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Today's
Program:
Club Assembly with induction of 2008/2009 Board
Last Week's
Program:
President Jonathan Moore, led the Club with singing
"America" and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Invocation was
given by Rick Daniel. Reese Garner led the Club in singing "In
the Good Old Summertime."
Dick Trammel introduced today's program: Arkansas Good Roads
Transportation Council with guest speaker Mr. Johnnie Boline,
Executive Director.
Johnnie took a minute to thank all of the legislators that were
present and commend them on their efforts in Congress. A special
thanks to Senator Bisbee for serving on the budget committee.
Senator Bisbee has a great passion for education and for the
people and the State of Arkansas.
The Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council is a non-profit
agency. It's a grassroots organization working on educating
Arkansans on the benefits of a good transportation system. Their
mission is to create an awareness among Arkansans of the many
benefits gained from better roads and bridges, including safety,
economic growth and development, protection of our previous
investments and increased efficiency.
The AGRTC's purpose is to reduce the number of roadway
accidents, increase job opportunities, encourage the consistent
maintenance and enhancement and to maximize the benefits of
future investments.
AGRTC has 43 board members, which includes 4 directors from each
f the 10 highway districts and they have a 3 member Executive
member council. It was organized in 1896 and there are currently
over 1800 members ( 400 + dues paying members).
The AR Good Roads Transportation Council researched and found
that Arkansas is #9 in the nation for accidents. Travel on
Arkansas' non-Interstate highways is approximately twice as
dangerous as driving on Arkansas' Interstates. Arkansas highway
system is extraordinarily large. We are the 12th largest in the
nation (ranking right up there with CA, NY, LA, GA, LA), but we
are funded like we are the 42nd largest. The total highway
system is 16,419 miles and there are 7,120 bridges. Mr. Boline
stated that Federal Congress and Arkansans need to change their
attitudes of where we get funding for highways and roads. They
need to be a priority in our state because better roads:
Highway
accessibility is the number one factor for companies to consider
when selecting new locations, so in order to attract new
companies to our area, we need good roads. The AHTD's routine
maintenance needs have exceeded available funding for almost 20
years. Roads in need of safety improvements and repair cost
every Arkansan an average of $1000 a year in unnecessary vehicle
expenses. Every dollar invested in the nation's highway system
yields $5.40 in economic benefits!
How we can help:
For further
information contact:
www.arkansasgoodroads.com or
www.betterroadsbetterfuture.org or call 501-375-8566
Announcements:
Hal Salvage is
soliciting one more speller for the Spelling Bee for the Rogers
Public Library Foundation fund raiser. Jeremy Cox said that the
Club has given $500 which entitles the Club to have a 4 person
team in the Spelling Bee. It will be held on Thursday at 6:00 at
the Rogers Little Theater. Other activities include a silent
auction and plenty of food. All benefits go towards the support
of the Rogers Library.
Chad's "Members
in the News":
No Chad today.
ATTA BOYS/GIRLS (make-ups are greatly appreciated):
Ken Eikenberry
Dave Powell
Judene Kuszak
Darrel Smith
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS: DeAnne Witherspoon
introduced guests and visiting
Don Pace - Bentonville Noon
Mike Malone - Fayetteville Downtown
Jeremy Portmann introduced Josh Portmann
Rotarians with guests-
Larry Murphy introduced his daughter, Caitlin
DeAnne Witherspoon introduced her daughter, Megan
Dick Trammel introduced the following legislative guests:
Cecille Bledsoe, Tim Summers, Duncan Baird, Pat Moran, Dave
Bisbee, Bill Ramsey, Jon Moran, Martine Pollack
Upcoming
Programs:
TBA
The meeting ended with President Moore leading the Club in the
Four-Way Test. |