President Bill Mathy opened the meeting after managing several Rotary dignitaries and a large turnout. Dean Heiser led the Flag after Accompanied by Don Ludwig, the Grifftones led us gloriously in singing "America, The Beautiful" and "Smile." The Thought for the Day was delivered by Ray Hansen who paid tribute to Bob Hope.

Price Shapiro, District Governor, announced our own Bill Peloquin as 2004-05 District 5320 Governor. Fullerton Rotarians demonstrated how proud they are of Bill. Way to Go!

Paul Dudley introduced a plethora of Guests: Past Governors Jim de Boom, Rod Eide, Vaughn Kelly, Cliff Nelson, Allan Stark, and 2004-05 Rotary International Governor Elect Grant Engle. Other guests included David Armino - John Phelps, Linda Bartelt - Wally Bartelt, Joe Brockett - Lee Brockett, Lidia Contreras - Janie Noppe, Mark Douglas - Cameron McCune, Linda Heichman - Dick Rocke and Jim Young, Kathy McMahon - Dick Jones, David Neilson Jack Hayes, Mary Hansen - Ray Hansen, Gloria Radde - Bob Radde, Bernard Samuels - Mike Escalante, Leslie Savage - Dexter Savage, Willa Vanderberg - Jim Vanderburg, and Doris Wood - Howard Wood. Visiting Rotarians were Dick Boyle, Merrill Braucht, Wes Warden, Walt Johnson, and Allen West.

Announcements:

- Terri Grassi - Rotary Poker Night is August 15 at 7 p.m. Location to be announced.

- Bill Mathy - Rotary International Glen Estes Reception is September 20 in Costa Mesa. It's a great opportunity for international fellowship. Contact the district office for reservations. He also would like all Rotarians to give him their email address and try to get access to a computer if you don't have one.

- Wally Bartelt - We have 26 new Paul Harris Fellows!!

- Dick Glaus broke his wrist and ankle. (I called and he is handling it well. Good spirit!)

Question of the Week: Bill Hite was asked to repeat the R. I. theme, and who was selected District Rotarian of the Year? Answers: Lend a Hand and Grant Engle. Bill got $10.

Finemaster: Tony Lagomarsino fined Rotarians as they announced their own occasions: - Anniversary - Bob and Marilyn Clark - 53 years!!

-No birthdays this week!

- John Phelps fined $50 for generosity as Mary Ashcroft, Chair for the Assistance League, received a $10,000 grant for the League from the Phelps Foundation. - Mike Oates was fined $100 for announcing he got his first grandchild!! -Tony ended with Why do Italians not like Jehova Witnesses? They dislike all witnesses.

Program: Senator Dick Ackerman briefed us on the State Budget. The budget is not balanced. There are no new taxes except the vehicle license fee which will triple our license expense. The State will be $8 billion in the hole next year and $11 billion in the hole each of the next few years. He did not believe the needed cuts were made. The State's credit rating has dropped to 50th in the nation. He said that the Governor did not provide leadership nor direction and he did not have anything to do with the budget he will sign. He added that most Democrats dislike the Governor but do not disclose this in public.

Prez Bill closed the meeting by quoting Winston Churchill's definition of Political Ability as the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. And, have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.

Next Week: Update on Coyote Hills

Proposed Member:
David Silverman,
-Proposed by Leslie Mc Carthy