THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 13, 2008
President Jack Messert opened the meeting with 109 members present. Current membership is 481. New member Jerry Lione was introduced and welcomed.
Announcements: President Messert discussed an AARP driving program available in September, which would give participants a five percent insurance discount. Health Minister Bob Moylan announced that Bill Kapp is still in Waveny, Ed Gutt is at St. Vincent's, Ed Fleischli has a new ankle, and Roger Langevin is at Norwalk Hospital.
Activities: Bridge as usual, racquetball had 3-2-2 this week, tennis on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, trailblazers go to Fort Tryon Park and Cloisters on 6/19, and skyblazers next meet 6/23 at Lapham. The next golf outing is 6/23 at Smith Richardson, 4Fs will dine 6/27 at Woodway Beach Club (checks only), and chefs will cook grilled Chicken Paillard on 6/19.
Couth: July is a visit to New Canaan historical sights and lunch at the Red Barn, all for $35. No trip in August. A September 9 Newport R.I. two-night trip is being considered.
Humorist: Mike Law gave numerous examples of what it takes to be a real "Red Neck."
Speaker: Vice President Bob Stephan introduced Joan McDonald, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. This agency is responsible for business recruitment and housing and community development. Ms. McDonald started off by stating that under the current economic condition, consumer confidence in Connecticut is at a twenty year low. Florida, and many other states are in even worse shape and also are worse off financially. There is some reason for optimism in Connecticut since the basic economic fundamentals are good, and exports are showing double-digit growth. The biggest challenge is in transportation where we have an aged infrastructure, and important growth areas have no mass transportation at all. We in the northeast are penalized because of the high-density population in a compact area, and the money that must, therefore. Be used to support mass transportation. Federal funding is not the answer since waiting for government help is like steering a slow ship. Ms. McDonald stressed that an important key to community growth and well being is having affordable housing for the work force. People will not work in an environment in which they cannot afford to live in. Current work force needs are in engineering, health care, and actuarial work. The most important industries to Connecticut are insurance, aerospace, military, and finance. When asked why Connecticut is the highest taxed state in the union, she replied that we also have the highest per capita income. That should make us all feel better as we pay our electric bills and fill our cars at the gas pump.
Eric Musa, Asst. Secretary