Meeting |
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Report |
Meeting |
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Report |
August 21, 2001 |
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| The August 21st meeting of the Rotary Club of
Charlotte was called to order by President Jim Woodward. Steve Byrum
introduced the eleven guests and nine visiting Rotarians, commenting that he was glad to
see our speaker Meg Scott Phipps, since he had met her grandfather, father and
predecessor. Phil Van Hoy began the Health and Happiness report, remarking that this was the only organization where he was greeted by, "How you doing, young fellow?" He reported on the recent newspaper story about how President Jim, two months after he took over as Chancellor at UNCC, signed over 1,100 diplomas only to discover that the title Chancellor had been misspelled. He reported the proper remark to that was, "Two months ago he couldn't spell Chancellor—now he is one." President Jim led the Pledge of Allegiance and called upon Harley Dickson, accompanied by Thomas Moore, to lead the singing of The Rotary Hymn to the familiar tune of The Navy Hymn. Bill Loftin, Jr. gave the invocation, asking for guidance in helping us to "seek harmony and balance in all areas of our life." Bill Underwood introduced Michael Whitehead as (he newest member of Charlotte Rotary. Michael is head of Whitehead Associates, an organization dedicated to providing team development services. After making several announcements, President Jim thanked Powell Majors for presiding in his absence last week. He conveyed his signature "Good on You Award." He was also clear in letting everyone know that he had logged in a makeup meeting and therefore did not owe the Club the $100 he promised for any missed meeting during the year. Members seated at the head table included Bart Landess, Fred Parker, Bill Loftin, Jr., Cynthia Carlson, and David Zimmerman, who introduced Meg Scott Phipps, Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of North Carolina. Commissioner Phipps thanked the members for NOT singing "The Farmer in the Dell," "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or any other farmer songs. She stated that, while many people in North Carolina don't think much about agriculture, she was happy to be with us to talk about the impact of agribusiness in North Carolina. Al $48.8 billion last year, agribusiness was the number one business, accounting for 22% of the state's income and employing 21% of the workforce. North Carolina is ranked number one in the nation in the production of tobacco, turkeys and sweet potatoes. And we are ranked number two in many other products including hogs, trout, lima beans and Christmas trees. A key to the strength of the agribusiness in North Carolina is the fact that we are third in the nation in the diversity of our products, with only Florida and California having more variety in their agricultural products. She stated that her department has a strong local and international marketing program designed to promote the state's agribusiness. Her staff also works closely with farmers to reduce burdensome regulations while safeguarding the environment. A primary goal of her department is to help farmers deal with competition and low commodity prices by increasing their efficiency and productivity. She cited the use of GIS mapping technology, which allows farmers to more accurately apply the right amount of fertilizers and pesticides, as an example of new methods to gain greater cost efficiencies while increasing productivity and minimizing negative environmental impact. She asked how many in the audience had recently purchased gasoline for their auto, as a reminder that the state agriculture department is responsible for calibrating and regulating all gas pumps in North Carolina and ensuring that the various grades of gasoline are properly labeled. Another responsibility of the department is the inspection of food products, including all eggs produced and all meat processed in the state. Additionally, her staff is responsible for monitoring price scanners used in grocery stores and safety of cosmetics and prescription drugs. There are five state-owned Farmers' Markets, including one in Charlotte, that aim to help farmers market local products. She believes that local produce often offers the consumer a higher level of safety than produce grown outside the United States. Her staff includes a dedicated group of veterinarians who help monitor foreign animal disease. The recent foot and mouth disease epidemics in Europe and South America pose a potential threat to the citizens of North Carolina. While the United States Department of Agriculture has jurisdiction over inspections, the state will be on the front line in the event of an outbreak. North Carolina has developed an emergency management plan for such a disaster and is constantly refining the plan, which has served as a model for other states in the nation. Her department is not immune from the current state budget crisis, having lost thirty positions and over $1 million in funding, but she pledged that her staff was committed to maintaining a high quality of services to support the agribusiness of North Carolina. She closed by telling the members to "Keep eating, eat locally, and think about safety." After a brief period of questions. President Jim thanked Commissioner Phipps and her family for their long-standing commitment to public sector service. * * * |
New Member
Joined 2000 Telecommunications, Regional BellSouth Erik W. Lindborg is the
director of external affairs for BellSouth in the Charlotte district with responsibilities
in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus and Rowan Counties. Erik's responsibilities include
managing public policy, public relations, and business development activities for
BellSouth within the district. Prior to this assignment Erik was an account manager with
BellSouth Business, serving major accounts throughout the region. * * * POWELL'S
POWELL MAJORS Worth Williamson sounded off in a letter to the editor of the "Observer" on Senator Fountain Odom's claim that new revenues are needed to put our economy back on track. Worth reflected that a tax-and-spend philosophy has lost public support.The Ratcliffe Flowers building owned by First Union was built by Louis G. Ratcliffe Jr.'s father in the 1920's. Katie Tyler has tabled plans for a new headquarters building on the Old Pineville Road. Roy Palmer, Jr., who died recently in Raleigh, was one of the Eagle Scouts that made the trip to New York with the Charlotte Rotary Boys Choir in 1948. His father was Club President in 1952-53. Tony Zeiss is one of the winners in the Latin America Excellente Awards as the most supportive person of the Latin Community of the Year. Don Haack in a letter to the editor of the "Observer" points out that the American Indians were the only people with the right to demand that anyone go home. Dick Klingman was highlighted in the "Observer's Business Monday" August 13, for his salute to Charlotte by a banner carried by a small plane in the sky declaring WELCOME WACHOVIA. Dick thought it was the right thing to do, a major victory for the City of Charlotte. * * * |
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Revised: January 24, 2008.
