DEC 18, 2012 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Commissioner Jim McDonough
President Dan McKeown called the meeting to order at 12:30. This meeting was held at the new Union Depot in downtown Saint Paul. David Laird led Rotarians in singing God Bless America with no accompaniment. Tom Brinsko gave an eloquent invocation (as usual). Nancy McKillips introduced visiting Rotarians and guests.
For the president’s report, McKeown recognized the greeters Bill Handschin and Keevan Kosidowski. Dan noted that there will be no Rotary meeting for two weeks, resuming at the Crowne Plaza January 8. Rotarian author, Bob Garland, will be the speaker at the Thursday Fellowship Breakfast. He will talk about the Humbolt Prior mystery series. Dan also said that today was Rotary election day and the results will be announced either at the next meeting or by e-mail. The December birthday Rotarians were recognized.
Jerry Faletti recognized four Rotarians that entered a drawing for a Paul Harris Fellow award. The winners were: Darrell Butterwick, Andy Currie, Linda Mulhern and Al Uniacke.
Several Rotarians were recognized for receiving their permanent identification cards and graduating from Red Striper status: Jacob LaCroix and Claude Hone.
Happy Dollars turned out to be a roast for Bob Jones and Carla Hauge who are retiring from their dental business in downtown Saint Paul at the end of the year.
Ramsey County Commissioner, Tony Bennett, introduced fellow Ramsey County Commissioner, Jim McDonough. Tony invited Rotarians to an open house from 3 to 6 at the Roseville Library to celebrate he and Jan Parker’s retirements as Commissioners as of the end of the year. Jim McDonough is a long-time Ramsey County Commissioner responsible for representing the east side of St Paul. Jim is also chair of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority that was responsible for the renovation of the Union Depot.
Jim McDonough gave a history of the depot and the future use of the facility. The present depot was built in 1919 following a fire that destroyed the old wood structure. The new depot was the dream of James J. Hill who wanted it to be Saint Paul’s “living room.” In its heyday, over 300 trains a day stopped there daily. By 1971, rail use had waned due to a lack of passengers and the railroads wanted to focus on freight business. Amtrak was created to release the railroads responsibility to provide passenger service. Several year’s later, a new slimmed-down depot was built in the midway area and is still in operation today. During the period 1971 to 2005, the building was used by the Post Office. He said that we are indebted to them for their stewardship in maintaining the integrity and soundness of the structure. The building was put on the National Historic Registry in 1974.
Twelve year’s ago the Regional Rail Authority was formed to determine whether a regional transportation hub was needed for rail, bus, and light rail and where it should be located. It was decided the Union Depot would be that place. It took a collaboration of Federal, state, county and stimulus dollars to fund the construction.
Looking to the future, Jim said that the vision for the transportation is a 100 year span in the future. This is much the same thinking of James J. Hill in his vision for the depot in 1919. In order to achieve the goals of linking the Central Corridor, Amtrak, high speed rail, the Gateway Corridor, the Robert Street Corridor and the Rush Lake Corridor will take time to happen.
McDonough said that the Rotary luncheon was the first in the new building. It should be said that with a certain amount of pride this writer, along with 
former Saint Paul Rotarian, Paul Nahurski, conceived of this idea several month’s ago and recommended it to the program committee.
President Dan thanked everyone for coming and our speaker for his remarks. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30.
Jay Pfaender, Scribe