JANUARY 5, 2016 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Wendy Meadley

Posted by Lynne Beck 
on Jan 05, 2016
 

President Carla Hauge called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm. Todd Nicholson led the singing of God Bless America with Bob Jones assisting on the piano. Trixie Goldberg gave the inspirational minute. Heidi Fisher introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. The greeters were Mindee Kastelic and Debbie Lee.

 

The president made several announcements:

  • We are halfway through the Rotary year!
  • Everyone should have received their second billing for the year. For those who are on auto-pay, you will receive the monthly bill plus any added expenses. This will happen 2 times a year.
  • There will be a joint meeting with the Minneapolis Club on Friday, Feb. 12th at noon in Minneapolis.
  • Thursday’s Fellowship Breakfast will be Jason Rhode, “A New Venture in Commercial Real Estate & Multi-family Property Management.”

John Guthmann read the election results. Officers are Chuck Whitaker - President, Jerry Faletti – Vice President, Larry Morgan – Treasurer, Lynne Beck –Secretary, and Jason Bradshaw – Sergeant at Arms. Board members are Dane Dominick, Susan Spiers, Kristin Montpetit, Dion Powers, Jason Stern, and Christian Weinhagen.

Jenny Yang, Rotary exchange student to Japan, talked about her experiences this past year in Sendai Japan. She lived with two host families and took two school trips. Jenny learned about other cultures and gained more confidence from her year abroad.

Ed Coleman introduced new member Matt Halley, executive director of Cookie Cart. He also promoted the Wild Game event on Feb. 23. Happy Hour will be at 5:00 followed by a keynote speaker at 6:30 and the game against the NY Islanders at 7:00. The cost for the evening is $98 per person.

Ann Frisch announced next week’s program on organic gardening.

Jay Pfaender introduced the speaker, Wendy Meadley, Chief Strategy Officer for the North American High Speed Rail Group. Wendy talked about how High Speed Rail might start in Minnesota before anywhere else. It is currently in the works in 3 states – California, Texas, and Florida. Our vision is for a privately funded High Speed Rail between the Twin Cities and Rochester metro area, along the Hwy. 52 corridor in SE Minnesota. It would be about economic opportunity, not just transportation.

To implement High Speed Rail, we need to create a new infrastructure separate from Amtrak. The following Minnesota sectors and industries would benefit from the project: Build/Construction, Input (steel, taconite, concrete), Rail Manufacturers, and Auxiliary Industries (hotels, restaurants, etc.) It would also attract foreign investment from countries that already have High Speed Rail like China, Japan, Mexico, and Canada.

is next?

  • Preliminary Corridor Study
  • Work Permit
  • Proof of Concept
  • Partners & Funding Sources
  • Legislative and Governance
  • Communication with Minnesotans

It is perfect timing and a perfect opportunity for High Speed Rail in Minnesota. The project could begin in Minnesota and be completed by 2022. Ms. Meadly answered questions from Rotary members.

President Hauge thanked the speaker for her presentation. Rotary members recited the Four Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm. 

Lynne Beck
Scribe