Mark Freedman talked about COVANTA Energy and its Montgomery facility that processes up to 1,800 tons-per-day of solid waste, generating up to 52 megawatts (net) of renewable energy, enough to power 37,000 homes. All Montgomery waste is first delivered to the Shady Grove Transfer Station in Derwood,MD, compacted into steel waste containers and shipped by rail to the COVANTA plant (eliminating truck traffic). The waste is burned at 2200 degrees (in a state-ofthe- art plant built in 1995) and scrubbed to capture methane and other pollutants. The ashes are used to cover land fill. Methane is the most dangerous of pollutants. Twenty five percent of all methane comes from waste land fill. In Montgomery County the average waste per person is one ton per year.

Economist Milton Friedman (1912-2006) said US economic history has two chapters before and after 1913; the year of the 16th Amendment (income tax) and the Federal Reserve. Before 1913, the US had limited Fed Government and free market capitalism, and after 1913 had big Government, top down management of the economy, and wealth redistribution (ie: progressivism). In 1960 the US economy was 1/3rd that of Great Briton and by 1895 the US had the largest economy, highest standard of living, largest middle class, trading area, and greatest personal economic mobility (from poor to rich). So, why the birth of Progressivism? Four reasons + Teddy Roosevelt was the answer. One: 1898 Imperialism required larger Government and tax base than US tariffs. Two: Trust busting of big industrialists (ie, Standard Oil) for the benefit of local high cost producers. Three: Because of 1907 bank panic the Federal Reserve was created to stabilize the $. Four: The political power was local (and in the US House) instead of the industrialists and Pres T R wanted a strong Executive for the “common good”.

The 2014 Annual meeting and Club Assembly were called to order at 8 am. The nominations for the slate of officers for the 2014-15 year were announced and discussions were opened. No nominations were received from the floor. The slate passed as nominated by unanimous decision. Bruce Fowler was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow times two. Jim Manley gave us an update on the Foundation. They have about $2k in the bank. There was a discussion on how the club and Foundation interact. Club update was provided by Nick Martinez. We have 34 active members. Financial update was provided by Steve Vaccarezza. Club is in good shape for scholarships this year and probably next. We do need to raise funds after that. Fundraising ideas were presented. Service projects were updated by Kevin Flynn and Nick Martinez in place of Mario Price. Kevin let us know that the Rock Creek cleanup will happen on April 5th. Nick let us know that Mario needs help with the dictionaries and Jim Manely volunteered. Our scholarship program was updated by Curt Huff and Kent Mason. Curt deferred due to time constraints and Kent updated us on the Teacher of the Year and the MC scholarships.