Rotary Report 2/26/09

Regular Meeting at Jim’s Buffet and Grill, Wednesday, February 18, 2009
By Byron Ward and Sid Riley

The program this week was the well known area environmentalist, Chad Taylor, who brought the membership up to date on the "Water Wars" on the Apalachicola River, as well as the various "Springs" organizations which are active in this area. Taylor reviewed the history of the "water wars" effort, how concerned organizations south of Atlanta in all three involved states had combined their efforts, and the various court rulings which have been rendered.
He explained that the future of the oyster and seafood industries in the Apalachicola Bay are at stake, as well as much of the ecology and beauty of the river system. A ruling will be made within a few months which will set limits for the Corps Of Engineers on river flow maintenance in the coming season.
Taylor also discussed other organizations related to area rivers and water preservation. He described the ‘Springs Ambassador’ program which is dedicated to preserving natural springs in our area, the "Springs Amnesty" program, The Blue Springs Basin Group, the eco-tourism development programs under "RiverWay South", as well as the "Apalachicola Riverkeeper" organization. Chad Taylor can be contacted at cct@phonl.com for more information about any of these groups.

Marianna Rotary Report - February 4, 2009

Meeting at Jim’s Buffet & Grill

By Sid Riley & Byron Ward

The club had a full house for this week’s meeting. In addition to the regular membership, we had every county commissioner, Marianna’s City Manager, Jim Dean, County Manager Ted Lakey, former Florida Governor Wayne Mixson, and others. The program was introduced by JCDC Director Bill Stanton. The program was delivered by David Melvin of Melvin Engineering. He gave a power point presentation which was an overview of the entire start to finish of the Green Circle Bio-Energy Project.

The plant is now in full operation, with a boat load of wood pellets leaving loaded for Rotterdam from the Panama City Port every eighteen days. It is the largest wood pellet plant in the world. It will be adding over $7.5 million to the Jackson County tax rolls in 2009. It has revitalized the local pulp wood industry and has been a great addition to the local economy.

Rotary Report- 2/5/09

Marianna Rotary Club Meeting of January 28, 2009 at Jim’s Buffet and Grill
By Sid Riley

This week’s program was sponsored by club member Robbie Roberts. His program was delivered by Jamie Rowe, who is the area manager for Terminix. Rowe told the assembled members about the three specie of termites that are active in this area. He described the dreaded Formosan Termite which is twice as aggressive as our regular models, and this varmit has been detected as near as Pensacola.
He also detailed the methods of treatment and prevention, the wording in contracts with exterminators, and the bonding process. Since most of the membership also owns property, there was an active Q & A period following his basic presentation.