Hutchinson Chapter of AMBUCS Editor: Duke Wiggins
GUESTS: Program presenters for today: Richard Hollowell, representing the Cosmosphere; Linda Schmidt, representing the Underground Salt Museum; and John Deardoff representing the City of Hutchinson.
SERGEANTS PLAYGROUND: Brad T and Jeff B teamed up to relieve members of their funds this morning. Doug Foss was fined twice for being sassy to the sergeants, which is a nice way of saying he couldnt resist opening his mouth. Ward & Colby were fined at Colbys request. He tried to set the fine at $1 for each fine they collected of the last 2 months, but Ward quickly snuffed that. John K and Ward D (again) were fined for wearing their annoying purple shirts. Paul B paid for looking guilty. Don G and Steve C paid because the always leave early, something about having to get to work. Tony P was fined for being at the wrong place and the wrong time. Even guest John Deardoff was fined for something, but Jeff R quickly anteed up his $1.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Off-site meetings scheduled for this month: August 24th we will meet at Reins of Hope, 2116 N. Obee Road at 7:00AM. Breakfast will be served by Knackies, followed by a program and/or tour of the facility. August 31st will be our annual golf tournament at the Highlands. Cost to play golf is $40 per person. Breakfast will be served at 7:00AM. See Randy Hendrickson for more details.
Darren W. reminded everyone of the 2 task forces he established last week. The first was to study the grant writing process to be used for funding the Ice Cream Booth. The second was to prepare a presentation for the American Legion on we intend to approach T-shirt sales at the NJCAA Mens National Basketball Tournament. He expects every member to volunteer to be on one of these two task forces. Those who dont volunteer will likely be assigned to one at Darrens discretion. Darrens cell phone # is 620-664-4590, and his email address is darren.wicks@edwardjones.com.
An Ice Cream Booth cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday, August 18th, at 8:00AM. We should be done before noon.
PROGRAM: Our three guest presenters have teamed up to promote the extension of the % county sales tax when it comes up for vote some time in 2013. As three of the largest beneficiaries of the tax funds, they have a vested interest in providing information to the voting public. John Deardoff led off by outlining the history of the tax. It was approved in 1993, renewed in 1997 and again in 2008. The Citys share is approximately $2 million annually. It is earmarked by statute for the citys road and maintenance fund, with a percentage going for property tax reduction. Linda Schmidt indicated that the $100,000 the Underground Salt Museum receives annually since 2008 has allowed them to operate, and recently to improve their marketing program. Richard Hollowell echoed her comments that it allows the Cosmosphere to operate one of the best space campership programs in the world. As a tea, they encouraged us to consider voting in favor of renewing the % sales tax when it comes up sometime in 2013.
DRAWINGS: The 50/50 pot of $18 went to Randy Hendrickson, who did NOT donate it to the City of Hutchinson. The newsletter drawing would have gone to Dan P because he knew the answer (with a little help) but did not know the question. Pot increases to $15 for this Friday. This weeks question is How any members are expected to volunteer to serve on one of the two task forces established by President Darren?