Program Notes from Meeting on 1/27

Our guest speaker was Tracy Allen, Ph. D. He is the department of Geography chair, associate professor of Geography and Environmental Sciences Program at SUNY Oneonta.

He spoke very enthusiastically and passionately about water, clean water in the world. It's about Quality and Quanity of the water in the world that matters to him. Tracy reported that water should be a basic human right in the world. In developing countries 2.2 million people die each year because of dangerous water. 16 jumbo jets crashing every day is equal to the number of people who die due to poor water. There are over 20 water related diseases known. 1 n 6 do NOT have access to clean water, 1/2 the hospital beds in the world are filled with people suffering from diseases due to poor water. More people in the world have a cell phone than a toilet. In developing countries they use 2.67 gallons of water a day and in the US we use an average of 100 to 175 gallons of water a day.

Solutions according to Tracy include: Education, Government Intervention, Community Based Aid, Small Community Projects one community at a time.

Three New Members Inducted in the Month of January

Congratulations to the new members of the Oneonta Rotary Club

Heidi Yorke: General Manager of the Hampton Inn in Oneonta

Chris Kuhn: New Director at Job Corps

Dave Coury: Works for the Oneonta Recreation Department

Please give these new members a warm Rotary Welcome

22nd Annual Oneonta Rotary Ross Cordell Tournament a Success

Thankfully the 22nd Annual Oneonta Rotary Ross Cordell Tournament went off without a hitch this year. We were anticipating a huge winter storm to hit on Friday and last through to the weekend, but the weather decided to keep it's ugly claws in check for this year.

Thanks to the help of many Oneonta Rotarians, Catrina Truesdell, John Remillard, Bob Moyer, Bill Davis, Charlie Nicosia, Elaine Baird, Dr. Bob Davidson, Loree Allen, Lary Guzy, Laurie Zimniewicz, Emily Ernsberger, Lindsay Drake, Paul Paterson, Tom Kelly, Sam Koury, Don Ball, Geoff and Chad Smith we were able to keep everything running as smooth as possible.

Once again, the wrestiling was top notch, as always. Levitown came out at the winners of the whole tournament, BG/A (Bainbridge-Gilford/Afton) finished second and Oneonta finished ninth. Sandy Creek Wrestler, Derek Pfluger (Last years State Champion at 135 in D II) recorded his 200th Career win at the tournament.

We want to thank all the tournament sponsors who helped support the Oneonta Rotary Club and the OHS Booster Club who will benefit directly from this tournament.