• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Is it beneficial to all concerned?

This year Luke Calvert from Waxahachie High School was a finalist.  In the picture he is the tall one, right rear.  The others are students from other high schools outside our area

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are

By John Hamilton

The economy certainly has been of a roller-coaster the pastfew years, hasn’t it?  Job losses, bankand business closings, layoffs – it seemed the bad news would never end.  For a lot of people it has not ended yet butEmily Kerr, assistant economist for the Dallas Federal Reserve or “Fed”,brought Rotarians and guests up to date on the recession and the future.

As you have heard Texasfared better than most of the country during the recession and is recoveringfaster, too.  Jobs, she said, are a greatindicator of the condition of the economy. Texasunemployment is lower than the national average and the number of jobs isexpected to fully recover to pre-recession levels by year end.  In fact the number of jobs in Texas is growing attwice the national rate.  The Fedconsiders this to be an important, positive measure which raises theirexpectations for the future.

Another index that the Fed considers important is the TexasBusiness Cycle Index.  This is acombination of employment, unemployment and Texas gross domestic product or the value ofall goods and services produced here. This index is also positive hinting at growth out of the recession.

Texasis a major factor in three major areas of the economy.  We are number one in oil and gas productionwhich has been bouyed by high energy prices. Texas is also number one in exportsincluding gulf coast oil and exports to Mexico,Canada and China.  The state is second in manufacturing andagriculture which is beginning a good recovery helped by a bumper cotton cropand very high cotton prices.

Perhaps surprisingly in spite of the growth unemploymentstill stands at 8.5%.  There are tworeasons.  First, people in states stillsuffering come here as a land of opportunity. Second, those who had given up on having a job have come back to the jobmarket.  Until these people actually getjobs they are still counted as “unemployed”. If they are not looking for jobs they are not counted.

For 2011 the Fed sees job growth at 2% to 2.5%, about doublethe national average.  The service,retail and manufacturing sectors are all growing now.  And Texasis outpacing the nation in regaining all of the jobs lost to therecession.  It’s a good time to be aTexan.  Of course, when isn’t?

For more information about the Federal Reserve or theiractivities and forecasts visit their web site at www.dallasfed.org .  Their “Beige Book” which contains interestinginformation is at  http://www.federalreserve.gov/fomc/beigebook/2010/default.htm

Our school board’s vision statement is “Waxahachie willempower our community of learners for success in the 21^stcentury.”  The community of learners, thestudents, number 7,520 this year. 

That is an increase of 488 over the last school year and athousand more than in the 2007 school year. In fact, according to superintendent Tom Collins, Waxahachie is thethird fastest growing district in the state. 

As a result of the reorganization that took place as aresult of last year’s bond issue the facilities are expected to be adequate forseveral years.  There are seven grade K-5schools, three grade 6-8 schools and three high schools.  There are also a little over 1,000 employeesfor these students.  The generaloperating budget for this year is $52 million and there is a healthy fundbalance in place.  No teachers lost theirjobs as a result of last year’s budget cuts.

The reorganization helped fulfill one of Mr Collins’imperatives that everyone goes to a neighborhood school.  Also, the curriculum has been standardizedacross schools so all have the same opportunity.

Some changes include an on-line library and an earlychildhood focus at Marvin School.  In addition, if students have met all theiracademics requirements before year-end they will not go to the classroom thelast few days of the school year.  Thestudents needing help to pass will be given more personal help during thesedays.  Last year this program was veryeffective.

The Early College program at Global High resulted intwenty-four students receiving their Associates Degree from Navarro Collegeat the same time they graduated from high school.  This degree was earned at no cost to thestudents.

Mr Collins who has been an educator for thirty one yearsfeels that Waxahachie is the best town he has ever worked in.  The students, parents and citizens are thebest.

For more information about the school system visit their website at www.wisd.org or call the office at972-923-4631.

