Escondido Sunrise Rotary; Meeting to Serve our Community via Zoom; and “City of Escondido Update with City Manager, Jeff Epp”… September 10, 2020
Editor’s Note…
As we all try to conduct our professional pursuits in new ways, it’s appropriate to remind ourselves of who we are as a Serving Organization… Our accomplishments, our fellowship and the reminder of our many successes is valuable as we await the time we can gather together again…
So, we met via Zoom… On September 10… Sunrise Rotary members talking about service and connecting through fellowship in new ways…
President Chris opened the meeting… Even with a gavel and the familiar chime of a gavel striking a bell… 24 Sunrise Rotarians joined the Zoom meeting… Nice job all of you attending…
President Elect-Elect, Tina Pope led the pledge to our nation’s Flag…
Past President Jim Ponder offered an invocation…
Guests and Visitors:
None this week
Now, some Sunrise Rotary member milestones…
Birthdays:
September 19: Ralph Tavares
Anniversaries:
None this week
Rotary Anniversaries:
None this week
Sunrise Rotarians Having Fun…
This photo from last week…
Past President Dave Herbert and Daughter Caity had a great time at a ‘Sock Hop’ in 1994…
Past President Mike and Nancy Dunlap had a visitor on their property last week… A real beauty… certainly to be admired from a distance…
Speaking of ‘wild’ animals, President Chris, Susie and Sami had to make a special trip to the emergency Vet this past weekend… Their rescue pup, ‘Hitch’ met up with a rattlesnake, and guess who won??
A thousand bucks later… Our esteemed President is talking to the wrong financial advisor as he invests in ‘man’s best friend’…
Past President Rich Aeling was on a recent fishing trip on the Upper Twin Lake in the Sierras…
He caught a couple of nice ones…
And had a visitor to ‘his’ fishing hole… A hungry black bear was ‘dog paddling’ towards Rich, looking for a snack…
Past President Jack Anderson shared a photo of his three grandsons, Luke, Jake and Nate Perez on their way to ‘invade’ their elementary school… This is the only year for the Perez family where all boys will be at the same school…
Keep your ‘fun’ photos coming to President Chris…
Sunrise Rotarians Serving, and Announcements:
Youth Protection Certification
President Chris reminded all that Youth Protection Certification is required if you work with youth in any of our programs.
Past President Mike O’Malley oversees the certification and recently sent emails with the forms, procedure and all the details…
Sunrise Rotary Golf Outing
Past President Scott Putnicki reminded members of the golf outing on Friday September 11 at the Vineyard Golf Course, tee at Noon… Scott will be setting up the game and the teams… We may have 16 players; a few are coming from the RB Sunrise Club along with a few friends of members…
Escondido East Rotary Thanksgiving Dinner Delivery
President Chris announced that East Rotary is seeking drivers to deliver meals on Thanksgiving Day… More information will be forthcoming…
District Governor Steve Weitzen will Join us on September 17
District Governor, Steve Weitzen will attend our Sunrise Rotary meeting on September 17… Plan on attending via Zoom!!
See you in person at an upcoming Sunrise Rotary meeting
President Chris announced that plans are underway for one meeting a month to be held in person at Cocina Del Charro… Watch for details coming soon…
Special Announcement:
Grape Day 5K Update:
President Elect, Richard Agnew shared details of the website for donations… All members have their personal fundraising sites set up by now…
The social media campaign will begin soon, and that our time deadline is short… The event is set for October 24… Remember, participants can complete the 5K at any time… Their registration materials and goodies will be shipped to them…
The team competition for fundraising is taking off… Leading at this point is John Boyce’s Dragon team, followed closely by Tina Pope and Dave Luevanos’ Kraken team…
Make your contacts, and solicit your donors for support…
This is an ‘ALL HANDS’ effort… Your Club and your community need your active support…
High Fives:
Past President George Beitner announced that he and Grandma Erin will be enjoying the company of a new grandson thanks to their son Owen and his bride… The little guy is due around Thanksgiving… Congratulations to Owen and his family and Grandpa and Grammy…
Program:
Past President Jack Anderson introduced former (now acting) City Manager Jeff Epp… Jeff was West Rotary President in 1990-91, and has taken some time off recently from Rotary… He does promise to return…
Jeff has worked for the City of Escondido since 1985, serving in a variety of capacities in the City Attorney’s Office; ultimately as City Attorney; and in the City Manager’s office, both as acting and as the appointed City Manager… He retired from the City in April of this year.
