edited by
TOHNIA FIELDS
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Marlene F. Demery was appointed to city manager for the City of Solvang in Jan. 2002. Prior to her appointment she has served as Community Services Director for the City of Lompoc for eight years and as Public Works Director during her eleven years with the County of SB. Ms. Demery has a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Cal State Long Beach; and has done graduate work in water supply and hydrology at the University of Colorado. She was honored as Engineer or the Year in 1994 for the Tri-Counties region. Ms. Demery has resided in the Santa Ynez Valley since 1983 with her husband, current County Public Works Director, Phil Demery and their three children, Greg Young who graduated from SY High School in 1998 and has followed in his parents footsteps with a degree in Civil Engineering from UC Davis just conferred in June; Lindsay a sophomore at SYVHS, a second year Varsity basketball player; and Ariana, a seventh grader at SYV Charter School. She has been active in youth activities in the SYV and has served on the College School Board since 1994 and is a Board Member of the SYV Charter School. "Are you aware that they have found out that the polio virus is mutating and that all this work and money may be for nil?" It is well known that the attenuated poliovirus-the actual wild virus, which had been changed to a harmless virus for the purpose of maximum effective active immunization and used in the oral (Sabin) vaccine, can eventually mutate back toward the original pathogenic form, and cause paralysis. Although this is rare, it recently occurred in Hispaniola and in the Philippines, which had been certified polio-free for many years, but in areas where the routine immunization was low, and the sanitation was poor. The live, attenuated poliovirus, in the vaccine given to a child, spread to other non-immunized children in the area, continued to circulate for more than a year, and eventually changed back to about 85% of its original form, enabling it to cause paralysis in other non-immunized children. This is termed the 'Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus' or cVDPV. The resolution to this problem was simply to vaccinate 100% of the children, through a mass campaign, and to reinforce the routine immunization program to the proper standards. This stopped the cVDPV dead in its tracks. The incidence, however unfortunate, underlined the importance of maintaining high polio immunization coverage in the post-certification polio-free countries. A Big Thank You to Dick Brown for filling in for me at the August 21st meeting on very short notice. We have a giant of a Rotarian in Rick Zander. Rick has received several accolades for "Service Above Self" for his Phillippine endeavors. If you didn't see the August 24th Santa Barbara News Press article I'll have copies made available at the Treasurer/Secretary table. Rick told me only about 30% of the article is correct. I'm so surprised that the media can make mistakes. However, you can get the jest of what Rick is trying to accomplish form the article. I do become emotional at times, not from the words I'm about to say, but from my thoughts prior to saying them. Rick Zander, a man who has suspended his occupation, sold his belongings, and dedicated years of his life to a cause is simply a very special individual and I am personally touched deeply by this commitment. The clubs recommended financial contribution to one of our own is fabulous and I fully support the International Chairs, Jim Groessl's, recommendation to contribute a significant portion of this year's international budget to Rick's Phillippine projects. Rick is truly "Sowing the Seeds of Love". One more reminder 4th of July $70, there is only a few of you. David Wyatt would also appreciate the payment of club dues. Thanks, Butch Dr. Ken Nash underwent an appendectomy recently. We all wish him a Speedy Recovery! "If you are unwilling to change you have already met your maximum potential." ~ Unknown ~ Jim Thomas, retiring SB County Sheriff, will share his unique insights into contemporary issues impacting the SYV. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002 @ 12:10pm Richard Shawcroft along with Rotary Member Participation present "9-11 Reflection". Wednesday, Sept.18, 2002 @ 12:10pm TBA |
