Coming Soon to Rotary

Join us this Tuesday for what should be a fascinating presentation by Dr. Jason Carter, Director of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education at MSU. Look for an email from President Connors for the Zoom link!

Mourning a Great Rotarian

Shortly after last week’s bulletin was published, we learned that one of our most active and long-term members, Bill Harp, had suffered a massive coronary and lost his life. We immediately notified the membership via email and also notified the broader public through our Facebook page.

The responses on Facebook to the announcement are a testament to the impact one dedicated soul can have in this world. We provide some of them here as comfort and as inspiration.

“Great man and great family!” Brian Kaufman
“Bill was an incredible human being and I will really miss him.” Aaron Weissman
“Are we not fortunate that Bill chose Great Falls to love?” Susan Wolff
“A beloved community asset. Friend to everyone. Honorable leader.” Author unknown
“A great leader in our community.” Sarah Fjellander
“Heaven added a good one!” Mark Finnicum
“Bill was a fine man, a great leader and positive example for countless Scouts and others in the community. He will be sorely missed.” County Commissioner Joe Briggs
“Bill’s energy and enthusiasm for all service opportunities and all people was a great inspiration and will be his ever-lasting legacy.” Cari Yturri
"Mr. Rotary. Mr. Scouting. Community man. It was great to serve with Bill." Eric Burger
“RIP, great servant” Lee Roath

Our club is smaller now for the loss of Bill Harp. But we are bigger for his example of what service above self can produce.

Last Week at Rotary

Last week County Commissioner Jim Larson gave us an excellent update on what the County Commission has accomplished recently and what lies ahead.

The decennial census has been completed and Jim believes we were able to identify 99.9% of our population. Our numbers may justify another Congressman for Montana.

Improving infrastructure has been a big focus of the commission. Recognizing the danger on Fox Farm Road, they used RSID funds to widen and repave it. Dracut Hill Road, at the Sun River/Fairfield intersection, had been heavily damaged by rains, and has been paved. The courthouse now has a beautiful new roof.

Two wings have been added to the juvenile detention center, one of which is for a classroom. Thanks to the efforts of the detention center and Great Falls High School, 75 young adults have earned high school diplomas while at the detention center.

The old jail is being cleaned up, with the help of a Brownfields grant secured by Great Falls Development Authority. With the asbestos, old paint, and steel bars removed, the long-term vision is to make a badly needed new office building. Various improvements at the fairgrounds have also been made.

Jim envisions a busy year in 2021. The upgrades at the fairgrounds is a major emphasis. Woodpeckers have wreaked havoc on the exterior of the Four Seasons building and that damage will be repaired. The rodeo barns are in the process of being repaired and they hope to replace the fencing around the racetrack. The roads in Black Eagle are also in disrepair and asphalt will be laid there this year.

Jim was asked when and how County Commissioner Jane Weber will be replaced. The Cascade County Democrats Central Committee met last Thursday and selected a slate of 3 candidates to the County Commission. The Commission will choose one of them this month. The candidates are Helena Lovick, Don Ryan and Casey Schreiner.

Thanks, Jim, for a thorough update on Cascade County!

In the News

At last week's meeting, Art Taft presented a video on the Eagle Mount project, from start to finish. It was a mammoth undertaking and it is now complete. Thanks to Kurt Baltrusch for spearheading the project and to all the Rotarians who participated!

Also last week, Dave Crum expressed his appreciation for Rotary's donation to the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation. Our check for $3500 was used to fund the Desk of My Own project being led by none other than honorary Rotarian Gaines McFadden. Thirty-five elementary school students will have the kind of workspace they need for virtual learning, and as Dave said, that makes a world of difference to these kids.

We were notified last week that Ryan Miller has returned to Denver for medical care. As information becomes available, we will forward it to you. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Milestones

January has been good to Rotary Club of Great Falls. It brought us these Rotarians:

Ken Munski, 33 years
Tom Nelson, 18 years
Shannon Hoiland, 16 years
Channing Hartelius, 15 years
Kevin Langkiet, 2 years

Nearly a century, collectively, of service above self! Thanks for all you five do for our club and the communities and causes we serve!

Weekly Wit from the New Yorker