Tattler Newsletter October 3, 2016 (Oct 03, 2016)

October 3, 2016

President Del rang the bell and opened the meeting, noting that it was the 4501^st for the Club. The Club said the Pledge of Allegiance, and Nathan Twining provided an invocation.

Announcements:

Peter Theisen announced that the Club is seeking Major Project proposals for next year. Proposals are due by November 15th this year and the committee will conduct interviews with the applicants in January. Since this is the Club’s centennial year, we are seeking projects that will make a significant impact in our community. Major Project criteria and application procedures are available on the website and at the meetings. If members have questions, contact Peter, John Griggs or Sandee Lindhout.

Lori Leavitt announced Rotation Day is coming on November 21st. At this point she is seeking host businesses and inviting members to participate. Lori will send out an informational email soon and looking forward to a good Rotation Day.

President Del reminded members that there will be a Rotary-related question at the upcoming US Presidential debate. The question is: “How would you define service above self?”

John Moffat thanked those members who donated last week at our annual blood drive. We had 20 donors and collected 17 units of whole blood which will benefit 51 patients throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Guests of Rotarians:

Paula McCandlis introduced her husband Joe Dozel, Whatcom Public Defender

Mayor Kelli Linville introduced Fire Chief Bill Newbold

Teri Treat brought Steve Hettick, COO Ershig's Sheet Metal

Bob Nicholl introduced his wife of 65 years, Lois

Cleary Cone brought his wife of 69 years, Aleen

Program:

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Initiative

Bellingham Mayor, and Club member, Kelli Linville gave an overview of the City of Bellingham EMS Levy that will appear on the upcoming ballot. The goals of the levy are to sustain high quality services, plan for future growth, and provide a continuous funding source for six years. The levy will fund an EMS initiative that has technical and policy implications. Mayor Linville introduced the new Bellingham Fire Chief, Bill Newbold, to provide more detail on the EMS levy.

Chief Newbold described the multi-tiered EMS system that involves fire departments, hospitals, and dispatch. The EMS system has two levels of response: Basic Live Saving and Advanced Life Saving. Basic Life Saving calls are handled by EMTs based at fire stations throughout the county, and they typically deal with situations that are not immediately "life or death." Advanced Life Saving calls are handled by paramedics in four units in the county, typically dealing with very critical and time-sensitive health situations.

The proposed levy is for a 6-year term that would impose a percentage tax based on real estate value. The average levy on a $250,000 home would be $74 per year. The levy funds would replace general funds that are currently supporting the EMS system and could only be used for the EMS system. The levy must be supported by 60% of votes in order to pass.

The levy would provide an additional ALS unit with 9 medics, subsidy for the BLS units, and a reserve fund. The levy backers chose a 6-year levy in order to create a cycle of evaluation and a gauge of voter’s willingness to support the system. The levy planning committee involved safety personnel, elected officials, labor, medical providers and the general public.

The program ended with an engaging question and answer session.