Wednesday February 15th

The Rotary Club of Lake Murray - Irmo
Last Meeting
February 15, 2006
Reporter – Barry Johns
President Carey Hite called the meeting to order. Jim Gadsden opened with the invocation that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction/Announcements: Harvey Hoots introduced two visiting Rotarians: Dr. Fred Splittgerber, St. Andrews – Columbia and Ben Heritage, Chapin. President Hite announced that Ben Heritage’s application to move his membership from Chapin to Lake Murray – Irmo had been submitted to the Board that will meet at 7:30 a.m. on February 16, 2006. He also asked Rotarians to write to Ron Calvin, Principal of Dutch Fork High School, on behalf of Kelly Payne and INTERACT. An additional announcement was the date for clearing the running trails at Harbison State Forest on March 4, 2006.
Beetle Bailey reported that the Spring Golf Tournament at Woodcreek Farms was moving forward, yet more sponsors and players are needed for the March 20th event. The cost to field a team is $425.00 per team.
Joel Collins made an appeal to the Club and the Board regarding membership and attendance. Thirty-two out of sixty-five members were in attendance for this meeting.
John Adair announced that U.S. Congressman, James E. Clyburn, will not be the guest speaker on February 22, 2006.
Other Actions: Joel Collins distributed pictures of the young men at DJJ wearing the Club’s donated blazers at a special event, the All-Star Banquet.
Lyman Whitehead entertained us with some South Carolina humor during Health and Happiness. There were no birthday announcements.
Guest Speaker: William C. "Billy" Gibson
Billy was introduced by Chuck Larson as a life long resident of South Carolina and a forty year veteran of law enforcement. He has served as Chief Deputy, Police Chief, Public Safety Director, and Director of the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran and a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy. He and his wife, Phyllis, have two children and four grandchildren.
He addressed the following points concerning South Carolina Law Enforcement:
Prior to the late 1960’s, there was no formal training for Law Enforcement.
In 1967, training needs were assessed, and in 1968, training began at SLED.
In 1970, the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy was started. In the beginning, $1.00 of each traffic ticket went to fund the Academy. It has since increased.
S.C. Department of Public Safety now manages the Academy.
Billy closed by asking each one of us to "thank a law officer when we are pulled over for helping fund training." Billy was then presented a Rotary mug by President Hite and a Rotary pin by Patty Cavanaugh.
Happy Dollars: Skey Caskey for an empty nest; Kevin Adams for 19th wedding anniversary; Chuck Larson for a grandson training with the Airborne; and Carey Hite for his wife’s winning at Bingo.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by President Hite.