Tim Jones, Communication Director of this area’s very important “9-1-1” service was introduced by Mic Goulet to talk about the functions, costs, and coverage in this critical operation. 460,000 calls per year, “one every 75 seconds”, go through this system, dispatching police, fire, and EMS vehicles and personnel to most areas in the county via “911-owned” radios placed with each unit. (Fenton is not part of the consortium and has its own emergency system.) 8 trained “call-takers”, 6 dispatchers at a time (35 certified dispatchers in total), and supervisors work stressful 12-hour shifts, with all calls recorded and available as evidence in various proceedings. The service has been running at a deficit despite its $8.5M budget and is paid for with a surcharge to every 10-digit phone used by the population -a proposed increase of $1.14 for each phone will help the system maintain service quality and be stable for the near future.
Side note: Tim was part of the Flint Township Bicycle Patrol several years ago and helped out with our Optimist Club Bicycle Rodeo (registering, training, and repairing bicycles for kids in the area).
Twenty of us gathered for breakfast this morning to hear Tim speak and to share in news and frivolities, and there were 3 familiar and welcome faces – Joe Bushey (member and former President of the Breakfast Club that merged with WFOC several years ago), Joe Cozart (transferring his membership to WFOC), and Loren Crandell (current President of Grand Blanc Optimists). (My apologies to Joe Bushey for my awkward wording in the original post that did not not reflect his membership status and convey my pleasure at seeing him in the meeting!)
We heard Jack Medemar announce the Free Dental Clinic this weekend at Dort Financial Event Center (X-rays, cleanings, extractions, etc. at no charge on “first-come first-served” basis), noting that he will be there on Friday providing excellent professional service.
Jim Reigle brought in a photo of his grandfather’s Optimist Club group showing their successful catch on a fishing event in the 1930s, helping to explain Jim’s ongoing tradition of Club participation and flashy shirts!
Steve Schlott noted the passing of former Breakfast Club member Bill Hill and passed around a condolence card to send to Bill’s family.
Loren Crandell noted that his Grand Blanc Club has promoted the winning Oratorical Contest winner for each of the past 2 years.
Jeff Gauger announced that 14 more Sleep in Heavenly Peace beds have been assembled last week, and today’s planned 17 assemblies will take the total number of kids receiving new beds over 400!
Bill Reaves announced that the Optimist Michigan District Governor-Elect Sean Mueller will be at our Summerfest beverage tent this coming week.
Dan Crannie fined everyone who has not already sold at least 10 Raffle tickets for the filled YETI cooler.
Jeff Dennings paid a fine for failing to produce his guest Scott Staley as promised.
Mic paid a fine by Jeff for “swooing” (?? cross between swooning and wooing?) a relative of Jeff’s.
Jack Medemar successfully passed a fine against all who did not “pre-pay” fines. (Preposterous! or “prepaysterous”?)
Jeff Dennings drew the right ticket but the wrong card in this week’s “50/50 Progressive Pot” drawing for $378.
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”