The meeting was called to order by President Ronnie at 12:30. He introduced John Rogers for Health and Happiness. John reported that Tom Warren has been hospitalized recently and our prayers go out to him for a quick recovery. He is currently in the intensive care unit at CMC. We are all very sad with the passing of Bob Bryant, a past-president of the club, a great Rotarian and a wonderful citizen of this community. Our prayers are also extended to his family.
     John also shared several very humorous stories during Health and Happiness. One was the neighbor that asked the Episcopal priest if he would handle the funeral of the deceased Baptist. The priest was young and didn't know if that would be proper, so he called his bishop. The priest asked his bishop if it would be all right for him to conduct the funeral and bury a Baptist. The bishop answered, "It will be fine my son, bury as many as you can." From the audience's reaction, all our Baptist members must have missed the meeting.
     The other very humorous story featured a Fox Terrier named Jack and what happened when he and his master died. We will not finish this story, but feel free to ask John to tell it to you.
     Tom Robertson shared his appreciation for all the volunteers that served as "bell ringers" for the Salvation Army during Christmas. The list recently appeared in the newsletter, but omitted Roy Dellinger, who was recognized at the meeting. It was a record year for "bell ringers" and the Salvation Army and this year something new and exciting happened. Several "ringers" were fortunate enough to collect two gold coins that were worth approximately $500 each.
     The pledge was followed with a song led by Howard Chadwick. Don Steger gave the invocation. Seated with President Ronnie at the head table were Charlie Williams, Jim Alexander, Edgar Love, and Bob Culbertson, who introduced our speaker, Parks Helms, Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Commissioners.
     Bob called Parks a real Charlotte "native son," having been born in Mercy Hospital and raised in the old Belmont neighborhood, and having finished high school at Tech High. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the UNC Law School, Parks has recently regained the Commission Chairmanship, after being unseated by the "Gang of Five" several years ago. After practicing for several years, he was elected to the General Assembly and soon was recognized as one of the outstanding members of the governing body.
     Helms thanked Rotary for having him as a speaker and for the opportunity to share his thoughts on the county's future. There were numerous references throughout his presentation referring to the "Gang of Five"—most were humorous in nature. He said that a majority of Charlotte Rotary's members have been around Charlotte long enough to see the city evolve into a New South City with tremendous potential and opportunity. He stated that one of the main issues that we must continue to face is how we manage growth. Indeed, it might not be just one of the main issues, but the main issue.
     To deal with the problem, Helms recently called for the creation of The Smart Growth Initiative. He suggested that "past is memory, present is reality, and future is a mixture of doubt, guesswork and hope." He slated that Charlotte has the type of citizens that have visions that see what could be done and then are in a position to make things happen. Several years ago the commission adopted "Priority 2000," which is a commitment to work toward a community that is safe, healthy, livable, prosperous, well governed and unified. These are still our goals.
    Some of the important things that happened in 1998 are the passing of the 1/2 cent sales tax referendum for transit and the total county funding of the school budget for the second straight year. The school funding is extremely important for them to reach their mission statement. Progress with the

In Memoriam

JAMES ROBERT BRYANT, JR.
July 27, 1920             January 30,1999

     Rotarian James Robert Bryant, Jr., (Bob) died on Saturday, January 30, 1999. A member of our club for forty years, Bob contributed much as president in 1965-1966, member of the Board of Directors, editor of the Reporter, Paul Harris Fellow, and donator to our "Glad to Be Alive Club."
     Bob exemplified a good spirit in his many areas of Rotary service. His zeal as president is well-known by his first meeting, when to his surprise he had not one, but two speakers scheduled.
     Born in Greenville, S.C., Bob came as a boy to Charlotte, where he grew up, took root and spent a lifetime serving his community. He graduated from Davidson College in 1942 and married Sarah Brownlee of Charlotte. After serving as a flight instructor in the Army Air Corps in World War 11, Bob joined his father at Harry and Bryant Company Funeral Home in 1946, where he met the needs of the bereaved in his community until his retirement in 1986.
     A leader in many Charlotte organizations, Bob was past president of the Red Cross, Mint Museum of Art, and Charlotte City Club, past chairman of the Mental Health Board, and board member of the Charlotte Housing Authority. He was active in the United Way and the Boy Scouts, and he helped to found the Little League in Charlotte in 1951. He was a charter member of the Myers Park Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and taught Sunday School for many years.
     Bob and Sarah raised two sons, James Robert Bryant III and Frank Lanier Bryant. They have enjoyed seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
     We will miss Bob, and we offer our love and sympathy to Sarah and the family. A memorial gift will be made in Bob's name to our Student Scholarship Fund.

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DID YOU KNOW?

     We are straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel when we receive proposals for new members for which we already have FILLED CLASSIFICATIONS.
     There are just so many "shades" to classify lawyers, financial advisors, bankers, and insurance agents etc., etc. There are so many unfilled classifications that we could double the club size in a few months, if members will consider CLASSIFICATION before proposing a new member.
     The basic rules for membership are to have clear and succinct classifications and ONE Additional Active thereto.
     Please remember Classification is determined by the thrust of the business instead of that of the Rotarian.

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substance abuse programs in some west-side neighborhoods have been very encouraging as well as the implication of Welfare Reform. We have seen case load reduction, putting people to work and reducing assistance. Mecklenburg has made more progress in these areas than any other county in the state. In cooperation with Carolina Healthcare Systems six new neighborhood clinics were opened. Medic has continued to make a remarkable turn-around. We have started a program to clean up our creeks and restore and improve water quality. Our county initiated the first regional Environmental Summit. All county departments have kept pace with changing technology. We also continue to receive AAA Bond Ratings for rating agencies. These are just a few of our accomplishments as we move into the next century. There is always resistance to change, but we must continue to educate our citizens as to the need for organized and creative growth. We should not let growth wipe out the wonderful memories of local neighborhoods where we were raised, but as we continue to grow local neighborhoods will change; unfortunately sometimes these changes must occur to make way for the future and the growth this community is experiencing and will continue to experience.
     We must make sure that our children and our children's children will one day say that Charlotte is a wonderful place to call home, just as we do today.

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OBSERVATIONS

     Luther Moore is secretary of the Executive Committee of Wingate University.
     Tom Revels and Roy Dellinger are pictured in an advertisement for the January issue of Time Magazine for their respective firms — Presbyterian Health Care and Dellinger and Deese C.P.A.'s.
     The Loftins, Bill, Sr. and Bill, Jr., have put out a classy commemorative booklet to celebrate the 100-year history of their company.
     When David Zimmerman was ringing the bell at a kettle for the Salvation Army before Christmas he was asked by a reporter to comment on the fact that another hell ringer had disappeared, taking the money as well as the bell. David's reply was, "he'll pay for it one way or another; it's like stealing God's money." The quote was carried by the wire services and published widely.
     Katie Tyler says in the Business Journal that small contracting jobs have a nuisance factor that keeps contractors from wanting to do them.
     Don Steger has been appointed Chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee.

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