Our Guests included our Speaker for the evening, Julia Dean, Skagit County Prosecutor, Rich Weyrich, Susan Gutterberg and Jan Vigre of the Fidalgo Rotary Club. Also in attendance were Mike Cook, who is interested in learning more about Rotary and former La Conner, now Burlington Rotary member, Tara Pasternak
Danielle spoke about Karen Ryan, who passed away suddenly on April 18th of this year. Her heartfelt message was meaningful to all. She will be missed by so many family, friends and Rotarians. Danielle noted that she received a kind message and $100.00 donation to the IPA, in memory of Karen, from friends made years ago when Danielle and Karen were on a trip to Eastern Europe.
Audrey introduced Julia Dean: Julia was born and raised in Skagit County on a dairy farm located on Beavermarsh Road, midway between Mount Vernon and La Conner. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School where she was heavily involved in sports and FFA. She attended Washington State University and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. While in college she also competed as an athlete on the Women’s NCAA Division 1 Rowing team as both a rower and a coxen. Following graduation, and after two years of working on a large wheat farm, Julia enrolled at Willamette University Law School. While there she clerked for a judge and worked for the local District Attorney's Office. During that time, her passion for public service and criminal justice solidified.
Mr. Weyrich added several kind words about Julia before she came to the podium.
Julia’s focus currently is on Retail theft (as opposed to organized criminal theft). She stressed that Retail Theft is a major problem for retailers, law enforcement and the community. It is rampant in Skagit County. It is difficult to prosecute for several reasons, first the laws in Washington State, according to Julia, tend to favor the perpetrators. Secondly, Store management, at the corporate level, are more worried about injury to employees and liability if the thieves are chased. She sited several incidents where a thief just walked out of the store with tags still on the stolen items. Many of the thieves have addiction issues and are solicited by their suppliers to trade the items they take for drugs. Those items are then sold online (FaceBook Market Place, for example).
Julia spoke briefly about “organized theft rings”, pointing out that they often work as groups, stealing big ticket items that are then “fenced”. One incident, a raid in Skagit County, resulted in nearly $200,000 worth of stolen goods.
Her presentation was well-received and many questions were asked.
Following Ms. Dean’s presentation announcements from club members included:Ollie, who shared that preliminary Tulip sales show a gross amount of $40,000, without all of the merchant money yet collected. Ollie added his thanks to ever club member who participated and especially John and Marty who staffed the Stands repeatedly throughout the month.
Dennis also complimented Audrey on the outstanding job she has done this year…as she nears the end of her commitment.
Other announcements:
Danielle advised the Club that Karen left $10,000 to La Conner Rotary.
President Audrey Gravley, who quoted Anonymous:
“I wear the badge of volunteer proudly. It is the role that defines me, empowers me, and gives me a purpose beyond myself”.