Meeting

Report

THE HONORABLE
JIM BLACK
Getting Things Done
By: Suzanne Bledsoe

As Co-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jim Black, a native of Mecklenburg County, knows how to get things done. Having served in the House since 1980 and as Speaker of the House from 1999-2002, Jim has developed a successful formula for success: sit down, talk and work out issues together as a cohesive team. Not an easy thing to do in the political arena!
 
Jim recounted for us the events leading up to the development of his current position as Co-Speaker. The election last November was a “recipe for chaos” with the election of equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats to the House. While the Democratic Party was in agreement that Jim should continue to serve in the role he had successfully filled in two prior sessions, the Republicans were split. Since it takes 61 votes to be Speaker and Jim had all of the Democrats’ votes (60) someone had to cross over to the other side or otherwise compromise. After many roll calls and over a week of voting, Jim decided to take the bull by the horns and find a middle ground. He approached his trusted counter-part, Representative Richard Morgan with the idea of a Co-Speakership. After describing how he thought such a structure would work (equal number of Democrats and Republicans on committees, equal chairmanships, mutual trust and respect, and a Rules Chairman who was fair and just to both sides), Morgan and Black met with the members who had cast their votes for Morgan and reached an agreement. They proposed a resolution to elect as Co-Speakers Representatives Black and Morgan and the stalemate was broken when the resolution was passed by a large majority of the vote.
 
As a team, Jim believes that he and Morgan have worked well together, in spite of the skepticism of many, and, in so doing, have set an example for other elected bodies to follow. Through mutual trust and a strong desire to get to the finish line, the budget was put together in about eight weeks and passed in the House on the first try for the first time in 30 years. What they learned in the process was that by working together and eliminating the enemy (each other… Republicans vs. Democrats) they could put partisan politics aside and achieve the desired results.
 
In closing, Jim said that while this has been a tough year for North Carolinians, there are many positive events to consider. Our education system continues to improve and excel, many of our dominant industries (banking, real estate, and housing) are strong and people are starting to spend money again. We did not see tax increases, in large part due to smarter spending decisions on the part of our leaders. And, we have set an example for others to follow in terms of learning how to work together to achieve a common goal.

 
Head Table:
Suzanne Bledsoe, Henry Bostic, Lee Morris, Tom Robertson, Frank Martin, John Phillips; Invocation: Charlene Kammerer
Visitors and Guests:
Julius Melton; Health & Happiness: Harley Dickson; Song: David Erdman
 

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PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT NEW ADDRESS FOR THE ROTARY CLUB: 841 BAXTER STREET, SUITE 118, CHARLOTTE 28202

Attendance Record 10/28/03 10/29/02 visitors & guests 16 38 club members 189 169 total attendance 205 207	Wedding Anniversaries 02 Carolyn and Chase Saunders 05 Page and Ed Kizer 07 Pat and Michael Elder 07 Anne and Russell Ranson 10 Kris and Chuck Ambrose 10 Jan and Ron Kimble
Resignations - October Larry Sagehorn Jonathan Pullin Bob Freedman    Roaming Rotarians n/a	Birthdays and Birthplaces 07 Steve Menaker, Miami Beach, FL 07 Rob Thomas, Charlotte, NC 07 Joel Walters, Rockwell, NC 08 Phil Van Hoy, Washington, DC 09 Chip Scholz, Wheaton, IL 10 Mike Rash, Charlotte, NC

2003-04 RI Theme

z   Jim Adams announced the Club will begin its 4th year of collecting clothing articles in support of Crisis Assistance Ministry. Tables will be out front and tax deductible receipts are available. Those wishing to have home pick-up should contact Jim at 704-377-6567.   z   President Tom expressed his thanks to Mike Hawley for his outstanding legal work in putting together the WWII project agreement with WTVI. z   Sympathy is expressed to the family of John Luby following the death of his daughter, Laura Luby Misek. z   Leigh Derby, president, CEO and founder of LifeSpan, celebrated the organization’s 30th Anniversary over the weekend. The agency serves the developmentally disabled through all stages of their lives.   z   Leadership Charlotte’s 25th Anniversary celebration was quite a night. Jim Woodard received the Lifetime Achievement Award and John Tabor received the Schley R. Lyons Circle of Excellence Award. Katie Tyler, Mac McCarley, Tim Newman, and Anthony Fox were in the opening video. Many other club members were in attendance. Congratulations to all. z   Final call for members wishing to attend the Rotary Foundation Banquet. Call Sandy to make your reservation. z   Volunteers at Classroom Central last week: Jim Adams, Bob Alexy, John Johnson, Tom Robertson, Jeff Searcy, and Martin Welton. THANKS for Lending A Hand. Please call John Johnson to get on the list for November.

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