1-3-2013 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha

The Jan. 3, 2013 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha opened with a prayer, pledge of allegiance and song.

Guests included Jason Hicks, Rusty Pyle, Logan Tibbetts, Christy Elkins and TC Cannon.

Prayer concerns included Jerry Mottinger and Bill and Janice McVey.

Hank Ross was recognized for having perfect attendance so far in 2013.

President Cody White accepted a $1,000 check from Jim Allen of Charles Allen Ford. The proceeds came from a Ford promotion to unveil the 2013 Ford Fusion. Ford Motor Company donated $500 which was matched by Jim Allen and Charles Allen Ford.

Leah Edwards was Rotarian of the Day and introduced new Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir as our guest speaker.

Sheriff Weir said one of his first goals is to be a leader and co-ordinate with every other law enforcement agency in Grady County to ensure co-operation and the sharing of information between all the departments.

He said he has cross-commissioned police chiefs and selected officers of other agencies which gives them jurisdiction to respond to calls in the county without having to wait to be asked.

Weir said he had 14 full-time deputies covering Grady County's 1200 square miles, meaning there are two to four officers on at most times. 

He said he would be applying for grants to hire additional school resources officers to make county schools safer. The Sheriff's Office has once officer in Bridge Creek Schools and hopes the grants will allow them to hire two floating resource officers.

He said these officers would be "valuable tools to any community."

Weir said the Sheriff's Office would be doing training with other agencies in the future.

The meeting adjourned after recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.