Norfolk in 1977. For a number of years, he was a law partner of Virginia House of Delegates member George Heilig. After Heilig's death, he left that practice and formed a new law firm, Fraim and Fiorella P.C.

He married Elizabeth Peer. They have four children, Annie, Katie, Richard and David.” [From Wikipedia online]

First, it is tempting to compare our Mayor to The Donald, or Donald Trump, as his report mainly consisted of reporting on new construction and development projects in our fair city.  The numbers are quite impressive.  He reports $1.3 billion in new development plus 3,000 more jobs.

In addition to the growth, the City budget had a surplus of $5 million for the year ending June 30, 2013.  Mayor Fraim opined that since the entire budget is some $900 million that the surplus does not amount to much.  I submit that a surplus is not a deficit.  Let’s give the credit to our Mayor, our city leaders, and our city employees for their stewardship.

All is not great and wonderful, as the Mayor admitted.  While crime is down statistically, any crime remains too much.  The schools need attention, and we have too many families below the poverty line.  Mayor Fraim also acknowledged that we need to plan for Global Warming aka Climate Change aka Rising Seas aka Sinking Land whatever you want to call it.  He explained what is being done and reported the names of international experts who are working on the problem.

While we have issues, I submit that the glass is half full, much progress is being made. I am proud to be a citizen of Norfolk.

The last matter of business was the raffle.  I have lost my notes on the details, but the Queen of Spades remains.

The meeting adjourned right on time.