Salvation Army

Last Tuesday Major Mark Litherland spoke to the club on the efforts of the Salvation Army and its ministry, particularly focusing on the importance of ringing bells at Christmastime. The Major said he has been a bell ringer since childhood and added that moneys raised during the holiday season is the army's largest fund raiser.

The 2008 collection served 2,000 people; the 2009 collection will serve 4,000 individuals. To date, 500 people have registered for Christmas assistance. People must first register for aid and are investigated to determine if they truly qualify for help, which includes food, transportation, utilities and the soap pantry. Major Litherland added that the Reid Hospital Foundation has been very helpful in recent years.

Kelley & Simpson Present "Tales of the Departed"

The Wayne County Museum has a fund raiser each year called "Tales of the Departed" and it is held at Earlham Cemetery. Our very own Harold Simpson and John Kelley have participated in this event for a couple of years now. This year Harold portrayed Mayor William Zimmerman and John Kelley portrayed Isaac A Gorman, who was the Wayne County Sheriff and Superintendent of Police for Mayor Zimmerman. They brought their program to Rotary for a presentation of the characters they portrayed. The two men told of a time when Richmond had a large number of factory jobs and was a growing town. The two worked together to "keep the city clean" and they were well know for their good work. Mayor Zimmerman was instrumental in establishing Richmond Power & Light, as well as the Richmond Gas Company. It was a very interesting program and John & Harold both knew the history of their characters very well.

Bill Henry of Milestone Company spoke today on a variety of subjects relating to road and street construction. He praised both the City of Richmond and Wayne County government for their success in obtaining stimulus monies, which are used to fund various thoroughfare improvements, particularly US 27 North, which will be widened by four feet and have installed under it a new sewer system. Route 40 West, by Earlham College, will have limited conditions until a nearby bridge is repaired. Northwest 5th Street is also to be re-worked, along with other city streets.
He stressed that road and street updating adds greatly to economic development, noting that the Centerville rest area, as well as Centerville Road, are both on the Milestone agenda. Henry noted that roundabouts are the 'thing of the future' and that they are much more efficient and environmentally friendly. He completed his presentation by citing the advantages of counties imposing a wheel tax on vehicle owners.