Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Gracious and Holy Lord,
We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. When we see glimpses of things, we jump to conclusions, make judgments, and think we know the truth. We want instant gratification, instant answers, and instant results. We throw fits when we do not get our way or what we want. Help us to have the patience and strength to seek Your truth, Your path, and most importantly, to trust in Your timing.
Amen.
Announcements
Thank You Nancy Lehren
Paul Boeckman recognized Nancy Lehren for all of her years of service with the Childhood and Health and Wellness Committee. She received a gift on behalf of the club.
Oratorical Contest – Regional and State
Debe Dockins announced that the regional oratorical contest will be at the Centerville Police Department at 6 PM. The State level contest will be held on May 3, 2025, at the Ohio District Meeting in Dublin near Columbus.
Youth Volunteer Recognition
Debe Dockins, Gary Anderson and Charlie Tapp announced when the recognition lunches will occur to thank our youth volunteers. These are kids who have helped at our various events like the Haunted Trail.
- CHS: Wednesday, April 30, 4th/5th lunch with City Barbecue Catering (Mike Cordonnier)
- INCARNATION: Thursday, April 24, 11:30 am-12:10 pm with pizza (Debe Dockins)
- MAGSIG: Wednesday, April 23, 3:45 pm with pizza (Charlie Tapp)
- TOWER HEIGHTS: Tuesday, May 20, 3:45 pm with pizza (Gary Anderson)
- WATTS: Monday, May 12, 3:45 pm with pizza (Joan Cordonnier and Erin Laurito)
Kentucky Derby Party
Sue Jessee announced that the Derby Party will take place May 3, 2025, at 4:30 PM. For details and to sign up, use the Member Calendar. Sue said it is time to start making your hats for the Derby Hat contest.
Build-a-Bear
Carol Smerz announced that the next Build-a-Bear will be May 2, 2025, at South Community Mental Health Center in Moraine – volunteers are needed. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Avenue of Flags – Time to Renew
Tom Novak announced that the annual checkup is about to begin for Avenue of Flags.If you have not renewed, please do so quickly. If you want to help deliver flags this year let him know.
Americana Booth Volunteers Needed
Karen Charnesky, the chair of the Americana Festival Booth Committee announced she is looking for volunteers for the booth. For details and to sign up, use the Member Calendar.
Election Process for 2025–2026 Leadership Team – Week Three
Today we continued to hear from the leadership team for 2025-2026. For full details of the process and all of the leaders for 2025-2026 click here for details of the process.
The actual election will be finalized next week.
Kristin Passidomo – Board Member
Born and raised in Carmel, Indiana, Kristin attended college at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, before eventually making her way to Ohio. She dedicated 32 years to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, with Montgomery County as her largest employer, before retiring.
Kristin’s introduction to the Optimist Club came through her husband Dan—known to many as “Dr. Dan”—when he invited her to a club event. She recalls walking into a Christmas party and immediately feeling welcomed by the warmth and friendliness of everyone there. After learning more about the club’s mission and activities, she joined in 2017 and quickly got involved.
Over the years, Kristin has volunteered in many club events and programs, including the Avenue of Flags, the golf outing, Tri-Star Basketball, the Easter egg stuffing, the Christmas tree lot, Build-A-Bear, and the Haunted Trail. Her energy and passion for giving back are at the heart of her service.
Kristin and Dan have been married for 10 years and share a blended family of six children, three sons-in-law, five grandchildren, a dog named Rudy, and a cat named Kevin. Outside the club, she continues to give back through pre-marriage mentoring at SouthBrook Church and serves as President of the local LPGA Amateur Golf Association chapter. She also enjoys spending time with her grandkids and golfing.
Kristin closed her remarks by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve and her excitement about making a meaningful impact through her work on the board.
