People, Places & Events

USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 5-14
changes the watch
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 5-14 installed officers for the coming year, including two elected positions and appointments at its Change of Watch banquet Dec. 13.
Jim Salzmann was isntalled as flotilla commander and Betty Abbott as flotilla vice commander.
Staff officers appointed for 2009 are aids to navigation – John Steele, communications – Harry Kaufman, communications services – Howard “Nick” Nicholas, finance – Carol Meyer, information services – Rosemary Farmer, marketing & public affairs – Darell Murphy and materials – Sandy Janow.
Additional staff include member training – Giles Farmer, operations – Chuck Abbott, personnel services – Joe Erwin, public education – John Raden, publications – Michell Zeig, RBS program visitation – Royce Brimage, secretary/records – Chris Daley, vessel examination – Dave Rist, National Safe Boating Week – Linda Fernald and social chairman – Marnie Fackler.
Lt. Mark Molavi, Kenny Morris and Bill Fackler, outgoing commander, made the closing remarks.
Molavi, who is currently with Search and Rescue boating safety, thanked the outgoing officers and commended the Flotilla 5-14 on its safety record.
“You did a good job with that,” he said.
Morris and Fackler both thanked the outgoing officers and staff and welcomed the incoming group.


Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
The 2009 staff officers for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 5-14 were
installed at the Change of Watch banquet Dec. 13. Pictured are (not in order
and not all present) John Steele, Harry Kaufman, Howard “Nick” Nicholas,
Carol Meyer, Rosemary Farmer, Darell Murphy, Sandy Janow, Giles Farmer,
Chuck Abbott, Joe Erwin, John Raden, Michell Zeig, Royce Brimage, Chris
Daley, Rave Rist, Linda Fernald and Marnie Fackler.

Kemp installs new secretary,
hears citizen’s complaint
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KEMP–While there were several agenda items for Kemp City Council to act upon Thursday, only two were not regular items of business.
A resident complained of treatment he received at the city hall, and a new city secretary was named as a signer on the city’s financial accounts.
In one motion, former secretary Teri Murdock was removed and Shawna Hubbard was added to the bank’s list of those allowed to sign for city business.
Hubbard joined the city just before the Thanksgiving holiday, replacing Murdock, who left to take a similar post with the city of Italy.
Hubbard was previously in commercial property management for the past 10 years.
Dec. 1, she bought a residence in Kemp.
The second action item involved resident Don Gutschenritter, who stressed he was not happy with his treatment at city hall.
“I reported a (water) leak at least 14 months ago,” he said, explaining he hand-dug in the area until the leak was located.
“I called the city administrator (James Stroman) and they sent a man out,” Gutschenritter said. “Three workers came out, and they did a good job.”
However, the workers were called away and failed to return, leaving his driveway inaccessible.
Stroman was not concerned about fixing his driveway, Gutschenritter said, and he described a small verbal altercation in which both men supposedly raised their voices.
“My house sits back (from the road) and the job is not complete,” he said.
The confrontation ended with Gutschenritter being escorted from the building by a police officer, he explained.
Mayor Billy Teel promised the matter would be resolved.
“As soon as it dries, we will come out and fix it to your satisfaction,” Teel said.

Rotary gets a peek at diving videos
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–Exciting, different and colorful are just a few of the ways to describe the “Sizzle Reels” presented at the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake’s weekly luncheon Dec. 12.
The five-minute videos are the first step to what may be a reality TV production in the very near future.
Scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) diver Randy Harris was the keynote speaker for the Rotary Club.
Harris is the marketing director for Explorer Adventures. Just type the title in on the Internet for some very beautiful pictures and information.
He is also the executive producer of LiquidAssets, which can be seen on the Internet by just typing in the name.
“You are the first to see these ‘sizzle reels’ besides the Explorer Adventures company people,” Harris said.
One reel was titled “Into the Drink,” which showed divers living on a 125-foot boat.
“The Drink” referred to the ocean.
“You can’t drink and then dive,” Harris cautioned.
Harris explained the reasoning and development of the five-minute videos.
“The process is different to get your show on TV,” he said “We think we have two good shows here.”
After the videos, Harris answered several questions from the audience.
Then he demonstrated how divers are called to get ready for the day’s dive by blowing on a large conch shell.