Gull Lake Area Rotary has room for more travelers to the Dominican Republic.  If you are interested in seeing first-hand the District's Children's Safe Water Project progress made in the Dominican Republic, this trip is for you!  It will be February 25th to March 2, 2017, with local Rotarians in Sabaneta and at the "Life Style Holiday Resort" in Puerto Plata.  Contact Larry Neil at 269-945-5547 or email:  larryneil@mei.net  The cost is $1500, there is an attachment at the end of the Rotogram under "Children's Water Project" for more info.

After very entertaining lunch music provided by Mike Skory, President Jack Davis called the meeting of the Rotary Club of Lansing to order on what many were certain would be the final day of summer (or more accurately an amazing fall). Our invocation was provided by Sandy Dragoo, who covered Silver Bells, the upcoming holiday season, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving in her comments. The club then sang an energetic rendition of God Bless America. Julie Pingston stepped in to help in the introduction of guests and visiting Rotarians. Sandy Dragoo next reported that the health of the club was good in her remembrance report. Announcements by President Jack included a Holiday Cheer gathering for the club on Thursday, December 8 from 4-8pm at the Crowne Plaza. There will be no meeting that Friday. In addition, the Gull Lake Area Rotary is planning a working trip to the Dominican Republic and the Special Projects Committee will have a meeting prior to the club meeting on December 2.

 

John Person announced the November birthdays, sharing favorite sports memories from the birthday group. We did learn that Maureen Hirten spouse, Mickey, adopted his first name in recognition of Mickey Mantle (or was it Mickey Mouse? – just kidding). With 50% participation in birthday giving, there is still time for November birthday Rotarians to meet this giving expectation. With the mention of Mickey Mantle, President Jack ran the club through its paces challenging our fleeting baseball memories of famous ball player jerseys. We left Jack impressed with what we did remember. Our own Lisa Smith provided special music accompanied by Mike Skory (and it really was special). Sandy Dragoo, leader of CATA for more than 30 years, came prepared for multiple duties by then introducing our speaker of the day, Deb Alexander.

 

With more than 30 years’ experience herself at CATA, Deb is the Project Director for the proposed Michigan – Grand River Avenues Bus Rapid Transit Project, which was her topic of the day. In 2009, this BRT project began, with the recognition that CATA’s busiest route from the Capitol to the Meridian Mall was at capacity. This is currently requiring buses to pass by riders waiting for the bus. What to do?

 

The team explored a variety of alternatives which included adding more buses (but that would lead to even more traffic issues including added delays for drivers), light rail (but that would require many more millions of dollars than are available), street cars (which are not a viable option), or the creation of a rapid transit option which would create a dedicated lane for the expanded bus network to travel as an express option with newly designed and dedicated stations for passengers. This option focuses on the needs of the passengers as well as pedestrians, bike riders and motorists with the goal of increasing capacity in all modes of transportation AND serving as a catalyst for change and an economic stimulus. This option will require the construction of three bridges to accommodate the bus route. As part of the plan, data collection has taken place around the issues of the environmental impact, traffic flow and more.

 

So, what is the BRT? It will include newly designed expanded 60’ buses with doors on both sides. Where bus boarding along the Michigan Avenue route can currently take 21/2 – 5 minutes per stop, it is estimated that the BRT will require less than 1 minute to board and exit at proposed stops. After describing the route, Deb explained that this design will actually increase auto capacity in the current lanes. It should also reduce auto accidents by up to 40%. And, all funding will come from state and federal sources. Questions and discussion followed. We learned from Sandy Draggoo that Deb Alexander will be retiring and that this will be one of her final presentations for CATA. She and her husband, Ken, will be relocating to Florida (and with the weather moving in for the weekend, her timing couldn’t be better).

 

At the conclusion of her presentation, President Jack thanked Deb for this informative talk and presented her with the Rotary token. Jack also informed Deb that in lieu of a speaker’s gift, we will donate money to our Bio Sand Filter project to provide clean water to under developed regions in the Dominican Republic and Hawaii (I think he meant Haiti).

 

Best wishes to all for an enjoyable Thanksgiving.  The club will not meet next week.