|
| MAy 15, 2009 |
Editor: Dave Guttu
|
|
President Joel Feldman
rang the bell and
opened the meeting of our club which has been serving Lakewood for 53 years and one month. The bell rang at 12:33, but I can
honestly state that the PA system was at fault.
START UP STUFF
The invocation was by Bob Peterson. Bud Montgomery led us the pledge to
our flag. Bill Young introduced the visiting Rotarian; John Anderson
from Sumner. Mick Johnson staffed the Paul Harris desk today. Bill
Young was Sergeant-at-Arms. There was no Jan Luze and no sunshine
report. Guest of Rotarians: Gayle Selden introduced her traveling
partner mom Sharon and her cousin Jamie Garrett. Bud Montgomery
introduced his daughter, and our speaker, Melissa, as his guest.
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mike McGowan
talked about our Next Step program. Due to the outstanding successes of the students involved and word of mouth, the 12 Rotarians currently involved are in need of additional volunteers. A commitment of about one hour a week to work with tenth graders is all that is needed. The mission is to aid them in charting their academics, scheduling the appropriate tests at the right times, and fleshing out their resumes so that they have the very best chance at enrollment in their college of choice and put them in a position of advantage with regard to scholarships. Those interested can contact Mike McGowan, Ron Irwin, Ron Adkins, Jim Rooks, Mo Sarram or others in the program.
EDUCATORS OF THE MONTH
 
Tony Robinson introduced the Educators of the Month.
Tammy Montanya comes to us from Mann Middle School. She is in her twelfth year with the Clover Park School District and in her 23 year as an educator. Tammy teaches sixth and seventh grade science. She was nominated by Shavonne Lee, who was in attendance at today's meeting.
Eric Garrett comes to us from Steilacoom High School where he teaches calculus and math analysis. Prior to his education career, he played for the Oakland A's. He thanked Bob Peterson for being his teacher once and giving him his inspiration to teach. Eric was nominated by Darrin Lowry, who also attended the meeting.
FINES:
The matter was not even brought up. Good day to be in attendance if you are short on cash.
PROGRAM:
Bud Montgomery introduced his daughter Melissa Montgomery as today's speaker. She graduated from PLU with a degree in biology in 2000. She obtained a Masters in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington in 2003. Melissa has been manager of the Derelict Vessel Removal Program under the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for two years.
The Derelict Vessel Removal Program is funded by three dollars out of the monies that each boater spends annually to register their boat. The Program was created by legislation passed in 2002, the Derelict Vessel Act, and their authority and enforcement action is under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 79.100.
Drifting, beached, broken-up or sunken vessels can threaten human safety, be a navigational hazard and have an impact on aquatic habitats. The Derelict Vessel Removal Program works closely with the United States Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency. Local agencies are also involved the removal of derelict vessels and can be reimbursement up to 90% for their costs in derelict vessel removal by the Program. The removal of derelict vessels serves to improve water quality, improve marine aesthetics, and removes hazards to boaters.
The Derelict Vessel Removal Program has removed 252 vessels since January of 2003. Another 124 derelict vessels have been removed by other agencies. Some times it is very expensive to remove derelict vessels: one particular large metal ship cost over $400,000 to remove and dispose of. The program was able to recoup some $20,000 by recycling metals. That ship had to be cut up. Many smaller boats are simply reduced to waste by smashing them up and hauling them to the landfill.
As much as possible, the costs of removal are borne by the registered or last owner of the vessel. People that have vessels that become neglected and ultimately derelict also don't tend to register them; this makes the appropriate assigning of fines and recovery of costs difficult. Melissa's experience is that the ownership of vessels destined to become derelict is not transferred appropriately through the Department of Licensing and more often they are traded, gifted, or simply left behind as the owner moves on after the vessel becomes no longer seaworthy.
Melissa's presentation included many photographs to visually explain what types of vessels she commonly deals with. Many people with good intentions on owning a boat but without the resources to keep them up properly; a few with questionable motives that seemed more to do with profit and not so much with protecting the rest of us from the floating hazard.
In talking about local agencies being involved in the removal of derelict vessels, Melissa noted that Pierce County is not involved at all. Some discussion took place a while back, and she hopes more will take place as the new leaders settle in, but our county is not involved.
THE DRAWING:
Kim Prentice got her ticket drawn today and succeeded in getting a white chip for five bucks out of the bag. She seemed happy.
|
|
|
|
Website Sponsors
|
 
|
|
