THE SENIOR MEN'S CLUB OF NEW CANAAN
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 10, 2003
President Bob Witt opened the meeting with 165 members present. Membership is 518 with 7 invitees and 13 on the waiting list.
Announcements: President Witt highlighted the past year optimistically covering the important points of couth, speakers, and activities etc. His recap simply accented what makes the SMCNC the great club that it is. Ken DeGroot introduced new members Patrick Dillon and Bob Williams. Dick DePatie informed us of the deaths of Frank Perron and Walter Poor, and told us that Elly King was still recovering in Waveny. Dick Reifers spoke about Bill Gillerlain who also passed away. Joe Elmlinger told us that 350 members are paid up for 2003, therefore leaving 175 senior delinquents. Vance Ward announced that there would be a new member orientation meeting at 8:45 a.m next Friday in the library. President Witt announced that there would be a board of directors meeting on 1/24. Bill Sessions encouraged our attendance at the town zoning board meeting on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. Rod Keagy informed us of a stamp collectors' meeting next Tuesday at the Lapham Center, which will feature part of the collection of FDR.
Activities: Bowling was back in business with three keglers. Bridge set a recent record with 16 players. Paddle still thrives, and 4Fs next lunch will be at the 3 Bears.
Couth: 1/30 is the NY Philharmonic with two buses leaving St. Mark's at 7:45 a.m. 2/20 is the Museum of Moving Image, 3/12 is Mama Mia, and an April trip to the state capitol is being planned.
Resident Humorist: John Berg told us that different areas of the country have their own characteristics. For instance, in Maine there are many recipes for "moose," in the deep south everyone has two first names, and in New York City you can swear at someone in multiple languages.
Speaker: Vice President Bob Shafter introduced Connecticut Superior Court Judge Samuel S. Freedman. Judge Freedman during his career has presided over 52 murder trials and up to a total of 90-100 homicide cases. He stressed that the first thing he tells his jurors to relax, and was extremely laudatory about the jurors who have been present in his courtrooms. He also said that most jurors in our state are very competent regardless of background, and instinctively can tell when a witness is lying. He was very clear on the fact that circumstantial evidence is just as important as direct evidence, and is often just a matter of common sense. Judge Freedman emphasized that in a murder trial it is not up to the defendant to prove innocence, it is up to the state to prove guilt beyond all reasonable doubt. The two factors it must prove are the intent to kill, and the killing itself He did give a few personal thoughts such as 1) Michael Skakel was guilty, 2) he has mixed feelings about capitol punishment but thinks that it is here to stay in this country, 3) DNA is not a perfect answer to all cases, the labs can be tainted, 4) Judge Lance Ito lost the 0.1. Simpson case, and 5). He strongly feels that TV cameras do not have a place in the courtroom. A murder trial is very serious business, not entertainment. In summary, Judge Freedman gave a very relaxed and wonderfully informative speech on the murder trial system in the state of Connecticut.
Eric Musa, Secretary