President Randy Smith called the meeting to order. David Dix played our patriotic song, God Bless America. President Randy led the Pledge of Allegiance and Christie Anderson offered the invocation.
Guests: Asad Khan introduced Dr. Marcela Castano, a potential new member. He also noted that Bill Myers may also join the meeting, as another potential new member.
Announcements:
The 100th Anniversary Committee will meet on Tuesday May 25th. The Executive Board of Kent Rotary will meet on Thursday, May 20th at 7 pm.
Sherry Joy is seeking a few volunteers for the annual clean-up at the Gazebo for May 29th at 9am. Please bring garden tools.
Curtis Stumpf announced that the Imagination Library committee will meet next Tuesday at 6:30 pm.
President Randy expressed appreciation for the District Meeting held this past week. Kudos to Larry Lohman.
Student of the Month:
Dennis Love introduced Madison Walker, a senior at Kent Roosevelt High School, as this month’s student of the month. Maddie is described as a student leader and positive influence. She is active in many activities and programs at the school. She holds over a 3.8 GPA, and has taken advanced courses. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She also babysits, is a member of the United Youth Force, a church organization, and works at Pettitis. In the fall, she will attend Ohio University, where she will study music.
100th Anniversary History Moment:
Jim Myers talked about the years 1943-1944 in the Rotary Club.
Program: Inside the State Supreme Court
Dave Myers introduced our speaker, Justice Pat DeWine, a justice on the Ohio Supreme Court. Justice DeWine did his undergraduate work at Miami University and received his law degree from the University of Michigan. He has had experience as a Hamilton County Commissioner and served in the legal system, eventually joining the Ohio Supreme Court.
Justice DeWine presented a slide show on the workings of the court and talked about how Justices get on the Court. They are elected, not appointed, and hold six- year terms. He outlined reasons why we should care about the Supreme Court including the fact that 90% of cases are heard in state court. The court can protect individual rights, public safety, jobs and economy and provide legal rules to be enforced in courts.
Justice DeWine then walked us through the case process at the Court. He used a real case for the illustration that involved two businesses arguing over a domain name. He noted earlier court findings with an appeal finally coming to the Ohio Supreme Court. Justice DeWine talked about how a case is argued before the Court. He shared information about voting and defining majority and minority opinions. Opinions are written in clear English and spell out the rationale for the decisions. In the example case, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court decisions. He told us that the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision is not appealable, unless a federal issue is involved.
Justice DeWine shared information about why judges see things differently based on approaches to legal matters and philosophies. Justice DeWine can be reached at rpdewine@gmail.com.
Response:
Bill Nome, retired Municipal Court Judge, gave the response. He thanked Justice DeWine for his presentation and for taking us through an actual case decided by the Court. He appreciates the plain writing of opinions. He also noted that wide variety of cases heard by the Supreme Court. This was a very informative program.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Hetrick
