Rotary Club of Marlin celebrates 91st Charter Anniversary
On Wednesday, Aug. 24, Rotarians, their guests and friends of Rotary joined in celebration of the 91st Charter Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Marlin. The Charter was signed and the Marlin Club established on Aug. 24, 1931.
A congratulatory letter received from Suren Poruri, Regional Chairman - Grants, RI District 3150 - India was read by Club President Estep.
The club commemorated the 91 years of Service Above Self with a service project focused on Women and Children’s Health: Donations of first aid kits and first aid items for elementary school children to take home. Special guest was School Nurse Judy Morrow, who received the first aid materials and kits.
Our program speakers were fellow Rotarian and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Darryl Henson along with MISD Staff, who provided an update on the school‘s academic success and facts about Bond 2022.
Dr. Henson pronounced, “Two years ago, I stood here with MISD Staff Members and made a commitment to bring academic success back to Marlin. Today, I am exclaiming that we have met that commitment. The students and staff of Marlin Independent School System earned an 86 from Texas Education Agency.”
Dr. Henson provided the facts on the bond to update school buildings and football field and buildings.
“Fact #1: Marlin ISD has not passed a bond referendum in over 20 years; Bond 2022 will address the deferred maintenance at Marlin High School (built in 1972) and Legion Field (1966)
Fact #2: Marlin ISD currently does not have a Debt Tax Rate; therefore we are unable to make payments on debt for improvements including major renovations and upgrades to our district facilities
Fact #3: Marlin ISD has decreased the tax rate by $0.36 since 2016; the tax increase, if both propositions pass, will be $0.47; a net difference of $0.11 per $100 of the taxable home value
Fact #4: The average home in Marlin ($97,924) would see an increase of $272.24 annually/$22.69 monthly for the entire household; a home valued at $50,000 will see an annual increase of $47.00, which is $3.92 per month. Homeowners who have the Homestead Exemption receive $40,000 off their home’s taxable value.
Fact #5: Residents aged 65 and over have their taxes frozen; they will not see a tax increase”
Complementing the celebration of its 91st Charter Anniversary, the longest-participating member of Rotary Club of Marlin, Rockney Terry, provided a glance of the Marlin Club through the years. Describing “how things were back then,” Rockney Terry’s wife, Burleen Terry, added fondly, “I played the piano in exchange for attending the meetings.”
Adding to the reminiscing festivities, here are some fun facts about Rotarians Rockney Terry and Jimi Lynn. Rockney Terry was Ag Science teacher at the new high school when it opened in Fall 1973. Rockney Terry became the Assistant Principal then Principal of Marlin Elementary School. Thereafter, Rockney Terry became the Marlin High School Principal. Fellow Rotarian Jimi Lynn was a graduate of the first Class of 1974 MISD Seniors. Rotary applauds the accomplishments of MISD staff and all of its students!
A Dairy Queen Everything Chocolate ice cream cake with “91” candles topped off the fun.
Rotary Club of Marlin has a proud history of service to our local and international communities and has truly lived up to Rotary’s motto of Service above Self. Through the years, Rotary scholarships consistently have been awarded to qualified graduating seniors. Rotary Club of Marlin has also donated its efforts to critical projects such as Rise Against Hunger and Food for Families.
Today, Rotary Club of Marlin adheres to Imagine Rotary in addition to Service Beyond Self. Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s 2022-23 President, has named Imagine Rotary as the 2022-23 presidential theme. The theme urges all Rotarians to “dream big and take action”, uniting to work toward positive global change. Says Jennifer, “We all have dreams, but acting on them is a choice. Imagine a world that deserves our best, where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.”
Marlin Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Chicken Place Restaurant, 504 Bridge Street, Marlin.