Cameron Langer – Board Member
Cameron Langer is no stranger to the Centerville Noon Optimist Club. Many members remember him running around our events as a kid, alongside his father, longtime CNO member Scott Langer. Now, years later, Cameron is experiencing a full-circle moment as he joins the CNO Board of Directors.
A 2014 graduate of Centerville High School, Cameron went on to play football at Butler University in Indianapolis for five years. After an ACL injury and choosing not to take a sixth COVID-eligible year, he began his professional journey. While networking in the Dayton area, he connected with Chuck, owner of the 12 Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken and Catering locations and soon found himself back in his hometown.
Cameron now works in marketing and operations with Lee’s, and he brings his local roots, youthful energy, and appreciation for the club’s mission to his new role on the board. He shared that he’s grateful for the opportunity to give back to an organization that helped shape him growing up.
Welcome, Cameron!
Sheriff Rob Streck: Drug Use, Grand Theft Auto, and Human Trafficking in Montgomery County
Gary Smiga introduced Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck, who brought updates on three troubling public safety trends: drug abuse, auto theft, and human trafficking. Sheriff Streck didn’t hold back—his presentation was fast-paced and full of facts that painted a sobering picture of crime in the region.
Streck began his career in 1996 as a Corrections Officer and has since served in nearly every division of the Sheriff’s Office. He became Chief Deputy in 2013 and was later appointed Sheriff. A graduate of Brookville High School and Columbia Southern University, he is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Today, he oversees a department of 522 employees with a contract for law enforcement services in Washington Township.
Slides
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
What Does the Sheriff’s Office Do?
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office covers a vast range of responsibilities that go far beyond patrolling the streets. Streck outlined several areas of operation:
- Bulk Currency Smuggling Investigations
- R.A.N.G.E. Task Force (Narcotics and Gun Enforcement)
- Human Trafficking Investigations
- Environmental Task Forces
- County Jail Operations
- Court Security
- Foreclosures and Tax Sales Oversight
- Regional Dispatch Center
- Regional Training Center
- Road Patrols (including Forensic Services, K9 Units, Crisis Intervention Teams, and Co-Responders)
- Specialized Units (SWAT, Drone Operators, Sexual Predator Tracking, and Arson Investigations)
- Violent Crimes and Investigations Division
This wide scope demonstrates the evolving demands on modern law enforcement and the multidisciplinary approach the Sheriff’s Office takes to protect the community.
Drug Crisis: Still the Leading Cause of Death for Ages 18–44
Drug overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18–44, and Montgomery County continues to feel the weight of the crisis.
In 2015, overdose deaths surpassed car accident deaths in the county. That year, there were 259 overdose deaths. The number peaked at 566 in 2017. Although the total dropped to 175 in 2024, Sheriff Streck emphasized that the threat remains severe.
“COVID may have pushed it off the front page, but we’re still seeing overdoses every day.”
Prescription and Synthetic Drugs Still Fueling Addiction
Prescription opiates like Vicodin and Oxycodone are being sold for as much as $30 per pill. Did you know that giving or receiving prescription drugs between family and friends is a felony, is dangerous and that 56% of the drugs taken are through this path. Only 18% are received from single doctors.
People also steal medications from open houses, a known tactic among organized groups.
The most dangerous drug in circulation is fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than morphine. It’s found in nearly every drug tested today—heroin, meth, cocaine, and even counterfeit pills. Its potency and low cost make it the number one opioid of abuse in our area.
Adding to the danger is Xylazine, a veterinary sedative that Narcan can’t fully reverse. Overdose victims may relapse hours after appearing stable.
Meth and Crack Have Returned
Crystal meth is no longer made in basements—it’s mass-produced and smuggled across borders. Crack cocaine has also returned, now often laced with fentanyl. Streck said drug seizures are so frequent that what used to make headlines is now routine. His teams are still confiscating up to 19 kilos of fentanyl at a time—but far more is getting through.
Montgomery County’s two main drug task forces, R.A.N.G.E. and Bulk Smuggling, have seized millions in pills, drugs, and cash. Their goal is to push drug cartels out of the region.
