SUHBA Exec Sees Movement in Housing Market

Bob Bramlage, SGR’s Sergeant-at-Arms greeted Rotarians and others visitors to the 3736th regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in an interesting rendition of "America." Lee Warren, our own Flag Man, invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Don Pendleton asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Dan Strobell lead Horseplay while Lee Sheets collected fines on behalf of Operation School Bell.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ken Sizemore, conducting the meeting in the absence of Jeff Morby, reminded members of the New Member Orientation meeting on the evening of Thursday, April 9 at the offices of the Five County Association of Governments. Invitations will be sent out this week. He also reminded board members of their next meeting on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:15 a.m.

Congratulations to Darlo and Grace Esplin celebrating 60 years of married life on their way to forever.

PROGRAM: Ken Sizemore introduced Carol Sapp, Executive Director of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association for more than 20 years, with particular responsibility for government affairs. According to Sapp, building permits to date in 2009 are at 66 compared to 200 for the same time period in 2008. Financing has created part of the problem, and the Obama Stimulus program called Home Run will provide $6000 to those trying to get a mortgage on a new home. Another program will provide an additional $8000 and currently there are ten loans left through CDGB funding with the City of St. George. Sapp also noted "an exceptional Parade of Homes although ticket sales were down by 25% to a total of 26,000 people. There was a great variety of homes and most sold during the Parade. Some builders even picked up contracts to build as many as 6 - 8 homes. Things are starting to move, though we anticipate another 20-30% drop in values of existing inventory." Sapp was also quick to point out there is a definite shortage of multi-family properties which has created an issue among students at Dixie State College where the student body is growing rapidly. For more information about the current housing market, Carol can be reached by e-mail at carol@suhba.com or by phone at 674-1400.

SunSmart Delivers Tomorrow's Power Today

Bob Bramlage, SGR’s Sergeant-at-Arms was on duty greeting Rotarians and others visitors to the 3735th regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in both verses of that "golden oldie" "Home on the Range." Andy Anderson invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Durant McArthur asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Grant Carter conducted a rollicking rendition of Horseplay while Reed Noble collected fines on behalf of Operation School Bell.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Durant McArthur announced his departure on April 6 for a one year LDS mission with his wife to Portland, Oregon.

Ken Sizemore circulated a list asking members to identify on which committee (membership, international service, youth service, vocational, club or community service) they wished to serve. He also announced a New Member Orientation meeting on the evening of Thursday, April 9 at the offices of the Five County Association of Governments. Invitations will be sent soon to everyone who has not attended in the past.

Ray Robinson announced 9 youth exchange students would be in St. George on the weekend of April 23-25. He still needs housing for 3-4 high school age young women. Members of SGR who can accept this assignment are encouraged to call Ray as soon as possible.

PROGRAM: Jeannine Holt introduced Ladel Laub, CEO of Dixie Escalante Electric and Phil Solomon representing the City of St. George. The two businessmen are now partners in the exciting and unique photovoltaic solar farm, designed to give local residents the opportunity to purchase solar power to supplement the energy supplied by more conventional means. The innovative solution to high energy costs and oil dependency is called SunSmart, and taps the natural, safe and clean renewable resource available 310 days a year. Like wind and hydropower, solar power produces no emissions and no byproducts. The City of St. George has also worked with the Utah State Legislature to make it possible for homeowners to take advantage of state tax credits for renewable energy investment from an off-site system. For more information, call 627-4841 or go online to http://www.sgsunsmart.com/ to download the purchasing contract.

Former FEMA Chief Warns "Get Ready!"

Bob Bramlage, SGR’s Sergeant-at-Arms was on duty with Jeannine Holt greeting Rotarians and others visitors to the 3734th regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in an interesting rendition of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Lee Warren, our own Flag Man, invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Don Pendleton asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Allen Hilton was right on target with a rollicking rendition of Horseplay while Richard Isom collected fines on behalf of Operation School Bell.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ray Robinson reported a visit with Don Dunham who recently had a stroke, but is now recuperating at home. According to Ray, Don is struggling to regain his health and cognitive ability, but is determined to return to Rotary as soon as he is able. In the meantime, cards and scheduled visitors are always welcome.

Dan Strobell reported the $3000 matching grant has been submitted for a match by RI. Dan noted, "$6000 will make a huge difference in the lives of Guatemalan families who receive the stoves."

Ken Sizemore circulated a list asking members to identify on which committee (membership, international service, youth service, vocational, club or community service) they wished to serve. He also announced a New Member Orientation meeting on the evening of Thursday, April 9 at the offices of the Five County Association of Governments. Invitations will be sent soon to everyone who has not attended in the past. He also encouraged a goal of 100% Paul Harris Fellows for the club. Information on how that goal can be accomplished will be announced soon.

