Louisville Rotary Club

Meeting Minutes

April 12, 2023

Members were surprised, but happy that long-time member Don Marshall returned from an extended illness and lengthy recovery. His presence returned his humor and wit to the group conversation. Songmeister Mark Sigler led members in a gusto singing of For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow and Don showed off his current pompadour.

President Eva Roshong called the meeting to order with 22 persons in attendance that included guests Jennifer Anderson and Kirt Conrad. The menu of the day included hot dogs, and chili soup topped with a chocolate brownie. Following the meeting rituals — the prayer given by Paradise Pastor David Anderson, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Test, Songmeister Mark led the singing of Happy Bus — a 1968 song by the British group The Who. This title was chosen to honor our speaker who is the CEO of SARTA.

Happy Dollars and Announcements *

Don Marshall announced I’m glad to be back! with heartfelt sincerity. *

Jim Dutter and Cynthia Kerchner discussed the first Second Friday of the summer season set for Friday the 14th. Volunteers are needed — be uptown at 4:30 for help setting up. Main Street will be closed at 4. The music includes the high school choirs from LHS, Marlington, and West Branch. The school buses and off loading will be in the St. Louis parking lot. The choirs will be finished by about 6:15. The evening’s music will be provided by The David Mayfield Parade Band and begins at 7. The race track will be on the St. Louis parking lot this year. There will be 10 food trucks this season. *

Jim Edwards spoke of the excitement of this year’s LHS baseball team. *

Glenn Heiller said the club was spending the $250 Rotary grand money to buy milkweed plants that would be scatter-planted in Metzger Park. Milkweeds are homes for butterflies. *

Eva announced that the April 26 meeting will be held in Unhitched Restaurant and will feature George Kiko who will talk about the YMCA-middle school & high school sidewalk project. *

Bob Hallier will chair a group that will prepare/repair the community vegetable gardens located behind the Lutheran Church. The need is for 3 or 4 hearty workers with shovels. The Saturday work date is to be determined soon. *

Eva said there is need for two chaperons for 8 students for the District exchanges students trip to New York city over the weekend of April 21. *

Nominations for the club’s next year VP are accepted by any Board member. The election will be the last meeting of April. *

Greg Anderson, the club’s Clean Trail Czar, reminded members the spring trail cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 22. Meet at Greg’s house at 9 for assignments.

The Program Kirt Conrad, the CEO/Executive Director for SARTA, introduced himself showing a sense of humor around an impressive knowledge of the company he directs. SARTA, (Stark Area Regional Transit Authority), is a public bus system servicing Stark County. In addition to its regular line service within Stark County, SARTA runs one bus route (with multiple times) between Canton and downtown Akron connecting to Akron's Metro bus system and also serving the Akron-Canton Regional Airport from both cities and one route to Cleveland[ . In 2022, the system had a ridership of 1,221,400, or about 4,900 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2022. SARTA's administrative office and bus garage are located in Canton. It is managed by CEO/Executive Director Kirt Conrad, as well as a 9-member board of trustees. SARTA is primarily funded by a county 0.25% sales tax which was first approved in 1997 and renewed in 2002, 2006 and 2011. Conrad said that public transportation in Stark County dates from the 1880s. Other facts: Founded in 1997, SARTA has 32 routes making 1,554 stops at four stations. Discussions of service in Wayne County which has a large amish population, is on the drawing board. They have a fleet of 80 vehicles that are some diesel, some diesel-electric, CNG and hydrogen fuel cell powered. Conrad said the system is moving toward all hydrogen fuel buses and that SARTA is the third largest company in the US that uses hydrogen fuel cell power. The other two companies are in California. When Amazon opens, the company will serve that business.

Upcoming Events & Menu

April 19 — Wally Anderson tells of his trip to Antarctica. Hot chicken sandwich, potato wedges and a fruit.

April 22 — Clean-up trail. All hands on deck!

April 26 — George Kiko speaks at Unhitched

May 3 — Business meeting

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