The Rotary Club of Kirkland held a meeting on March 7, 2022 at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
President Dave DeBois rang the bell at 6:17 p.m., calling the club meeting to order.
Scott Becker led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Attending were George Anderson, David Aubry, Scott Becker, Christine Bell*, Rich Bergdahl, Gary Cohn*, David DeBois, Monica Fratita*, Shellie Gehring, Margie Glenn*, Brandon Honcoop, Michael Hunter, Isabelle Kalisa, Jim Meniketti, Rick Ostrander, Joanne Primavera, John Pruitt, and Rick Walter. *Attended the meeting online.
Guests:
Charlie Hamilton and Hendrik de Kock of All Aboard Washington, our speakers this evening, were our guests.
Greeter:
Our greeter this evening was Jim Meniketti, who manned the front desk.
Announcements & Club Business:
Scott Becker reminded us that Duck Dash is coming this summer and said he is currently looking for sponsors to defray the cost of the event. Anyone who wants to contribute [minimum sponsorship $250], contact Scott.
Dave DeBois announced that Banner Bank just turned in a $500 sponsorship, as well as funds to purchase $500 of tickets.
Monica reminded us that the mask mandate ends March 12 and we need to celebrate. She is looking at a social event [coming out party?] March 28 at Flagstick Pub, perhaps with the Kirkland morning club. Remember that Bunco is April 9 at Steve Shinstrom’s. We may do another fun event April 11 – stay tuned.
Dave noted that District 5030 has a place on its website that Rotarians may use to contribute funds to aid the Ukrainian people.
Happy Bucks:
There were Happy Bucks and they were dedicated to the Ukraine this evening. Dave DeBois was happy and grateful to Brandon for presiding over the meeting last week. Rick Walter was happy for tax season. Joanne Primavera was happy we’re collecting funds for Ukraine. Rich Bergdahl was happy for his daughter’s success and safe travels. Dave Aubry was happy about the mice chewing through his car’s electrical system. Rick Ostrander was happy about the Seahawks. Mike Hunter was happy about several things. Scott Becker $20 was happy about his trip to Las Vegas. And George Anderson was happy we’re recognizing the current events.
Program:
Dave DeBois introduced our speakers, Charlie Hamilton and Hendrik de Kock of All Aboard Washington [AAWA], who spoke about the need for a safe, reliable, frequent rail component of our transportation network.
Our speakers began by attempting to define world-class transportation systems, using examples in Europe and Asia. Is it reasonably easy to get from point A to point B without a car? This is not possible in many places in Washington state without many hours of travel via round-about routes using public transportation.
Washington’s legislature passed a law in 1993 to facilitate non-auto ground transportation. The idea was to expand options currently available, such as trains up and down the coast. The vision is more trains, more often between B.C. and Portland, trains to Spokane from Seattle, and from Vancouver, Washington to Pasco to Spokane. There currently is nothing in the area defined by Yakima, Cheney, and Ellensburg. Many of these towns have old railway stations that could be put back into service.
AAWA envisions starting with passenger service on existing freight routes; this will need to be coordinated with the current freight traffic. They are also looking at high-speed rail. This will require new rail beds and equipment costing billions of dollars and taking decades to implement. That is why the first priority is to expand existing service and to use existing infrastructure. Passenger rail service benefits large and small towns economically, environmentally, socially – more social equity.
Questions from Rotarians included increasing bus service on existing highways at a much smaller cost vs. trains.
AAWA has been educating the public, including governments, promoting a good system that includes trains.
Joker Pool:
There was not a Joker Pool this evening.
Adjournment:
President Dave rang the bell at 7:18 p.m. to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted
Dave Aubry – Acting Scribe