About a year ago Texas Representative Jim Pitts said thenext legislative session would be difficult and that it would not be a prettysight.  He was correct.  In addition to an expected budget shortfallin the billions of dollars several highly charged topics were to be on theagenda and, for the most part, were as difficult as he forecast.  Mr Pitts says the legislature had a lot to dobut, in the end, they got a lot done.

Sales and property taxes were projected to be down becauseof the economy and those have a very large impact on available funds.  Also, federal health care cost increasesplaced a large burden on the state.  Texas is a “pay as yougo” state so the budget must be balanced or have a surplus.  That left a projected budget shortfall of $15billion.

The Legislative Budget Board met every week last summer withabout ten agencies to review their budget needs.  Almost every agency including education,public safety and medical care were involved in budget cuts.  One of the most divisive subjects was whetherto use some of the “rainy day fund” to make up the budget shortfall.  In the end some of the rainy day funds wereused as proposed agency cuts were as deep as the legislature was willing togo.  As Chairman of the AppropriationsCommittee Mr Pitts was the author of House Bill 1, the budget which wassubmitted December 1, 2010 which was the first day of the session.

In the middle of the preparation of that budget it wasforecast that the current year would end about $4.3 billion in the hole.  This took more time to resolve with eachagency being asked to reduce expenditures by 5% and later by an additional 2½%. 

Redistricting was also a big item although it wentsurprisingly smoothly.  Although it wasapproved it is now in court with lawsuits so the true outcome is not settled.

Voter identification was also approved so that a pictureidentification is required for voting. This law is expected to become effective by the beginning of next year.

A law was passed requiring proof of citizenship before adrivers license can be issued.

A tax increase was not on the table but if consumers startedpurchasing more the sales tax dollars could increase substantially.  Buy Waxahachie!   

Mr. Pitts’ Waxahachie office can be reached at 972-938-9392.

By John Hamilton

Times are tough, aren’t they? Jobs are hard to find and when you find one it doesn’t pay much.  Your kids need clothes and when you go towork Friday you find you’ve been laid off. The rent is due.  The car paymentis due and the kids are hungry.  What doyou do?

Lacking family or friends to stay with you are among thehomeless.  This is a typical story in Ellis Countynow.  Most of the “homeless” are notvisible because they are borrowing a sofa or extra bedroom but when they wearout their welcome they have to be able to go to Daniel’s Den.  Daniel’s Den is the only home of its type in Ellis County. 

Gary Stevens, president of the board, explained that the missionof the organization is to provide transitional housing while people get theirlives back together.  Counseling isprovided in life skills, accepting responsibility and financialmanagement.  The stay is structured anddrug abusers or alcoholics are not accepted. 

In a 100-year old boarding house near downtown with five livingunits, mothers and children are cared for. During 2010 Daniel’s Den provided 3,026 nights or residency, 864 poundsof food and 656 articles of clothings to those in their care.

The organization’s executive director, Joy Ranton, was herself ahomeless person in Ellis County so she understandsfirst-hand what problems and opportunities face each, individual. 

Financing has been provided by the United Way of West Ellis County, government grants andcontributions by individuals and churches. The government grants which covered about half of the budget wereeliminated this year so the organization is scrambling to replace those funds.

At this time Daniel’s Den is looking for board of directors membersand funding.  If you can help you maycontact them at 972-938-0103.  There is agood video on www.youtube.com .  Search for Daniel’s Den.

Inother business, Dick Mockler became a Rotarian and began his Red Badgetraining.  Plans for the Intract Clubsfrom Waxahachie High, Global High and Faith Family Academy to conduct their“Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat” food gathering Halloween evening werelaid.  Have your canned goods ready togive to them to be taken to Waxahachie CARE.

By John Hamilton

One of the biggest news items of the year is lack of waterbecause of the drought.  Over the nextten years how we use water and how we allocate the use of that water will becritical to the survival of our area.  Wevalue water highly but charge for its use cheaply so we are not careful inusing and conserving it.

