President Steve Stauffer rang the bell at 8:00
Brian Goode offered the prayer and led the pledge to the flag
Announcements:
Raffle tickets available today. Price is $10 and will be available at outlets soon. Drawing date has been changed to October 30 at Giuseppi's, Shelter Cove. Each member has gotten ten tickets to sell.
Social - the event at Rollers may be rescheduled
Tim, Ivan, and Steve finished giving out the ear buds.
This Friday at 2:30 will be a celebration of David Wolf's life held at Sea Pines CC
Immediate Past President Ben Shelton presented two Presidents Awards that he did not present at Founder's Night.
Recipients above are (top) Beverly James and (bottom) Lynn King
Congratulations Ladies and thank you for all that you do for Rotary.
Congratulations Ladies and thank you for all that you do for Rotary.
Greg Wynn, Foundation Chair, recognized John Farrenkopf on his Paul Harris Fellow +6
Sergeant at Arms, Alicia Powell welcomed visiting Rotarian and guests:
Visiting from Schaumborg IL, Ken Nykiel
Guests: Stephanie Zickenberry, guest of John Cunningham; Tim Henderson, guest of Tim Ridge; Ashley Stauffer, guest of Steve Stauffer.
Visiting from Schaumborg IL, Ken Nykiel
Guests: Stephanie Zickenberry, guest of John Cunningham; Tim Henderson, guest of Tim Ridge; Ashley Stauffer, guest of Steve Stauffer.
Speaker:
Our speaker this morning was Josh Gruber, HHI Assistant Town Manger. His topic was the Sales Tax Referendum which will be on the ballot on November 6. It is a 1% sales tax for transportation for a limited time - not to exceed four years - or until the desired amount is raised. The reason money is needed to be raised:
1. ($80 million) to improve Squire Pope to Moss Creek traffic. The current infrastructure cannot support the volume of vehicles. The cost would be $240 million. The initial $80 million needs to be raised so as to get the rest of through matches from State and Federal. They do not have the design yet, need to raise the money first. Most likely it would be built parallel to the existing structure
2. ($30 million) for roadway improvement, Lady's Island
3. ($10 million) for sidewalks and multi use pathways
Josh is asked how this tax will impact citizens. His answer is that we had a tax like this in place in 2006 through 2012 and while the more you buy, the more it affects you, there was not really much impact to people personally.
Another question, is why a tax? Why not some other method of raising the money. A toll would not be a good option, as workers coming to the island would be affected too much. A tax gives the ability to raise money from people that do not live here, since they buy things. Other possible methods of raising money would put the burden totally on the residents.
According to the pro-tax literature: "The Beaufort County Sales Tax Referendum - paid for through a penny sales tax - will pay for better, safer roads that will ease traffic congestion and improve our quality of life"
Member Travels:
John Cunningham: working at the Beaconsfield County Fayre with the Beaconsfield Rotary Club
