WELCOME VISITORS
Jean Bendix introduced Shannon Nash, one of our new school board members. Suleyman joined us on zoom. Laci Graham, director of Laurel House, also joined us on zoom and showed us pictures of the new deck, awnings and furniture that Newark Rotary made possible. The Carol Nary memorial garden brought applause from the club! She is truly missed by all.
WELLNESS REPORT
MaryJo Fenyn reported on Michele’s car accident. Driving to visit her daughter in Massachusetts, Michele dozed off and drove over a guard rail. She is very sore but doing well considering the car was totaled! Her daughter left for a preplanned trip to Greece. Michele borrowed her car and drove back to Newark on Thursday with Elsa and her daughters 2 dogs. We look forward to welcoming her safely home!
BAD DAD JOKES
MARYJO - bravely standing in for Gary
Why did the bear eat a lamp? He just wanted a LIGHT snack
Why aren’t koalas actual bears? They don’t meet the KOALAFICATIONS
You don’t stop laughing when you grow old.
You grow old when you stop laughing!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRESIDENT DONNA reminded us that $165 dues are needed by June 15th. (You can pay using PayPal).
The Ontario/Walworth Rotary club is celebrating their 75th anniversary on Tuesday July 6th at Young Sommer Winery in Williamson. Gathering at 6 pm - cash bar and buffet dinner at 6:30 - $25 a person. Check your e-mail for the response form(deadline June 21)
JAN HENCE has ordered 600 dinners for our Father’s Day BBQ on June 20th. Thank you to all Rotarians who have volunteered to work.
We will also need workers to remove the Hill Cumorah concession3stand items from the trailer at the auction site. Jan was pleased to announce that the Ice cream cooler has been sold.
PRESIDENT DONNA presented Jorge with a check for $1,098 from the Queen of Hearts drawing. The same amount will be sent to the Haiti orphanage project.
HAPPY MOMENTS
LUCINA HALLAGAN was happy to be celebrating her daughter, Colleen’s, 38th birthday. She is looking forward to an in-person visit including her grandson that they haven’t seen in a year.
SCOTT HEALY was happy to be able to take a short vacation to see his son - visiting in Albany and Saratoga Springs.
BRUCE CHAMBERS is proud of his son who has a new job in the area of criminal law in Ontario County. He is also having his 38th birthday(the son - not Bruce!)
DONNA JOHNSON is happy for her daughter, Bella, who was turning12.
SHANNON NASH is happy to be newly elected to the Newark School Board.
SPEAKERS - POLICE REFORM
President-elect, Melissa Correia, was happy to introduce her husband as one of our guest speakers. Andy Correia is our Public Defender. Mike Calarco is the District Attorney and Sgt. Randy Rice is with the Newark Police Department.
They came on Thursday to talk about the need for reform and the Newark Police Department’s process and plan.
“In this year where Rotary International is placing a focus worldwide on diversity, equity and inclusion, and while tragedies continue between Police and people of color, law enforcement agencies statewide were tasked by the governor with crafting a plan for police reform in their communities.” Andy noted a quote he often hears -
“We don’t have a problem HERE.”
The truth is “there is systemic bias here and everywhere.” The criminal justice system is racist. In Newark, he feels that use of force and mental health arrests are fairly low.
When you look at our history - slavery happened and isn’t totally over yet.
After a short overview of history, including lynchings, a rise in the KKK and unappreciated blacks serving in 2 world wars, Andy concluded - “Whites in power create the rules and the police work for the whites in power.”
After the death of George Floyd the black and brown community has begun to push back.
Andy finished with a question - IS THERE HOPE?
He believes we are making a good attempt in Newark - but broader than that we need to engage everyone to cleanse the legacy of slavery.
Sergeant Randy Rice agreed that change in Police reform began on May 25th of 2020 when the world witnessed the murder of Floyd Green. Police are undergoing bias training and conflict resolution, basically learning how to treat others. Newark is a small town with a large white population. The police have pledged to make themselves available to all and to keep Newark a safe place to live.
District attorney Mike Calarco praised our great police department and thanked Andy Correia for his good works as our Public Defender. He agrees that Police reform is necessary. It’s important in every case to look at the facts without knowing the color of one’s skin. He has sworn to enforce the law and make sure that justice is done.
The police reform plan is available on the Village website.
https://www.villageofnewark.com/police-reform---reinvention-plan.html