Rotary members learn about new law

The new smoking law went into effect on Dec. 6, according to Robin Iszler, unit administrator of Central Valley Health District, speaking at the Rotary meeting last week. Central Valley Health District is responsible for Stutsman and Logan counties. This law put North Dakota with the toughest standard in the United States, she said. North Dakotans voted for the law by a two-thirds majority in the most recent election.

Iszler said the law advances public health by protecting more workers, residents and visitors from secondhand smoke exposure in public places of employment. This law says where smoking isn’t allowed and when the rules are not followed there can be fines and penalties, she said. Iszler said the public can call or contact the local public health unit for material on this law. Central Valley Health is assisting businesses with brochures and signage to be placed in buildings, businesses and properties.

Quincy Backen opened the meeting, Darrell Losing gave the table prayer, Mark Sherfy and Gina Dahl led the group in music and Larry Hoffman collected numerous “Happy Dollars.” Losing said this was his first time to hold this job.

Guests were Jamestown High School seniors Abby Wanzek and Alexis Lind. Wanzek is the daughter of Tracy and Naomi Wanzek. She was a diver on the JHS swim team, is also involved in SKILLS, National Honor Society and FBLA. Her favorite subject is medical terminology and anatomy, she work part time at Anne Carlsen Center and plans on attending North Dakota State University upon graduation. Lind is the daughter of Brian and Stacy Lind. She is on the JHS diving team and for the second year in a row was the state champion in this event. When not diving, she is also part of the gymnastic team, National Honor Society, SKILLS and student council vice president. She works part time at ETC hair salon and will be attending Arizona State University, the fall. She is not quite decided on a major, but wants something in the medical field. Other guests were Jamestown College soccer coach Phillip Bohn and Jade Johnson, a sophomore who recently was honored for being an All American in soccer this year at Jamestown College.

Backen announced the Christmas program will be on Dec. 18 with special music provided by the JHS music department. He also shared an upcoming fundraiser which will take place the first week in February. The board still has two openings for member, so give suggestions to Backen or Carrie Orn. The Salvation Army thanked those Rotary volunteers who rang the bell on Dec. 3-4 by Kmart.

Mark Olson has today’s program, Jim Ukestad the invocation and Bob Badal is the sergeant-at-arms.

Tags: community, clubs