The March 17, 2009 meeting of Senior Leadership Northeast was convened at the Colleyville Area Chamber of Commerce conference room at 9:00 AM by Chairman Ed Havran.

 There were twenty (20) individuals present representing five (5) Northeast Tarrant County Cities.

Minutes were approved as reported on the website.  Bill Journey moved to approve the minutes, Lee Davis seconded, and the membership approved the motion.

Sam McCollough announced that long time and valuable member Guy McCracken had passed away. He will be missed.

Dr. Paul Geisel, who represents Tarrant County in the Texas Silver Haired Legislature,  gave a very informative and inspiring talk about his recent trips on behalf of Rotary International to Panama and the Tsunami areas of Indonesia. 

·         In Panama, Rotarians delivered wheelchairs individually to caregivers throughout the area.  These wheelchairs are made in China and retail for $800 but Rotary was able to purchase them for $150 each.  They delivered $120,000 worth.

·         Rotary has set up in villages in areas devastated by the Tsunami.  They are providing health care, medical supplies, clean water, food, job training and positive youth development.  They are also providing scholarships to students, and working with villagers to improve crops (cocoa, etc.).  Paul will be going to Mexico in two months to work another village project.  

·         He also spoke on the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution designed to educate tomorrow’s peacemakers.  This program is hosted at seven leading universities around the world and funds 70 World Peace Scholars each year. 

Bob Scott with the Region C Water Planning Group gave a very interesting and informative overview of the meteorological conditions which lead to droughts, the ten climate divisions in Texas, the five year water plans, and what we need to do to provide an adequate water supply.  We need to educate our citizens and create a culture of conservation. For example, we don't have to have St. Augustine grass for our lawns, we should only water once a week, and we should use toilets and appliances which conserve water. Conservation is gaining some momentum but it has to get down to the local level.  Desertification is on the horizon with the possibility that 46% of our country could be on some form of water rationing in the not distant future.  The average family could reduce their usage by 40% without changing much or spending a lot of money.

 Oscar Garcia, who is the Speaker Pro Tem, for the 12th Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (2008-2010), gave a legislative report for that body.   He provided attendees a printed report and a Directory of that body.  He explained their top ten resolutions which are:

·         Establish a legislative committee on aging to address the aging population and the issues Texas will face in the next ten to thirty years

·         Increase Medicaid funding for aging Texans

·         Increase funding for rural and small urban public transportation systems in Texas

·         Cap annual property valuation increases at 5%

·         Support programs concerning grandparents caring for grandchildren

·         Reenact state regulation of electric utilities

·         To correct the misuse of eminent domain power and not allow private property to be taken to benefit another private owner

·         Increase the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in nursing homes

·         Require integration of geriatric competencies into the full range of health education with emphasis on normal aging process during the first two years of medical school before negative impressions have been experienced while caring for the more acutely ill or traumatically injured geriatric patient

·         Increase tax deduction for volunteers using their personal vehicles for charitable activities including Meals on Wheels and other home delivered meals service providers

 Mitzi Long, who represented State Representative Vicki Truitt, gave an update from the current legislative session.  She reported that Voter ID has been the biggest issue along with Retirement Funds for State Teachers.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Barksdale

You can check out County Commissioner Fickes’ newsletter by clicking on the following  link: Northeast Newsletter!