William Medina takes second turn as Rotary president

DOWNEY — The Rotary Club of Downey held a virtual induction of officers and demotion of the 2019-20 board. Instead of the usual banquet the members attended by Zoom.

In a technological first, William Medina took over the leadership of the club for a second time. President-elect is Jesse Vargas and vice president is Mel Sanchez.  

“I hope you are as excited as I am,” President Will said. “We have lots of plans, and there’s new blood on the board.”

In true club tradition a disrespectful attitude prevailed. President Will was presented with two gavels, “one to use and one to lose.” 

“If I lose the gavel in my own house, that’d be pretty hard to do,” said Will. 

“You never know,” Treasurer Barbara Lamberth replied.

Outgoing President Nathan Mahoney was demoted and thanked for his year with the presentation of a plaque engraved with his name and year, and a mounted gavel. 

Barbara also gave into Nate’s keeping for the year the large plaque that has the name of all of Rotary’s presidents, beginning with Robert Haas in 1924 and complete with now past- president Nathan, 2019-20.