Salem Rotary - The Spoke - Archive (Sep 9, 2008)

Randy Burba his sister in-laws wedding in the Hamptons.
Jim Haskell went down to the Cape to celebrate his brothers 60^th birthday. His son has also started middle school.
Jeff Holloran announced that he recently had Lasik eye surgery. He also said that he has since realized he should not dress himself (this was evident to all due to the two types of plaid he was wearing) & now that he can see more clearly, he realized how old we all were.
Rob Lutts went hiking with Bill Kielbasa and had a great time.
John Quinn informed us that his numbers of birthdays now exactly matches the number of keys on a piano.

EDITORS NOTE/CORRECTION:

It was recently reported that John Fisher’s son had been on WEEI Sports Radio, had won the Samuel Adams IPA Brewers Contest & recently found employment at the Harpoon Brewery in South Boston.

The SPOKE respectfully informs you that John Fisher does not have a son and therefore was NOT on WEEI Sports Radio, has not won the Samuel Adams IPA Brewers Contest & has not recently found employment at the Harpoon Brewery in South Boston.

It was John Walsh’s son- CONGRATS JOHN – my bad guys!

Program for the September 9th Meeting:

Chip Tuttle of Suffolk Downs

Chip Tuttle CEO of Suffolk Downs and CEO of the public relations firm Conover Tuttle Pace joined us this past week to give us some backround as to what’s going on at the facility & its endeavor to obtain class 3 gaming there.

Chip is a resident of Salem, graduated from Fairfield University and began his career in print at the Salem Evening News as a sportswriter. He soon came to find that writing for the newspaper was something not for him in the long term, but found the public relations piece of his job felt right. Chip went to work in public relations for Suffolk Downs from 1992-1997 and then ventured off on his own to form his current company, Conover Tuttle Pace. Conover Tuttle Pace is a public relations firm that works with local businesses, leaders in industry as well as companies that have a global reach such as; the Boston Red Sox, General Dynamics, A.T. & T. Wireless, Eastern Bank (shameless plug by the editor) & the PGA of America. Visit www.ctpboston.com/main.html for more information about his innovative company.

Chip was asked to become the CEO of Suffolk Downs in 2007, it was a position he could not turn down even with the economic difficulty the track was in. Ultimately he jumped in as Richard Fields, a well known real estate and casino developer had agreed to provide capital to revive the slumping franchise. Suffolk Downs is a supporter of more than 2000 job for employees from the surrounding communities including Revere, East Boston and Chelsea, and is a much needed venue in the Greater Boston landscape.

Chip explained that there is a need for class 3 gaming at Suffolk downs for many reasons;

To continue to support those 2000 jobs.
1.1 billion dollars are spent annually in CN alone by MA residents at Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods.
60% of MA residents polled preferred expanded gaming rather than higher taxes.
There is already gaming in Seabrook & Rockingham N.H., Bangor M.E. w/ slot machines, in R.I. at Twin River & the Saratoga Springs Harness Track in N.Y. We are bordered on all four sides by venues that offer this type of gaming and our dollars are turning into other states revenue, rather than our own.

Although the previous legislation by Governor Patrick to bring this type of gaming to the Commonwealth met its demise in the House last year, there is new legislation filed – w/ hopes to bring economic development (real estate, new jobs, revenue w/ no taxes) to the site. The city of Boston and Mayor Menino also support this initiative.

Some of the obstacles to moving forward are the social concerns and the rt. 1A corridor from the Callahan Tunnel to Bell Circle in Revere. This stretch of road is already difficult to traverse at rush hour; the impact of gaming could or would bring more volume. Additional infrastructure would need to be funded in some way for a project of this type to work as well.

Chip also reminded us of the Mass Cap @ Suffolk Downs coming soon on 9/20, only $5 for entry. See the link below for more details on this particular event and other goings on at the track.www.suffolkdowns.com

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

9/16 Mayor Kim Driscoll

9/23 John Keenan, Pan Mass Challenge

9/30 Montserrat College of Art

10/7 Ted Warrren re: Carbon Kayaks

10/14 Nelson Benton, Salem News

10/21 Tom Driscoll, Essex Cpunty Clerk of Courts

10/28 Dave Gendall, Friends Forever

Events to be aware of -- Save the Dates!!

2008 Rotary District 7930

Foundation and

Membership Forum

Where:

The Sheraton Ferncroft

in Danvers, MA

When:

Wednesday

September 17, 2008

Starting at 3:00 PM

Who should attend?

Club Membership & Foundation Committee Members

Current Members - New Members - Potenial New Members

Presidents - Presidents Elect - Club Officers & Directors

Club Interact - Rotaract - EarlyAct Committee Members

Youth Exchange & RYLA Committee Members

See Jim Robinson to sign up/register.

Please visit the calendar section of our web site

for additional important dates.

And now a few announcements....

President Dave would like to remind you that there is a Board of Directors meeting this coming Tuesday 9/16 at 10:45 a.m.
Liz Bradt announced that the Salem Music Boosters are looking for sponsors to fund their 2008-2009 yearbook. For a sponsor sheet please see Liz.
Rinus Oosthoek announced the upcoming events sponsored by the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

Salem Fall Restaurant Week
September 14 - 18
Salem Fall Restaurant Week is set to kick off on September 14, featuring the best local cuisine at bargain prices. For one week only, participating Salem area restaurants will offer a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu. Salem has become a culinary destination and people really look forward to Restaurant Week. When else do you get to dine in Salem's finest restaurants at bargain prices?

For pricing and a list of participating restaurants please go to the link below.

http://www.salem-chamber.org/restaurantweekfall2008.html

Salem Chamber After Hours - Finz Seafood and Grill
76 Wharf Street, Salem, MA
Thursday, September 25 from 5 - 7 pm
Join us at Finz Seafood and Grill for our September After Hours. Finz has long had a reputation in Salem and around New England for fresh, innovative seafood and grill fare, not to mention delicious specialty drinks. With indoor and outdoor waterfront dining. Finz is a great place to relax and enjoy outstanding food and drinks. Free to chamber members and $20 for non-members. To register, please R.S.V.P. to info@salem-chamber.org. For more information please contact the Salem Chamber at (978) 744-0004.

Rich Eisner had the mousse for desert this week at Rotary.
Bob Conley has a few remaining Rotary Golf Tournament shirts for purchase. All are green in color with the Rotary emblem on the sleeve, 100% cotton, available for $10.00 each. Sizes that remain are Large or Medium. Please call Bob at his office if you are interested in purchasing one – 978.744.1760

Quote of the Week:

“The safest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket.”

- Kin Hubbard

Stumpers

This week's stumper:

What Rotary member won an award at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts in 1998?

Last week's stumper:

Which member of the SPOKE Committee will no longer be writing and editing the SPOKE as of 9/30/08 due to a career pathing change? : (

Answer to last week's stumper:

Jim Cobb

Happy Birthday to: Rinus Oosthoek & John Quinn

Please email all announcements to be added to the Spoke and/or feedback to salem_rotary@yahoo.com by Noon on Wednesday. Also, feel free to contact any of the committee members listed below.

Committee Chair: Jim Cobb

Editors: Jim Cobb

Photos: John Quinn (Jay Cue), Trip Mason and File

Graphics and Photo Editing: Rich Eisner

Members: Denise Flynn, Jim Haskell, Sandy Heaphy and Brenda Smith