According to Milton Hickman of the Texas ConservationAlliance there is good news.  The goodnews is that there is already enough water in place to get our area through2060 – if we are smart.  This statementtakes into account doubling population, existing lakes and expected usepatterns.

For forty years the Alliancehas accepted the mission of educating Texans and building alliances to enhanceand sustain wildlife habitat and protect our land, air and water for futuregenerations.  This mission includesdeveloping new alternatives to proposed programs that may negatively affecttheir stated goals.

The Texas Water Development Board plan for Region C, whichincludes Ellis Countyand fifteen other counties extending to the Red River,three new resevoirs are needed at a cost of about $5 billion.  These include Marvin Nichols, Ralph Hall andLower Bois d’Arc Creek.  The Alliance believes thatthe cost to the environment and the people who live there would extremely high.

They propose that existing but little used lakes couldprovide more than enough water at far smaller costs and impact on people andthe environment.  These lakes are Texoma,Wright Patman and Toledo Bend on the Louisianaborder.  The costs of cleaning and pipingwater from these lakes would not be much higher than that from the proposed newlakes without the loss of farm and ranch land, habitat and lumber industries.

Over its forty year life the Alliance has received the National WildlifeFederation Lifetime Achievement Award, the Theodore Roosevelt ConservationAward, the Sportsmen Conservationists of Texas Conservation Group of the Yearaward and many others.

Recently the district attorney of a major Texas countyreturned home late in his $100,000 Mercedes G-Wagen SUV.  Entering his garage he left the key in theignition, his badge and wallet, his laptop and cell phone on the seat.  He didn’t close the garage door because thereis a fence around the yard.  Of course itwas stolen; his wife had told him many times it would be stolen.  He joined over 60,000 Texans whose vehiclesare stolen or vandalized each year.

Michelle Lanham of the Texas Automobile Burglary and TheftPrevention Authority explained just what a large problem this is and some tipsfor avoiding the loss.  Her organizationis part of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and they performinvestigations and inspections of cases involving auto theft or burglary.  They also investigate crimes involving boats,ATV’s and cargo containers.  They arepaid for by a $1 per car per year fee added to your insurance costs.

In 1991, before the unit was established, over 160,000 Texasvehicles were stolen each year.  Thisrate has been reduced 70% to 68,000 thefts this year eventhough population rose7% during that time period.  Even at thatthe loss is still $825,000 per year.  Notype of crime costs more than auto theft and burglary in Texas.

What can you do?  It’syour vehicle; take an active roll in prevention.  Obviously never, ever leave your key in theignition.  Do not leave your vehiclerunning when you “just get a quick cup of coffee” of a convenience store.  Leaving the key in the ignition or anunattended, idling vehicle is illegal in Texas. Also, do not leave valuables in plain site.

Vehicles are stolen to part out, resell or joy-ride.   Amateurs steal for the short-term forburglary or fun.  Professionals steallong-term for export or a chop shop.  Themost common person involved is an 18 year old after your GPS, CD’s or laptopwhich you left in view.

An emerging reason for auto burglary is identity theft.  Do not leave insurance cards or registrationin the vehicle.  It provides name,address, codes and possibly even your social security number.  Keep those items in your wallet or purse.  This problem is steadily rising.

Use common sense. Lock the door and take the keys. Enroll in the HEAT (Help End Auto Theft) program through the “services”listing at www.txdps.state.tx.us.  For more information or tips contact the theft prevention agency at www.txwatchyourcar.com or call1-800-CAR-WATCH.  

By John Hamilton & Rene Guerra

“I finally got to see the forests of Germanyand the vineyards of Italy”said Aaron, a Rotary Youth Exchange student. He continued, “I’ve made so many friends around the world, now I have somany excuses to go and visit them!”

Through the Rotary Youth Exchange program many youth aresent to South America, Brazil, Thailand,the Philippines, Turkey, Spainand France.  A sponsoring Rotary Club in the student’shome area is responsible for selecting participants, providing orientation forthe student and his parents and communicating with the host club.  The host Rotary Club in another countryprovides a host family, a monthly allowance, room and board and school expenses.  They also provide a counselor if needed.

