 JERRY
ORR
CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
By
Jim Kothe
Former member, Jerry
Orr, was our speaker today. His presentation was full of information
and "peppered" with his special brand of humor. Jerry presented a
series of slides about the airport, entitled: "Connecting the
Carolinas to the World." He reviewed a variety of different
subjects, briefly detailed below:
Goals: The airport's goals are simple and
straightforward: strive for the highest quality for the lowest cost.
Economic Development: Jerry referenced a UNCC study
which indicates that the airport contributes $8.5 billion to our
local economy annually and involves just over 91,000 jobs.
Quality Service: When it comes to "quality service,"
J. D. Powers has ranked our airport #10 in the country among
similarly sized airports and #12 in the world.
New Volunteer Program: The airport recently initiated
a new "hospitality program," staffed by volunteers to not only greet
people, but to help them find their way.
Cost issues: Jerry was obviously very proud of the
fact that our airport is continually ranked as a low cost provider.
His statistics indicated that even if USAirways were to "go away"
and not be replaced, our airport would still operate at a cost level
that is below the median of 30 other similarly sized airports. He
also said that the airport's bond rating has not decreased since
"9/11," which is unique in the industry, especially in light of the
financial troubles at USAirways.
US Airways: Jerry confirmed that Charlotte is the
largest US Airways hub and will remain so even after the new merger.
Illustrating the impact of the airlines on our airport, Jerry said
that with US Airways we are the 19th largest airport in the country.
Without them, we fall to #49.
Airport Improvements: Jerry reviewed a variety of
renovation/improvement projects, including: a runway rehab project
completed in just 72 hours; renovation of the baggage claim area; a
recently completed parking deck and a "sister" deck soon to be
started; the eventual expansion of wireless computer technology
throughout the entire airport; a new rail "intermodal" yard (which
is currently out of space and out of date on North Tryon); and
finally, the much discussed and debated new runway, which will now
be moved further west than originally planned.
Future Plans: Airports never seem to be "finished,"
and this is certainly true of our Charlotte-Douglas airport. Jerry
revealed future plans which include relocating several roads around
the airport. One will create a "new and improved" entrance to the
airport. Plans also call for a remote valet parking option to be
located on Wilkinson Blvd. And, the current rental car area will be
relocated eventually to make room for a new International Terminal
on that site.
Almost all of us have seen the movie "Airport," but Jerry has lived
it, and all of us in Charlotte are better off for it. Now, who is in
charge of getting him back in the club?
Head Table:
Eric Carrig, Cecily Durrett, Herb Harriss, George Robinette, Warren
Kean, Neil Burkhead; Invocation: Emmy Lou Burchette
Visitors &
Guests:
Randall Groves; Health & Happiness: Ken Poe; Song: Thomas Moore
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NEW MEMBER
APPROVAL |
The Classification and Membership
Committee recommend and the Directors approve for consideration
for all members, the following NEW MEMBER. Should you question
the eligibility of any nominee, please call the Rotary Office by
September 6th. 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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Proposed Member
Company
Classification
Sponsor
Endorsed |
Ron H.
Campbell
The Trane Company
AC & Heating Distribution
Wes Clark
Luther Moore and Bob Alexy |
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Support the
Rotary Foundation
$100 EVERY ROTARIAN/EVERY YEAR |
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þ
Charlotte Rotary
welcomes new members Frances
Haithcock (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools),
Charlie Raubacher
(Parsons), and Bob Weeks
(Mecklenburg County Veterans Service).
þ
President Herb
and Ken Poe conducted a
most appropriate skit to remind people to turn off their
cell phones.
þ
Health & Happiness Report: Pete
deWitt, member of Charlotte Rotary for 45 years,
is quite low and experiencing declining health. Pete would
love to receive a card from his friends in the Club (8919
Park Rd, Room 8C59 [28210]). Alan
Adler's mother, Fran, is quite ill and has been
admitted to Presbyterian Hospital.
þ
Ed Nowokunski and
Rick Jackson were
recognized for achieving Level One with their contributions
to The Rotary Foundation.
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GOLF UPDATE: President Herb
encouraged Club members to support the Rotary Scholarship
Golf Classic scheduled for September 26th at Cedarwood
Country Club. If you are not playing golf, you'll need to be
at the Country Club by 5:30 or 6:00 to enjoy the wrap up
party with bar-b-que provided by SMS Catering. Thanks to
several other sponsors, including Anheuser Busch, Pepsi Cola
Bottling Co., Chick Fil-A, Girl Scouts Hornet's Nest
Council, and Motorola - who has signed on as a $5000 Gold
Sponsor. Contact Alan Adler, Chip Scholz, or Chris Kemper
for additional information.
þ
Classroom
Central's Annual Report has a photo of Charlotte Rotary
volunteers Jeff Searcy, Henry
Cantrell, John Johnson, Martin Welton, and
Kitty Stutts.
Bob Alexy is coordinating
this year's committee and is asking everyone to help out by
volunteering a couple hours one day a month. Bob will have
information and a schedule displayed at next week's meeting.
þ
Matthews Rotary Club, who
meets on Mondays at 12:30, has moved their meeting location
to Captain's Galley, 11032 E. Independence /Matthews-Mint
Hill Road.
þ
Charlotte Southpark Rotary Club
will conduct a live auction of fine art, sports and music
memorabilia, and more at the Park Hotel on Saturday,
September 10th. Preview at 7:00 PM, auction at 7:30 PM.
Tickets are $25 per person. Call Brian Johnson, 704-542-1665
for additional information.
þ
Chris and Shelley Kemper
are excited to learn they are expecting their second child! |
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HURRICANE
KATRINA
RELIEF EFFORT |
From President Herb Harriss:
We would like to make an appeal to everyone to make
contributions to Rotary to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina,
particularly those located in Louisiana and Mississippi. The
intent is to work through the Rotary District's involved,
and perhaps specific clubs to be sure the money goes where
we want it to go, with little to no administrative costs
associated with it. We are investigating whether your
contribution can be counted toward your Paul Harris Fellow.
Charlotte Rotary would like to make a significant
contribution to these relief efforts. At this time, please
make your donations payable to Charlotte Rotary, mark
'Hurricane Katrina Relief' in the memo section, and forward
to the Rotary office. |
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Attendance
Record |
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8/30/05 |
8/31/04 |
| visitors &
guests |
13 |
12 |
| club
members |
188 |
183 |
| total
attendance |
200 |
195 |
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New Members | Resignations |
Frances Haithcock
Charlie Raubacher
Bob Weeks |
Bill Wood
Susan
Patterson |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
07 Harriet and Bill Barnhardt
07 Pat and Bob Phifer
11 Meg and Bryan Adams
11 Sandee and Al Nikles
11 Cornelia and Jack Smylie
12 Michele and Scott Stover |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
09 Tom O'Brien, Iowa City, IA
11 Bryan Adams, Charlotte, NC
11 John Armistead, Burlington, NC
11 Harry Daugherty, Covington, KY
12 Pete Sloan, Charlotte, NC |
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