Joan Nelson is the Executive Director of Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC), a 22 year old hub for comprehensive and integrative community development located on Lansing’s Eastside. As E.D., Ms. Nelson oversees programs focused on health, food security/access, youth development, entrepreneurism and job skill training, commercial corridor revitalization, and neighborhood capacity-building.

 

In conjunction with Cinnaire Solutions and a host of partners and supporters, ANC is building Allen Place, an $11M project “at the intersection of food, health, housing and energy innovation.” When completed this fall, Allen Place will offer 21 mixed-income apartments, an Ingham Health Centers Clinic, ELFCO Food Co-op and Consignment Grocery, and increased access to healthy food options for area residents. An Accelerator Kitchen that opened in March is already catalyzing expanded business opportunities for four small scale food entrepreneurs. Finally, a partnership with the Board of Water and Light is resulting in creation of a micro-grid on the block, utilizing solar technologies.

 

A 46-year resident of Lansing’s Eastside, Nelson holds a BA and MA from Michigan State University.

Paul Rathbun II, 60, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 21, 2021 in Omena, Michigan. Paul was born in Lansing on June 27, 1961, and was a lifelong resident committed to the improvement and enjoyment of his city.

 

Paul attended Ferris State University, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in insurance. He joined the family business, Rathbun Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency in which he specialized in personal, commercial, life and health insurance. Paul helped thousands of people and businesses in the Lansing region as an agent, supporter, and friend. Under his leadership as the agency's President, the company thrived and serves thousands of Lansing families and businesses.

 

Paul was an active member of many Lansing-area civic organizations and charitable boards most recently serving on the Capital Region Community Foundation Board, Lansing Rotary (for more than 40 years!), Underground of Good, and was a founding member of the Pere Marquette Art Alley. Paul and his father delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years. He served as a former President of the Lansing Jaycees, board member of Ele's Place, and many others. He organized numerous community placemaking events and was a founder of the Capital City Riverfest. Through his business and personally, he sponsored many events including the Delta Township Fireworks, a monthly Rathbun Agency Quotes for a Cause initiative, Old Town Commercial Association, Friends of the Lansing Regional Trails, local music festivals, and countless others.

 

Paul loved to travel and was a charter member of the ISA (I Smell Adventure) group. He shared numerous adventures and experiences with his family and friends taking fantastic vacations around the world. He was an avid music enthusiast and was an aspiring guitar player. Paul was constantly in motion. He enjoyed cycling, beach volleyball, hockey, and exercising. He was a foodie and always liked to plan several meals ahead. His passion for MSU sports, especially football, was reflected in both his season tickets and his choice to wear green and white on all his travels, connecting with other MSU fans near and far.

 

Paul knew that the best way to pass the time was with the people he loved. His pursuits wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable without the family, friends, and colleagues he treasured along the way.

 

Paul was preceded in death by his brother, James Alan Rathbun.

 

His legacy of embracing life and the opportunity to help others will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Catherine "Cat" (Wilson, Coens) Rathbun; his sons, Benjamin David (Lillian Werbin) Rathbun and Samuel Jordan (fiancé Maggie Furco) Rathbun; his parents, Eugene Paul and Lenora Violet (Jordan) Rathbun; his sister, Cindy Kay (Dirk Douglas) Case; his sister-in-law, Rachel Rathbun; his uncle, Truman "Bud" Jordan; his nieces and nephews, Joshua Jordan (Natalie) Case, Amanda Kay (Trent) Wilson, Alyssa Rathbun, James Rathbun, Jeremiah Rathbun, and Shalyn Rathbun; his first wife, Brenda Ann (Lyon) Rathbun; and many cousins.

 

Paul had a strong faith and was a member of Riverview Church.

 

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ele's Place - Capital Region, 1145 W. Oakland, Lansing, MI 48915 or the Capital Region Community Foundation, 330 Marshall St., Lansing, MI 48912.

At 12:30 President Sue began the meeting by ringing the Rotary bell.

 

Lolo Robison, in response to the strife occurring in our world, delivered a heartfelt invocation of healing and peace. America the Beautiful was the patriotic song for the day, in which we all joined in singing.

 

Craig Spencer circulated the microphone for the introduction of guests. Bob Hoffman introduced Jessie Williams, news director for WSYM Fox 47.

 

Diane Sanborn announced that Lisa Smith’s husband is back in the hospital, and will be there for a while.

 

Chris Holman gave details of the upcoming Loftus Day on September 10. Our Club began the tradition in 1924 when Frank Loftus took flowers to the grave of Charles Nichols, a past Rotary president. Flowers can be ordered from fellow Rotarian, Rick Anthony.

 

Ken Beachler introduced guest musician, Chey LaCasse. Ms. LaCasse admirably performed Imagine and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore and was accompanied by John Dale Smith.

 

Chair of the Day, Chris Holman introduced our speaker, Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan. The position was created under the Whitmer administration to help make sure Michigan is in the forefront of future transportation technologies.

 

In a bold start to an energetic and enlightening presentation, Trevor Pawl stated that “Living in the moment is the meaning of life.” And then leaned in with hoping that this would be the best 30 minutes of our day.

 

Mr. Pawl gave a great presentation on the present and future of mobility. One in five jobs in Michigan is in mobility (technologies and services that enable people and goods to move around more freely). By 2030 a majority of cars produced will be electric and will have at least some self driving features.

 

By 2071, people will still drive, but it will be expensive and inefficient. Streets will put people first and people second. People will get places through subscription plans. Advanced sensor technology and 3D mapping will help avoid accidents, needs for lanes, needs for horns.

 

Currently, 94% of traffic fatalities are because of human error; future technologies will change this. By 2030, 50% of the value of a car will be software.

 

He talked about how his team is working to keep the future of the mobility industry in Michigan by making sure we have a future based responsive policy.

 

President Sue thanked Trevor Pawl for his presentation, but she does not plan to be around in 2071 to see his future vision. She announced that in lieu of a speaker’s gift we will be making a donation in his honor to a local organization through our Lansing Rotary Foundation which has, over the history of our club, given in excess of $2,000,000 to local organizations and projects.

 

Posted by Chris Swope, his email:   chris.swope@lansingmi.gov