To be eligible students must be between 15 and 18 ½ at thestart of the school year.  Selectioncriteria are based on character, poise, academic record and the maturity andconfidence to carry out the role as a youth ambassador.

Sam Zarro, Youth Exchange Officer-Rotary International, forthe Youth Exchange Program of District 5810, spoke about the opportunities at aRotary Club meeting.  T

costs anywhere from $3,500 to $5,000 forkids to be involved in either the long- or short-term programs. They will getthe experience of a lifetime.  Theprogram typically sends ten to twelve kids per year. The biggest challenge isfinding a family to be a host. The focus is to make this a safe program.   Sam stated "The program is made up ofvolunteers and the host families do not get paid."

The deadline to submit an application for participation isNovember 1.  For moreinformation about the Rotary Youth Exchange program contact Sam Zarro at972-618-4453 or szarro@verizon.net

United Way of West Ellis County at Rotary

By John Hamilton

As you might expect an organization with mottos like “ChangingLives” and “Making a Difference” would have full attention of anotherorganization with the motto “Service above Self” and that is just what happenedwhen the United Wayof West Ellis Countyvisited the Rotary Club of Waxahachie. In fact, several Rotarians are also UWWEC board members.

UWWEC serves twenty eight local agencies ranging from educationto child care, medicine and family services. All of these agencies fill important needs for services and goods thatare not covered by other programs.   

According to Executive Director Casey Ballard, almost 100% offunds donated are used in the local community. The budget for this year is $325,000 but the need is much greater.  Each of these agencies served by the United Way isinterviewed and monitored to assure the grants are used properly.  Ms Ballard states they are very responsiblestewards of the donors’ gifts.  Anynon-profit organization can apply for support but accountability iscritical.  You can feel confident thatyour gift is doing good in the community.

The United Wayorganization is run by a board of local volunteers who make all decisions andkeep track of the funding.  The onlyrequirements levied by the International United Way organization are that thelocal unit be a 501c-3 non-profit and that they focus on education, health careand financial stability.  All of theircovered agencies fit within these criteria.

Individual donations are gratefully accepted but businesses ororganizations can also participate by conducting fundraisers or even payrolldeductions.  Four organizations haveprovided contributions from 100% of their employees.

Tocontact the United Wayof West Ellis Countycall 972-723-9280 or visit their web site at www.westelliscountyuw.org  .

By John Hamilton

As you will see in the last paragraph of this article, theRotary motto is Service above Self.  Manystudents also accept this motto and try to use it in their own lives.  They see needs around themselves and endeavorto fulfill them and Interact gives them a vehicle for this service.

Interact clubs are high school clubs sponsored by the localRotary club which provides guidance, tee shirts and other assistance tothem. 

Pictured are RYLA award winners Max Mills, Kutter Brandt and Chasity Gates  

By John Hamilton

“Hello, folks.  I’m -- the man whopaints Big Tex.” Jer Giles actually looked like Big Tex with his big hat, Dickies shirtand jeans as he stood, waving in front of the Rotary Club meeting.  He actually is the man responsible forpainting the State Fair figure each year and takes great pride in his work.

Big Texwas created by Jack Bridges of Lancaster in 1949 as Santa Claus.  A few years later R.L. Thornton, prominent Dallas leader and Rotarian, purchased him for $650 andmoved him to the State Fair as Big Tex.  In 2002, on reaching his fiftyth birthday, Tex was presented withhis AARP card, a birthday cake and a makeover.

Educated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Arts in Theatrical Design and Production from UT Austin, Mr. Giles is a scenic andmural artist.  He has worked as a scenic artist and painted sets for national stage,screen and television plus three shows he painted on Broadway.  He and his wife and art director, Patricia, live inLancaster.

