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As I was assigned to draft the Windmill, after a hectic morning attending other duties, I ran late to the meeting. When I arrived maestro PP Ed Gauld was in the middle of leading the members in Happy Days are here Again! The Pledge was led David Stover, Thought of the Day by PP Benjamin Fisher and yours truly was recognized as the Windmill draftee.
Guests included Peter and Ann Mason (parents of the speaker), Miles Johnson (son of the late and great Rafer Johnson) and Bill Roen’s guest, Lisa Chapman (wife of member Phil Gabriel), Lucy Tseng and Gary Reuben (who are on the 10-day membership waiting period along with Vanessa Zamarripa).
PE Bob Simon was asked to give a short talk on Rotary Magazine and did so by using an article as a source of fellowship and special relationships enjoyed by all members of Rotary.
Announcements of the Day:
- President Mark laid out the rules for the gift exchange holiday meeting the following week. The rules were complicated but were made as a source of fun!
- Continuing with Rogo’s insistence on wearing a Rotary logo, Mark asked anyone without a logo to stand up. I stood up, joined by Dave Stover. We were fined and handed a pin as remembrance.
- Phil Gabriel was awarded the Paul Harris plus 2 pin for his contribution to the Rotary Foundation.
- A member (I think Bill Roen) offered his UCLA basketball tickets (for a game on Dec. 23rd) to auction off for a Foundation contribution. Phil Gabriel won with a bid of $55 per ticket.
- Lisa Chapman was asked to comment on her effort as co-chair of the LA Homeless Count for Westwood Village where she encouraged everyone to volunteer for the count.
Finally, it was time to introduce the speaker of the day. President Mark Rogo a friend of the speaker, did a short but effective job of introducing Melonie Mason. Melonie, who grew up and is friends with President Mark’s daughter Marcie, is a former political writer for the LA Times switching publications where she now writes as a political journalist for “Political” newspaper.
- Melonie started off by discussing the recent passage of Proposition 50, the redistricting effort by California to combat the Texas redistricting law recently passed. It passed in California with a 64% to 36% margin. If the voters align with the redistricting effort it would increase the House of Representatives for CA to the advantage of Democrats offsetting the advantage to Republicans in Texas.
- With respect to the CA Governor’s race in 2026, she pointed out that there is still 44% of undecided by voters. Melonie presented a list of candidates from both parties with a mostly “no-name” recognition leading the way, except for Rick Caruso who is on both the Governor’s list and LA Mayor list of candidates as well. He has not committed to either race so far but, it is believed he will run in one or the other election.
- Leading the way for election of Mayor for LA, is existing mayor Karen Bass, along with Austin Beuter (former LAUSD CEO), Huang and, of course, Caruso. It was mentioned by members that Bass will have a tough time defending her performance with respect to her handling of the Palisades fire issue and solving homelessness.
- Melonie admitted not knowing a lot about the ballot measures, but she thinks some items that will be considered are voter ID, wealth tax and loans to middle-class homeowners. Melonie gave a summary of these issues but not an opinion.
- There were many questions from the membership, obviously depending on the political belief of the individual. PP Ed Gauld who I believe gave the most salient comment by pointing out with CA viewed by some as a one-party state (democrats in control) it could lead to mischief at the state level. Melonie understood the comment but stayed neutral on a response.
Melonie is very well educated on the politics of California and Washington and was very interesting to hear speak. We hope she will return in the future. President Mark having forgotten the speaker gift fined himself and promised Melonie a gift to be given to her at a later time.
Time ran out; thus, the meeting was adjourned by President Mark.
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