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RAN COBLE
Executive
Director
North Carolina Public Policy Institute
By: Jeannie Falknor
Ran Coble, who has been executive director of the NC Public Policy
Institute since 1981, spoke about the center, about the changing
face of the state legislature and about a few significant issues
facing the state.
The center, formed in 1977, is an independent, nonprofit
organization dedicated to the goals of a better-informed public and
more effective, accountable and responsive government. The center
identifies public policy issues, researches them and makes
recommendations for improving the way government serves the people
of North Carolina.
Some of the issues researched by the center include public school
reform, state lotteries, voter turnout and teacher shortages.
Coble said the face of the legislature has changed as a result of
three forces:
- Redistricting resulting in a move from more rural to
more urban legislators and general demographic shifts
which include fewer lawyers, business people and farmers
and many more women, African Americans, Republicans,
educators and retirees.
- The rise of the 3-party system. By the end of the
1990s, Coble says Independents totaled 22% of registered
voters. He predicts voter profiles are shifting to
one-third each of Republicans, Democrats and
Independents.
- More women in politics and top state offices.
Looking ahead, Coble cites three important issues facing
the state:
- North
Carolina’s transition from its old economy
and tax structure. He said two legs of the
three-legged stool in the state are being
sawed off: textiles and tobacco. Furniture
is the third leg. Coble says the current tax
structure is based on the old economy. “The
tax structure should match the economy and
now it is out of whack,” says Coble.
- Water
policy. The state has faced drought in some
areas, too much water in others following
hurricanes and water quality issues in other
parts of the state. In all, he says, water
policy is an issue needing attention.
- Changing
demographics of the state. Growth in the
number of young people is affecting schools.
“Teacher shortage is a huge problem in North
Carolina,” says Coble. Aging baby boomers
and increasing diversity in the population
also bring challenges for the state.
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Head Table:
David Erdman, Don Millen, Natalie
English, Catherine Browning, Hope Lanier, John Hart; Invocation:
Jody Morris
Visitors and Guests:
Ken Poe; Health & Happiness: Worth
Williamson; Song: David Erdman
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Roster Changes |
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Dave Adams, office
address: 216-B Stetson Dr (28262)
Alan Adler, phone: 704-895-4101
Alan Barnhardt, email:
alanbarnhardt@carolinaraptorcenter.org
Hugh Cathey, home address: Sharon Towers, 5100 Sharon Rd (28210)
Wes Clark, company name: CNP Technologies
Ron Ezell, remove reference to UniShippers. Cell: 704-975-8598
John Granzow, email:
john.granzow2@wachoviasec.com
Jim Kelley, email:
jkkelley@charlottediocese.org
Michele Matthews, email:
michelle.matthews@salvationarmy.org
Bill Meanor,
wmeanor@bellsouth.net
Tim Newman, cell: 704-363-0903
Al Nikles, home address: 4428 Serene Ln (28216)
Ronnie Pruett, office: 744 Tyvola Rd, Ste C (28217)
Lamar Thomas, email:
lthomas@washcycle.com
Joel Walters, email:
joel.walters@wachovia.com
zip code 28288-0302; fax 704-383-1084
Remove - Resignations
Charlene Kammerer
Jamie McLawhorn
Debby Millhouse
David Tate
Tommy Thompson
Bill Underwood
Please
report any changes to the Rotary office. |
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Chip Scholz provided an update on the club’s
9/11 Scholarship Golf Classic,
scheduled for September 21st at Raintree Country Club.
Sponsorship information is available on the club’s webpage
at
www.charlotterotary.org.
You may also register single golfers for $150. Contact Chris
Kemper if you have items for the auction or goodie bags.
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Dwight Thomas continues to undergo therapy and is
at Sardis Oaks, Room 119.
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The club had an opportunity
to meet two more students participating in the International
Exchange Program. Ed Wadsworth
introduced his son, Robert,
who has just returned from Spain, and
Jacobo Munoz, who will be
in the States for about one month.
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A Rotary welcome is
extended to new members Janice
Stephens, introduced by
Katie Tyler and Harriman
Jett, introduced by Bill
Meanor.
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Charlotte North Rotary Club invites everyone
to an interesting fund raiser (benefiting Friendship Trays,
Johnston YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and Charlotte Boxing
Academy) at Charlotte Country Day School, 7:30 on August
21st. This hilarious musical, inspired by the Loomis Fargo
heist, is presented by The Cherryville Players. For
questions or tickets:
www.charlottenorthrotaryclub.org
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Tim Newman
is featured on the cover of Greater Charlotte Biz magazine
(published by John Galles)
and has an interesting article on Charlotte’s Center City.
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Selena Rogers
was profiled in the Charlotte Observer “On The Move”
section. Selena has recently become the executive director
of Make-A-Wish. And did you know she was a ballet dancer for
years and thought her career would be as Baryshnikov’s
favorite prima ballerina.
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Bishop Charlene
Kammerer was honored at a service in Davidson
last week. She has been reassigned to lead the Virginia
Conference of The United Methodist Church in Glen Allen, VA,
effective September 1st.
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From this week’s Charlotte
Business Journal: Charles Woodyard
discussed a 9-acre public housing development in the
SouthPark area; Jerry Orr loves the idea of a light-rail
line connecting uptown Charlotte with Charlotte/Douglas
International Airport.
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Wes Clark extends an
invitation to an open house on August 12, 4:30 – 7:30. His
company name has changed to CNP Technologies and his office
has moved to 5600 77 Center Drive, Suite 210.
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SUPPORT THE 9/11 SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC – September 21st
at Raintree Country Club. Contact Chip Scholz for info.
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New Member Approval |
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The Classification
and Membership Committee recommend and the Directors approve for
consideration for all members, the following NEW MEMBERS. Should
you question the eligibility of any nominee, please call the
Rotary Office by August 17th. You will be
contacted by a member of the Board. Otherwise, no reply is
necessary and election will proceed according to our bylaws.
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John H. McDermitt
LandAmerica Commercial Services,
Classification: Insurance, Title
Sponsor: John Galles
Endorsers: Mike Rash, Herb Harriss
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Niels R. Olsen
Hilton Charlotte & Towers,
Classification: Hotel, Management
Sponsor: Luther Moore
Endorsers: Chris Thomas, Charlie Williams |
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Attendance
Record |
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8/10/04 |
8/12/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
15 |
15 |
| club
members |
179 |
189 |
| total
attendance |
194 |
204 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
25 Laura and Fred Brown
25 Linda and Rex Welton
25 Dorrie and EK Fretwell
26 Linda and Bob Landers
26 Anne and John Rogers
27 Priscilla and Joel Walters
27 Emmy Lou and Robert Burchette
28 Ava and Sam Spencer
29 Billie and Bill Nichols
30 Marilyn and Roger Sarow
31 Polly and Steve Menaker |
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New Members | Resignations |
Janice Stephens
Harriman Jett |
Charlene
Kammerer
Bill Underwood |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
John Rogers, Black Mtn, NC
Sadler Barnhardt, Blowing Rock, NC | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
25 Chuck Ambrose, Drexler, NC
26 Gary Scott, Wilmington, DE
26 Henry Snead, Columbia, SC
27 Don Steger, Huntsville, AL
28 Brenda Lea, Franklin Co., NC
30 Budd Berro, White Plains, NY
30 Sam Woodard, Greensboro, NC |
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