Rotary minder for June 4, 2024
Posted by Mary Beth Harper
GUESTS:
Kaleena Gharky: Aurora Rotarian, Habitat for Humanity. Kaleena is transferring to the Kent Club soon.
Natasha Rodriguez-Carroll, wife of member Matt Carroll, who is an officer of Kent Junior Mothers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Paul Organ: Grand opening for Marathon Financial offices located at 234 S. Main will be held on June 17.
Anne Moneypenny: Chamber of Commerce After Hours is June 11 at Open Arms Adoption. Please register on the Chamber website. Note: Heritage Festival will be held on July 6.
Stacey Richardson: Let her know if you have any ideas for programs for next year.
Nancy Whitehead: Kent Rotary Foundation will meet Tuesday, June 11. Five grant requests have been received.
Bill Childers: 10 cent beer night at the Indians was held 50 years ago.
Happy Bucks: Will Underwood announced the engagement of daughter Immy.
Birthdays: Of the June birthday folks, who were present:
Jen Lennox—marine biologist
Tom Hatch—lawyer or minister
David Sommers—architect
Todd Packer—rock star or microbiologist
Nancy Whitehead—ambassador
Suzanne Hetrick--teacher
SPEAKER:
President Asad Khan introduced guest speaker and consultant Fionnuala Quinn via Zoom. A Civil Engineer, Quinn is an expert on “traffic gardens.” This is one name for “Safety Towns,” which educate and guide future road users in the world of streets and traffic elements. Quinn says kids’ biking rates have fallen more than 60 percent in the past 15 years. Families no longer have the time or place to teach their children to ride bicycles nor to educate them on road safety.
The first safety town was built in Mansfield, Ohio in 1937. Now they are found all over the world, many in parks or at schools. Quinn designs traffic gardens using standards she has developed and works with vendors. She encouraged members to visit her website at trafficgardens.com.
Next, President Khan thanked former president Dave Myers for his vision and leadership to introduce this project and build momentum by forming a committee and begin fundraising in 2022.
Points to know about Safety Town Kent:
- Located near Holden School in the southside of Kent on property provided by the Kent City Schools.
- Elements will include sidewalks, streets, large and small intersections, railroad and pedestrian crossings and signage to help children learn to foot and bike safety.
- Kent Junior Mothers will hold its annual Safety School there.
- Partners include Kent City Schools, City of Kent and Kent Parks and Recreation.
- Metis Construction and Kent State University are supporting the project.
- Rotarian Todd Packer has headed an effort to apply for a state grant.
- A grant of $1,405 was received from Rotary District 6630.
- Our 2023 auction raised over $11,000 for the project.
- Additional community fundraising will continue.
- A “Dream Team” of community leaders and stakeholders will help steer and direct the project.
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