May 4, 2004

NEXT MEETING, MAY 10… Janet Scott of the Mississippi Arts Alliance will be our speaker.

LAST MEETING, MAY 3… Clint Herring gave us a report on the SafeCity Initiative, an organization formed to bring assistance and accountability to the criminal justice system. Clint told us about the Initiative’s plans to help in four areas: law enforcement, prosecution, the courts, and the correctional system. Immediately, he said, they hope to create and utilize a technology-based Central Justice Management System that will help track criminals across the state - a system that is sorely needed. They also plan to work to utilize special statutory powers to reduce prosecutorial backlogs and to reduce backlog in the courts. And they plan to suggest an Alternative Sentencing Plan that will help place felons in a correctional situation that will be most beneficial to the state and to the individual. Thanks to Sister Dorothea for arranging and introducing this program.

THE ROTARY SPOTLIGHT… swung around on May 3 to shine on Johnny Esters, who was spotlighted by Vikki Taylor. Congratulations, Johnny.

OUR ANNUAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT… was held last week at River Hills, and the winner was (drum roll, please) a TIE between Linda Harmon and John England. Chairman Johnny Louis, ably assisted by the aforementioned Linda, put on an outstanding tournament, and, if you missed it, make your plans now for next year.

RESOLUTIONS CHAIRMAN… Louis Watson, Sr. prepared a resolution in memory of fellow Rotarian John Lee, who passed away on April 14. The club adopted it unanimously, and a copy will be sent to Mrs. Lee.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER… number 20 of this Rotary year. Introduced to the club on May 3 was:
•Patrick Phillips, Pastor of the Central United Methodist Church. Patrick was introduced by Dolphus Weary.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… Thanks to J. D. Fly and the Rotarfest Committee for a great time last week -- Roger Venable's dad outdid himself with the shrimp and crawfish. If you missed this, you missed a real treat. Also thanks to Johnny Louis and the Tennis Committee for some excellent round-robin competition last Thursday. Your Mentor Scholarship Committee led by Alan Moak is beginning the interview process to determine this year's scholarship recipients. Thanks to your support we have four scholarships available with a little surplus. Finally, our resident deputy sheriff Michael Caracci commends everyone for their cooperation in properly exiting the Ag Museum! - Haden