John Padgett, Rotarian of the Day, introduced Michael Watson, a business owner and former delegate (R-Newport News), who encouraged Rotarians to support exploration of offshore drilling.
Watson was approached to advocate for Explore Offshore for Virginia, a project of the American Petroleum Institute, due to his reputation for promoting workforce development.
Watson visited southeast Louisiana to see firsthand the economic benefit of offshore drilling. He noted hundreds of businesses are involved in offshore drilling, creating a huge economic benefit for the state and an opportunity for the community college system to develop staff for the industry.
He suggested offshore drilling could be a way to diversify our state economy, noting that Virginia, and particularly Hampton Roads, is very dependent on the government. He noted five things the state should address to allow it to be more competitive: 1) reasonable regulations, 2) necessary infrastructure, 3) fair taxes 4) workforce training, 5) reliable/affordable energy.
According to Watson, energy resources, mostly natural gas, exist 30 or more miles off the coast of Virginia. However, because the maps are old, the first steps is for Virginia to do seismic mapping to provide a clear, 3D picture of what lies out there. Although he stopped short of being committed to drilling, he noted that if Virginia were to tap those resources, it could lead to 25,000 new jobs making an average annual salary of $113,000. He thought Virginia could gain economic security just by knowing that the resources exist and having a plan to pursue them. He asked Rotarians to support exploration, in part by fighting bills that would stop it (do no harm).
During the question period, a Rotarian argued that Watson was sold a bill of goods in his trip to southeast Louisiana where petroleum has destroyed the ecology.
The Meeting
John Cameron led us in singing; President Pam led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. Marty Raiss offered a brief invocation. Our School of the Week was Ingleside Elementary.
Introduction of Visitors/Visitation Report
Lisa Chandler introduced visitors, which included Ace Tubbs (husband of Pam Tubbs), Mary Vinson, Joanne Taylor & Monica Johnson (guests of Jeff Wells who spoke on their Coastal Plein Air VA event in Ocean View April 10-14), Esmel Oleeks & Audrey Jackson (guests of the speaker), Paul Hawkins (guest of Ben Mason)
Pam reported that Tami Aloisa is out with the flu, and Jane Dembert and Joe Massey (who is back to driving!) continue to rehabilitate.
Club Business
Rotarians achieving Paul Harris status were recognized
- Barbara Lipskis, +1
- Sigur Whitaker, +6
Jeff Wells encouraged Rotarians to become a sponsor and bring a good bottle of wine (costing at least $20) for our Wine Pull for Suds & Buds. You can buy your Suds & Buds tickets (event is Friday, 17 May) at:
While at the podium, Jeff Wells announced he was too young for the 15-year life expectancy of the program he was originally in to replace his heart valve. He is now in another program and scheduled for surgery March 28th.
Happy Bucks & Fines
Being the first meeting of the month, we celebrated the following Rotarians with March birthdays: 5th—Chick Robison,12th—Colin McKinnon, 13th—Dean Rogis, 16th—Tami Aloisa, Anthony Radd, 18th—Bob Powell, 21st—Irv Wells, 24th—Bryce Burton, 27th—Sally Hartman, 29th—Marty Raiss
Winston Whitehurst gave a dollar for every year married to his wife Eunice in celebrating their 55th anniversary (01 Mar 1964)
Rotary Anniversaries were announced:
30 years - John McLemore (01 Mar 1989)
8 years - Diane Wallach (15 Mar 2011)
- Steve Shultz said the Rotaractors enjoyed attending Pints for Polio.
- Shep Miller, thinking of Teddy Baker, gave happy bucks hoping that Maury will win its first state basketball championship in 99 years.
- Sally thanked the printer of the Suds and Buds flyer
- Lorna said it was cold golfing in Phoenix, and returned to attend president elect training with Sigur Whitaker (new area governor) and Jim Kitz. She was photographed with Mark Maloney new president elect.
- Joe New gave happy bucks in honor Norm Maas’s passing. A service will be held for him at the end of the month (more details are forthcoming).
Conclusion
President Pam displayed the book to be presented in our speaker’s honor to our school of the week.
Bill McInnis brought in the raffle. Joel Heaton won the daily pot.
President Pam reminded us that next week’s meeting (March 12th), featuring Bob Heely and Rotary Career Day, will be in a DIFFERENT LOCATION) at THE NORFOLK YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB.
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Back by popular demand at our May 17 Suds & Buds party will be the charity wine pull. To make it work, we need club members to each donate at a meeting a bottle of wine valued at $20 or more. Or, donate $20 and our wine committee will buy the wine for you. Wine bottles will be bagged and numbered and guests at the party will pay $20 and take home a mystery bag of wine. Proceeds will benefit our Rotary Club, Norfolk Botanical Garden and Lee's Friends. The wine pull sold out quickly at last year's Suds & Buds and netted more than $2,000. 