This is really about helping rebuild a community and have people not just give money, but goods and services. This is not a short-range, but a long-range project.

So many of them have desperate needs.

It is great to recycle this money in the community for local businesses to expand their technology.

Some people out in the community have requested this meeting to find out where the tax money is going and it will give us a chance to calm some rumors. There are people with the impression there is a monster out there gobbling up the additional money, but there's not. The price of services is just increasing.

I'm up here to show the community we can raise money for needy people.

I have never forgotten the people and community that helped me. I happen to live in a very heartfelt community.