Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

GENERAL MEETING
November 24, 2009
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Office
East Park Professional Center Building, Suite # 401
East Park Drive off Belmont Avenue, Salisbury, MD

WNC OFFICERS
Interim Chairperson Cindy Pilchard
Vice President Mike Pretl
Secretary Mary Jane Marine
Treasurer Lena Wallop

I. PRESENT: Joe Austin (Mardela) , Rocky Burnett (University Neighborhood/Salisbury), Carl Dragwa (12 South HOA/Salisbury), Kurt Drechsler (Harbor Pointe/Salisbury) , Bob Hocutt (Schumaker Woods/Salisbury) , Winona Hocutt (Schumaker Woods/Salisbury), Mayor Jim Ireton, (Salisbury/Johnson's Lake), Dexter G. Lunsford (Sleepy Hollow/Salisbury) Nancy Marasco (New Town/Salisbury), Mary Jane Marine (Sharptown), Cindy Pilchard (Schumaker Woods/Salisbury) , Mike Pretl (Riverton), Starr Purnell (Moss Hill/Brookridge/Salisbury), Connie Strott (Nutters Crossing/Salisbury), Dot Truitt (209 Kinsale Court/Salisbury), Lena Wallop (West Side/County) and Richard E. Widdowson (East Main St. Assoc/Salisbury)
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II. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Elect Mike Pretl called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
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III. BUSINESS: By motion Cindy Pilchard, seconded by Kurt Drechsler and carried, the minutes of September 22, 2009 were approved as distributed. Treasurer Lean Wallop reported a balance of $472.22. Upon a motion by Mary Jane Marine, seconded by Kurt Drechsler and carried the Treasurer's report was approved as presented. President Elect Pretl reported a membership tally of 34 combined HOA and individual memberships
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IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Thanks to Conference Committee: President Elect Pretl stated the recent 2nd Conference was the most successful by far than any activity held by WNC. Approximately 75 persons attended. He extended a very special thanks to Cindy Pilchard for all her hard work in making the conference happen.
2. Website Update: Kurt Drechsler said he had sent 30+ pictures taken at the conference to webmaster Donna Rush. He apologized for not being able to identify those persons in the pictures and asks if others would send captions of the photos with the names of those that appeared in the pictures to him and he would forward them on to be placed in the gallery. He also said he would see that the responses to the ranking of neighborhood concerns questionnaire on the website would be forwarded to Cindy Pilchard. It was noted that Donna Rush, of California has provided the website free of charge and it was stated that the WNC is much appreciated of her time, talents and generosity.
Kurt Drechsler said several volunteers are needed to maintain the website. He said if someone would be so gracious to volunteer, please advise him accordingly.
3. Charter: President Elect Pretl said the WNC chose not to incorporate or adopt bylaws and decided to operate under a charter. He has copies of those operating procedures and handed them out to those that asked.
4. Officers: President Elect Pretl said election of officers was held at the Delmar meeting in 2008. He said that Mayor Jim Ireton has advised that he must step down as Chair. President Elect Pretl said he is over committed and too cannot serve as chair but would consider continuing on the board as vice-president. He said Cindy Pilchard has agreed to serve as interim chair if agreeable with the WNC.
With that he made a motion to nominate Cindy Pilchard as interim chair. The motion was seconded by Mary Jane Marine. There were no other nominations from the floor. The notification was closed. By unanimous vote Cindy Pilchard was elected interim chair of the WNC.
Cindy Pilchard said the current officers are Treasurer Lena Wallop, Secretary Mary Jane Marine and Mike Pretl would serve as vice-chair. She motioned those be nominated to serve in the stated capacity. The motion was seconded by Richard Widdowson and carried unanimously.
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V. NEW BUSINESS: Interim Chair Cindy Pilchard said we would defer defining the length of terms at another meeting. It was suggested the officers meet in December. She said that Joe Austin, Dot Truitt, Dexter Lunsford, John Bonas and Richard Widdowson have volunteered to serve on the Community Concerns Committee. She, Jim Ireton and Lena Wallop have volunteered to serve on the Convention and Forums Committee and she, Jim Ireton and Mike Pretl would serve on the Recruitment and Membership Committee. She noted that additional persons could be added to the committees later. She added if anyone is interested in serving on the board to advise her accordingly.
She said we would cancel the December meeting which would fall a few days before Christmas and schedule our next regular meeting for the 4th Tuesday in January.
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VI. PRESENTATION: Salisbury University, Formation of a Center for University - Community Partnerships: Rocky Burnett presented a very informative and impressive power point presentation in regard to partnerships between Salisbury University and the wider community. He addressed the innumerable resources available at the University which would be of great benefit to the surrounding area. He noted that the University is an integral part of the community and the more we come together unified and mutually, the more opportunities available for all concerned. He emphasized his presentation is not politically motivated or critical of the University. His approach is in good faith. He indicated many specific resources available at the University that could be shared with many off-campus groups. His presentation emphasized the need, purpose and hopes to expand the partnership between the University, the neighborhood and wider society not only today but in the future as well.
His presentation was inspirational, creative and appeared very doable. Upon a motion by Richard E. Widdowson, seconded by Kurt Drechsler and carried unanimously the WNC agreed to support Mr. Burnett in his efforts to approach the University with this strategy and wished him great success in working with the University on these initiatives.
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VII. MOVING FORWARD: Vice-Chair Pretl advised that he thinks the WNC should be available to address issues that affect HOA. He suggested that a workshop be held in January or February that could focus on (1) Foreclosures, (2) Concerns of structures (rental/vacant/derelict), and Transition of control/operations from developer to home owners. He asked if any one had any concerns or would like to have their HOA by-laws reviewed he would be pleased to do so. He stated that the Community Foundation might assist in promoting the workshop. By motion of Mary Jane Marine, seconded by Dexter Lunsford and carried unanimously the WNC agreed to support in anyway possible the workshop idea.
The group complimented Mike Pretl on giving so generously of his professional skills and assisting so many individuals and organizations in legal matters.
Mike Pretl graciously invited everyone to the Pretl's home on Saturday, December 19 from 3 to 7:30 for the "Annual Winter Solstice Party on the Nanticoke River" (for info call Mike @ 443-323-3060).
Immediate Past Chairman Mayor Ireton also suggested the WNC hold a judicial forum in early 2010. States Attorney Davis Ruark has contacted the congress and expressed his willingness to speak regarding PBJ, No/pros, and stet docket concerns.
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT. Everyone was asked to introduce themselves and give some background. Vice-President Mike Pretl, Interim President Cindy Pilchard and all present thanked Immediate Past Chairman Mayor Ireton for generous giving of many hours of dedication to the WNC and complimented him on his expertise and devotion in getting the WNC underway with his skillful leadership.
With no other business to come before the assembly, upon a motion by Richard Widdowson, seconded by Dot Truitt and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.
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XI. NEXT MEETING: The next general meeting will be held on January 26, 2010 (fourth Tuesday) at the Community Foundation office unless notified otherwise.

Secretary,
Mary Jane Marine