The Flywheel
Archive issue

NEXT MEETING: December 21, 2012

The Port of Richmond

Port of Richmond Executive Director Jim Matzorkis will speak about our Port of Richmond and West Coast shipping in general, and the global warming induced possibility of a real Northwest Passage.

MEETING OF December 14, 2012

Welcome

President Jim Young repeated his “R” word opening. Relatively, Rambunctious, Reasonably Respectful, Remarkably Generous (see below) Richmond Rotary Club. Doris Mitchell led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Stoney gave the Invocation. Henry’s thought-for-the-day: “God bless the victims and the families of the school shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.”

Rotarians with Guests

Pam Jones introduced two guests, Neville & Shawn. Doris Mitchell had her daughter Mia. Alan Baer had his two little Baers. We also welcomed Rod Wood, with three other El Cerrito fire fighters.

Announcements

December 1st saw the First Volunteer Orientation for Richmond Tales, the play at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. Four Rotarians showed up, half from Richmond and half from Alamo.
On December 6th we had a communications and publicity meeting at the East Bay Center. Eight Rotarians participated, 7 from Alamo. Jim was glad to see Rotarians interested in this project. (Sarcasm?) He just wanted more of them to be from the sponsoring club, that is, Richmond Rotary. Stay tuned for more information.
Jordan Simons from the EBCPA was here last week for the Auction. We will have him back soon when he can say a few words project and be understood by the crowd
Jim asked members for help for Don Lau bag give-a-way groceries at the Coronado “Y” Gym. They need help on Saturday too.
Richmond tree planting Saturday, January 19^th at the Solano Playlot
The annual Crab Feed will take place on February 2^nd 2013. $40.00 each.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Jim said the ritual of Happy and Sad Dollars wasn’t necessary, Jonathan disagreed. Not sure how that was resolved.

Norm’s Nonsense

Son: Mom, Hi. How are you? How’s everything in Florida?
Mom: Not so good. I’ve been very weak.
Son: Why are you weak, Mom?
Mom: I haven’t eaten in 38 days.
Son: That terrible. Why haven’t you eaten in 38 days?
Mom: Because I didn’t want my mouth to be filled with food if you should call.

PROGRAM

The Richmond Police Department

Today’s speaker was Deputy Police Chief Ed Medina, a 25 year veteran of the Richmond Police Department. He started his career in law enforcement after serving 5 ½ years as a United States Marine, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, and abroad. He received his honorable discharge in 1987.

Ed explained that the Department is organized into three geographically-defined divisions. Officers are assigned to the divisions, and longer tenures within the divisions enables them to spend more time in neighborhoods getting to know locals, cars, and business owners.

The Department’s has invested in new technology that enables the three divisions to interact like never before; for example, CCTV and the ShotSpotter. The ShotSpotter can locate within ten feet where a shot was fired and what caliber it was. All officers have cell phones and a GPS in every car. This is not used to determine how long they are parked at doughnut shops but to permit dispatch officer know exactly where each car is.

Of course the Department doesn’t just rely on high-tech. Officers work with building inspectors and carpenters to board up broken windows or doors, when the robbed owner cannot be reached. They organize heavy equipment to cope with illegal dumping– a growing problem everywhere. When it comes to police support, Richmond is in capable hands.