Rotarians were greeted by Carole Smith and Robert Provencio with smiling faces and warm handshakes. Invocation by John Guerard; flag salute by Pat Thompson; song lead by Carole Smith; and guest Rotarian Alan Chambers from East Rotary was introduced by the Rotarian duo Cheryl Scott & Neil Walker. There were no other guests.

*** The Program***

 The program was given by three ladies; Melanie Farmer- President – President/CEO of the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and Downtown Business Development Corp; Dixie Brewer- owner of “In Your Wildest Dreams” store; and Cassie Bittle- owner of “KC Steakhouse”.

The three of them share information on the Block-to-Block program which is an informational based project started in 2019 by the downtown business owners to improve the downtown businesses, combat crime, and fight homelessness. It is basically a large neighborhood watch program for downtown businesses that identifies problems and comes up with solutions.

Block-to-Block is broken up into business street blocks; a local business owner is chosen as a block captain to report problems in their respective areas to each other and to the police or sheriff. Block-to -Block has helped fund a “street ambassador program” that patrol the downtown businesses to reduce crime and help clean up the “bodily function messes” left behind by homeless.

This program has also helped fund shelters for the homeless like the Brundage Lane Navigation Center. The presentation was excellent and demonstrates that solutions to crime and homelessness can be made when businesses stick and work together.