News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine September 16, 2020
Former CEO to Discuss Deficit Issues
by Bowen Depke
 
It’s not often Portland Rotary can hear from the former chief executive of a Fortune 100 company.  But our pandemic-forced virtual meeting format has helped bring us Paul Stebbins, the former CEO of World Fuel Services. Stebbins co-founded the company in 1985, serving as chief executive until he moved to the role of Chairman Emeritus in 2014.
 
Stebbins left the corporate world and refocused on his civic duties. He currently leads other executives and former legislators in bipartisan efforts for tax reform and deficit reduction through Fix the Debt, an organization formed in 2012 by Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson.
 
Stebbins works within Fix the Debt with a group called FixUS, which seeks to understand the root causes of our nation’s growing divisions and deteriorating political system, work with others to bring attention to these issues, and build support for necessary changes to fix them. FixUS is also hosting a Cybersecurity event with Senator Angus King on September 16.
 
FixUS began as a project of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, an independent, nonprofit, bipartisan public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. that addresses federal budget and fiscal issues, which believes that the country is unlikely to fix the national debt problem until we address the underlying issues that divide the country and paralyze our political system. The environment most conducive to enacting a debt deal—one that focuses on policy over politics, the long-term over the immediate, and a willingness to compromise and make hard choices—does not currently exist.
 
A graduate of Georgetown University, Stebbins lives in Florida.
 
 
Photo by Barbara Willey
Flags for Heroes Exhibit Opens at Maine Mall
 
Club President Ellen Niewoehner reported that the Flags for Heroes kickoff had been held on September 11 at 10:00 AM with 10 people present due to COVID restrictions by Maine Mall.  Ellen awarded a 3rd Paul Harris Fellow honor to Bob Trail who is 98 years old.  Bob is a past president of the Club, a long-time member, and a WWII veteran.  Charlie Frair opened the meeting with a live broadcast from the Flags for Heroes display.
 
Paul Tully reported on the success of Flags for Heroes with preliminary donations over $8,000 for 80 sponsored flags.  The Club honored past presidents to achieve 100 flags on display in two groups in the center of Maine Mall.
 
Paul thanked those who helped set up, with special acknowledgements to Paul Gore for creating the plaques,  Cyrus Hagge for storing flags, and Mark Rajotte for transporting them.  The set-up team included Paul Gore, Paul Tully, Charlie Frair, Amy Chipman, Roxane Cole, Ellen Niewoehner, Larry Gross, Dick Giles, Patty Erickson, Jennifer Frederick, Mike Fortunato, Jim Willey, Barbara Willey, Bruce Jones, John Thompson, and Richard Campbell.
 
Paul said preparing the exhibit was easy with all the help and took less than 90 minutes total.  The Mall advised that there was room for 50 more flags.  September 23 is takedown day and volunteers are needed.
Bits and Pieces | by Dick Hall
  • President Ellen welcomed all for this solemn day, Sept 11. She announced Jesse Harvey had passed away this week.  Jesse was 28 years old with so much more to give. In place of an invocation, Ellen asked for a moment of silence for 9/11 and Jesse Harvey.
  • Ben Lowry shared a remembrance of Jesse and noted how tragic the loss is for the club, the community and the world.  Ben remembered the energy, passion, and work Jesse provided on the Recovery Task Force.  He will be greatly missed.  This is another reminder about how big this issue is for everyone.  He encouraged us to keep it in the front of our minds.  Ben noted that Jesse is the second 28-year-old he knows who has been lost in the last two years due to an overdose.  A remembrance service will be held at 6:00 pm Saturday, September 19, at Fort Allen on the Eastern Prom.
  • Laura Young introduced her parents, Joel and Rachel Young, as guests, surprising them with the dedication of a Flags for Heroes plaque.  “Rotary” Ruth Fletcher joined from South Carolina.  Ellen gave a welcome back to Katie BrownChristine ForceJack Carr, and Howie Herodes.  
  • Ellen announced a Club Trivia Night will be held on Thursday, September 24, at 5:00 pm at the Italian Heritage Center.  This is an “in-person” event with appropriate safety precautions under an outside canopy. The cost will be $17 per person for appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Mike Fortunato is coordinating the event.
  • Bruce Moore reported that volunteering at Preble Street was very safe with good distancing, fewer tables, and no one ever within six feet of anyone else.  Bruce and his team packed breakfast bags and hot meals to be delivered by drivers.  Teams of 5-6 Rotarians would be the max possible, but groups of four would be best.  The group went to Slab for pizza and beer after. Bruce said he worked the 2:00 PM – 5:00 pm shift, which worked well, but other shifts are available. Info at the Preble Street website here.
  • Bruce also reported that the Rotary District Recovery Committee met, and the Chair of Journey House Board attended.  Everyone talked about Jesse’s impact all over the State.  Bruce suggested Portland Rotary should do something to honor his name.
  • Amy Chipman reported that Cultivating Community is hosting small teams of up to 10 people for two to four-hour work sessions in the gardens.  Amy also reported that Portland Sunrise Rotary Club is selling purple crocuses, 25 bulbs for $10 to support End Polio Now. Info link here 
  • John Curran again presented Bruce Jones in nomination for second vice-president as required by the Club by-laws, and asked if there were nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the members voted unanimously to elect Bruce Jones. Bruce will replace Gracie Johnston in his role and become Club President in 2022.  
  • Ellen announced there would be a Board meeting next week.
Loretta Rowe Update
 
Loretta Rowe is home (19 Whistler Landing, Scarborough) and able to have short visits with her Rotary friends. 
 
