Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue
Candidate for Governor
By John Galles
              
New Bern Rotarian Bev Perdue was introduced to the Charlotte Rotary by Luther Moore as the Democratic candidate for Governor of North Carolina. Breaking from tradition, Charlotte Rotary invited each of the major party candidates to address Rotary. Republican Pat McCrory will address our group on October 28th.
 
Lt. Governor Perdue opened with an expression of disappointment with national leadership that has created such perilous times. She promised that our state would stand up to the challenges that we face. As the seventh largest state, she wants to make sure that we continue to compete for business growth and development opportunities.
 
Recognizing the frustration in the Charlotte area for the lack of support from state government, she promised to open an office of the Governor in Charlotte and to be here 2 or 3 days each month to stay connected and offer special attention to this region's needs.
 
Lt. Governor Bev Perdue stated that her goal is to make North Carolina the best educated and healthiest state in America. A former school teacher and health care professional, her level of personal and professional experience and accomplishments have demonstrated that she is the leader well-prepared to keep our state moving forward.
 
Bev grew up in the coal mining mountains of Southwest Virginia and has lived most of her adult life in New Bern, North Carolina. Her parents never finished high school, but always preached education and hard work as the path to success - and those are the values that have driven her entire life.
 
She is especially proud of breaking down barriers. Her small-town values and big-time ideas are the foundation for her campaign. She became the first woman ever elected to the state House from her part of the state. After demonstrating distinguished leadership in the House and Senate, she became the first woman ever elected Lt. Governor in North Carolina.
 
She is proud of having been a leader in raising teacher salaries, increasing technology in schools, and working to make sure that more students can afford to go to college, community college, or vocational school to develop the skills needed to work in the 21st century.
 
As Senate Appropriations Chair, Lt. Gov. Perdue led passage of the landmark CHIPs program to start coverage of uninsured children, and as Chair of the Health and Wellness Trust Fund, Lt. Governor Perdue led the successful creation of a prescription drug program for seniors that NC AARP called the best in the nation. She is now breaking new ground in pushing for universal coverage of children and expanded coverage for uninsured families, more affordable private insurance for middle class families, and more preventive health care for everybody.
 
Additionally, she spearheaded North Carolina's successful response in keeping the federal government from closing our military bases, and she is currently leading efforts to develop a defense and homeland security industry for North Carolina. She made a special point of her support from police and fire department groups across the state and her ambition to bring greater accountability to state government.
 
Lt. Governor Bev Perdue invited questions and concluded by saying that she would never shrink from challenges and promised to work through the economic turmoil that we are currently experiencing.
    
  
Head Table: Bob Webb, John Bradberry, Mac McCarley, Luther Moore, Bob Wilson, Budd Berro;
Invocation: Jessica Brasington;
Visitors & Guests: Spencer Williams; Health & Happiness: Natalie English; Song: Pam Jefsen; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Bill Staton was a guest speaker with Mike Collins' Charlotte Talks radio program; Thomas Moore used music and his opera background to entertain children at the Petal Performing Arts Center in Hattiesburg, MS; Elsie Garner says WTVI will broadcast a live debate of gubernatorial candidates Perdue and McCrory at 7:00 PM on October 15th.
   
• Kemp Dunaway qualified for the National Senior Games in 5 swimming events. Kemp improved his time in 4 of the 5 events, winning 3 gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze; Darrell Holland had the winning raffle ticket and won the $100 gift certificate to Morton's. Proceeds from the raffle benefit the Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic; Jeff Blackey's son, Daniel, played in the Sir Purr Bowl during half time of the Panthers-Falcons game.
   
• Health issues: Marilynn Bowler is happy to report daughter Vickie got the good news of 'cancer-free'; Ronnie Pruett says Burgl's beautiful smile has returned and is in good spirits as she awaits radiation treatment; Lamar Thomas gave a thumbs up on Kaye's progress as she recuperates from gall bladder surgery; Sammy Black is a new grandfather.

CALENDAR ITEMS
 
• October 7: Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic. Cedarwood Country Club; golfer registration and box lunch 11:00, tee off Noon; club members invited to join the golfers for the wine tasting at 4:30 and dinner around 5:15. (NO LUNCH MEETING)
   
• October 21: Club social at SMS Catering. Beer, BBQ and fellowship beginning around 6:00. 1764 Norland Road. Casual - guests are welcome. (NO LUNCH MEETING)

• November 4: Flu Shots will be given before and after Rotary (11:30 to 2:00). The cost is $25 (cash or check) and they will not accept Medicare of insurance.
  
• November 10: This year's Rotary Foundation Banquet will be a time of celebration, appreciation and inspiration. The event will be held on November 10th at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord Convention Center (just down from Concord Mills). Reception at 6:00; dinner at 7:00. Two special Rotarians will speak - Carolyn Jones holds the distinction of being the first female elected to the Foundation Board and comes all the way from Alaska to share her experience as a volunteer in Russia helping children affected by the Chernobyl disaster; Shai Tamari is a Rotary World Peace Fellow who is searching to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The cost is $40 per person. Contact Sandy if you are planning to attend.
   
• December 16: Rotary Club of Charlotte, Charlotte Business Journal and the Charlotte Chamber will present the 21st winner of the Excellence in Leadership Award on December 16th. Nominations for the award may be submitted to the Rotary office by November 17th. Criteria for the award is available by clicking here.