President Worth called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m. Rick Jackson caught us up to date on the news. John Stedman introduced our visitors and guests. Harry Weatherly gave a Health and Happiness Report announcing that Dwight Thomas just returned home from a three-day hospital stay and Mark Leggett is recovering from back surgery. He also gave us interesting views on what we have to be thankful for in our lives. Rotary Club members were led by Chuck Lineberry in singing "We Gather Together."
     President Worth announced that Tuesday, November 30, would be the last day for clothes for Crisis Assistance Ministry. Receipts for clothing donors can be picked up at the front door. Tom Robinson asked members to sign up for bell ringing at the Square for the Salvation Army. John Tabor received a mug for his efforts last week.
     Helmut Deussen introduced new member Kurt Scholler, CEO of American Truetzschler.
     Dr. Bruce Darden introduced Jennifer Klotz, a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. She is a 1999 graduate of Davidson College where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Genetics. She was an Alfa Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Honor Society member as well as a member of the Phi Beta Epsilon Delta International Studies Honor Society. She was an active participant in the Pep Band, active in cross-country, for which she was awarded the coaches' award in 1995, and was a researcher and volunteer at a mission hospital in Zambia. She has been accepted and will spend the next ten months in Ethiopia in a pre-med program. When she returns, she plans to apply to medical school and go into family practice.
     Doug Boyd led in prayer and President Worth introduced the head table: Doug Boyd, Gayle Smith, Rick Jackson, Roger Sarow and Gene Williams.
     Bill Wood introduced the speaker, Peter Ridder, who is the Publisher and Chairman of the Charlotte Observer. Ridder was born in Duluth, Minnesota, and was the President and Publisher of the St. Paul Pioneer Press for six years; before that he was President and Publisher of the Press Telegram in Long Beach, California.
     Peter discussed freedom of speech, freedom of Press and why they are important to all of us. "We take freedom of expression and a free Press for granted because our Constitution guarantees them to our society. Thomas Jefferson said at the time the Bill of Rights was drafted, 'Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I would not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter.' "
     "Obviously, times have changed and so have feelings toward the Press. A recent study indicated that while most Americans take advantage of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment, they are not always comfortable with them." The study indicated fifty-three percent of Americans believe the Press has too much power, and a growing number of people feel that newspapers should get government approval before publishing stories. "Think about that. We would have never known about Watergate, Iran-gate, or the Bill Clinton affair if government was censoring a free press.
     Often, the Press is defined by its successes and by its failures, such as the siege mentality, for example, when a major new event occurs. The O.J. Simpson Trial, the Monica Lewinsky/Bill Clinton escapade, the Littleton, Colorado, shooting and most of all, the death of Princess Diana, are all examples of the Press being condemned for going too far. Unfortunately, this type of news increases circulation, sales and TV ratings because this is what people want."
     Recently, the North Carolina State Supreme Court ruled that trial judges could close civil proceedings to the public without providing the public any chance to argue. Fortunately, in other parts of the country, the opposite is occurring. San Francisco voters recently approved a measure that requires more access to government meetings and records.
     The First Amendment to the Constitution says, "Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the Press." Ridder states that there would be far greater injustices of not knowing what goes on in our government and legal processes if there weren't a First Amendment and free Press.
     Ridder believes there is no greater obligation of the media than to use that right guaranteed by the First Amendment judiciously.
     Peter was then asked the question, "Do you believe that freedom of the Press can be maintained if 80% of journalists are Democrats?" His answer was, "Yes, we have a liberal view. Most good journalists try to be objective because we all have built-in biased opinions. Our editorial positions are liberal." He was asked if it were true that most people get their news from radio and television? His reply was, "No, most English-speaking people get their news from reading newspapers while non-English-speaking people receive their news from radio and television."
     He was asked to comment on the policing of the media. He said that newspapers pay money when they make mistakes. At that point he introduced his legal counsel to further define the media's exposure to such liability.
     Peter was then asked why there is not more news on the front page. He answered that they put stories on the front page that appeal to all people and their different interests. The last question asked was "Why do you not have one conservative journalist?" Peter replied that they have not hired any journalists since his arrival with the Charlotte Observer, but if they do, he will hire a more conservative journalist.

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New Member

Joined 1978
Rejoined 1999

American Truetzschler
12300 Moore's Chapel Rd.
P.O. Box 669228 (28266)
399-4521
FAX 823-9443

     Kurt is married to Cynthia, a native of New Mexico and an accomplished opera singer with eleven years of being first soprano in several opera houses in Europe, including Charlotte's sister city of Krefeld. While they lived in the Northeast, Cynthia was on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She sang at the Met for eight seasons as a principal artist. Kurt and Cynthia live on Cramer Mountain in Gaston County with their son, Eric, a junior at Gaston Day School, and their daughter, Stephanie, a freshman at the University of South Carolina. The entire family enjoys skiing and water skiing and loves to travel.

     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Kurt!

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HOLIDAY BASKET RAFFLE

1 ticket for $2.
3 tickets for $5.
8 tickets for $10.

JoAnne Ellis
President Inner Wheel Club
of Charlotte

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