Jeff reminisced with us a bit as he recalled on the day he was inducted as a Rotarian, he won the opportunity prize drawing worth about $500… And, he had the barbecue rib sauce on his tie to prove that he enjoyed the lunch at the Gentlemen’s Choice Restaurant…
City Manager Jeff Epp speaking to Sunrise Rotarians…
Jeff shared thoughts on a variety of topics, including; the impacts of the COVID Pandemic, economic issues facing the City and Politics and Projects on the horizon…
His comments on the impact of the pandemic related to the manner in which the City is supporting local businesses. Levels of enforcement are favorable to businesses, and efforts focus on education rather than strict enforcement. He spoke briefly about the funding the City has received from both the State and Federal governments to alleviate issues related to the pandemic. He also talked about accommodations to restaurants in particular, and the lane closures on Grand Ave. to facilitate sidewalk dining.
Relating to the City’s economic condition, he spoke about the decrease in sales tax revenue during the pandemic, but with significant increased sales at The Home Depot and Lowe’s as examples.
The following chart reflects the City’s structural budget gap; with the City having one of the lowest local tax rates in the County, and that to a great degree, past budgets were balanced with one-time financial resources. This gap will need to be addressed in the near future, either with revenue enhancement (such as the sales tax measure that was not approved for this November), or by significant reductions in service levels.
Jeff commented on some of the political challenges the City has faced with the passing of John Masson… The Council has often deadlocked at a two-two vote on key issues. This November’s election will correct that issue of a missing Council majority. He commented on upcoming projects such as the Harvest Hills project (near the Safari Park) and the Downtown East project (former Palomar Hospital site)… He also commented that the likelihood of any significant Police Department reform was not indicated as a strong interest of the community at large.
One of the more engaging parts of Jeff’s presentation was an active Q & A session with the members. Topics relating to issues such as the future of the Westfield Mall (with significant vacancies); the Downtown East project; the availability of Downtown parking and State legislation allowing auxiliary dwelling units (Granny Flats)…
Jeff closed his comments by commending the City staff team that has handled the local peaceful protests well, and implemented programs relating to graffiti removal, homeless issues, and creating strong community connections…
Next Week’s Meeting:
Our program will be a visit with District 5340 Governor, Steve Weitzen…
The next meeting will be via Zoom on Thursday, September 17…
Support for our Escondido Community …
Our great community and the success of its businesses is all of our responsibilities… Support the businesses that are doing all they can to survive during this challenging time… Take out some chow… Be ready to support them when the economy begins working again…
The ‘Giving Arch’ on Grand Avenue and Centre City Parkway reminds us that Escondido is a caring, giving community…
To all; be safe and be well…. God Bless those men and women that carry the load at our medical facilities, and God Bless the first responders… May our governmental leaders be wise, thoughtful and smart as this pandemic is overtaken by our hard work and collective support…
Online Meetings:
Technical Support for Online Meetings:
Our on-line meetings continue to be technically managed by Richard Agnew… Thanks for that Richard… And, Richard is prepared to support all of our attempts at joining the on-line meetings… Look for his email with details and links to log on to the upcoming Zoom meetings…
Watch for emails defining the next online meeting. The system works fine, dependent upon your technical support available through your PC or laptop…
SEE YOU SOON… ON LINE OR IN PERSON….. Next meeting; Thursday September 17; 7:30 AM… Check President Chris’ or Richard Agnew’s email for the Zoom Link…
