Rotary hears about bike safety program

Warren Tobin introduced Lt. John Gletne of the Jamestown Police Department who reported on the bike safety program at Rotary.

The Jamestown Police Department and the National Child Safety Council have been working together in partnership encouraging children on good bike safety. They have a program where they go around to schools each spring. This year they visited with first-, third- and fifth-graders from April 27 through May 9. They were given a grant written through Central Valley Health District in which they are able to give away 100 bike safety helmets to children at no cost. Gletne said this is a good way to encourage children to use helmets and use them all the time. He also said adults need to wear helmets when they ride bike as well.

There is a bike rodeo coming up at Wilson Arena from 1:30 to 4 p.m. June 12. Every student who participates will receive a free helmet. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Also, on July 4 youth are encouraged to decorate their bikes and they will be able to parade their bikes down First Avenue with a police escort.

Gletne reviewed how cycling can be fun and safe and again encouraged adults to set a good example by wearing bike helmets.

The May 19 meeting was presided over by Vice President Dan Howell. Tom Eckstein gave the invocation, Casey Stoudt led the music, and Craig Opland collected numerous “Happy Dollars” for Rotary projects.

Guests at the meeting were Hannah Muhs and Nathan Fix, seniors at Jamestown High School who were honored on awards night by being given the Rotary music award for outstanding male and female senior students. Jacqualine Pfeifer was a guest of Rick Pfeifer. She is a salesperson at KSJB Radio. Sandra Galie´, mother of Rotary exchange student Alison Balty, was also a guest at the meeting. Galie came from France for Baty’s high school graduation.

Members were reminded to sign up for the Mill Hill clean up. Howell expressed his thanks to those who assisted on May 18 taking down the last of the Christmas lights, and also thanked Danielle Schmidt and Sue Stoudt for assisting.

The program for May 26 will be in the hands of Dave Smette.

Tags: community, clubs, rotary, bicycle, northland, outdoors, rec, sports