President Adam Manning welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. PDG Harvey Smith provided the prayer.
Today’s Announcements:
- Thanks to today’s greeters, Mike Wier and Ron Hollenbeck
- Guests today included visiting Dayton Rotarian Paul Gruner; Jesse Campbell’s guest, Marian Montgomery who shared information about the Invite a Vet Foundation; and Arnie Biondo’s guest, Nick Wilson.
Uriah Anderson presented Kelly McDonald with a Paul Harris Fellow +8. Thank you for your generosity, Kelly!
Additional announcements:
- Thanks to Bill Menker for providing eclipse glasses, which the library is now collecting to donate to Astronomers without Borders.
- Sleep in Heavenly peace service day is this weekend. Thanks to those who donated and volunteered to work for this District service project.
- Golf Outing is coming up May 9. The volunteer sign up sheet is available now. Kelly McDonald announced the success of the golf outing depends on sponsorships, golfers, and club member volunteers. There are many volunteer opportunities and shifts. Please sign up now! And if you’re planning on sponsoring, now’s the time!
- Brian Hayes said, “Check your email.” (Pay your bill)
- Kelly shared a flier about the newest fundraiser: Bourbon Basket raffle. There is an 8 bottle lineup and we will sell only 165 tickets. Cost is $30 or 4 for $100. Sales kick off on tax day - April 15. The QR code on the flier goes to the donation page on our website.
Happy Bucks this month will go to Dear Dinah, who provides a safe place for survivors of human trafficking and helps raise awareness by connecting a community of people who are devoted to protecting and empowering the Dinah's of the world.
Jim Stuart was today’s Sergeant of Arms.
Happy bucks were generously given for:
- Matt Kuhn had a great vacation at Pensacola Beach to visit a college roommate.
- Gina Smith went to Aruba and came back (although she didn’t really want to!) It was 80 and sunny every day. She will miss next week as she will be in Denver for a book event.
- Carol Kennard shared that last week, when President Manning announced the next full eclipse in Ohio won’t be until 2099, her granddaughter Kaycee leaned over and said, “I’m probably the only one in this room who will still be alive to see that!” Ouch, Kaycee!
- Boyd Preston recognized Carol for her part in successfully combining the two county-wide park districts in Clark County.
- Chuck King took a trip to Toledo and was more than happy to come back!
- Amy Hary had a great spring break at Grand Caman.
- Kelly McDonald for the golf committee and noted Dear Dinah is a safe place for victims of sex trafficking.
- Ron Hollenbeck finished his 10th rotary club visit for the Zambia water project and was successful at getting some pledges.
- Crissy Allums said to watch for an email with information on upcoming service projects.
- Dick Hoback was celebrating becoming a great grandfather. His great granddaughter was born on Monday. Congrats!
- Uriah Anderson was back from camping at Indian Lake for eclipse watching. He will now spend a week unpacking (uncamping.)
- Bill Menker was happy for the great weather we had for the eclipse and reminded everyone the Library is recycling all types of eclipse glasses.
- Dave Trout was glad to be back from Florida, his granddaughter is getting married and was nominated by her company for 30 under 30, and his grandson is starting a doctoral program in Environmental Engineering.
- Bob Fry was sorta happy to be back from FL, especially since he had a noisy saxophone playing neighbor.
- Arnie Biondo announced Saturday is Marti’s 17th birthday and although she first didn’t really want to help with the District service project, she changed her mind when realizing the need. Saloni called to wish him a happy birthday and says hello to all. And he had to share on the High School announcements, there is a PE fitness walk to Graeters Ice Cream!
- Harvey Smith borrowed money from his wife to say he’s happy she’s healthy and back today
- Elda Gotos Gay was happy to be back.
- Brian Hayes announced today is his kid’s 23rd birthday.
- Brad Huffman is back from FL - first to Disney and then to Naples to recover from Disney. He is happy for today’s speaker sharing info about the Social Row improvements (his street,) and said he is proud to be a Montgomery County citizen - we have great officials.
- Adam Manning was happy to see the snowbirds back.
- Mike Wier was happy for Boyd’s program on the Clark County Park District ;-)
- Jesse Campbell was happy there was no farm report today and hopes to have Marian Montgomery on the speaker schedule soon.
Our speaker today was Joesph Dura, from the Montgomery County Engineer’s office sharing information on the Social Row Road improvement project.
Joe Dura is a University of Dayton grad and professional engineer. He has over 20 years experience designing roadways and is a Centerville resident.
Joe shared information about the upcoming project to widen Social Row Road to a 5-lane profile from just east of Yankee Street, through Paragon and Sheehan Roads to Benham.
The roadway was first established in 1803, and other than asphalt, not much has changed. Development has occurred along the corridor which has increased traffic and accidents. The County explored options, including not doing anything, and determined the 5-lane profile is the best option. The plan incudes a shared used path connecting with the existing shared use path at Mays Park, and sidewalk.
The entire plan includes shared-use paths, sidewalk, turn lanes, storm sewer, and new or updated signals.
It was to be a two-phase project, but additional funding became available so now it will be one project. Construction will be in 2025-2026.
The intersection improvements will mirror the Yankee and Washington Church intersection design, including decorative lights, plantings, stamped concrete, and ADA compliant ramps.
Social Row will stay open throughout the project. They will add some temporary pavement on the north side and shift traffic north while building the south side first. A section south of Paragon will be closed for 30 days with the detour on Sheehan. Then a section of Sheehan south of Social Row will be closed for 30 days with the detour on Paragon.
They will then build the north side, with detours on the north side of Paragon and Sheehan. The total cost of the project is $8.8 million and includes funding from a grant and the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Right of Way acquisition is happening now. From Paragon east is starting next. Utility relocation will take place Feb-July 2025, with construction July 2025 - Aug 2026.
When asked about any future plans for Benham to OH-48, Joe mentioned there might be a left turn into Benham sometime in the future, but right now there is no demonstrated need to improve Social Row east of Benham to OH-48 based on current usage.
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