G.R.O.W. and Narcan: Saving Lives
The G.R.O.W. program (Getting Recovery Options Working) connects overdose victims and their families with treatment and mental health services.
Streck continues to support broad distribution of Narcan/Naloxone, saying:
“Our goal is simple: help someone live long enough to get help.”
Grand Theft Auto is Booming
Streck called the rise in vehicle thefts a “crisis.” It started with Kias and Hyundais, which could be stolen with a USB device. Some victims have had their cars stolen multiple times, and insurance companies are dropping coverage for these people.
Thieves now target high-end vehicles like BMWs, Corvettes, and Tahoes. Devices that unlock and start cars are cheap and easy to find online. The Sheriff’s Office takes special precautions to secure its cruisers to prevent theft using this same technology.
Officers are actively conducting undercover operations, and the department runs Law Enforcement Blitzes—a tactic where multiple agencies are deputized to tackle crime hot spots in neighborhoods.
Human Trafficking: High Profit, Low Risk
Ohio ranks 5th in human trafficking incidents, and 4th per capita. The crime is driven by high profits and low penalties. Streck said traffickers often make $150,000–$200,000 per victim per year, and most have 4–6 victims working at a time.
Unlike drug crimes, human trafficking doesn’t come with large cash seizures—so it receives less attention and fewer resources. But Montgomery County has made it a priority.
The Miami Valley Human Trafficking Taskforce, staffed by just three people, has:
- Handled 383 calls
- Opened 269 cases
- Rescued 141 victims
- Referred 225 victims to social services
- Conducted over 200 search warrants
“48 hours after a child runs away, they are likely to be lured into sex acts,” Streck warned. “It happens that fast.”
A Final Word: Be Alert, Be Involved
Streck closed by reminding everyone that law enforcement can’t do it alone. Whether it’s properly disposing of prescription meds, securing your car, or reporting suspicious behavior, he encouraged everyone to stay alert.
Thank You
Thank you, Sheriff Rob Streck, for sharing your knowledge—and for your tireless work to keep our community safe.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” -Rosalynn Carter
Volunteer and Social Event Signups Available Online with the Virtual Clipboard
Did you know you can now sign up to volunteer or participate in social events using a simple online registration form from your phone or PC? The Member Calendar has a complete list of upcoming volunteer opportunities and social events.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Ashley Holmes | Aert Hung |
| Bill Fischer | Patrick Arehart |
| Donna Kastner | Mike Bevis |
| Kevin Lawler | Jane Fiehrer |
| Mary Garman | Chris Peterson |
| Mike Hoffbauer | Greg Hoffbauer |
| Sheriff Rob Streck | Speaker |
| Olga Simon | Ron Thompson |
| Jeremy Roy | Program |
| Josh Samples | Program |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Donna Kastner | Mike Bevis | 3rd Reading |
| Ashley Holmes | Art Hung | 3rd Reading |
| Olga Simon | Ron Thompson | Induction |
| Teresa Nichols | Jane Fiehrer | Induction |
Happy Bucks
No time for Happy Bucks this week
Sergeants at Arms – Steve Rau and Don Stafford
No time for Sergeants this week.
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Mark Petre | April 22, 1996 | 29 |
| Vicki Thompson | April 23, 2024 | 1 |
| Mike Newkirk | April 23, 2024 | 1 |
| Andrew Nathan | April 23, 2024 | 1 |
| Jessie Kuhn | April 23, 2024 | 1 |
| Donna Huss | April 24, 2012 | 13 |
| Dr. Dan Passidomo | April 25, 2007 | 18 |
| Kelly Kempton | April 26, 2022 | 3 |
| Debby Moore | April 26, 2022 | 3 |
Birthdays
| Keith Meyer | April 23 |
| Dennis Dockins | April 27 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes received this week
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slides from this week’s meeting