Here is what you missed at this week's Rotary meeting!
Meeting Recap 04/18/2019
Visitors:
- Howard Nathan, guest of IPP Jill Koch
- Jeff Brandstadt, guest of Michelle Brandstadt
- Joann Fornino, guest of Stephen Turnbull
- Mary Stronach, guest of Bob Stronach
Rotarians in the News:
- PP Bill Waszkiewicz in the paper for Palm Sunday open house at Chester’s Flowers
- Library has new foyer with help from PP Andy Alesia and PP Greg Benincasa
- Mary Lou Reape was quoted as saying “a smile is the same in any language”
50/50 won by Tina Pavlot $12
Announcements:
- Sign up to work the Club's Watering Station at the July 14 Boilermaker by the end of April, contact Jim Day
- More volunteers are needed for the Great American Clean-Up on May 4, from 10 to Noon at Kopernik Park
- Monthly Meet up Chesterfield's Tavolo Apr 24, 2019 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- PP Dave Jones will be awarded a Follow the Leader award Thursday April 25th Harts Hill Inn, contact Leadership Mohawk Valley for tickets
- Please sign in for meetings and wear your name tags, if you need a new tag contact Secretary Karen Six
Michelle Brandstadt was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow, one of the most prestigious awards in Rotary
Program:
Devin Bryant is a Utica College student studying criminal justice and is currently a Utica Rotary Intern at the Sheriff's Department. His is enjoying his internship going on road patrol, spending time at Oneida County Jail and the Police Academy at MVCC. He is thankful to Utica Rotarians and the Sheriff’s department for this great opportunity.
Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara was our speaker, he is in his third term as D.A., has served as D.A. since 2007. Most of his past experience has been with narcotic and homicide cases. He oversees a staff of 22 assistant district attorneys, he says he rarely gets in the court room these days as his role is more administrative, handling the difficult decisions. He wanted to focus on changing the atmosphere of the office focusing on doing the right thing, getting people the help they need instead of just locking them up. To accomplish this goal Scott has brought many new diversion programs to Oneida County a few of the programs are:
- Alive at 25, helping young people be safer behind the wheel, by sending them to defensive driving classes when they receive a traffic ticket
- Veterans, helping with underlying issues of alcohol and drug abuse that result from what veterans experience during times of war
- First Defender, educating a first time offender of drug use of the negative effects of using
- Conviction Integrity Committee, if a defendant continues to plead not guilty a committee will review the case to ensure people are not wrongly accused
Scott said the problem that is increasing rapidly is the opioid problem, 10 people died in March 2019.
Next Week’s Program: Allan Pelesic from Excellus Blue Cross, he will discuss the many options for health insurance that Blue Cross offers – a plan for everyone
Michelle Brandstadt
President David Bagley and Devin Bryant
Scott McNamara and President David Bagley