Friday, April 13, 2007 - Mental Health Commissioner Virginia Betts to address Rotary

Mental Health Commissioner Virginia Betts at Rotary

      Today, we welcome Virginia T. Betts, Commissioner of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities for Tennessee.
     Commissioner Betts is traveling throughout the state speaking to various civic clubs, business groups and mental health agencies on the stigma of mental illness with a focus on Tennessee business.
     The mission of the TDMHDD is to plan for and promote the availability of a comprehensive array of quality prevention, early intervention, treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation services and supports based on the needs and choices of individuals and families served.
     Betts is on leave from her position as Director for Health Policy and Professor of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis to serve in the Bredesen Administration. She is an advanced practice psychiatric nurse and an attorney.  Welcome Commissioner Betts.

DSF Banquet with Jim Ellis Next Thursday Night

     There will be no Rotary meeting next Friday, as the annual Obion County Distinguished Speakers Foundation welcomes Jim Ellis to speak at this year’s banquet, here at the Hampton Centre, next Thursday night.
     As you no doubt know by now, Ellis’ story is a testimony to the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life.  His story is the subject of the contemporary film, Pride, starring Terrence Howard.  The film was set in the early 1970’s, when the lives of the young African-American teens on an inner city swim team are full of hardship and prejudice.
     In 1971, Ellis founded a swim team in one of Philadelphia’s most impoverished neighborhoods.  Today, it is the nationally recognized competitive swim team.  Ellis has been introducing competitive swimming to inner cities across America since his success in Philly.
     The Obion County Distinguished Speakers Foundation was founded in 2003 for the purpose of brining exciting and informative speakers to Obion County.

Airport Improvements Coming to Everett-Stewart

     Last week, Rotarians heard from a trio of speakers concerning proposed improvements to Everett Stewart Airport.  The speakers included Jo Ann Spear, the fixed base operator at Everett Stewart; Randy Hudgings, an architect associated with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon; and Ron Cooper, owner of Southern Machinery Repair, which is located at the airport.  Cooper also is one of five member of the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission at the pleasure of Gov. Phil Bredesen.
     A fourth expert on the airport, Dr. Chris Gooch, who was a special guest at last week’s meeting, also took part in a portion of the program by answering questions from the audience about the work of the Obion County Airport Commission—which he chairs—and plans to turn the facility into a “regional airport” –as Obion County works hand-in-hand with Weakley County.
     It was December 1 that Obion and Weakley counties formed a partnership to manager the airport as a regional facility. 
     All of the speakers helped build the case that a local airport is vital to that region’s economy and future economic development activities.
     Plans are to extend the current runway from its 5,000 foot length to 6,500 feet.  New hangars have been proposed and the state has already come up with the money necessary to connect the airport to the 4-lane Highway 22 between Union City and Martin, using an existing overpass.
     The Airport Commission is currently in the process of receiving resumes for an airport manager, to succeed Al Howell, who retired in March.
     Thanks to Mike Rinker for helping arrange last week’s program.

Coming Attractions

4/19     (Thursday)—DSA Banquet featuring Jim Ellis
4/20     No Meeting Today
4/27     Rotary Relays and Rotary Student Exchange Program
5/4       Rotary Scholarship Program
5/11     Mark Brooks—WBBJ-TV in Jackson with update on changing technologies
5/17     TBA—Perhaps Ladies Night
5-25     Verhine Scholarship Program

Happy Birthdays

4/19      Randy Barnes
4/20      Clay Woods
4/21      Ken Ussery
4/22      Chris Virgin

Happy Anniversaries

4/23     Bill and Carol Latimer
4/24     Jack and Susan Parker
4/25     David and Shelia Parks

Rotary Relays In Two Weeks

Please remember that the Annual Union City Rotary Relays—West Tennessee’s top high school track meet—is coming to UCHS two weeks from  today.  Chairman Randy Barnes reminds you to circle April 27th on your calendars and know which assignments you have for the track meet.

UTM Rodeo

   Don’t forget that the annual UTM Intercollegiate Rodeo is taking place tonight and this weekend at the Ned McWherter Pavilion.  Remember Gary Roach’s encouragement of two weeks ago that we try to support this very worthy athletic program.

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