Choice, not chance, determines destiny. 

                You all chose to join the Ripon Rotary Club, therefore, attend our weekly meeting at 12:00 noon, Royal Ridges, every Monday, usually. 

                Today you would have been greeted by Larry Trotter, who also rendered prayer.

Our President, Lee Prellwitz, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and conducted the meeting. 

Visiting as guests were:

(1)     Robert Young, visiting Rotarian of the Berlin Club..

(a) Bob, again, invited us to the Berlin Club’s Christmas Party at Tuscumbia, December 17, 

      if interested contact Bob at 748-4721.

(2)     Janira Romero – Spanish Inbounder.

(3)     Meghan Schuh – Ripon Student of month.

Highest grade point in her class, active in music, dramatics and just about everything.  Plans to attend Ripon College, on to U.W. Veterinary Medicine School and eventually treat small animals.

(4)     Alex Chin – Ripon College student of month. 

Happy Bucks:

(1)     Hank Grams tossed in $10.00, his first grandchild – C-Section in Denver – 7lbs. 11 oz boy.

(2)     Larry Trotter – His 10 month old granddaughter is walking and talking.

(3)     Karen Geisler – her daughter is going to San Pedro region of Paraguay with the Peace Corp. 

Kim Holliday – Thanks for student help at Breakfast With Santa – over 300 kids came .  New Years Eve at Royal Ridges – Band, Prizes, Champagne at Midnight.  All starts at 9:00 p.m. 

CITRUS DELIVERY, Friday December 7—11a.m. to 5 p.m. at East Showroom, Ripon Ford Mercury.  Saturday, December 8 – 1p.m. to 3p.m. 

Next weeks meting, December 10 will be at The American House, includes lunch.  If you plan to attend, call Larry Trotter and indicate you are attending.  The lunch – donation $2.00. 

Sgt. at Arms:  Rick Coles and match the celebrity with the year they were born.  George Clooney  - 1961

Kevin Costner – 1955,  Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order SVU) 1964,  Lauren Holly (NCIS) 1963,  Melinda Kankaredes (CSI:NY)1967, Vanna White (Wheel of Fortune) 1957.  Our table only missed 2 :  everyone else paid!! 

Salvation Army Bell Ringers still needed – 7 to 9:00 a.m. Saturday at Pick and Save and 1-3:00 Saturday at K-Mart.  Call Kathy Ginder. 

Program:  Paul Kilgore presented Steve Barg, Ripon City Administrator

                Steve has been our Administrator for 10 years and has served out City well!!  He discussed many issues starting with election in 2008—Mayor and 2 councilman seat.  If you are interested in running, your papers must be in by January 2.  20 signatures for councilperson and 50 for mayor.

                The municipal tax rate remains flat for the 6^th. year.

                The fire district has a problem with moisture at the new station – must be dried out, before equipment is moved in.

                After the Fire Dept. is moved, the lower level of the Police Dept. will become the Senior Citizen Center, as the old State Bank has been or will be sold. 

                The Duzinski land on Highway 44 is to become part of a T.I.F., therefore allowing infrastructure and roads.

                The land south of Royal Ridges and Comfort Suites is suited for development.  A road is planned from Family Dollar to Dr. Houses’s  Project Rolling Hills which has 42 lots.  Tom Rogers has 10-12 lots in the area too.

                Sandmar Village of Metomen Street has 41 single lots.

                Aggressive approach to revitalizing Downtown.  Redoing Blackburn Street Parking Lot.  Newbury Street to be done in two phases. 

                Deer Herd-Council has decided to use local bow hunters and before January 6 to thin 25 to 30 deer on 3 sites and continue in future years.

                Steve also said, if the city expands, it will probably go to the west.  No annexation is planned at present. Thanks Paul & Steve for always a fine presentation. 

Next Week – Greeter & Prayer – Jeff Liddicoat

                      Program – “Taste and Tour at the American House with Larry Trotter. 

Thought for today:  Lord – I know I should never be too busy to talk to You, but it happens.  I pray that You are never too busy to watch over me.  Amen. 

Filling our your income tax return is like Russian roulette.  You never know which blank will do you in. 

                                                   Scribe – Rich Carley – 748-3391