PROGRAM: Jeannine Holt introduced Bob Flowers, public safety director for Ivins City. Flowers is also the former St. George City police chief, Utah Commissioner of Public Safety during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and until recently, the regional director for FEMA, based in Denver, Colorado. Recalling a call from "White House Personnel" inviting him to a discussion about becoming a "permanent appointee to an unnamed position," Flowers said he thought at first it was a joke! According to Flowers, "FEMA is a complex, but very small organization which exists to reach deeply into the U. S. Treasury to send money to communities in times of crisis. FEMA is a money organization, not a response organization. It really got a bad name after the hurricanes in the gulf coast because people did not understand FEMA’s purpose and function. FEMA is all about money!" He also encouraged members of SGR to consider how prepared they each are for the possibility of a major disaster. "There is a disaster going on somewhere in the world all the time and Utah is long overdue for a major earthquake. If you are in the middle of it, your comfort level will be determined by how prepared you are personally. The government isn’t in charge of making you comfortable!"

SGR Learns of Local Drug Problems

Bob Bramlage, SGR’s Sergeant-at-Arms was on duty greeting Rotarians and others visitors to the 3733nd regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary, held this week at the Courtyard Marriott. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in "My Country, Tis of Thee." Lee Warren, our own Flag Man, invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Ken Sizemore asked for the blessings of heaven the meeting and the meal. Byron McLeese led a high energy Horseplay while Richard Brown collected fines on behalf of Operation School Bell.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: SGR's incoming president Ken Sizemore, newly returned from PETS (President Elect Training Seminar), enthusiastically recognized Gil Trujillo, Utah’s incoming Rotary District Governor for "running the show with ease" and Jim Coleman in a "fedora, trench coat and dark glasses" greeting new presidents to a membership workshop. Ken expressed his pride in his home club which has 100% participation in the "Every Rotarian / Every Year" program. He noted goals for next year include a contribution of $3000 to the permanent fund, and increase in Paul Harris Fellows among club members;and, "every member will be assigned to a committee."

PROGRAM: Jeannine Holt introduced members of the Washington County Drug Task Force. Sam Despain is the K-9 handler and Curtis Blake works on cases involving prescription drug abuse. Together, they are working to slow the rising use of heroin, considered the fastest growing drug use problem in Washington County, particularly popular among middle school students. It is relatively inexpensive, easily accessible and can be injected, snorted, smoked or ingested through suppositories - and leads to addiction to other drugs. It is easy to overdose on heroin, and some users are addicted after only one use. The drug task force currently employs seven fulltime drug detectives, "but we could use seven more!" In addition to heroin use, Utah leads the nation in prescription drug use.

Meet Steve Davis

Steve Davis, the co-owner of Rainbow Sign and Banner, had been approached "a time or two" about membership in Rotary when Jim Coleman asked again. "The time was right," states SGR's newest member. Born in Payson, Steve is a self-made man who has had a great life with Lisa, his wife of 25 years, and his family of 7 children and 1 grandchild (with 2 more on the way). In St. George since 1994, Steve worked ten years for a sign supply company before purchasing Rainbow Flag and Banner (note the name change) with his partner, Mike Hamlin. This venture has been "a fun business with some really great customers."

Steve may have just officially joined Rotary, but he has always lived by Rotary's motto of "service above self." For many years, the local businessman has been putting a portion of his company profits into a charitable foundation. Together with his family and any friends who wanted to come along, the Helping Hands "Fun"dation has twice spent the 2-week Christmas break in Agua Prieta, Mexico helping families in need (complete with a stunning white adobe church in the middle of town, Agua Prieta is located across the Arizona border at the site of an historic treaty signing during the Mexican Revolution). In Mexico, the Davis family hires local workers to pour cement floors, build on to and paint existing houses. They also distribute handmade gifts to people in the area, such as crocheted wash cloths, knit dish scrubbers, baby blankets, used doors, windows and other supplies. As a Rotarian, imagine how much more Steve can do with his International Service project when he learns about matching grants and other RI resources!!!!

Operation School Bell Tells of Student Needs

Jack Petersen, an SGR Sergeant-at-Arms was on duty greeting Rotarians and others visitors to the 3732nd regular weekly meeting of St. George Rotary. Ray Robinson lead the SGR Choir in the first and last verses of "My Country, Tis of Thee." Lee Warren, our own Flag Man, invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Eldon McArthur asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Richard Isom took the reins for Horseplay while Kyle Case collected fines on behalf of Operation School Bell.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Jeff Morby announced a change of meeting place for Monday, March 9. SGR will meet at the Courtyard Marriott, located at 185 S. 1470 East (beyond Target).

President Jeff explained the funding quandary SGR is facing in having to come up with $10,000 as a match for the Guatemalan stove project matched by RI. Jeff explained he is working with other clubs in the state for collective support of up to $5000.

PROGRAM: Bob Bramlage introduced Marilyn Valle, from the Assistance League. Valle explained their principle program is Operation School Bell which provides appropriate school clothing - including new shirts, pants, underwear, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste and a new winter parka - for approximately 300 children in need in 13 Washington County Schools, where 23% of all students are on the free lunch program. According to Valle, "research shows when children have the proper clothing, they do better in the classroom and their attendance and self-esteem improves." A donation of only $60 outfits a chile with new clothes and new confidence. For more information, call 688-9399 or on the internet at http://www.alofsu.org./