In 1981 he started his own business and begantaking commissions to paint in homes, restaurants and offices. His is one ofthe most recognized names in the Decorative Arts in the Metroplex. With over 25years working in homes, Jer is a seasoned professional.

All of this has led to the position of officialpainter.  Although the figure is verylarge the painting is done just as a fine art painting would be executed.  The finest acrylic paint is used and mixed onthe artist’s pallet just as any other artist would do.  The paint averages $70 per gallon.  High quality artist brushes, natural spongesand some cheap brushes are used depending on the effect desired.  The head can take a couple of days with Mrs.Giles standing back to advise since Mr Giles is too close to the work to have agood perspective.

During the off season the 52 foot tall figure comesapart.  The head, hands and boots arestored inside while the body is stored outside under a tarp.  For 2011 Tex will have a complete new outfit.

Ron Hequet, The Strategist, is one of America’sleading authorities on small business. He spoke to the Rotary Club about achieving and profiting in anyeconomy.  He used the rule of vacation toexplain.  Almost everyone knows where heis going on vacation.  He will also knowwhen, with whom, how he will travel and what the cost will be.  All we have to do is apply this same energyand discipline to our lives, our businesses or to any other endeavor we maywant to pursue.

Your achievement is an accurate reflection of the approachyou take and your desire to reach the goal. You don’t hope to get to the top and then become an achiever.  You must become an achiever first or you willnot get to the top.  If you think a grandachievement will come easy you are setting your goals too low or you do notunderstand the process.

So, how to become an achiever?  You set a strategy which defines the future;it’s where you want to be or where you want your business or organization togo.  The strategy will take time andstudy to develop but it is critical to your future success.  Your particular strategy might depend on aspecial technology or capability or it might be a particular type ofmarketing.  It’s what you want to directall of your effort to reaching.

With a strategy in hand you can begin to develop plans andtactics.  All of your plans and decisionsmust point toward the strategy.  Thestrategy is the context in which all of your decisions will be made.  Everything must point to the strategy.  Sadly, there are many companies which seem tohave lost their way.  If fact, they havejust lost sight of the strategy and make decisions based on short-termproblems, not the real goal.

Having set the strategy you do not change it because oftemporary setbacks.  You must work aroundthem keeping true to your goal.  Eitheryou will pick your strategy or the environment will pick one for you.  Letting the environment define your life islike drifting in a sailboat.

Mr Hequet says only about 3% of us are achievers.  Many of the rest can be achievers if we willdirect our energy and efforts toward setting our strategy – our ultimate goal –then persist in moving toward it.  Thesky can be your limit.

The three students who attended Camp RYLA this year delivered an outstanding program to the club on August 18th.  Kutter Brandt, Chasity Gates, and Max Mills told how important the district leadership training program was to them as well as sharing their goals for the upcoming year in Interact.  Kutter is the president of the Global HS Interact Club and Max heads up the Waxahachie HS Interact.  Chasity is treasurer and historian for Global's very active club.  All three of these young people gave inspiring messages about Camp RYLA.  They elaborated on their experiences there and left no doubt that the award-winning program had giving them leadership skills and contacts which would make them more effective leaders.  Pictured are Bob Aday, our club's RYLA coordinator, Mark Healy, camp director, Vicki Rowe, Interact coordinator and Bob's assistant in RYLA, Max Mills, Chasity Gates, Kutter Brandt, and Gavin Beck, RYLA alum and junior counselor.

Pictured are David HIll, Chelsea McKibbin-Langford, and Vicki Rowe.  They organized the water station and the book drive for Operation First Day of School 2011. 

By John Hamilton

How do you write an article covering a speech about thehumorous experiences of a Yankee working to become a Texan?  It could just be one long joke but in thiscase there were some lessons that could help us appreciate what it means tolive here – even more.

Dave Lieber who is a published author and the watchdogcolumnist for the “Fort Worth Star-Telegram” is a Manhattan-raised, slightlyheighth-deprived, divorced, Jewish man whose first trip and job West was in Fort Worth.  When he came out here he had a distinctivelybig-city, eastern viewpoint.  His motherhad always told him not to talk to strangers or be involved with others.

