PROGRAM:
Dutch began his career with Bell of Pennsylvania immediately after graduation from South Philadelphia High School as a mail carrier. While progressing through various jobs, including installer, repair, PBX, dispatch and over 30 different assignments, Dutch also attended Temple University for over 11 years in the evening. For the past 19 years Dutch has been a lobbyist responsible for legislation and regulatory issues involving Verizon and the Pennsylvania Senate. In 1993 he was deeply involved in developing and passing the Alternative Form of Regulation/Network Modernization law commonly referred to as Chapter 30.

Prior to his present position he was manager of Economic Development for Bell Atlantic and performed over 50 business outreach studies in various communities throughout the state. Dutch first got involved with government activities when in 1972 he was elected to the first government study commission permitted under Act 67 of 1972. He also served as Chairman of the Plymouth Township Council for eight years and was a member of numerous Boards, Chambers of Commerce and Commissions.

Dutch has taught Practical Politics courses at various locations in Pennsylvania and has addressed legislatures in several other states on local government. He and his wife, Grace, reside in Avalon, New Jersey. They have two children and five grandchildren.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS / MEETING LOCATIONS:   
Apr 29                                    2008-09 Board Meeting at Homeland 5:00 PM
Apr 30                                    Strategic Planning Event at PSEA (400 N. Third Street) from 4-9 PM.  Dinner included.  
May 5                                      Joyce Davis, Senior VP Content WITF, Inc. 333 Market St.
May 12                                   Best and Brightest Patriot News and Group Study exchange Team Hilton
May 19                                   TBA                        Hilton
May 26                                   NO MEETING

For complete programming go to our website: hbgrotary.org and click on calendar.

NEWS AND NOTES:  

•  Congratulations to Mark Scaringi and his wife Melanie on the birth of their son, Marc Anthony Scaringi, Jr.

•  Call Linda to attend the May 5th Rotary meeting at 333 Market St.

•  Be a Roster Advertiser!  Contact Linda if interested.

•  DISTRICT CONFERENCE: Thursday, May 8-10. Register: Forms are on the information table or Go to our website www.hbgrotary.org and then to the District. The Rotary District 7390 Conference will be held in Gettysburg at the Eisenhower Hotel, May 8-10. Golf on Thursday, Plenary Sessions on Friday and Saturday, and Governor's Banquet on Saturday - sign up now for a conference full of fun, fellowship and birdies!!

•  Please make sure you have paid your $100 Harrisburg Rotary Foundation.

•   HABITAT for HUMANITY Work Day: May 17.  For further info contact Fred Hartman.

For meeting cancellations due to inclement weather.... Tune to ABC27-TV
or check your e-mail or call the Rotary office at 234-1208.

ATTENDANCE:

LAST ROTARY MEETING: 4/21/08       55%
Rotarians  74   Active Specials  7    Guests   4   Visiting Rotarians  0   =  85

Minutes by Mark Stone: 
President Carrie opened our meeting of April 21st with the ringing of the bell at 12:09 P.M. A smaller than usual turnout of members and two guest were led in song of God Bless America by Howard Ammons, followed by the pledge to our flag and a prayer also by Howard.  Tom Bream was called upon to introduce guests of Jewel Cooper and Tom Imholte. 
 
Rotary Minute - John Judson
John reminded all Rotarians that we have an obligation to contribute our $100 annual contribution to the Rotary Foundation to help those that are less fortunate in our world.  Rotary International addresses the issues of malnutrition, illiteracy, and poverty, that may people in the world are faced with. Please consider making your annual contribution to the Rotary International Foundation.
 
Mini Classification Talk - John McHenry
John is Executive Vice-President for Marketing and Development for Goodwill Industries (Keystone Area). Goodwill services a twenty-two county service area and is best known for its retail stores, but offers a variety of other services such as jobs skill training and employment for people with disabilities, as well as, document assembly and rebranding efforts within the apparel industry.
 
Announcements
President Carrie reminded us of the following dates and events:

• Happy Hour at Carmellas (next to the Hilton) on 2nd Street, this Thursday, April 24 from 5 to 7 P.M.
• Habitat for Humanity project Work Day on Saturday May 17th. See Fred Hartman for details.
• "Rotary at Work Day" on April 22nd (Earth Day). Clean up of the Riverfront and Greenway. See Jack Detweiler for details.
• Companies are needed to help underwrite the cost of our membership roster for Rotary year 2008-2009. See Linda if your company can assist.

Program -- "Land protection efforts in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties" Debra Bowman, Executive Director, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy
Jack Detweiler introduced our speaker Debra Bowman, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy.
 
The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) is a land trust, formed and incorporated in October 1981. The Conservancy is a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization whose goal is to preserve our natural resources of water, air and the ecosystems that exist within the mountains, streams and raw land.  There are currently one hundred land trust in Pennsylvania and the CPC ranks 11th in total acreage owned and managed. Since its inception in 1981, the CPC has turned over some 1,000 acres of land to the State Game Lands and actively manages about 2,000 acres. 
 
The South Mountain ecosystem is a critical source of water for the Cumberland Valley region and supplies about 85% of our drinking water. Forest ecology and preservation of this land from future development is critical because of the ecosystems that exist here.  The CPC is working to balance growth by taking title to land generously donated by landowners, accepting donated easements, and developing a "community vision" through community outreach.  The CPC is in the process of purchasing 106 acres within Wagner's Gap, the last undeveloped ridge in the Kittatinny Ridge, with the goal of turning this land over to the Audubon Society. This ridge is home to some 150 songbirds and raptors. The CPC's work is important in leaving a clean, safe, environment as a legacy to the next generation. Adequate time was available for several questions and answers. An informative presentation should you have missed it.
 
Our meeting concluded at 12:52 P.M.