At the September luncheon, one of our guests, Dr. Bruce Hawkins, Superintendent of ESD #123, shared with us the new "Attendance Matters" program the ESD has developed in conjunction with United Way of Benton & Franklin counties.
In this first year of implementation, the program is directed toward those middle school students who have already begun demonstrating less than productive attendance in school. Our membership gave a resounding round of applause in response to his request for our endorsement of the program.
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| L to R: Jim Foster, standing; Sharon Brown, standing; Bruce Hawkins, seated at the head table; and Phil Lemley, standing against the dark background to the right. |
The main focus for the luncheon was to meet the two candidates for the 8th district (Kennewick) senate seat: Sharon Brown (R) and Phil Lemley (R). Jim Foster, our legislative grill-master, asked the candidates a series of questions for which they had a set amount of time to respond. Let it be said by this reporter the questions didn't always get answered, but Jim did a great job of keeping the two candidates focused on those questions, while at the same time "schooling" them on our issues.
Following the formal Q&A, Jim opened the floor for members questions. A lively discussion ensued, and either fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, we ran out of time.
Big thank you's to Jim and A.J. Foster and Elaine Banks for not only meeting with these candidates so they can be informed of what our issues as school retirees are, but also for getting them to the luncheon where we get to know them better and consequently are able to cast more informed votes at the ballot box in November.
