JUN 17, 2014 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Mayor Chris Coleman
President Jim Kosmo rang his last regular meeting of Rotary year 2013-14 to order shortly after 12:15, just as it says on the plaque in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Greeters were Heidi Fisher and Kathleen Riley. Joe Kovarik and Jerry Faletti, with Denny Boom on the piano led the assemblage in the National Anthem, and Jean Vukas Roberts shared an invocation for our meal and gathering.
There was great attendance, including three visiting Rotarians and eleven guests as introduced by Kay Baker. Several persons, from each group, were announced as prospective Club Ten Rotarians!
A harmonic round of Happy Birthday was delivered by several present who were born in June – the senior member of our Club (with regard to number of years of membership) was Clyde Nelson, who celebrates 45 years as a Rotarian this year.
The elusive Bill Nielsen (who has years and years of perfect attendance as a Rotarian, but for years and years has rarely attended a Club Ten noon meeting) was presented with the 1931 Moyer golf cup – perhaps our club’s most beautiful artifact.
Margie Horning, chair of the District 5960 Grants Committee called Valdi Stefanson to the stage to be presented with a $6,000 matching grant check for world community projects of our Club and Foundation. Valdi spoke about the total grant of $75,000 that had just been secured/put in place for expansion of the Laguna Sulty Water Reservoir project we have been supporting for many years. $33,000 will come from our Club Ten Foundation, and matching grants from the district and Rotary International Foundation will make up the rest.
Paul Verret introduced the Honorable Mayor Chris Coleman as our speaker, by promptly getting the subject of potholes out of the way.
Mayor Coleman spoke about recognizing the faces of our Rotarians as faces and names of leaders who are everywhere he goes in St. Paul – leaders who are everywhere, doing so much.
He spoke about what an amazing time this is for our city, with the fulfillment of so many long range plans that have been pursued for so many years: Payne Avenue retail and food; the Green Line Light Rail; the Saints Ballpark; the recreation centers and libraries and performing arts venues; University Avenue development, for our people – our longtime residents of that neighborhood.
Even the Star Tribune is saying good things about St. Paul!
The Mayor said that more is to come: 138 acres on the Mississippi River (the former Ford Plant) that represent one of the most remarkable development opportunities in the state right now; other “regionalism” projects that may actually make regionalism real – for St. Paul too, rather than just Minneapolis. Connected cities, super bowls, development projects that benefit both cities.
There are barriers that remain beyond the ribbon cuttings, however. We must lift all boats for all of our people, especially those who are furthest behind and have often been left out.
We must seize the momentum, and not let it die – the Macy’s site, West Publishing, Seven Corners – we can position St. Paul for 100 years to come.
Go out and invest – fill potholes – and grow our city!