Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

Present:

Rocky Burnett, Debbie Campbell, Kevin Dallaire, Ernie Emond, Janice Hughes, James Ireton, Dexter Lunsford, Mark McIver, Cindy Pilchard, Michael Poremba, Michael Pretl, Connie Strott, Dorothy Truitt, Bruce Webster, Rosemary Weiland, David Wharton, Richard Widdowson
Jim Fineran, Mary K Davis
Absent: Shanie Shields

Guests in attendance included:

Francis Hooks, Carl Crumbacker, Sr, Shawn Tucker, Uvonda Harris, Sharine Townsend, Gregory X. Townsend, John E. Bonas, Phil Moreno, Don Taylor, Karen Silverstrim, G.A. Hamm, Tim Spies, Joe Albero, Terry Cohen

The meeting convened at 7:00 with the reading of a letter from Rick Pollitt by Jim Fineran. A copy of same was then distributed to those in attendance.

Debbie Campbell, acting as co-chair with Rocky Burnett, welcomed those assembled, presented an icebreaking activity, and invited committee members and guests to introduce themselves.

The next activity was general announcements which included a community meeting in Pittsville, the Wicomico Pond Management, the Environmental Trust Strategic Planning Committee, the Camden Neighborhood Association, and Debbie Campbell's Lock-up for Muscular Dystrophy.

The minutes of the March 20th meeting were brought to the floor, moved to accept by Connie Strott and seconded by Cindy Pilchard.

After discussion a motion to reorder the agenda was made by Bruce Webster and seconded by Cindy Pilchard.

Questions were taken from members and guests. The idea of enlarging the committee was brought up. All meetings will be open, and correspondence will be sent to all members of the Congress. The source of authority for the future work of the Congress was questioned. It was stated that the Congress will be independent of all government organizations, will be self-contained, will be an advocacy group that can lobby and pressure political organizations, but is itself, non-political. It can't support candidates, operates on a grass roots level. It will be a county-wide coalition of neighborhood groups, always very careful not to cross the line between advocacy and political action.

Debbie was asked about her vision for this Congress. The question of what we are really here for was raised. Debbie answered that she had traveled, had seen models that had come together in an organized way. She discussed the idea with Rick Pollitt. Rocky Burnett did the original search to find a model which he found in Greensboro, NC. Debbie reiterated that all involved came to this with no pre-conceived notions or agendas. It should provide a forum or a gathering place. It was mentioned that the Congress is a shell for which the Committee must provide structure and that the people have a voice with officials. In response to a concern from a guest, it was stated that members don't have a vote simply because the Congress does not exist yet.

It was further stated that diversity on the committee must continue to be a priority. In the interest of moving on with the work of the committee, Jim Ireton moved to increase the membership of the steering committee by five to ten members. Although some objections to this plan were raised, the committee approved the motion by a voice vote with all members agreeing, and no one opposed. It was decided that emails or phone calls would be sent to all Congress members inviting them to request membership on the steering committee by contacting Shanie Shields, membership chair. At the meeting on April 10th, prospective new members would introduce themselves and new members would be voted on by the committee. Members were reminded that diversity is not only an ethnic issue, but also involves members from areas not currently represented on the committee.

Connie Strott made a motion that special interest groups not be represented on the steering committee or the Neighborhood Congress. It was seconded by Jim Ireton and accepted by the members of the steering committee by voice vote.The question of whether to continue allowing guests to attend the meeting was raised, but members agreed that the transparency of the committee's work is vital. Tim spies addressed that group advising them not to let issues get them down.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35.