If you would like to visit, please call her close friend, Mona Coffin, first to schedule.  
 
Visits are limited to 20-30 minutes maximum and the time of noon-7:00 pm is best for her. Mona’s mobile number is (207) 229-3967.
Where were you on September 11, 2001?
by Tom Talbott
 
Bowen Depke led our club in an open “round table” discussion, by noting that every generation has a “where were you” moment.  Depending on your age, you may have memories of the JFK assassination.    The beginning of the Gulf War.   Challenger.   9-11. 
 
Bowen called first on Mark Foster. Mark had been living in Chicago at the time, working on the 35th floor of the Sears Tower, the tallest building in the U.S. at the time  It was a beautiful, sunny day across the entire United States.  When reports began to filter in of planes hitting the New York City towers, workers gathered in the conference room. Soon the FBI began evacuating the building, which stayed closed until October 30, when the building was reopened in a ceremony led by former President George Bush. Everything about the security of the building had changed,  taking on an airport-style screening process. 
 
Rusty Atwood was in New York City, September 4-7, working with Colby College alumni and parents, including enjoying the conclusion of the U.S. Open Tennis matches, and a Red Sox-Yankee game.  He flew out over the city, taking in the splendor.   On 9/11, he was speaking with a close friend from Augusta as the tragic events were unfolding. The two would speak every year following,  until his friend passed away in 2015. 
 
Rob Chatfield sent Bowen an email with his memories of the day. He noted at the time he was in the banking business in Portland and as events unfolded in New York, his office was instructed to remain in the building due to an active shooter situation occurring  at Portland City Hall. 
 
Bill Blount recounted that Monday morning he was on the 7th floor of 2 Monument Square working with Amica.  It was his 25th wedding anniversary.  The day before, September 10, Bill had been flying back from Buffalo. Less than a day later, all would change.
 
Amy Chipman was watching the dramatic images on television, and very worried about her brother who worked in New York.  In a fortunate twist of fate, his train had been delayed that morning, so he was just arriving into the city as the second tower came down.  He, like thousands of others, walked out of the city.
 
Bowen told us he had resided in New York City for eight years, working with Deutsche Bank, before picking up with Accenture out of London.  A business symposium had been scheduled at the Windows of the Worldthat fateful morning, but Bowen had previously withdrawn from the meeting over the weekend to attend his brother’s wedding, and had flown back to London at Sunday night, September 10. 
 
Bob Martin had meetings in Manhattan on September 10 to finalize financing from Goldman Sachs and Investcorp on an acquisition.  After his last meeting at Goldman’s building in lower Manhattan, Bob walked over to the Trade Center to enjoy a celebratory martini at Windows of the World before heading home to Chapel Hill. The hefty cover charge would not deter him.  The next morning, celebration turned to disbelief as the towers came down.  
 
“Rotary Ruth” Fletcher, told us her Aunt Mary remembers being on an elevator one week before the hijackings with none other than the ringleader of the 9/11 attacks, Mohammed Atta.  Her aunt says that the man had a “cold, horrible stare” on his face, never acknowledging her. 
 
Mark Millar had speakers and counselors who had flown into Portland for conferences and training sessions with his staff at Casey Family Services on 9/11.  That meeting was promptly cancelled.  In the aftermath, when plans to reschedule the meeting with the counselors began, the travelers had one specific request – "do not book us at the Comfort Inn in South Portland."  They had stayed there the first time, in a room right next to the terrorists.  Mark had also planned to fly out of Boston later that day but received a call from his daughter at school who was very upset, thinking he had already flown out. Mark went on to say that he would later speak with a ticket agent whom he met at the Portland Jetport.  The fellow was retiring, noting to Mark that he was the one who had sold Mohammed Atta the one-way plane ticket to New York.
 
Tom Talbott referenced the Portland Rotary Club meeting held on the one -year anniversary of September 11 in 2002.  With Rotarians and guests, there were close to 250 people gathered at the Portland Club, site of our meetings at the time. We had speakers ranging from the Portland Fire Chief who sent fire fighters to the scene, the City Manager who spoke about the steps taken that day in the City of Portland, and people who were in New York that day.  It was a very emotional meeting, hearing the voices of those who had been at the scene. 
 
Bowen wrapped up the meeting by asking Bob Martin to share the presentation of photos of those honored in the Flags for Heroes exhibit at the Maine Mall.  It was an uplifting way to end the meeting marked with so many stories no one wishes they had to tell.  The flag event – honoring people with a display, continues to blossom as one of the best club ideas for this situation.
A Moment of Reflection
 
On mountain-climbing:

“When you take off on your own, leave some trace of your passage that will guide your return: one rock set on top of another, some grass pierced by a stick. But if you come to a place you cannot cross or that is dangerous, remember that the trace you have left might lead the people following you into trouble. So go back the way you came and destroy any traces you have left. This is addressed to anyone who wants to leave traces of his passage in this world. And even without wanting to, we always leave traces. Answer to your fellow men for the traces you leave behind.”

French poet, philosopher, and novelist René Daumal 
Speaker Schedule
 
September 18 | Paul Stebbins
September 25 | Earle Shettleworth on John Calvin Stevenson
October 2 | Jonathan Sahrbeck, Cumberland County DA
 
The Windjammer
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The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
 
Contributing Editors
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Dick Hall
Erik Jorgensen
Julie L’Heureux
Ben Lowry
John Marr
Tom Talbott
 
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