In Texas,he found, anyone might talk to him. “Where you from, boy?”

“New York City.”

“New Yawk City!  Get a rope.” You’ve all seen the Pace Picante ad. People here might use it a lot.

“What church do you go to?”

“I’m Jewish.”  Lordhave mercy!

“What does your wife do?”

“I’m divorced.”  Beenthere.

It’s hard to connect to some people.  Mr Lieber did not have a clue about anythinggoing on here but his job was to write three general-interest articles eachweek.  By his own admission he didn’t doa very good job and he took a lot of heat from the readers.  But he tried and he persisted.  He found out that “Bless your heart.” didn’talways mean what it sounded like.

Still he kept trying. He bought a cowboy “costume” and even entered a bullriding event at arodeo.  He stayed on for ten seconds;eight seconds in the chute and two in the arena.  How many of you have sat a bull?  He was trying.

Eventually he was introduced to a good woman, Karen.  Her kids, Johnathan and Desiree, accepted himeventhough Sadie the dog didn’t.  Desireecalls him Little Man.  A man has to knowhis place.

After he was bucked and buffetted, married and acclimatized,Mr Lieber understands what is going on here and this is the point of thisstory.

The people here were trying very hard to connect.  Getting together for fellowship is veryimportant because all those people were being friendly.  Sometimes it is just hard to communicate withan alien life force.

Most of all he is concerned that Rick Perry’s declaration ofcandidacy will bring focus on all the wrong things.  Texasisn’t about big hats and belt buckles, it’s about getting together and doingfor others.  It’s about working throughthings together – and having some fun. He sees the Rotary motto below as the spirit of Texans.

Reach Mr Lieber at dlieber@star-telegram.comwhere he fights for consumer rights..

On Tuesday Augusth 9th, more than 200 volunteers worked for WISD Operation First Day of School.  1,000 plus families received school supplies, clothing, immunizations, dental screening, hair cuts & lot's of fun.  The Rotarians passed out over 2,000 books to children who received their school supplies.  Also on hand to the families standing in line were Rotarians passing out cold water.  Vicki & Glen Rowe, Layne Ballard, Mike Lee, Dana Walker, Edwin Farrar, Walter Wicker, Mike Tull, Chelsea & Ronnie Langford, David Hill, Tom Ker and Rocky Stones to name a few.

Thanks to Vickie Rowe & Chelsea McKibbin-Langford who coordinated the efforts

“Food insecure” is a government term that means someone who is not sure when or where he will be able to eat again.  Jan Pruitt, President and CEO of NTFB, says that hunger is much more pervasive than had been thought.  Studies show that 91% of those receiving food bank food are families, kids and senior citizens in homes.  Only 9% are homeless.  Their clients are just living on the edge instead of being destitute.

In addition to preparing individual meals the NTFB supplies a mobil food pantry box which includes food for two people for two days.  Also, each Friday, packpacks with food items are given to 12,000 kids at 325 schools in their area.  These children would not get to eat over the weekend without the backpack.  On Monday they bring the backback back empty.

In Waxahachie the NTFB works with Waxahachie CARE, the Brown Street Church of Christ and the Salvation Army.  They also work with the Presbyterian Childrens Home and Services.

NTFB plans to double the number of meals it can prepare within five years.  Also, they are working on four plans    First is to improve the nutritional value of their food.  Second is a research initiative to better understand hunger.  Third, is to improve the quality and efficiency of their business model.  Fourth is to extend their relationships with other organizations and government.

Each year 22,000 volunteers help at the NTFB sorting and packaging.  The North Texas Food Bank website is at www.ntfb.org .  There are many opportunities to volunteer or help or to get help on the site.

Improving Your Life at Rotary

Thanks for your help in this effort.

Glen Rowe
The Rotary Club of Waxahachie