Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

I. PRESENT:

Chairman James Ireton (Salisbury), Heather Burham (Bivalve), Debbie Campbell (City Council, Salisbury), Jim Fineran - (County Executive Office), Josh Hastings (Mardela/Athol), Mary Jane Marine (Secretary - Sharptown), Dave McCloud (County Council, Salisbury), Cindy Pilchard (Salisbury), Mike Pretl (Chairman Elect - Riverton) and Lena Wallop (Treasurer - Salisbury).

II. BACKGROUND:

Chairman Ireton gave an over view of past topics, issues, speakers and outcome of our past meetings including our three forums; one in Hebron on Growth and Development, one in Delmar on Crime and the other at Mallard Landing on the Environment. He also referenced past specific concerns mostly those dealing with quality of life, such as recycling, zoning, reforestation and isolation of some communities.
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III. OPEN DISCUSSIONS:

1. PLUS FOR WNC:

a. Geographic diversity - Reaching out to communities. It seemed to be a consensus with the group that the WNC had been successful in reaching out to our communities of Hebron, Delmar and Salisbury by way of three forums. .

b. Adherence to our Mission - Our strategy of educating, organizing, empowering and advocating by urging government to address concerns. Overall, it seemed for the most part, through the forums and many discussions the WNC mission had been addressed.

c. Tools to Use: It was noted that the media had been very supportive of the WNC including copy space in the Daily Times, time given by the local TV stations and promotion and support by County Executive Rick Pollitt and staff.
Chairman Ireton also noted he had tried to get input on the national, state and local levels to benefit neighborhoods in our County during each forum.
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2. DELTA (WITH SUGGESTIONS):

a. Our Model - Has the model we have been following been successful? Mike Pretl believed we have concentrated more on neighborhoods and not individuals and now have no membership base with a worker or workers that could totally dedicate much time and continuous effort to move the WNC forward. He said his comments in no way took away from folks that have contributed to our success thus far and sincerely congratulated Chairman Ireton for his dedication and accomplishments for the WNC. Others felt that our model had been very helpful in the accomplishments and success of the WNC.
b. Success and Follow Up - Did we or did we not empower and educate by measuring affects thereafter and have we or have we not maintained interest for membership involvement? Some felt that we had satisfied our mission as a result of our forums, with specific reference as small groups that had organized with like interests or issues. Others in our group believed it was too early in WNC history to determine success and further, there was no way to really measure positive or negative results at this time.
It was stated that although our attendance had been good at our forums, our meeting attendance had fallen from 20 or 30 to a far lesser number. The initial, original persons and many later contacts had not attended our forums or our past meetings even though 59 contacts on our email list had been notified of all meetings; date, time and location.
c. Outreach & Requirement: Dave McCloud suggested we get a list of all neighborhood associations and invite them to participate. He believed we should focus on neighborhood and home owners associations. Cindy Pilchard noted we had previously mailed to those for which we had an address and believed the list should be updated. She also suggested each one present invite 10 people to our next meeting. Other suggestions included developing and designing flyers, letters to mayors of our municipalities, and communities, posters and WNC representatives attending town meetings throughout our County.

It was general consensus that people are not likely to attend any meeting unless the subject is germane to each on a personal basis. The group discussed plans for 2009. It was suggested the Planning Office be contacted for home owner's association mailing address. Debbie Campbell suggested a survey online for citizen input to obtain topics which the WNC could use as focus for forums this year.
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IV. MOVING FORWARD:

1. The WNC needs to check with Mr. Jack Lennox for address/contacts for home owner's associations/neighbor associations.
2. Change/update any forms on the internet including our current address as WNC PO Box 145, Sharptown, MD 21861
3. Ask how to and establish survey/poll on the internet for citizen input on topics of interest and relevance. .
4. Contact Mr. Ray Micciche, County Information Department to design a website for the WNC.
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V. ADJOURNMENT:

This meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. The next meeting of the WNC is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 with the location to be determined. Notice of the next meeting will be sent by email.

Minutes by Secretary,

Mary Jane Marine