Kiwanis Club of Cheney - October 23, 2014 meeting notes




The meeting was called to order at 7am by President Tom Whitfield.  Sixteen members and our speaker were present; there were no guests. 


The President reminded us that quarter cup donations through Dec. 31 will go to Cheney Outreach.  There were no birthdays or anniversaries to recognize.  We thanked Duane Isaac for his several years' service as treasurer.  The 50/50 drawing was won by Kirk.


Club business:
   1.  Margie reported that 200 Coats were collected, which is significantly lower than last year.  Coat distribution with be Oct. 24-27.
   2.  Rande reminded us that an EWU service club has asked to borrow rakes for volunteer yard clean up.  Rande will collect and deliver our labeled rakes and bring them back when they are returned. 
   3.  K Kids:  Salnave has about 40 participants; Betz has about 30.  We need to identify a liaison for Salnave; George had done this in the past and will be asked if he can do it again.
   4.  Kirk passed around the sign up for the Harvest festival set up, events and tear down.  Since it will be at the Rec Center, the set up needs to start around 2:30pm.  Food items will be on the upper level and games will be on the ice rink floor.  Service access is on the east side of the building.
   5.  Tony reminded us that the next board meeting is November 3, one day after daylight savings time ends.
   6.  Tom shared announcements from District:  Kiwanis gleaning at Green Bluff will be Nov. 1 and maybe again on Nov. 8.  On Sunday Oct. 26 the East Spokane Kiwanis is having a fundraiser breakfast with proceeds funding literacy programs and Paint a Helmet.


Speaker:  Al French, County Commissioner running for re-election, spoke about economic development in the West Plains.  He said that several aerospace related industries are relocating to or expanding in the West Plains.  An organization called Air Spokane has been created which includes county staff and Community College administrators who work to provide training programs so we have qualified labor for aerospace suppliers. 
Also, Caterpillar is planning to expand its existing distribution facility from 600,000 sq. ft to 1,000,000 sq. ft. 
One of the newest projects is the railroad grain terminal that will have 8 storage silos, each 19 stories tall that will aggregate grain from several nearby counties and expects to initially generate a weekly 110-car grain train.
He noted that for each $1 of county tax generated by business, the county spends 65 cents providing services; for each $1 of residential tax generated, the county spends $1.35. 


Members asked how he views the casino being proposed near Fairchild AFB.  He said he is against it since Fairchild employs a total of over 10,000 active duty and civilian employees and that has a major impact on the county's economy.




The meeting was adjourned at 8am. 




Respectfully submitted, 
Jeri Morgan Secretary