Next week our featured speaker will be Dr. Schuyler VanDyke, who will bring us up to date on sleep apnea. Join us Tuesday at noon on Zoom!
Officer and Board Elections Coming Soon!
In consultation with the Past Presidents Committee, your Rotary Board of Directors presents the following candidates for election to the offices that are open this year. Their terms of office, if elected, begin July 1, 2021.
President-elect Nominee: Tom Nelson
Director-at-Large: Bill Bronson
Director-at-Large: Marshall Knick
Additional nominations "from the floor" may be emailed to Past President Cari Yturri until December 1. The vote will occur at the December 8 meeting. Because the meeting will likely take place on Zoom, voting will be conducted by email between noon on Dec. 6 and noon on Dec. 8, rather than by secret ballot. Those who attend the meeting on Dec. 8 may also vote on Zoom, although the secrecy of the vote may be compromised.
Last Week at Rotary
Last week on Zoom, District Court Judge Elizabeth Best gave Rotarians an update on the inner workings of the county courthouse. Because Zoom connectivity was spotty, your eBulletin reporter interviewed Judge Best Saturday morning for a summary.
The judge reported that, with a population roughly half the size of Yellowstone County, Cascade County has more Youth-in-Need-of-Care (YNC) cases than Yellowstone and, indeed, than any other county in the state. Because providing appropriate homes for children is a #1 priority, YNC cases take up much of the courts' time. Most of the time YNC cases overlap with criminal cases because substance abuse, particular meth addiction, is often a factor in child abuse and neglect.
Although state-level studies have recommended that, based on Cascade County's caseload, at least two more judges are needed in Cascade County, Judge Best thinks the fiscal and infrastructure needs two additional judges would require is beyond the county's means.
"We don't have enough courtrooms for even one more judge," she said. "And when you add a judge, you also need to add prosecutors, defense lawyers, and support staff." Judge Best is quite concerned about the ability to attract good support staff as it is.
"Their pay is just too low," she said. "Our deputy clerks of court make around $12 an hour. They do a fantastic job. Our judicial assistants make at least $5/hour less than equivalently qualified staff make elsewhere. They work so hard, they can hardly come up for air, and they do it because of the pride they take in their work. We have the same problem with steno court reporters. We can't fill the need because the pay is just not attractive."
Court security is also a concern, Best noted. Although they have two excellent bailiffs, that is not enough. The County Commissioners plan to add two civilian bailiffs, but they won’t be armed and the pay is not likely to attract former law enforcement. As a result, it isn't just judges, but the entire staff and the public in general that is put at risk.
Judge Best provided insights into the work of the courthouse we don't often get as members of the public. A valuable presentation by an insightful jurist!
In the Giving Spirit ...
In the spirit of giving, consider a gift that can make a difference in the world. From supplying equipment that protects health workers against COVID-19 to training peace-builders, the Rotary Foundation funds life-changing work around the globe. Here are some of the ways your donation can make a difference:
$15 - polio vaccines in Afghanistan and Pakistan
$50 - water filters in the Dominican Republic
$85 - business classes for low-income entrepreneurs in the United States
$100 - COVID-19 training in Ecuador
$150 - hand-washing stations in schools
$200 - medical equipment for hospital newborns
$500 - anti-bullying campaigns
$1000 - conflict resolution training for high school students
$1400 - power tools training and support for ecotourism workers in Costa Rica
Your gift may not change the world ... but it can sure make one corner of it a little nicer.
Milestones
Happy birthday today to Brian Hoven and on Tuesday to Colin Lee. Best wishes for a very happy day and an even happier year to come.
